Press Releases
Luján Kicks Off Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján, the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, kicked off the official lighting ceremony for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree delivered from Carson National Forest in New Mexico's Third Congressional District. An excerpt from Luján's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are included below: Thank you for that introduction, and welcome to the 2019 Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony! I'm thrilled to be here with you all this evening, and … Continue Reading
November 20, 2019
Luján Introduces Legislation to Boost Innovation and Improve Health Care for Rural Communities
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján, the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, introduced bipartisan legislation to support primary care providers and improve health care in underserved and rural communities. The Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act establishes a federal grant program to support technology-based health care systems, similar to those developed by Project ECHO. The legislation was introduced by Reps. Luján, Michael Burgess (R-FL), Xochitl Torres … Continue Reading
November 19, 2019
Luján Statement on Passing of Ron Wilmot
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, issued the following statement on the passing of Ron Wilmot, a staffer in his Tucumcari, N.M. office: "Yesterday, a longtime staffer and friend, Ron Wilmot, passed away. I am grieving with his family, friends, and the Quay community today over the loss of a dedicated public servant who brought care and attention to the people of New Mexico's Third Congressional District. Ron was an original … Continue Reading
November 13, 2019
Luján Introduces Legislation to Improve Diagnostic Research and Save Lives
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) to bolster diagnostic research in medicine and improve patient outcomes. The Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act makes critical investments to advance research and progress in diagnostic quality, safety, and value in health care. In the United States, diagnostic errors result in between 40,000 and 80,000 preventable … Continue Reading
November 12, 2019
Luján, Members of Congress Introduce Legislation to Support Student Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, and Members of Congress, introduced bipartisan legislation to support student veterans and address wage disparities. The Wage Adjustment for Veterans Enrolled in School Act would require that Veterans Affairs work-study wage match the local minimum wage if higher than the state minimum wage - ensuring that student veterans are paid fairly for their work. Full time or 3/4-time students who … Continue Reading
November 12, 2019
Luján Honors Veterans in District Events
Washington, D.C. - Over the weekend, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, participated in events across New Mexico's Third Congressional District honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's veterans. At a ceremony in Taos on Saturday, Congressman Luján presented more than 40 local veterans with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to honor their service to our country. The pinning ceremony was part of a national effort to honor Vietnam-era … Continue Reading
November 08, 2019
Luján Statement Recognizing Veterans Day
Santa Fe, N.M. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day: "This Veterans Day, we honor the proud tradition of service and the veterans who sacrificed for our nation's security. From the Navajo Code Talkers to New Mexicans who endured the Bataan Death March in World War II, New Mexicans have always answered our nation's call to service. "One of our most important obligations as public servants must be to … Continue Reading
November 05, 2019
Luján Announces Campaign Finance Reform Package to Bolster Transparency in Elections
Nambé, N.M. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, along with U.S. Representatives John Yarmuth (D-KY) and Peter Welch (D-VT), announced that they will reintroduce a campaign finance reform package this week to bolster transparency and accountability in elections. The legislation is being introduced one year ahead of the 2020 elections. This package would hold special interests accountable and ensure transparency in political advertising. … Continue Reading
November 05, 2019
Members of Congress Call for Investigation After ICE Deletes Video Needed to Investigate the Death of Roxsana Hernandez
WASHINGTON- Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Committee Chairs and the New Mexico Delegation called on the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General to launch an investigation into the actions of Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) with regard to the treatment of Roxsana Hernandez and ICE's failure to preserve video evidence that may have been crucial to her family seeking justice. Roxsana, a trans woman from Honduras, died just weeks after arriving in the United … Continue Reading
October 30, 2019
New Mexico Delegation Celebrates House Passage of Permanent Chaco Canyon Protections
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján, the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, along with U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small, joined Tribal leaders and conservation advocates to celebrate the House passage of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, a bipartisan bill to prevent future mineral leasing on federally-owned lands around Chaco Canyon. Introduced in April by the New Mexico Delegation, the … Continue Reading
October 29, 2019
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce USDA Grants for Native Americans, Veterans for Agricultural Training and Support
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded the Not Forgotten Outreach organization $200,766 to train veterans in agricultural practices to support their transition from military to civilian life. The USDA also awarded the Indian Nations Conservation Alliance (INCA) $224,412 for outreach programs to improve access to USDA tribal grant … Continue Reading
October 25, 2019
New Mexico Delegation Announces Grants to Airports Across New Mexico For Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded more than $7 million in grants to airports across New Mexico, including the Santa Fe Municipal Airport, Las Cruces International Airport, Portales Municipal Airport and Lea County Regional Airport, to fund infrastructural improvements. "New … Continue Reading
October 21, 2019
Luján Honors 75 Vietnam War Veterans
Washington, D.C. - On Saturday, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, presented 75 local Vietnam Veterans with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin - a commendation of our nation's lasting gratitude to U.S. military veterans who served during the Vietnam War - in a ceremony held at the Gallup Cultural Center. At the ceremony, Congressman Luján presented the veterans with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to honor and thank them for their service to our … Continue Reading
October 18, 2019
SENATORS DURBIN, WYDEN, HIRONO, ROSEN AND ASSISTANT SPEAKER LUJÁN STAND WITH DACA SCOTUS PLAINTIFFS AND IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES TO CALL ON CONGRESS TO PROTECT DREAMERS
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Assistant Speaker and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Member Ben Ray Luján (D-NM-03), joined plaintiffs in the upcoming DACA case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and immigration advocates to call on Congress to pass legislation that would offer permanent protection from … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Luján Statement on Passing of Elijah Cummings
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the passing of Elijah Cummings: "The death of Elijah Cummings is a devastating loss for our democracy, the Congress, and the people of Maryland. Elijah was a statesman - a man who epitomized what it means to serve honorably and with purpose. Though he rose to great heights and took the challenge of defending our country on with grace and tenacity, Elijah always thought first of his … Continue Reading
October 11, 2019
NM Delegation Announces Humanitarian Assistance Awards for New Mexico Organizations, Communities
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced the National Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) has begun awarding the first wave of Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance (SAHA) to organizations and localities in Bernalillo County, Doña Ana County, and Luna County. In June, the lawmakers secured … Continue Reading
October 10, 2019
Luján Highlights Los Alamos National Laboratory on Congressional Delegation Tour
Los Alamos, N.M. - This week, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S House Assistant Speaker, and Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, toured Los Alamos National Laboratory on a congressional delegation highlighting the importance of New Mexico's national labs. Congressmen Luján and Smith were joined by the Department of Energy's Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty. As Co-Chair of the … Continue Reading
October 09, 2019
Luján Commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, N.M. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, addressed staff members at Los Alamos National Laboratory to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans and Latinos in science, technology, and engineering. An excerpt from Luján's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are included below: As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I'm especially humbled to have an opportunity to … Continue Reading
October 08, 2019
Udall Chairs Indian Affairs Field Hearing on the Legacy of Uranium Mining in New Mexico and Indian Country
Additional photos available HERE, HERE and HERE. WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, chaired an official Indian Affairs Committee oversight field hearing entitled "America's Nuclear Past: Examining the Effects of Radiation on Indian Country" at the Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Albuquerque, N.M. Udall was joined by U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Deb Haaland (D-N.M.). The … Continue Reading
October 04, 2019
Assistant Speaker Luján and Senator Warren Announce Plan to Reintroduce the Accountable Capitalism Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced they will reintroduce the Accountable Capitalism Act to help eliminate skewed market incentives and return to the era when the success of American corporations translated into success for American workers. The legislation aims to reverse the harmful trends over the last 30 years that have led to record corporate profits, productivity, and CEO pay, … Continue Reading