Press Releases
Luján Statement on Vote to Condemn President Trump’s Racist Comments
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the House vote to condemn President Trump's racist comments directed toward Members of Congress: "Our Congress is historically diverse - filled with viewpoints, background, and experiences that represent the American people. President Trump's comments directed toward my colleagues were racist, inexcusable, and an attack on women of color. I find the comments abhorrent. "As I stand … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Luján, Members of Congress Introduce Legislation to Expand Compensation for Individuals Impacted by Radiation Exposure
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, introduced legislation to expand compensation for individuals exposed to radiation while working in and living near uranium mines or downwind from nuclear weapon test sites. Tens of thousands of individuals, including miners, transporters, and other employees who worked directly in uranium mines, along with communities located near test sites for nuclear weapons, were exposed during the … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Luján Statement on President Trump Asylum Law Changes
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Speaker Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on President Trump's decision to limit asylum: "The United States has been a beacon for refugees and asylum-seekers since its earliest days, and it is built into our moral bedrock to welcome children and families who are escaping abject violence, rape, and poverty. "President Trump's illegal attempts to change our asylum laws are just the latest reprehensible action put forward by an administration … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Luján, Haaland, Torres Small call to end blackouts of local programming
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, and Representatives Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) called on Nexstar and AT&T/DIRECTTV to restore access to critical news programs in New Mexico as the two companies continue negotiations. In the letter to Nexstar Chief Executive Officer Perry Sook and AT&T/DIRECTTV Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson, Luján, Haaland, and Torres Small criticized … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Luján Statement on Passage of 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the House vote to renew the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund: "Today's vote was for James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, Luis Alvarez, and every first responder who charged into danger to after our country was attacked on 9/11. We owe these men and women an enormous debt, and the permanent extension of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund represents our country living up to the commitments we … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Luján Secures Major Environmental and Scientific Investments for New Mexicans
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that he secured major environmental and scientific victories for New Mexican families in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which the House passed on Friday. "As President Trump continues to undermine our country's national security and economy, House Democrats took the responsible step to keep Americans safe, invest in our communities, support our servicemembers, and protect our … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Luján Statement on the Death of Ernestine Romero
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, issued the following statement on the death of Ernestine Romero: "Ernestine Romero inspired and blessed us with her music and passion all of her life. I am heartbroken over the loss of such a vibrant soul. Her death is a tragedy for New Mexico. "Domestic and gun violence are plagues on our communities - and we must take action to prevent these senseless deaths. "Today, I'm sending my … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Luján, Torres Small Criticize Trump Administration for Veto Threat Harming National Security, New Mexico Dairy Farmers
Washington, D.C. - Today, Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) sharply criticized the threats from the Trump administration to undercut our country's national security and harm dairy farmers in New Mexico. This week, President Trump threatened to veto the National Defense Authorization Act - legislation that responsibly funds our nation's defense systems - over the inclusion of language requiring the Air Force to replace or clean … Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Luján Demands Resignation of Secretary Acosta
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement demanding the resignation of Labor Secretary Alex Acosta: "Secretary Acosta stonewalled justice and allowed a serial child predator to escape punishment. He must resign. "It took bravery and courage for the women who accused Jeffrey Epstein to speak out about his unconscionable abuse - courage and bravery that Secretary Acosta clearly lacks. "It was a new low for the Trump administration to … Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Luján Introduces Legislation to Recognize Traditional Land Uses
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, introduced legislation to ensure greater consultation between the federal government and New Mexico's land grants and acequias. The Land Grant and Acequia Traditional Use Recognition Act recognizes how land grants and acequias depend on community care and resources, while also ensuring that the federal government recognizes the importance of these water resources in New Mexico. Luján … Continue Reading
July 09, 2019
NM Delegation Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize Native American Language Programs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) applauded the Senate passage of the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act to strengthen Tribally-developed Native American language revitalization programs. The bill is named after Esther Martinez, an Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo … Continue Reading
July 08, 2019
Luján Announces 2019 Congressional App Competition
Santa Fe, N.M. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, announced details for the 2019 Congressional App Challenge. Through participation in this contest, students create their own software application. Winning students are honored by their member of Congress and the applications are eligible to be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol Building and online. The Congressional App Challenge is open to middle and high schools students in New … Continue Reading
June 27, 2019
Luján Statement on Efforts to Protect America’s Elections, Democracy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján issued the following statement on the election security package House Democrats passed on Thursday: "There is irrefutable evidence that Russia and foreign actors interfered in the 2016 elections to disrupt and distort its outcome. That interference threatens the very core of our Democracy and demands safeguards to protect our future elections. The SAFE Act strengthens our national security by increasing funding for … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Luján Initiative to Protect Chaco Canyon Approved by House
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján's initiative to secure a one-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Assistant Speaker Luján's amendment was included in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations package that passed Tuesday - a critical move toward securing a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in the greater Chaco region. A … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Luján Statement on Funding Package to Ease Humanitarian Crisis at the Border
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján issued the following statement on the funding package that passed the House Tuesday evening: "There is a humanitarian crisis at the border. We've heard appalling stories of children caring for babies, sick kids going without medical care, refugees lacking soap, toothpaste, and basic legal services. The conditions these people are being held in are abhorrent and lay bare the lack of moral authority within the Trump … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Luján Initiative to Protect Chaco Canyon Approved by House
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján's effort to secure a one-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives - a significant step toward final passage. Assistant Speaker Luján's amendment was adopted for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies fiscal year 2020 appropriations package. That funding package is set to be approved by the House next … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Luján, Udall, Heinrich Lead 52 Lawmakers in Challenging Trump Roll Back of Methane Waste Prevention Rule
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall, ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland, and Raul Grijalva, Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee led a group of 52 lawmakers in filing an amicus brief challenging the Trump Interior Department's decision to revise and effectively reverse the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 2016 Methane and … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Luján Announces Major Investments for American Families
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that major victories for New Mexican families were included in the Labor, Health and Human Services fiscal year 2020 appropriations package that passed the House. "After years of Republicans working to chip away at our health care and economic security, House Democrats put forward bold ideas to uplift middle-class families and put America back on track. I am proud to have championed efforts to … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Luján Announces $400 Million for Women’s Health
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that the House will consider his effort to invest $400 million in the Title X family planning programs that support the health needs of women and families. More than 190 House Democrats signed onto Luján's push for the Title X funds, which have been systematically cut by congressional Republicans and the Trump administration. In New Mexico, there are 67 health care clinics that receive Title … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Luján to Address Next Generation Water Summit
Santa Fe, N.M. - Tomorrow, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, will address the third annual Next Generation Water Summit to discuss initiatives to promote water conservation and address the climate crisis. WHEN: TOMORROW, June 14 at 8:15 a.m. MT WHERE: Santa Fe Convention Center, 201 West Marcy Street, Santa Fe. Press interested in covering this event should RSVP to … Continue Reading