Editor’s note: As a part of the deal to reopen the federal government, Republican leaders agreed to schedule a vote on, but not guarantee, extending federal healthcare subsidies, aka “Obamacare subsidies”, by mid-December. All 5 of New Mexico’s members of Congress voted against that deal, preferring to hold out for a permanent extension. With just […]
Category: Congress & Federal Gov
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
New Mexico House members to vote against bill to end shutdown, citing lack of healthcare fix
All three members of New Mexico’s all-Democratic delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives are vowing to vote against a Senate-brokered deal to reopen the federal government because it does not include an extension of tax credits that millions of Americans depend on to purchase health insurance. U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury, Gabe Vasquez and Teresa […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Judges order feds to fund SNAP after lawsuit by NM Atty. Gen. and others
Two federal judges on Friday ruled that the Trump administration must use a roughly $5 billion contingency fund to cover the cost of SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans, including 459,500 New Mexicans. Both judges, one from Massachusetts and one from Rhode Island, each ruled that the Trump administration could not withhold SNAP benefits in […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Heinrich, Luján push back against claims that USDA can’t access funds for SNAP due next month
By Alex Ross — New Mexico Democratic Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan on Thursday disputed claims made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that they lack the funds to cover the cost of next month’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Heinrich and Lujan were among 45 Democratic Senators who signed […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
State warns food banks to prep for 400,000 in need; Feds warn SNAP will “not be issued to New Mexico families” next week
More than 400,000 New Mexicans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could see a halt to their food assistance next month due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to a top state health official. Healthcare Authority Secretary Kari Armijo told lawmakers on the Legislative Finance Committee at their Oct. 15 meeting that […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Heinrich agrees with Cardi B’s cost-of-living comments
New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich has come to the defense of rapper Cardi B, following comments she made about the economy. Earlier this week, the outspoken rapper and recording artist made observations about the rising cost of living in an Instagram live video that went viral. “I feel so bad because I didn’t realize […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Thousands expected at Albuquerque ‘No Kings’ protest Saturday
Demonstrators will gather along Central Avenue Saturday as part of a nationwide day of action against Trump administration policies, with organizers expecting thousands to participate in the downtown Albuquerque protest. The “No Kings 2.0” rally, scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. between 3rd and 8th streets on Central Avenue, is one of more than 2,500 […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
Albuquerque Sunport becomes latest airport to reject partisan shutdown video
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Sunport won’t air a Department of Homeland Security video featuring Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown. “The Trump Administration asked airports to play a political TSA video, but our airports aren’t the place for partisan messages,” Keller said in a Facebook post. […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Heinrich touts proposal to protect govt workers during shutdown, Vasquez backs one-year extension of health insurance tax credits
The federal shutdown is entering a third week and there is little prospect for a solution anytime soon. But New Mexico legislators in Washington are using their privileges to introduce legislation by pushing for a path to compromise and help for federal workers stuck without a paycheck until a compromise is reached. Sen. Martin Heinrich […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov, New Mexico
Leading NM House Republican calls on U.S. Senators to support government funding bill
A leading Republican state legislator is calling on New Mexico’s two Democratic U.S. Senators to reverse their opposition to a short-term government funding bill, after the Legislature passed its own fix to address the expiration of federal health insurance tax credits. Last week, New Mexico House Minority Floor Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena) posted a screenshot […]