Press Releases
Luján Joins House Democrats in Introducing H.R. 1, the For the People Act
Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) joined House Democrats in introducing H.R. 1, the For the People Act. The legislation, sponsored by Congressman Jon Sarbanes (D-MD), would enact reforms to expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants across all three branches of government. "I am thrilled to join my colleagues in introducing this historic reform package to restore the promise of our … Continue Reading
January 03, 2019
Luján Statement on Democratic House Vote to Re-Open Federal Government
Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) released the following statement after voting in favor of re-opening the federal government: "On day one of the new Congress, House Democrats passed bipartisan legislation to re-open the federal government. This legislation has already received broad bipartisan support in the Senate and there is no reason the President shouldn't support this compromise. It's time to end this needless Trump Shutdown, which is hurting families in New Mexico and … Continue Reading
December 28, 2018
Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Luján Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez
Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) wrote to leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) demanding an immediate investigation into yet another tragic death of a child in U.S. custody, eight-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez, near the U.S.-Mexico border - this time in Alamogordo, N.M. Felipe is the … Continue Reading
December 19, 2018
N.M. Delegation Demands Oversight Hearings On Death Of 7-Year-Old Migrant Child
Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham urged the incoming Senate and House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees to convene oversight hearings on the death of Jakelin Caal Maquin, a 7-year-old girl from Guatemala who died on December 8, 2018, after being taken into custody with her father by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Lordsburg, New Mexico. The lawmakers' letter follows significant … Continue Reading
December 18, 2018
Members of Congress: Systemic Failures Contributed to Jakelin Caal’s Death
LORDSBURG, NEW MEXICO-Today, the Chairman Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led a delegation to Antelope Wells Port of Entry and Lordsburg Border Patrol Station to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin in U.S. CBP custody. Following their investigation of Jakelin's journey, the Members briefed the press on how these stations are equipped to protect the health and safety of those seeking refuge at our … Continue Reading
December 14, 2018
NM, TX Lawmakers Demand Answers on Death of 7-Year-Old Migrant Child in CBP Custody
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.), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas) and Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) wrote to leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) demanding an immediate investigation into the tragic death of a 7-year-old girl from Guatemala who died on December 8, 2018, after being taken into custody with her … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Congressman Luján Joined by Representatives Pocan, Lynch, Boyle, and Schakowsky to Introduce House Companion of Senator Warren’s Accountable Capitalism Act
Bill Text, Bill Summary Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced H.R. 7294, the House companion of Senator Warren's (D-MA) Accountable Capitalism Act. Senator Warren introduced the bill in August to help eliminate skewed market incentives and return to the era when American corporations and American workers did well together. The legislation empowers American … Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Luján And Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman-Elect Question Trump Administration's Actions In Removing Latino Engagement Document Before Open Enrollment Period
Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) was joined by Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chairman-Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in sending a letter this week demanding an explanation from the administration on reports that they had removed a document titled "Marketplace Outreach: Best Practices for Outreach to Latino Communities" from its Health Insurance Marketplace website. The removed PDF was a slide presentation intended as a training resource for assisters. It focused on the … Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Final Farm Bill Includes Luján’s Priorities for Land Grants and Acequias
Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) announced that the Conference Report for H.R. 2, the final Farm Bill that will be voted on in the House, includes several of his priorities. "I am pleased that, in addition to rejecting the House GOP's cuts to SNAP, this final Farm Bill includes several provisions that will help New Mexico's farmers and ranchers maintain their quality of life. "Specifically, the final Farm Bill includes language I authored that will enable acequias to access … Continue Reading
December 07, 2018
Democrats Call on EPA to Provide Data on PFAS Chemicals
Representatives Paul D. Tonko, the top Democrat on the Energy & Commerce Environment Subcommittee, Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Peter Welch (D-VT) sent a letter to EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler today calling for greater transparency regarding any data, testing and consent agreements tied to commercial approval or environmental release of perfluorinated compounds (PFAS). Since the enactment of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century … Continue Reading
December 05, 2018
Luján Announces Winner of 2018 Congressional App Challenge
Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that Terrell Toledo and Elias Trancosa, both seniors at Santa Fe Indian School, are this year's winners of the Congressional App Challenge in New Mexico's third Congressional district. Toledo and Trancosa's app, "Naruto Self Defense," teaches people to express and defend themselves through hand signs used by the main character in the Japanese manga series, "Naruto." The app was created to help students feel more comfortable with … Continue Reading
December 04, 2018
Udall, Heinrich, Luján, Lujan Grisham Announce an Additional $10.48 Million for NM Water Infrastructure Projects from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham, announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has allocated over $10,478,478 in additional money for water resources projects across New Mexico, including funding to rehabilitate the Turley Acequia in San Juan County, reimburse counties and cities for major water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the Albuquerque region, complete a feasibility study to improve … Continue Reading
December 01, 2018
Luján Statement on Passing of President George H. W. Bush
Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) released the following statement today on the passing of President George H. W. Bush: "I send my deepest prayers and sympathies to the Bush family during this difficult time. "Our country owes a debt of gratitude to President Bush. He began a lifetime of service to our nation at just eighteen years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, fighting with the Allied forces in World War II, and continued that service as Ambassador to the United Nations, … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Introduce Resolution Recognizing 40th Anniversary of the Indian Child Welfare Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Martin Heinrich, along with Representative Ben Ray Luján, introduced a bicameral resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and recognizing its importance to promoting the stability and security of Tribal communities and families. ICWA sets best-practice standards for child welfare and adoption proceedings involving children who are members of a … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Luján Elected by Colleagues to Serve as Assistant Democratic Leader in the 116th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as Assistant Democratic Leader in the 116th Congress. "I am honored to receive the trust of my colleagues to serve as a Member of the Democratic leadership in the next Congress," said Congressman Luján. "As Assistant Democratic Leader, I will welcome ideas from all corners of our Caucus to build our agenda, protect our majority, hold the Trump administration and … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Over 165 House Democrats Join Letter Supporting Luján for Assistant Democratic Leader
Washington, D.C. - Today, more than 165 House Democrats from across the Caucus, including the majority of the Freshman class, joined a letter in support of Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) for Assistant Democratic Leader in the 116th Congress. In the letter, the Members say: "The historic participation in this month's election reflects the energy that we've seen build over the past two years. Having leadership in place who are able to strategically channel that excitement into a … Continue Reading
November 14, 2018
Luján, House Democrats Introduce Legislation to Protect Native American Voting Rights
Today, Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the Native American Voting Rights Act of 2018, landmark legislation to provide the resources and oversight necessary to protect Native Americans' access to the ballot box. The bill incorporates principles of self-determination into the electoral process, meaning that Indian Tribes and their members will be the decision-makers when it comes to ensuring their communities and members have equal access to their constitutional right to vote. Recent … Continue Reading
November 07, 2018
Luján Announces Run for Assistant Democratic Leader
Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján(D-NM) announced his bid for Assistant Democratic Leader in the 116th Congress. In a letter to his colleagues Congressman Luján outlined his vision for the next Congress. "To succeed, we must welcome ideas from all corners of our Caucus. To protect our majority and hold the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans accountable, we must bring our visiondirectly to the American people, listen to their concerns, and show them how we are … Continue Reading
October 23, 2018
Reps. Lujan Grisham and Luján Introduce the Crop Insurance Fairness Act to Protect Rio Arriba Farmers
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham and Congressman Ben Ray Luján introduced the Crop Insurance Fairness Act. The bill is a response to USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New Mexico's mid-year reduction in Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) payments for Rio Arriba farmers. The Crop Insurance Fairness Act would require that any adjustments made mid-year that result in a decrease in NAP payments not take effect until the following year. This ensures … Continue Reading
October 22, 2018
Luján Convenes Roundtable in Rio Arriba County on Opioids Epidemic
Last week, Congressman Ben Ray Luján(D-NM) convened a roundtable with health care providers, local law enforcement, community leaders, and stakeholders to discuss a path forward to continue the fight against the opioid epidemic in New Mexico. Congress recently passed an opioids package that included ten of Congressman Luján's pieces of legislation. Attendees at the roundtable in Española discussed how this legislative package is a step forward in what needs to be a … Continue Reading