{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"NM\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/in-the-news/las-cruces-sun-news-op-ed-tom-udall-and-martin-heinrich-monument-will-preserve-lands-for-future-generations", "Las Cruces Sun-News: OP-ED: Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich: Monument will preserve lands for future generations", "2013-12-29", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Las Cruces Sun-News: OP-ED: Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich: Monument will preserve lands for future generations\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Sunday, December 29, 2013\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            The Organ Mountains and surrounding area form a beautiful and iconic backdrop for Las Cruces and are beloved by New Mexicans who visit Do\u00f1a Ana County to hunt, picnic, hike, and explore. This month, we were proud to introduce legislation to ensure that future generations of New Mexicans can continue those traditions, while boosting tourism and recreation opportunities.\r\nOur Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act would designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, putting a star on recreation maps around the world, highlighting the area's unique culture and history, and drawing tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. The most recent study estimates that a national monument designation would generate $7.4 million in new economic activity every year.\r\nThere's a reason a recent survey found that 83 percent of people in Do\u00f1a Ana County support the creation of a monument. The biologically and culturally rich terrain stretches from the granite peaks of the Organ Mountains, to the cinder cones, lava flows, and increasingly rare grasslands of the Potrillo Mountains, and from the caves, limestone cliffs, and winding canyons of the Robledos to the Uvas Mountains and the secluded Broad Canyon.\r\nThese landscapes define southern New Mexico. The protected habitat for deer, quail and javelina guarantees some of the best hunting in the state. The canyons are home to species of birds, cacti, daisies, grasshoppers and other plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world. And the region has been important throughout history -- Billy the Kid and Geronimo hid in these hills, and World War II soldiers and astronauts from the Apollo space mission trained here.\r\nWithin the proposed national monument, eight wilderness areas would be guaranteed permanent protection. The monument would continue to be managed by the Bureau of Land Management, as it is today. And the BLM would be directed to ensure that grazing continues under the exact same rules as it does today, while the state would continue to manage wildlife and game within the monument. We've written the legislation to require that ranchers can continue to use all existing roads necessary to access stock improvements, including all roads leading to water troughs, pipelines and corrals. And the wilderness provisions allow primary roads to remain open so that the public can continue to use them, ensuring that you are never more than four miles from a road within the wilderness areas.\r\nFirst introduced by Senator Jeff Bingaman, the current bill is the result of years of work. It reflects the help and comments of ranchers, nearby communities, stakeholders, recreation groups and area businesses, and other stakeholders, as well as state agencies, White Sands Missile Range, Fort Bliss and the U.S. Border Patrol.\r\nWe want to thank everyone who has provided insight; the proposal is better for it. For example, our bill increases the operational flexibility of Border Patrol beyond existing law, and creates new opportunities for expanded surveillance, pursuit and patrol. By releasing 30,000 acres from existing wilderness study area designation, the bill increases the current 0.3 -mile buffer between the Mexican border and protected lands to a full five-mile buffer. It also designates an east-west vehicular route within the Potrillo Mountains Wilderness to allow Border Patrol and other law enforcement to conduct border security operations.\r\nThe legislation further supports county and local government efforts to implement early warning systems for extreme weather and flood prevention. It makes explicit the Bureau of Land Management's authority to issue new rights-of-way for flood prevention and watershed restoration projects within the monument. It also clarifies that the BLM must include a full assessment of opportunities for watershed restoration as a part of its plan to manage the monument.\r\nWith this legislation, we honor the countless individuals who have made their way to the Organ Mountains and surrounding desert peaks to build a life and enjoy the abundant resources of this magnificent region. From those who left their marks carved into the cliff walls centuries ago, and the early homesteaders and travelers on the Butterfield Stagecoach Trail, to the modern business owners, ranchers, and families who use and explore the cliffs and grasslands of the proposed Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks National Monument today.\r\nWe all have the same goal. We all want to ensure that these natural and cultural treasures are preserved for future generations and that communities in Do\u00f1a Ana County can continue to grow and prosper.\r\nTom Udall and Martin Heinrich both represent New Mexico in the U.S. Senate. Both are Democrats.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1511", "Senators: Congress Should Honor Commitment to Rural Communities Through PILT Funding [press_release]", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 23, 2013\n\t\t\t Senators: Congress Should Honor Commitment to Rural Communities Through PILT Funding \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Where there's federal land, rural and local communities must provide government services despite being unable to obtain property tax revenue from land owned by the federal government. To offset this loss in revenue, Congress should continue annually appropriating Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to offset the cost of providing services related to public safety, housing, social services, transportation and the environment. That was the message of U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) who sent a letter today to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Interior subcommittee calling on them to fully support and fund the PILT program.\nIn the letter, the senators highlighted how the program provides critical funding to nearly 1,900 counties in 49 states and 3 U.S. territories to help offset losses to local governments from the presence of non-taxable federal lands. Without that funding, counties across the nation would experience incredible economic hardship, according to the senators.\n\"As you know, property taxes fund county governments allowing them to provide essential services such as law enforcement, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, education, and health services for local communities.  A fully funded PILT program helps to offset the loss of these important revenues and fulfill the federal governments' obligation to local communities with large amounts of federal land,\" the senators wrote.\nUdall and Enzi also have concerns with the federal government trying to use a \"rob Peter to pay Paul\" scheme when it comes to compensating counties. Local communities should be paid what they are owed and that funding should not come at the expense of other compensation those communities receive, according to the senators.\nAnnual PILT payments are computed by the Department of the Interior based on the number of acres of federal entitlement land within each county or jurisdiction and the population of that county or jurisdiction. The lands include the National Forest and National Park Systems, the areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management, those affected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation water resource development projects, and others.\nThe letter was signed by fifteen additional Senators: Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Mike Lee, (R-Utah), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.),  Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.).\nThe full text of the letter can be found below.\nPILT Appropriations Letter by Tom Udall\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221210809/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=video&id=1512", "Tom's Holiday Video Message to Servicemen & Women [video]", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Recent Videos & Photos \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImproving Care for Rural Veterans\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTom Hosts Sec. Jewell for Tour & Public Meeting on Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks National Monument\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFunding for N.M. Priorities in Omnibus Bill Will Help Support Economy, Jobs\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tRecent News \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tRecent Blogs \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t THOMAS | The Library of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-congress-should-honor-commitment-to-rural-communities-through-pilt-funding", "Senators: Congress Should Honor Commitment to Rural Communities Through PILT Funding", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 23, 2013\n\t\t\t Senators: Congress Should Honor Commitment to Rural Communities Through PILT Funding \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Where there's federal land, rural and local communities must provide government services despite being unable to obtain property tax revenue from land owned by the federal government. To offset this loss in revenue, Congress should continue annually appropriating Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to offset the cost of providing services related to public safety, housing, social services, transportation and the environment. That was the message of U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) who sent a letter today to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Interior subcommittee calling on them to fully support and fund the PILT program.\nIn the letter, the senators highlighted how the program provides critical funding to nearly 1,900 counties in 49 states and 3 U.S. territories to help offset losses to local governments from the presence of non-taxable federal lands. Without that funding, counties across the nation would experience incredible economic hardship, according to the senators.\n\"As you know, property taxes fund county governments allowing them to provide essential services such as law enforcement, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, education, and health services for local communities.  A fully funded PILT program helps to offset the loss of these important revenues and fulfill the federal governments' obligation to local communities with large amounts of federal land,\" the senators wrote.\nUdall and Enzi also have concerns with the federal government trying to use a \"rob Peter to pay Paul\" scheme when it comes to compensating counties. Local communities should be paid what they are owed and that funding should not come at the expense of other compensation those communities receive, according to the senators.\nAnnual PILT payments are computed by the Department of the Interior based on the number of acres of federal entitlement land within each county or jurisdiction and the population of that county or jurisdiction. The lands include the National Forest and National Park Systems, the areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management, those affected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation water resource development projects, and others.\nThe letter was signed by fifteen additional Senators: Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Mike Lee, (R-Utah), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.),  Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.).\nThe full text of the letter can be found below.\nPILT Appropriations Letter by Tom Udall\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-luj-n-introduce-legislation-to-protect-native-american", "Lujan Grisham, Luj\u00e1n Introduce Legislation to Protect Native American Seeds", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-urges-extension-of-federal-unemployment-insurance", "Lujan Grisham Urges Extension of Federal Unemployment Insurance", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1509", "Udall-Sponsored N.M. Priorities Included in Major Defense Bill [press_release]", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall-Sponsored N.M. Priorities Included in Major Defense Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Udall fought for measures in NDAA to keep B61 project on track; bolster funding for cleanup; boost construction at Kirtland, Holloman, Cannon; strengthen WSMR\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall last night joined the Senate in overwhelmingly approving a major defense bill by a vote of 84-15. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions that will support jobs and strengthen New Mexico's military bases, small businesses and federal defense installations, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).\nThe NDAA is critical legislation, which sets the fiscal year 2014 defense policy and directs funding levels for the Department of Defense and the national security programs under the Department of Energy.   \"The funding outlined in this bill will ensure the strength and preparedness of New Mexico's military bases and defense installations, supporting thousands of good jobs in New Mexico and keeping our nation safe,\" Udall said. \"This bill upholds the quality of life of our service members and their families, and ensures that our military has the resources, training, technology and equipment to maintain its military readiness and remain at the forefront of developing new sources of energy.\"   Udall fought for several policy provisions that were included in the final legislation. Among them:\n- The Los Alamos National Labs Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement Project (CMRR). This amended provision would provide LANL with the flexibility to continue to provide essential national security support and ensure that scientists and engineers have the necessary infrastructure to carry out their work safely, while addressing some of the concerns raised in response to the original CMRR proposal.\n- Full funding for our national labs and a provision emphasizing that the B61 Life Extension Program (LEP) remains an important part of our nation's stockpile stewardship program and must remain fully funded and on schedule to maintain the safety, security and credibility of the nation's nuclear deterrent. The provision will help emphasize the importance of the B61 LEP to national defense in the face of efforts by some in Congress to cut funding.\n- A provision to protect the White Sands Missile Range from encroachment by transferring 5,100 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the Army. The transfer would provide a critical safety and security buffer to NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) and the Department of Defense's Aerospace Data Facility - Southwest, which are both key tenants of White Sands Missile Range.\n- A measure easing some restrictions on the overseas transfer of Guantanamo detainees.\n- Improvements to military justice procedures to crack down on sexual assault in the military. The NDAA authorized funding for the Department of Energy's national security programs, including full funding for the national labs to carry out their stockpile stewardship programs. Funding Senator Udall helped to secure included:\n- National labs weapons activities: $7.9 billion, which was over $40 million above the president's request.  - B61 LEP: $537 million for both Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories.  - LANL TRU waste facilities: $26.7 million to help prepare LANL transuranic (TRU) waste for disposal at WIPP.               - LANL TA-55 reinvestment project second phase: $30.6 million to enhance safety and increase the life expectancy of the PF-4 facility, which is responsible for plutonium operations and other aspects of the stockpile stewardship program.  - LANL Radioactive Liquid Waste treatment facility upgrade: $55.7 million.\nSenator Udall also worked to secure funding above the president's request for critical environmental cleanup programs in New Mexico:  - LANL cleanup: $234.7 million.  - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant: $219 million for cleanup. Because of Udall's efforts, the funding amount for both LANL cleanup and WIPP are increases over the numbers originally proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives.\nThe NDAA also authorizes the construction of facilities critical to our nation's military and quality of life for U.S. military personnel and their families. Military construction for New Mexico's bases included approximately $148.2 million for vital projects at Kirtland, Cannon and Holloman Air Force Bases, including:\n- Cannon AFB: $34.1 million for an airmen and family readiness center, dormitory and satellite dining facility.   - Kirtland AFB: $30.5 million for a nuclear systems wing and sustainment center.  - Holloman AFB: $2.25 million for F-16 aircraft covered washrack and pad; $21.4 million to the Defense Logistics Agency to replace the hydrant fuel system; and $60 million for the Tri-Care Management Activity to replace the medical clinic.\nProcedural gridlock prevented additional amendments Udall supported including a provision to establish a national historical park to commemorate the World War II Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb.\nUdall will continue fighting for the Manhattan Project park as well as other provisions that were dropped from the final bill, including additional transfers of land to protect Fort Bliss from encroachment, and a measure that would prohibit the BLM from selling or exchanging 35,550 acres of land to prevent incompatible development near the Fort Bliss Dona Ana Range Complex and Training Areas. The training areas include some of the Army's premier large weapons system firing ranges and artillery firing boxes.\n\"As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight to ensure that Congress makes good on funding for these priorities,\" Udall said. \"I am pleased that the Senate was able to come to an agreement on this bill, though I'm disappointed that some measures that are important to New Mexico were not included. This is a strong bipartisan bill that provides critical funding for our armed forces and strengthens New Mexico's military bases and defense installations, allowing them to continue contribute their essential national security work.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1510", "Tom Udall Releases New Episode of 'The Udall Update' Television Show [press_release]", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2013\n\t\t\t Tom Udall Releases New Episode of 'The Udall Update' Television Show \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Public Access Program Provides Information About Udall's Work in the U.S. Senate on Behalf of New Mexicans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Senator Tom Udall released a new episode of \"The Udall Update,\" a public access television program that provides the public an inside look at what's happening in the U.S. Senate and how it impacts life in New Mexico.\nThe 30-minute episode, which airs on Sen. Udall's YouTube channel and on public access TV throughout the state, includes interviews, in-depth stories and feature segments about the work he is doing in Washington on behalf of New Mexicans.\nViewers in Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Los Alamos, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Silver City can contact their local public access station to find out exactly when \"The Udall Update\" will air. A list of those stations is included below. The episode will also appear online at http://tomudall.senate.gov/tv.\nThe latest episode of \"The Udall Update\" looks at the changes that have taken place in Congress, from Senator Bingaman's retirement to Senator Udall's appointment to the Senate Appropriations Committee.\nIn a segment titled \"Sensible Solutions,\" Udall discusses two important pieces of legislation he helped pass in Washington on behalf of New Mexicans.\nThe first segment includes an interview with Jayann Sepich of Carlsbad, who was the driving force behind passage of the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act. The law was named for Jayann Sepich's daughter, a New Mexico State University graduate student whose tragic death in 2003 spurred passage of \"Katie's Law\" on the state level to collect DNA from individuals arrested for serious crimes.\nUdall successfully fought to pass the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act at the federal level to create incentives for states to implement programs like New Mexico's.\nThe second \"Sensible Solutions\" segment features an interview with Albuquerque residents MSgt Jessey Baca and his wife Maria about their work to establish a burn pits registry for military service men and women.\nUdall led the effort in Congress to pass the Open Burn Pits Registry Act after meeting the Bacas, who detailed Jessey's battle with a multitude of health problems believed to be associated with burn pits.\nThe registry, which is currently being designed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will be similar to the Agent Orange and Gulf War registries and will help patients, doctors and VA officials determine to what extent air pollution caused by open air burn pits has led to medical conditions among service members.\nThe \"Udall Update\" concludes with a look at \"Tom's Inbox\" as Udall answers a letter from a constituent in Roy asking how Udall is working to support rural New Mexico.\nAdditional footage and information mentioned in \"The Udall Update\" can also be found online at http://tomudall.senate.gov/tvextras. Previous episodes can be viewed at http://tomudall.senate.gov/tv.\nThe \"Udall Update\" is scheduled to air on the following channels. Please check local listings for exact air dates and times.\nAlbuquerque - Channels 26 & 27  Carlsbad - Channel23TV - Channel 23   Las Cruces - CLC TV - Channel 20   Los Alamos- Los Alamos PAC - Channel 8   Rio Rancho - RioVision Community Access TV - Channels 15 & 22   Santa Fe - Santa Fe Community Television - Channel 16   Silver City - Community Access Television of Silver - Channels 17, 18 & 19\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/tom-udall-releases-new-episode-of-and-039the-udall-update-and-039-television-show", "Tom Udall Releases New Episode of 'The Udall Update' Television Show", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2013\n\t\t\t Tom Udall Releases New Episode of 'The Udall Update' Television Show \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Public Access Program Provides Information About Udall's Work in the U.S. Senate on Behalf of New Mexicans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Senator Tom Udall released a new episode of \"The Udall Update,\" a public access television program that provides the public an inside look at what's happening in the U.S. Senate and how it impacts life in New Mexico.\nThe 30-minute episode, which airs on Sen. Udall's YouTube channel and on public access TV throughout the state, includes interviews, in-depth stories and feature segments about the work he is doing in Washington on behalf of New Mexicans.\nViewers in Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Los Alamos, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Silver City can contact their local public access station to find out exactly when \"The Udall Update\" will air. A list of those stations is included below. The episode will also appear online at http://tomudall.senate.gov/tv.\nThe latest episode of \"The Udall Update\" looks at the changes that have taken place in Congress, from Senator Bingaman's retirement to Senator Udall's appointment to the Senate Appropriations Committee.\nIn a segment titled \"Sensible Solutions,\" Udall discusses two important pieces of legislation he helped pass in Washington on behalf of New Mexicans.\nThe first segment includes an interview with Jayann Sepich of Carlsbad, who was the driving force behind passage of the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act. The law was named for Jayann Sepich's daughter, a New Mexico State University graduate student whose tragic death in 2003 spurred passage of \"Katie's Law\" on the state level to collect DNA from individuals arrested for serious crimes.\nUdall successfully fought to pass the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act at the federal level to create incentives for states to implement programs like New Mexico's.\nThe second \"Sensible Solutions\" segment features an interview with Albuquerque residents MSgt Jessey Baca and his wife Maria about their work to establish a burn pits registry for military service men and women.\nUdall led the effort in Congress to pass the Open Burn Pits Registry Act after meeting the Bacas, who detailed Jessey's battle with a multitude of health problems believed to be associated with burn pits.\nThe registry, which is currently being designed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will be similar to the Agent Orange and Gulf War registries and will help patients, doctors and VA officials determine to what extent air pollution caused by open air burn pits has led to medical conditions among service members.\nThe \"Udall Update\" concludes with a look at \"Tom's Inbox\" as Udall answers a letter from a constituent in Roy asking how Udall is working to support rural New Mexico.\nAdditional footage and information mentioned in \"The Udall Update\" can also be found online at http://tomudall.senate.gov/tvextras. Previous episodes can be viewed at http://tomudall.senate.gov/tv.\nThe \"Udall Update\" is scheduled to air on the following channels. Please check local listings for exact air dates and times.\nAlbuquerque - Channels 26 & 27  Carlsbad - Channel23TV - Channel 23   Las Cruces - CLC TV - Channel 20   Los Alamos- Los Alamos PAC - Channel 8   Rio Rancho - RioVision Community Access TV - Channels 15 & 22   Santa Fe - Santa Fe Community Television - Channel 16   Silver City - Community Access Television of Silver - Channels 17, 18 & 19\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-sponsored-nm-priorities-included-in-major-defense-bill", "Udall-Sponsored N.M. Priorities Included in Major Defense Bill", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall-Sponsored N.M. Priorities Included in Major Defense Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Udall fought for measures in NDAA to keep B61 project on track; bolster funding for cleanup; boost construction at Kirtland, Holloman, Cannon; strengthen WSMR\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall last night joined the Senate in overwhelmingly approving a major defense bill by a vote of 84-15. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions that will support jobs and strengthen New Mexico's military bases, small businesses and federal defense installations, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).\nThe NDAA is critical legislation, which sets the fiscal year 2014 defense policy and directs funding levels for the Department of Defense and the national security programs under the Department of Energy.   \"The funding outlined in this bill will ensure the strength and preparedness of New Mexico's military bases and defense installations, supporting thousands of good jobs in New Mexico and keeping our nation safe,\" Udall said. \"This bill upholds the quality of life of our service members and their families, and ensures that our military has the resources, training, technology and equipment to maintain its military readiness and remain at the forefront of developing new sources of energy.\"   Udall fought for several policy provisions that were included in the final legislation. Among them:\n- The Los Alamos National Labs Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement Project (CMRR). This amended provision would provide LANL with the flexibility to continue to provide essential national security support and ensure that scientists and engineers have the necessary infrastructure to carry out their work safely, while addressing some of the concerns raised in response to the original CMRR proposal.\n- Full funding for our national labs and a provision emphasizing that the B61 Life Extension Program (LEP) remains an important part of our nation's stockpile stewardship program and must remain fully funded and on schedule to maintain the safety, security and credibility of the nation's nuclear deterrent. The provision will help emphasize the importance of the B61 LEP to national defense in the face of efforts by some in Congress to cut funding.\n- A provision to protect the White Sands Missile Range from encroachment by transferring 5,100 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the Army. The transfer would provide a critical safety and security buffer to NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) and the Department of Defense's Aerospace Data Facility - Southwest, which are both key tenants of White Sands Missile Range.\n- A measure easing some restrictions on the overseas transfer of Guantanamo detainees.\n- Improvements to military justice procedures to crack down on sexual assault in the military. The NDAA authorized funding for the Department of Energy's national security programs, including full funding for the national labs to carry out their stockpile stewardship programs. Funding Senator Udall helped to secure included:\n- National labs weapons activities: $7.9 billion, which was over $40 million above the president's request.  - B61 LEP: $537 million for both Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories.  - LANL TRU waste facilities: $26.7 million to help prepare LANL transuranic (TRU) waste for disposal at WIPP.               - LANL TA-55 reinvestment project second phase: $30.6 million to enhance safety and increase the life expectancy of the PF-4 facility, which is responsible for plutonium operations and other aspects of the stockpile stewardship program.  - LANL Radioactive Liquid Waste treatment facility upgrade: $55.7 million.\nSenator Udall also worked to secure funding above the president's request for critical environmental cleanup programs in New Mexico:  - LANL cleanup: $234.7 million.  - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant: $219 million for cleanup. Because of Udall's efforts, the funding amount for both LANL cleanup and WIPP are increases over the numbers originally proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives.\nThe NDAA also authorizes the construction of facilities critical to our nation's military and quality of life for U.S. military personnel and their families. Military construction for New Mexico's bases included approximately $148.2 million for vital projects at Kirtland, Cannon and Holloman Air Force Bases, including:\n- Cannon AFB: $34.1 million for an airmen and family readiness center, dormitory and satellite dining facility.   - Kirtland AFB: $30.5 million for a nuclear systems wing and sustainment center.  - Holloman AFB: $2.25 million for F-16 aircraft covered washrack and pad; $21.4 million to the Defense Logistics Agency to replace the hydrant fuel system; and $60 million for the Tri-Care Management Activity to replace the medical clinic.\nProcedural gridlock prevented additional amendments Udall supported including a provision to establish a national historical park to commemorate the World War II Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb.\nUdall will continue fighting for the Manhattan Project park as well as other provisions that were dropped from the final bill, including additional transfers of land to protect Fort Bliss from encroachment, and a measure that would prohibit the BLM from selling or exchanging 35,550 acres of land to prevent incompatible development near the Fort Bliss Dona Ana Range Complex and Training Areas. The training areas include some of the Army's premier large weapons system firing ranges and artillery firing boxes.\n\"As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight to ensure that Congress makes good on funding for these priorities,\" Udall said. \"I am pleased that the Senate was able to come to an agreement on this bill, though I'm disappointed that some measures that are important to New Mexico were not included. This is a strong bipartisan bill that provides critical funding for our armed forces and strengthens New Mexico's military bases and defense installations, allowing them to continue contribute their essential national security work.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-cosponsors-legislation-to-undo-military-retiree-benefit", "Lujan Grisham Cosponsors Legislation to Undo Military Retiree Benefit Cuts", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-new-mexico-lawmakers-applaud-new-mexico-supreme-court", "Lujan Grisham, New Mexico Lawmakers Applaud New Mexico Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today,\u00a0U.S. Senators Tom Udall\u00a0and\u00a0Martin Heinrich\u00a0and\u00a0U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n\u00a0and\u00a0Michelle Lujan Grisham\u00a0applauded a decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court that affirms marriage equality in the State of New Mexico.\u00a0\n\"We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law,\" wrote Justice Edward Ch\u00e1vez in a unanimous 5 to 0 decision.\u00a0 The Court found that prohibiting individuals from marrying solely because of sexual orientation is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause in the New Mexico Constitution.\n\"Today's court ruling is a resounding victory for New Mexicans in all four corners who love one another and deserve to be treated equally under the law - just as our Constitution intended,\"\u00a0said Udall. \"Our country has come a long way in advancing marriage equality for all, and I am proud New Mexico is joining in that forward progress. I'm also glad the court has finally provided the legal clarity for the countless New Mexicans who have been in limbo for too long, and I\u00a0congratulate all our families in New Mexico who will finally be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.\"\n\"Today is a proud day for New Mexico and a significant step forward to creating a fairer, more just society. I am thrilled that the New Mexico Supreme Court found that our constitution requires marriage equality for all our citizens,\"\u00a0said Heinrich. \"This ruling stands to strengthen New Mexico families and affirms that loving same sex couples who accept the responsibility of marriage are respected and recognized in our state. We must continue our march toward full equality for all Americans.\"\n\u00a0\"Today's decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court ensures that every couple can make the personal choice of marriage,\"\u00a0said\u00a0Luj\u00e1n.\u00a0 \"Marriage equality is a matter of civil rights and treating all people who are in loving and committed relationships fairly.\u00a0 Gay and lesbian couples make the same contributions and sacrifices that we all do, including paying taxes, owning business and caring for their families. Now everyone will be treated equally under the law.\"\n\"This is an incredible victory for New Mexico, where we believe that all families matter and that everyone deserves the same basic rights and responsibilities that only marriage provides,\"\u00a0said\u00a0Lujan Grisham. \"This ruling confirms what we already know and believe - that in New Mexico, freedom means freedom for everyone. I'm thrilled that all New Mexicans now have the opportunity to marry the person they love, and I'm proud that our state is on the right side of history.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1508", "New Mexico Lawmakers Applaud New Mexico Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality [press_release]", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2013\n\t\t\t New Mexico Lawmakers Applaud New Mexico Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n \n \n  WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n and Michelle Lujan Grisham applauded a decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court that affirms marriage equality in the State of New Mexico. \n  \"We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law,\" wrote Justice Edward Ch\u00e1vez in a unanimous 5 to 0 decision. The Court found that prohibiting individuals from marrying solely because of sexual orientation is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause in the New Mexico Constitution. \n  \"Today's court ruling is a resounding victory for New Mexicans in all four corners who love one another and deserve to be treated equally under the law - just as our Constitution intended,\" said Udall. \"Our country has come a long way in advancing marriage equality for all, and I am proud New Mexico is joining in that forward progress. I'm also glad the court has finally provided the legal clarity for the countless New Mexicans who have been in limbo for too long, and I congratulate all our families in New Mexico who will finally be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.\" \n  \"Today is a proud day for New Mexico and a significant step forward to creating a fairer, more just society. I am thrilled that the New Mexico Supreme Court found that our constitution requires marriage equality for all our citizens,\" said Heinrich. \"This ruling stands to strengthen New Mexico families and affirms that loving same sex couples who accept the responsibility of marriage are respected and recognized in our state. We must continue our march toward full equality for all Americans.\" \n  \"Today's decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court ensures that every couple can make the personal choice of marriage,\" said Luj\u00e1n. \"Marriage equality is a matter of civil rights and treating all people who are in loving and committed relationships fairly. Gay and lesbian couples make the same contributions and sacrifices that we all do, including paying taxes, owning business and caring for their families. Now everyone will be treated equally under the law.\" \n  \"This is an incredible victory for New Mexico, where we believe that all families matter and that everyone deserves the same basic rights and responsibilities that only marriage provides,\" said Lujan Grisham. \"This ruling confirms what we already know and believe - that in New Mexico, freedom means freedom for everyone. I'm thrilled that all New Mexicans now have the opportunity to marry the person they love, and I'm proud that our state is on the right side of history.\" \n  \u00a0\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/statements-and-speeches/heinrich-statement-on-new-mexico-supreme-court-decision-on-marriage-equality", "Heinrich Statement On New Mexico Supreme Court Decision On Marriage Equality", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ALBUQUERQUE\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t400 Gold Avenue SW, Ste. 1080\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlbuquerque, New Mexico 87102\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (505) 346-6601\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (505) 346-6780\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFARMINGTON\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t7450 East Main St., Ste. A\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFarmington, NM 87402\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (505) 325-5030\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (505) 325-6035\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLAS CRUCES\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLoretto Towne Center\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t505 South Main St., Ste. 148\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLas Cruces, New Mexico 88001\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (575) 523-6561\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (575) 523-6584\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tROSWELL\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t200 East 4th St., Ste. 300\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoswell, New Mexico 88201\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (575) 622-7113\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (575) 622-3538\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSANTA FE\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t123 East Marcy St., Ste 103\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSanta Fe, New Mexico 87501\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (505) 988-6647\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (505) 992-8435\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t303 Hart Senate Office Building\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWashington, D.C. 20510\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (202) 224-5521\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (202) 228-2841\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-secures-key-amendments-in-defense-spending-bill", "Heinrich Secures Key Amendments In Defense Spending Bill", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich Secures Key Amendments In Defense Spending Bill\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSenate gives final approval to Heinrich amendments to help strengthen national security and New Mexico\u2019s economy\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 19, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. -\u00a0U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)\u00a0successfully included a series of amendments to the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate tonight and now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. The NDAA sets the Department of Defense spending levels and policies for the upcoming fiscal year.\u00a0\r\nThe bill includes measures introduced by Senator Heinrich to expand buffer zones around White Sands Missile Range; fund the production of the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system in the United States; and maintain Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) missions at Kirtland Air Force Base to\u00a0design, build, and launch low-cost satellites for our nation's military.\r\n\"New Mexico is home to four\u00a0military installations and tens of thousands of men and women who carry out their critical missions.\u00a0I am\u00a0proud of the pivotal role our state plays in our national security and defense, and\u00a0that New Mexico remains\u00a0at the forefront of\u00a0cutting-edge\u00a0research and development that contribute to our country's safety.\u00a0My amendments\u00a0will\u00a0help ensure that these\u00a0smart investments continue, while growing the economy and strengthening defense installations across the state,\" said Sen. Heinrich.\r\nThe FY14 NDAA includes a total of $148.25 million in military construction projects for New Mexico, which is an increase of $21 million from fiscal year 2013.\r\nSen. Heinrich's amendments included in the FY14 NDAA:\r\nExpand buffer zones around White Sands Missile Range:\u00a0this amendment transfers 5,100 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management to the Army\u00a0in order to provide a critical safety and security buffer to NASA's White Sands Test Facility and the Department of Defense's Aerospace Data Facility - Southwest, which are both key tenants of White Sands Missile Range.\r\nIron Dome short-range rocket defense system:\u00a0this amendment supports\u00a0American jobs by authorizing $15 million for the production\u00a0of the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system in the United States.\u00a0 Iron Dome provides a critical missile defense shield for Israel and has achieved a success rate of more than 85 percent.\u00a0 To date, the United States has provided a total of $486 million to Israel for Iron Dome batteries, interceptors, and general maintenance; an additional $220 million is authorized in the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act for procurement of additional Iron Dome batteries and missiles. Despite these significant investments, the United States does not share in production of this missile defense system.\r\nMaintain Operationally Responsive Space (ORS)\u00a0missions:\u00a0this amendment reaffirms that it is the policy of the United States to demonstrate, acquire, and deploy an effective capability for operationally responsive space to support military users and operations from space.\u00a0\u00a0The amendment\u00a0also\u00a0requires a report on an additional mission for ORS, which would leverage all policy objectives of the ORS program in a single mission.\u00a0The ORS office and mission are headquartered at Kirtland Air Force Base. In October 2013, Senator Heinrich\u00a0received confirmation that Air Force leadership would continue the ORS program in fiscal year 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/new-mexico-lawmakers-applaud-new-mexico-supreme-court-decision-on-marriage-equality", "New Mexico Lawmakers Applaud New Mexico Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "New Mexico Lawmakers Applaud New Mexico Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 19, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - Today,\u00a0U.S. Senators Tom Udall\u00a0and\u00a0Martin Heinrich\u00a0and\u00a0U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n\u00a0and\u00a0Michelle Lujan Grisham\u00a0applauded a decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court that affirms marriage equality in the State of New Mexico.\r\n\u201cWe hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law,\u201d wrote Justice Edward Ch\u00e1vez in a unanimous 5 to 0 decision.\u00a0 The Court found that prohibiting individuals from marrying solely because of sexual orientation is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause in the New Mexico Constitution.\u00a0\r\n\"Today's court ruling is a resounding victory for New Mexicans in all four corners who love one another and deserve to be treated equally under the law \u2013 just as our Constitution intended,\"\u00a0said Udall. \"Our country has come a long way in advancing marriage equality for all, and I am proud New Mexico is joining in that forward progress. I'm also glad the court has finally provided the legal clarity for the countless New Mexicans who have been in limbo for too long, and I\u00a0congratulate all our families in New Mexico who will finally be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.\"\r\n\u201cToday is a proud day for New Mexico and a significant step forward to creating a fairer, more just society. I am thrilled that the New Mexico Supreme Court found that our constitution requires marriage equality for all our citizens,\u201d\u00a0said Heinrich. \u201cThis ruling stands to strengthen New Mexico families and affirms that loving same sex couples who accept the responsibility of marriage are respected and recognized in our state. We must continue our march toward full equality for all Americans.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\u201cToday\u2019s decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court ensures that every couple can make the personal choice of marriage,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Luj\u00e1n. \u00a0\u201cMarriage equality is a matter of civil rights and treating all people who are in loving and committed relationships fairly.\u00a0 Gay and lesbian couples make the same contributions and sacrifices that we all do, including paying taxes, owning business and caring for their families. Now everyone will be treated equally under the law.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis is an incredible victory for New Mexico, where we believe that all families matter and that everyone deserves the same basic rights and responsibilities that only marriage provides,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Lujan Grisham. \u201cThis ruling confirms what we already know and believe \u2013 that in New Mexico, freedom means freedom for everyone. I\u2019m thrilled that all New Mexicans now have the opportunity to marry the person they love, and I\u2019m proud that our state is on the right side of history.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/new-mexico-lawmakers-applaud-new-mexico-supreme-court-decision-on-marriage-equality", "New Mexico Lawmakers Applaud New Mexico Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2013\n\t\t\t New Mexico Lawmakers Applaud New Mexico Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n \n \n  WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Lujn and Michelle Lujan Grisham applauded a decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court that affirms marriage equality in the State of New Mexico. \n  \"We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law,\" wrote Justice Edward Chvez in a unanimous 5 to 0 decision. The Court found that prohibiting individuals from marrying solely because of sexual orientation is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause in the New Mexico Constitution. \n  \"Today's court ruling is a resounding victory for New Mexicans in all four corners who love one another and deserve to be treated equally under the law - just as our Constitution intended,\" said Udall. \"Our country has come a long way in advancing marriage equality for all, and I am proud New Mexico is joining in that forward progress. I'm also glad the court has finally provided the legal clarity for the countless New Mexicans who have been in limbo for too long, and I congratulate all our families in New Mexico who will finally be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.\" \n  \"Today is a proud day for New Mexico and a significant step forward to creating a fairer, more just society. I am thrilled that the New Mexico Supreme Court found that our constitution requires marriage equality for all our citizens,\" said Heinrich. \"This ruling stands to strengthen New Mexico families and affirms that loving same sex couples who accept the responsibility of marriage are respected and recognized in our state. We must continue our march toward full equality for all Americans.\" \n  \"Today's decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court ensures that every couple can make the personal choice of marriage,\" said Lujn. \"Marriage equality is a matter of civil rights and treating all people who are in loving and committed relationships fairly. Gay and lesbian couples make the same contributions and sacrifices that we all do, including paying taxes, owning business and caring for their families. Now everyone will be treated equally under the law.\" \n  \"This is an incredible victory for New Mexico, where we believe that all families matter and that everyone deserves the same basic rights and responsibilities that only marriage provides,\" said Lujan Grisham. \"This ruling confirms what we already know and believe - that in New Mexico, freedom means freedom for everyone. I'm thrilled that all New Mexicans now have the opportunity to marry the person they love, and I'm proud that our state is on the right side of history.\" \n  \n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-announces-60-million-air-force-contract-for-applied", "Lujan Grisham Announces $60 Million Air Force Contract for Applied Technology Associates in Albuquerque", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1506", "Udall Backs Plan to Undo Military Retiree COLA Changes in Budget Agreement [press_release]", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Backs Plan to Undo Military Retiree COLA Changes in Budget Agreement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Military Retirement Restoration Act preserves benefits, closes corporate tax loophole\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that he has cosponsored the Military Retirement Restoration Act to safeguard military retirees from a proposed 1 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) cut for working-age military retirees. This change was included in the bipartisan budget agreement the Senate is expected to clear this week. The legislation would replace the $6 billion in total expected cuts to working-age military retirees' COLAs with an estimated $6.6 billion raised by eliminating a tax loophole for domestic corporations that make use of offshore tax havens. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and is also cosponsored by Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Al Franken (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Mark Begich (D-AK), Mark Udall (D-CO), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). \"The bipartisan budget deal replaces damaging across-the-board cuts with smarter alternatives that will support growth among small businesses, create jobs in New Mexico and across the country, support our active duty military, and avoid the devastating financial impacts of another government shutdown,\" Udall said. \"However, a promise was made to our military retirees, and the reduction in retirement benefits for working-age military retirees undermines this promise. That is why I'm supporting the Military Retirement Restoration Act, which will reverse the 1 percent reduction in cost of living adjustments to retirees who have dedicated over two decades of their lives to protecting our freedoms. This common-sense bill will decrease the deficit by closing a tax loophole while ensuring that working-age military retirees get the retirement benefits they have earned.\" Currently, companies that are incorporated offshore but managed and controlled from the United States can claim foreign status, which helps them avoid paying U.S. taxes. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Udall has worked to support veterans throughout his career. Udall is a cosponsor of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, and has fought to protect veterans' benefits and ensure that military service members return home to the resources needed to smoothly and successfully transition into civilian life. For more information about Udall's work for veterans, click here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1507", "Udall Joins Senate in Approving Budget that Reduces Sequestration Cuts, Offers Relief to N.M. [press_release]", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Joins Senate in Approving Budget that Reduces Sequestration Cuts, Offers Relief to N.M. \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall joined the full Senate in voting for the bipartisan budget agreement, which was approved by a vote of 64-36. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly last week by a bipartisan vote of 332-94. Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has been fighting for budget certainty and an end to the devastating sequestration cuts, which have disproportionately hurt New Mexico. He issued the following statement:\n \n\"While the budget bill is not exactly what I would have written, it does two very important things for New Mexico. It rolls back sequestration's harmful cuts to national defense, the national labs, public land agencies, and many other federal installations that are critical to New Mexico's economy. It also lays out federal budgets for the next two years, providing a level of certainty that New Mexico's federal installations have said is desperately needed. I am willing to work to remedy the problematic parts of this agreement in future legislation. I have cosponsored a bill that would restore an unfair cut to working-age military retirees' cost of living adjustments, and I will continue to fight against making permanent an administrative fee on oil and gas royalties that costs New Mexico around $10 million a year.\"Without this budget measure, we face more conflict over spending and likely further job losses in New Mexico. Another short-term spending measure like those we've passed recently would lock in sequestration's economically devastating across-the-board cuts and could lead to a government shutdown in just a few short weeks. Officials at New Mexico's federal installations have assured me that not only would another round of cuts and budget dysfunction lead to layoffs, it would also negatively impact national security and likely cause irreparable harm to the government's ability to recruit and retain the best minds in science, research and management.\"You wouldn't run a successful business by lurching from crisis to crisis and budgeting a few weeks at a time - and it's no way to run a government. I'm going to continue to work toward sensible, bipartisan solutions that keep our budgets in check while maintaining our government services, and keeping our national defense strong and our economy healthy in New Mexico and around the country.\"\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185440/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548758", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours in San Juan County [event]", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in San Juan County.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Farmington Indian Center in Farmington from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Albuquerque office at (505) 346-6791.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-statement-on-passage-of-bipartisan-budget-agreement", "Heinrich Statement On Passage Of Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich Statement On Passage Of Bipartisan Budget Agreement\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 18, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. -\u00a0U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement today after voting in favor of a bipartisan budget resolution authored by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) that does away with some of the arbitrary spending cuts known as the sequester for two years while reducing long-term spending through other savings:\r\n\"It isn't perfect, but this budget agreement means we now have a bipartisan blueprint for how much to spend over the next two years.\u00a0 This will help avoid another government shutdown and give families and businesses the certainty they need to spend and invest in ways that will help boost the economy.\u00a0\r\n\"Between sequestration furloughs, a government shutdown, and Congress' inability to compromise, hard-working New Mexicans have had to carry the burdens of economic uncertainty and financial hardship.\u00a0 And it's clear that all of this has slowed economic growth at a time when too many American families are trying to get back on their feet.\r\n\"I hope that the strong support for this budget marks the end of governing by manufactured crises and a return to\u00a0strengthening\u00a0the middle class by\u00a0focusing on\u00a0what matters to New Mexicans: growing the economy and making sure they get a fair shake at getting ahead.\"\r\nThe Senate approved the measure by a 64 to 36 vote.\u00a0 The House of Representatives approved it last week by a vote of 332 to 94.\u00a0 It now goes to the president for his signature.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-backs-plan-to-undo-military-retiree-cola-changes-in-budget-agreement", "Udall Backs Plan to Undo Military Retiree COLA Changes in Budget Agreement", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Backs Plan to Undo Military Retiree COLA Changes in Budget Agreement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Military Retirement Restoration Act preserves benefits, closes corporate tax loophole\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that he has cosponsored the Military Retirement Restoration Act to safeguard military retirees from a proposed 1 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) cut for working-age military retirees. This change was included in the bipartisan budget agreement the Senate is expected to clear this week. The legislation would replace the $6 billion in total expected cuts to working-age military retirees' COLAs with an estimated $6.6 billion raised by eliminating a tax loophole for domestic corporations that make use of offshore tax havens. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and is also cosponsored by Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Al Franken (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Mark Begich (D-AK), Mark Udall (D-CO), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). \"The bipartisan budget deal replaces damaging across-the-board cuts with smarter alternatives that will support growth among small businesses, create jobs in New Mexico and across the country, support our active duty military, and avoid the devastating financial impacts of another government shutdown,\" Udall said. \"However, a promise was made to our military retirees, and the reduction in retirement benefits for working-age military retirees undermines this promise. That is why I'm supporting the Military Retirement Restoration Act, which will reverse the 1 percent reduction in cost of living adjustments to retirees who have dedicated over two decades of their lives to protecting our freedoms. This common-sense bill will decrease the deficit by closing a tax loophole while ensuring that working-age military retirees get the retirement benefits they have earned.\" Currently, companies that are incorporated offshore but managed and controlled from the United States can claim foreign status, which helps them avoid paying U.S. taxes. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Udall has worked to support veterans throughout his career. Udall is a cosponsor of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, and has fought to protect veterans' benefits and ensure that military service members return home to the resources needed to smoothly and successfully transition into civilian life. For more information about Udall's work for veterans, click here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-joins-senate-in-approving-budget-that-reduces-sequestration-cuts-offers-relief-to-nm", "Udall Joins Senate in Approving Budget that Reduces Sequestration Cuts, Offers Relief to N.M.", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Joins Senate in Approving Budget that Reduces Sequestration Cuts, Offers Relief to N.M. \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall joined the full Senate in voting for the bipartisan budget agreement, which was approved by a vote of 64-36. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly last week by a bipartisan vote of 332-94. Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has been fighting for budget certainty and an end to the devastating sequestration cuts, which have disproportionately hurt New Mexico. He issued the following statement:\n \n\"While the budget bill is not exactly what I would have written, it does two very important things for New Mexico. It rolls back sequestration's harmful cuts to national defense, the national labs, public land agencies, and many other federal installations that are critical to New Mexico's economy. It also lays out federal budgets for the next two years, providing a level of certainty that New Mexico's federal installations have said is desperately needed. I am willing to work to remedy the problematic parts of this agreement in future legislation. I have cosponsored a bill that would restore an unfair cut to working-age military retirees' cost of living adjustments, and I will continue to fight against making permanent an administrative fee on oil and gas royalties that costs New Mexico around $10 million a year.\"Without this budget measure, we face more conflict over spending and likely further job losses in New Mexico. Another short-term spending measure like those we've passed recently would lock in sequestration's economically devastating across-the-board cuts and could lead to a government shutdown in just a few short weeks. Officials at New Mexico's federal installations have assured me that not only would another round of cuts and budget dysfunction lead to layoffs, it would also negatively impact national security and likely cause irreparable harm to the government's ability to recruit and retain the best minds in science, research and management.\"You wouldn't run a successful business by lurching from crisis to crisis and budgeting a few weeks at a time - and it's no way to run a government. I'm going to continue to work toward sensible, bipartisan solutions that keep our budgets in check while maintaining our government services, and keeping our national defense strong and our economy healthy in New Mexico and around the country.\"\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1501", "Udall, Moran Urge Overhaul of Federal IT Oversight to Save Taxpayers Billions of Dollars [press_release]", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Moran Urge Overhaul of Federal IT Oversight to Save Taxpayers Billions of Dollars \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bipartisan bill would increase accountability, ensure clear chain of command in federal IT process\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced a bipartisan bill that would require the first major overhaul of the government information technology (IT) procurement process in over a decade. The senators urged quick action on IT reform, announcing their bill as President Obama met with executives from tech firms to discuss ways to improve the functioning of the health care website, HealthCare.gov.\nThe legislation would help modernize the government's computer and technology systems, which in some cases lag far behind the private sector. In the process, the bill would also cut waste to save billions in taxpayer funds and prevent management and accountability problems that have plagued various federal IT initiatives, most recently HealthCare.gov.\n\"The federal government needs to be able to build cutting-edge, 21st century computer systems, but right now we are hobbled by laws written in the days of floppy disks and telephone modems,\" Udall said. \"We have an urgent need to modernize the law and especially to incorporate flexibility and accountability. I want to make sure that in the 21st century, citizens can depend on the web to interact with their government - especially when it comes to something as serious as health care insurance or taxes. As chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to continuing to work for reforms with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.\"\n\"Americans want an efficient and effective government. As I'm sure President Obama and White House officials heard this morning from technology executives, reforms to and increased oversight of our federal IT procurement process is critical to achieving this goal,\" Moran said. \"The systemically-flawed rollout of HealthCare.gov is one high-profile example of IT procurement failures, but numerous more projects incur cost overruns, project delays and are abandoned altogether. These examples of waste come at a cost of billions of dollars to American taxpayers. Our bill will help the federal government transition into the 21st Century in a fiscally responsible fashion by optimizing its use of IT.\"\nEach year, the federal government spends about $80 billion on information technology. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), at least 154 major federal IT investments totaling $10.4 billion are at risk and in need of management attention. GAO has also found that federal IT reforms such as empowering Chief Information Officers (CIOs), consolidating federal data centers, and transitioning to cloud computing services could save billions of dollars.\nIn July, the GAO detailed a number of problems with IT initiatives and recommended the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) work with federal agencies to better and more effectively implement the programs to save taxpayers billions of dollars. The report is available here.\nUdall and Moran's bill seeks to implement many of the GAO's recommendations and eliminate duplication and waste in federal information technology acquisition and management, in part by:\n \nEnsuring accountability by empowering federal CIOs, elevating their role in civilian agency budget planning processes, and increasing their ability to optimize how agencies use IT.\n \n \nImproving the transparency and expanding the scope of the OMB public website, the IT Dashboard, for federal IT spending.\n \nThe bill is cosponsored by Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE), who serves with Udall and Moran on the Senate Appropriations Committee. U.S. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) have introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1502", "Udall, Rubio Introduce Bill to Promote Historic Preservation Education at Hispanic-Serving Institutions [press_release]", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Rubio Introduce Bill to Promote Historic Preservation Education at Hispanic-Serving Institutions \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a bill that would give Hispanic-serving colleges and universities increased access to a grant program designed to encourage more students to pursue historic and cultural preservation. The program is similar to one already available to historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges, and nontribal colleges with a high enrollment of Native Americans or Native Hawaiians.  The Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities Act of 2013 amends the National Historic Preservation Act by expanding eligibility for technical and financial assistance for preservation training and degree programs to include colleges and universities that are officially considered Hispanic-serving institutions by the U.S. Department of Education - generally schools at which 25 percent or more of the students are Hispanic or Latino.  \"New Mexico has a long and rich history that includes over 500 years of Hispanic settlement, and our colleges and universities are well-positioned to take advantage of this program,\" Udall said. \"This bill will help more students get inspired by our past and learn the skills to preserve our cultural history. Communities across our state can benefit - not only will encouraging historic preservation help us better understand our history, it's an economic development tool that can help increase tourism and create jobs.\" \"We are fortunate to have such a rich and diverse culture here in our country, and preserving our unique heritage is important,\" said Rubio. \"By allowing Hispanic-serving institutions to become eligible for support to implement cultural education programs under the National Historic Preservation Act, we will ensure those who wish to learn about, preserve and remember their cultural and national heritage have the ability to do so.\" More than 350 Hispanic-serving institutions across the country would benefit from the extended eligibility prescribed by the Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities Act. Hispanic-serving institutions represent about 10 percent of all higher education institutions in the United States, and educate over 50 percent of Hispanic students. This bill provides Hispanic-serving institutions with comparable access to technical or financial assistance to implement preservation and training programs as institutions with high enrollments of other minority populations. In addition to Udall and Rubio, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) has introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221174419/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=1504", "The Udall Update [blog]", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "As we close out the year, I'm proud to release a new episode of the \"The Udall Update,\" a public access television program that provides you with an inside look at what's happening in the U.S. Senate and how it impacts life in New Mexico.\nThe episode includes interviews, in-depth stories and feature segments about the work I am doing in Washington on behalf of New Mexicans.\nIf you live in Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Los Alamos, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Silver City you can watch \"The Udall Update\" on your local public access station, and anyone with Internet access can view the program online starting today.\nClick here to watch a new episode of \"The Udall Update.\"\nIn the \"Sensible Solutions\" segment, I discuss two important pieces of legislation I passed on behalf of New Mexicans, including an interview with Jayann Sepich of Carlsbad, who was the driving force behind passage of the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act. The law was named after Jayann's daughter, a New Mexico State University graduate student whose tragic death in 2003 spurred passage of \"Katie's Law\" on the state level to collect DNA from individuals arrested for serious crimes.\nI successfully fought to pass the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act at the federal level to create incentives for states to implement programs like New Mexico's, and I was honored to work with the Sepich family on this sensible solution in Congress.\nThe segment also features an interview with Albuquerque residents MSgt Jessey Baca and his wife Maria about our work passing the Open Burn Pits Registry Act to help patients, doctors and VA officials determine to what extent air pollution caused by open air burn pits has led to medical conditions among service members.\nI became an advocate for creating this registry after meeting the Bacas, who detailed Jessey's battle with a multitude of health problems believed to be associated with burn pits, and I worked hard on a bipartisan basis to get this bill signed into law for them and other veterans who were exposed.\nFinally, in a segment called \"Tom's Inbox,\" I answer a letter from a constituent in Harding County about the work I am doing to support rural New Mexico.\nTo find out exactly when the episode will air in your community, please contact your local public access station from the list below. Extended interviews and additional footage\u00a0can also be seen online.\nI hope you enjoy the latest episode.\n\"The Udall Update\" is scheduled to air on the following channels. Please check local listings for exact air dates and times.\nAlbuquerque - Channels 26 & 27  Carlsbad - Channel23TV - Channel 23   Las Cruces - CLC TV - Channel 20   Los Alamos- Los Alamos PAC - Channel 8   Rio Rancho - RioVision Community Access TV - Channels 15 & 22   Santa Fe - Santa Fe Community Television - Channel 16   Silver City - Community Access Television of Silver - Channels 17, 18 & 19\nRemember, if you don't have access to these stations through your TV provider you can watch the entire episode on my YouTube channel.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221210843/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=video&id=1505", "The Udall Update [video]", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Related News \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tRelated Blogs \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t THOMAS | The Library of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/statements-and-speeches/heinrich-statement-on-us-district-court-ruling-on-bulk-collection-of-phone-records", "Heinrich Statement on U.S. District Court Ruling on Bulk Collection of Phone Records", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich Statement on U.S. District Court Ruling on Bulk Collection of Phone Records\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 17, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) issued the following statement regarding a decision by Judge Richard Leon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granting the plaintiffs a preliminary injunction to block the gathering of their telephone data because a program that collects Americans telephone records in bulk is likely unconstitutional:\r\n\"I agree with Judge Leon\u2019s view that the framers of our Constitution would be alarmed by the collection and long-term retention of personal information about millions of innocent Americans for a program that has added little of value to the fight against terrorism.\u00a0 We have allowed the intelligence community to stray from what the framers had in mind when they wrote the Fourth Amendment and were dealing directly with government overreach.\u00a0 It\u2019s increasingly clear that\u00a0some of\u00a0the NSA\u2019s current efforts are unnecessary, and possibly unlawful.\u00a0 I will continue fighting to end this bulk metadata collection program, and am confident that we can find a way to balance our civil liberties while also protecting our nation from terrorist threats.\"\r\nA member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), Senator Heinrich has been working to prohibit the National Security Agency (N.S.A.) from collecting Americans' information in bulk.\u00a0 During a closed meeting of the SSCI on Oct. 31, 2013 to consider legislation concerning the intelligence community\u2019s information gathering powers, he offered an amendment that would have prohibited the NSA from collecting Americans\u2019 cellphone location information in bulk, while still permitting the government to acquire this information with an individualized warrant.\u00a0 The amendment failed by a 7-8 vote.\u00a0 Read the\u00a0published committee report.\r\nSenator Heinrich is also an original cosponsor of the\u00a0USA FREEDOM Act, which would end the bulk collection of Americans' phone and other communications records under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act and ensure that other authorities cannot be used to justify similar widespread collection.\u00a0 The bill also provides more safeguards against searches of Americans' communications collected in the course of targeting foreigners as authorized by the FISA Amendments Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-declassify-report-detailing-cias-interrogation-program", "Heinrich: Declassify Report Detailing CIA’s Interrogation Program", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich: Declassify Report Detailing CIA\u2019s Interrogation Program\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 17, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, is calling for a full and transparent accounting of the CIA's interrogation program and full declassification of the committee's study on the program.\r\nLast year, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to adopt the study, which is a 6,000-page comprehensive review of the Bush administration's CIA interrogation program based on a documentary review of over six million pages of CIA and other records.\r\nDuring the confirmation hearing today for CIA General Counsel Nominee Caroline Diane Krass, Senator Heinrich made it clear that the CIA has misrepresented the content of the study, and urged that the full report be declassified so that the public knows the truth.\r\n\"I am convinced now more than ever that we need to declassify the full report, so that those with a political agenda can no longer manipulate public opinion by making false representations about what is, or is not, in the study,\" said Senator Heinrich.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/the-udall-update", "The Udall Update", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2013\n\t\t\t The Udall Update \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAs we close out the year, I'm proud to release a new episode of the \"The Udall Update,\" a public access television program that provides you with an inside look at what's happening in the U.S. Senate and how it impacts life in New Mexico.\nThe episode includes interviews, in-depth stories and feature segments about the work I am doing in Washington on behalf of New Mexicans.\nIf you live in Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Los Alamos, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Silver City you can watch \"The Udall Update\" on your local public access station, and anyone with Internet access can view the program online starting today.\nClick here to watch a new episode of \"The Udall Update.\"\nIn the \"Sensible Solutions\" segment, I discuss two important pieces of legislation I passed on behalf of New Mexicans, including an interview with Jayann Sepich of Carlsbad, who was the driving force behind passage of the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act. The law was named after Jayann's daughter, a New Mexico State University graduate student whose tragic death in 2003 spurred passage of \"Katie's Law\" on the state level to collect DNA from individuals arrested for serious crimes.\nI successfully fought to pass the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act at the federal level to create incentives for states to implement programs like New Mexico's, and I was honored to work with the Sepich family on this sensible solution in Congress.\nThe segment also features an interview with Albuquerque residents MSgt Jessey Baca and his wife Maria about our work passing the Open Burn Pits Registry Act to help patients, doctors and VA officials determine to what extent air pollution caused by open air burn pits has led to medical conditions among service members.\nI became an advocate for creating this registry after meeting the Bacas, who detailed Jessey's battle with a multitude of health problems believed to be associated with burn pits, and I worked hard on a bipartisan basis to get this bill signed into law for them and other veterans who were exposed.\nFinally, in a segment called \"Tom's Inbox,\" I answer a letter from a constituent in Harding County about the work I am doing to support rural New Mexico.\nTo find out exactly when the episode will air in your community, please contact your local public access station from the list below. Extended interviews and additional footagecan also be seen online.\nI hope you enjoy the latest episode.\n\"The Udall Update\" is scheduled to air on the following channels. Please check local listings for exact air dates and times.\nAlbuquerque - Channels 26 & 27  Carlsbad - Channel23TV - Channel 23   Las Cruces - CLC TV - Channel 20   Los Alamos- Los Alamos PAC - Channel 8   Rio Rancho - RioVision Community Access TV - Channels 15 & 22   Santa Fe - Santa Fe Community Television - Channel 16   Silver City - Community Access Television of Silver - Channels 17, 18 & 19\nRemember, if you don't have access to these stations through your TV provider you can watch the entire episode on my YouTube channel.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-moran-urge-overhaul-of-federal-it-oversight-to-save-taxpayers-billions-of-dollars", "Udall, Moran Urge Overhaul of Federal IT Oversight to Save Taxpayers Billions of Dollars", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Moran Urge Overhaul of Federal IT Oversight to Save Taxpayers Billions of Dollars \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bipartisan bill would increase accountability, ensure clear chain of command in federal IT process\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced a bipartisan bill that would require the first major overhaul of the government information technology (IT) procurement process in over a decade. The senators urged quick action on IT reform, announcing their bill as President Obama met with executives from tech firms to discuss ways to improve the functioning of the health care website, HealthCare.gov.\nThe legislation would help modernize the government's computer and technology systems, which in some cases lag far behind the private sector. In the process, the bill would also cut waste to save billions in taxpayer funds and prevent management and accountability problems that have plagued various federal IT initiatives, most recently HealthCare.gov.\n\"The federal government needs to be able to build cutting-edge, 21st century computer systems, but right now we are hobbled by laws written in the days of floppy disks and telephone modems,\" Udall said. \"We have an urgent need to modernize the law and especially to incorporate flexibility and accountability. I want to make sure that in the 21st century, citizens can depend on the web to interact with their government - especially when it comes to something as serious as health care insurance or taxes. As chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to continuing to work for reforms with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.\"\n\"Americans want an efficient and effective government. As I'm sure President Obama and White House officials heard this morning from technology executives, reforms to and increased oversight of our federal IT procurement process is critical to achieving this goal,\" Moran said. \"The systemically-flawed rollout of HealthCare.gov is one high-profile example of IT procurement failures, but numerous more projects incur cost overruns, project delays and are abandoned altogether. These examples of waste come at a cost of billions of dollars to American taxpayers. Our bill will help the federal government transition into the 21st Century in a fiscally responsible fashion by optimizing its use of IT.\"\nEach year, the federal government spends about $80 billion on information technology. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), at least 154 major federal IT investments totaling $10.4 billion are at risk and in need of management attention. GAO has also found that federal IT reforms such as empowering Chief Information Officers (CIOs), consolidating federal data centers, and transitioning to cloud computing services could save billions of dollars.\nIn July, the GAO detailed a number of problems with IT initiatives and recommended the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) work with federal agencies to better and more effectively implement the programs to save taxpayers billions of dollars. The report is available here.\nUdall and Moran's bill seeks to implement many of the GAO's recommendations and eliminate duplication and waste in federal information technology acquisition and management, in part by:\n \nEnsuring accountability by empowering federal CIOs, elevating their role in civilian agency budget planning processes, and increasing their ability to optimize how agencies use IT.\n \n \nImproving the transparency and expanding the scope of the OMB public website, the IT Dashboard, for federal IT spending.\n \nThe bill is cosponsored by Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE), who serves with Udall and Moran on the Senate Appropriations Committee. U.S. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) have introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-rubio-introduce-bill-to-promote-historic-preservation-education-at-hispanic-serving-institutions", "Udall, Rubio Introduce Bill to Promote Historic Preservation Education at Hispanic-Serving Institutions", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Rubio Introduce Bill to Promote Historic Preservation Education at Hispanic-Serving Institutions \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a bill that would give Hispanic-serving colleges and universities increased access to a grant program designed to encourage more students to pursue historic and cultural preservation. The program is similar to one already available to historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges, and nontribal colleges with a high enrollment of Native Americans or Native Hawaiians.  The Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities Act of 2013 amends the National Historic Preservation Act by expanding eligibility for technical and financial assistance for preservation training and degree programs to include colleges and universities that are officially considered Hispanic-serving institutions by the U.S. Department of Education - generally schools at which 25 percent or more of the students are Hispanic or Latino.  \"New Mexico has a long and rich history that includes over 500 years of Hispanic settlement, and our colleges and universities are well-positioned to take advantage of this program,\" Udall said. \"This bill will help more students get inspired by our past and learn the skills to preserve our cultural history. Communities across our state can benefit - not only will encouraging historic preservation help us better understand our history, it's an economic development tool that can help increase tourism and create jobs.\" \"We are fortunate to have such a rich and diverse culture here in our country, and preserving our unique heritage is important,\" said Rubio. \"By allowing Hispanic-serving institutions to become eligible for support to implement cultural education programs under the National Historic Preservation Act, we will ensure those who wish to learn about, preserve and remember their cultural and national heritage have the ability to do so.\" More than 350 Hispanic-serving institutions across the country would benefit from the extended eligibility prescribed by the Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities Act. Hispanic-serving institutions represent about 10 percent of all higher education institutions in the United States, and educate over 50 percent of Hispanic students. This bill provides Hispanic-serving institutions with comparable access to technical or financial assistance to implement preservation and training programs as institutions with high enrollments of other minority populations. In addition to Udall and Rubio, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) has introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1500", "Udall Statement on District Court Ruling on NSA Phone Surveillance Program [press_release]", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Statement on District Court Ruling on NSA Phone Surveillance Program \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall responded to the D.C. District Court ruling regarding the National Security Agency's phone surveillance program. Udall has long pushed for reforms that would balance national security with Americans' constitutional rights, including the USA FREEDOM Act to end the bulk collection of phone records, and two bills to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) courts. He has also led a bipartisan push to ask for an independent investigation of these programs by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). He issued the following statement:\n \n\"I voted against the Patriot Act in 2001 because I believed the law would undermine the constitutional rights of our citizens. I have shared the concern many New Mexicans feel that the NSA's dragnet surveillance of telephone and email records is an indiscriminate invasion of privacy. Today's District Court ruling affirms that the bulk collection of phone records violates Americans' fundamental right to be free from unreasonable searches. \n\"I have said for many years that the American people deserve an open debate in which the government must make its case for its surveillance programs, including proof that archiving the phone records of nearly all Americans is keeping us safe. Our constitution guarantees a system in which the people have the right to argue their case against the government in an open forum before an independent judiciary. But until recently, this debate has been carried out primarily in a secret court in which only one side - the government's - is represented. With this case, Americans got their day in court. \n\"We can protect our national security without sacrificing our constitutional rights. And I hope today's ruling will prove to be an important milestone on the path toward increased transparency and comprehensive reforms to our surveillance programs, including an end to bulk phone record collection and the creation of a new privacy advocate within the secretive FISA court. \"\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185458/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548697", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Thursday in Hidalgo County [event]", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Hidalgo County.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Lordsburg Hidalgo County Senior Citizens Center in Lordsburg from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Las Cruces office at (575) 526-5475.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185519/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548698", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Thursday in Grant County [event]", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Grant County.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Bayard Public Library in Bayard from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Las Cruces office at (575) 526-5475.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185535/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548700", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Thursday in Socorro County [event]", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Socorro.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Socorro Public Library from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Las Cruces office at (575) 526-5475.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185603/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548699", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Thursday in Rio Arriba County [event]", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Rio Arriba County.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Beatrice Martinez Senior Center in Espa\u00f1ola from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Santa Fe office at (505) 988-6511.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185637/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548696", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Thursday in Luna County [event]", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Luna County.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Deming Luna County Senior Citizens Center\u00a0from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Las Cruces office at (575) 526-5475.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185734/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548689", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Tuesday in Lincoln County [event]", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Lincoln County.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Ruidoso Public Library from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Las Cruces office at (575) 526-5475.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-statement-on-district-court-ruling-on-nsa-phone-surveillance-program", "Udall Statement on District Court Ruling on NSA Phone Surveillance Program", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Statement on District Court Ruling on NSA Phone Surveillance Program \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall responded to the D.C. District Court ruling regarding the National Security Agency's phone surveillance program. Udall has long pushed for reforms that would balance national security with Americans' constitutional rights, including the USA FREEDOM Act to end the bulk collection of phone records, and two bills to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) courts. He has also led a bipartisan push to ask for an independent investigation of these programs by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). He issued the following statement:\n \n\"I voted against the Patriot Act in 2001 because I believed the law would undermine the constitutional rights of our citizens. I have shared the concern many New Mexicans feel that the NSA's dragnet surveillance of telephone and email records is an indiscriminate invasion of privacy. Today's District Court ruling affirms that the bulk collection of phone records violates Americans' fundamental right to be free from unreasonable searches. \n\"I have said for many years that the American people deserve an open debate in which the government must make its case for its surveillance programs, including proof that archiving the phone records of nearly all Americans is keeping us safe. Our constitution guarantees a system in which the people have the right to argue their case against the government in an open forum before an independent judiciary. But until recently, this debate has been carried out primarily in a secret court in which only one side - the government's - is represented. With this case, Americans got their day in court. \n\"We can protect our national security without sacrificing our constitutional rights. And I hope today's ruling will prove to be an important milestone on the path toward increased transparency and comprehensive reforms to our surveillance programs, including an end to bulk phone record collection and the creation of a new privacy advocate within the secretive FISA court. \"\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185657/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548680", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Wednesday in Edgewood [event]", "2013-12-15", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Edgewood.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Edgewood Community Center from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Albuquerque office at (505) 346-6791.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185716/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548679", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Wednesday in Tijeras [event]", "2013-12-15", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Tijeras.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Tijeras Village Hall from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Albuquerque office at (505) 346-6791.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185841/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548678", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours Tuesday in Otero County [event]", "2013-12-15", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Otero County.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Alamogordo Public Library from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Las Cruces office at (575) 526-5475.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/in-the-news/nm-senators-representatives-back-freedom-to-marry", "NM senators, representatives back ‘freedom to marry’", "2013-12-14", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Taos News: NM senators, representatives back \u2018freedom to marry\u2019\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Staff report\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Saturday, December 14, 2013\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan reaffirmed their support for marriage equality and joined the work of New Mexico Unites for Marriage, the campaign dedicated to securing and protecting that freedom for everyone in the state.\r\nTheir endorsements come as the New Mexico Supreme Court is poised to rule on a case filed on behalf of six plaintiff couples who were represented by the ACLU of New Mexico, the national ACLU, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and local attorneys.\r\n\u201cI enthusiastically support the freedom to marry for everyone in New Mexico,\u201d said Udall in a prepared statement. \u201cFamily comes first for all of us and that\u2019s why it is imperative that we support all New Mexican families and work together to win marriage equality and defend it if we must.\u201d\r\n\u201cI am very hopeful that the New Mexico Supreme Court will find that our constitution supports full equality for all our citizens,\u201d said\u00a0 Heinrich in a prepared statemtent. \u201cMarriage is the foundation of a strong community and I will do all I can to secure and protect this freedom for loving gay and lesbian couples and their families.\u201d\r\n\u201cNow that legally married same-sex couples can access the critical federal protections so necessary in times of stress and crisis, it is important to ensure that every couple can make that personal choice of marriage,\u201d said Lujan in a prepared statement. \u201cGay and lesbian couples make the same contributions and sacrifices that we all do, including paying taxes, owning business and caring for their families. It is time everyone is treated equally under the law.\u201d\r\n\u201cWe are extremely grateful to have Sens. Udall and Heinrich and Congressman Lujan onboard to support our work to win and defend marriage equality,\u201d said campaign manager Robert Adams in a prepared statement. \u201cOver 1,700 same-sex couples have already married in New Mexico, and that fundamental freedom belongs to everyone in the state.\u00a0 New Mexico Unites for Marriage is committed to making that dream a reality.\u201d\r\nNew Mexico Unites for Marriage is a coalition of state and national organizations, business, faith and civic leaders and everyday New Mexicans who support marriage equality.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-grisham-introduce-bill-to-improve-recreational-access-to", "Heinrich, Lujan Grisham Introduce Bill To Improve Recreational Access To Crest Of Montezuma In Placitas", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185758/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548677", "Udall Serving You: Office Hours Tuesday in Raton [event]", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host an upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Raton.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nA member of my staff will be at the Raton City Hall from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17 and I encourage you to stop by.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nSome of the areas Udall can help YoU with include:\nVeterans: Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security: Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration: Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing: Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports: Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\nFor more information, please contact my Portales office at (575) 356-6811.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185902/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548675", "Udall Serving YoU: Office Hours in Bernalillo County [event]", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "My office is pleased to host upcoming Udall Serving YoU open office hours in Bernalillo County.\nIf you're having problems with a federal agency, Udall Serving YoU open office hours are an opportunity to meet with my staff at a location in your community to discuss how my office can help.\nThere are hundreds of different agencies within the federal government and you can find more about the sorts of issues that I can address on my Help with Federal Agencies page.\nJoin my staff for the next Udall Serving YoU in your community:\nNortheast Albuquerque  9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.   Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013  Holiday Park Community Center  11710 Comanche Rd. NE\n1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.   Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013  Mesa Verde Community Center  7900 Marquette Ave. NE\nNorthwest Albuquerque  9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.   Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013  Don Newton/Taylor Ranch Community Center  4900 Kachina St. NW\n1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.   Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013  North Valley Senior Center  3825 4th St. NW\nSoutheast Albuquerque  9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.   Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013  Jack Candelaria Community Center  400 San Jose Ave. SE\n1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.   Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013  Cesar Chavez Community Center  7505 Kathryn Ave. SE\nSouthwest Albuquerque  9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.   Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013  South Valley Economic Development Center, Conference Room  318 Isleta Blvd. SW\n1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.  Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013   Westgate Community Center  1400 Snow Vista Blvd. SW\nSome of the areas\u00a0Udall can help YoU\u00a0with include:\n \nVeterans:\u00a0Veterans' benefits, eligibility determinations, VA home loans, and replacements of medals earned.\nSocial Security:\u00a0Social Security benefits and eligibility, missing checks.\nImmigration:\u00a0Assistance with naturalization applications, immigrant petitions for relatives and adjustment of status applications that are delayed or lost.\nHousing:\u00a0Problems with housing vouchers, federal loan programs and HUD.\nPassports:\u00a0Obtaining an emergency passport, help with a lost passport and overseas travel restrictions.\n \nFor more information, please contact my Albuquerque office at (505) 346-6791.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222001742/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=event&id=548287", "Tom Tours the \"Jalgae\" Plant [event]", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Recent Videos & Photos \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImproving Care for Rural Veterans\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTom Hosts Sec. Jewell for Tour & Public Meeting on Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks National Monument\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFunding for N.M. Priorities in Omnibus Bill Will Help Support Economy, Jobs\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tRecent Blogs \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t THOMAS | The Library of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-grisham-introduce-bill-to-improve-recreational-access-to-crest-of-montezuma-in-placitas", "Heinrich, Lujan Grisham Introduce Bill To Improve Recreational Access To Crest Of Montezuma In Placitas", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich, Lujan Grisham Introduce Bill To Improve Recreational Access To Crest Of Montezuma In Placitas\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 13, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. -\u00a0U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)\u00a0and\u00a0U.S. Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham (N.M.-1) have\u00a0introduced legislation in the Senate and the House to add the Crest of Montezuma to the north end of the Cibola National Forest and shift its management from the\u00a0Bureau of Land Management\u00a0(BLM) to\u00a0the U.S. Forest Service. The\u00a0companion\u00a0bills would improve recreational access for local residents while ensuring the land, located just east of the village of Placitas in New Mexico, is not subject to future mining and development.\r\n\u201cThe Crest of Montezuma is the backdrop to\u00a0historic Placitas village.\u00a0But many local residents have shared their concerns with me about the future of this land. Most concerning to them are the ways in which access could be restricted for recreational uses and that a critical corridor for wildlife would be endangered,\"\u00a0said Sen. Heinrich, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. \u201cBy shifting the management of the Crest of Montezuma to the Forest Service, New Mexicans can be sure that the land is not sold to private interests or developed for mineral resources. I look forward to working with Representative Lujan Grisham to improve recreational access\u00a0to this spectacular area for families now and for future generations to enjoy.\u201d\r\n\"New Mexico's treasured public lands are a vital aspect of our state's history, economy and culture,\" said Rep. Lujan Grisham. \"This legislation will ensure that the Crest of Montezuma is protected from future development while also improving recreational access for local communities. I'm proud to be working with Senator Heinrich to preserve this area for the New Mexicans who enjoy it and the diverse wildlife that inhabit it.\"\r\nThe legislation would also simplify management of the area by\u00a0unifying federal land management under the Forest Service. \u00a0\r\nThis proposal has strong support from the local community, including Las Placitas Association, a citizen group that represents residents near the Crest of Montezuma, and the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.\r\nAs a member of the House of Representatives, then-Rep. Heinrich introduced a similar bill that passed the House by a unanimous vote in 2012.\u00a0This is the first time the legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-votes-for-bipartisan-budget-agreement", "Lujan Grisham Votes for Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1497", "Udall, Heinrich Introduce Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Bill [press_release]", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Heinrich Introduce Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill would designate national monument to protect outstanding resources, boost economy, create jobs, enhance recreation and hunting\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n \n \n   WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich introduced legislation to preserve some of Do\u00f1a Ana County's most iconic landscapes, while boosting the region's tourism and outdoor economy, creating jobs and improving hunting and hiking opportunities. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act would designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument to conserve, protect and enhance scenic, recreational and culturally significant land. \n  The new monument would be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and would include eight new wilderness areas. Studies show that designating the area a national monument would bring new visitors and business opportunities, generating $7.4 million in new economic activity annually. \n  \"Designating a national monument would put the Organ Mountains and other\u00a0spectacular areas of Do\u00f1a Ana County on recreation maps around the world, attracting tourists to Southern New Mexico, creating jobs and bringing in millions of dollars in tourism revenue, Udall said. \"The Organ Mountains and surrounding area form a beautiful and iconic backdrop for Las Cruces and are beloved by New Mexicans. Our bill would help ensure local families and visitors will continue to be able to hike, hunt, and learn from the thousands of significant historic sites throughout the hills for generations to come.\" \n  \"The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks region offers outstanding cultural resources, tourism and recreational opportunities like hunting, hiking, and camping, and links us strongly to our past. For years, diverse coalitions in New Mexico have worked tirelessly for its permanent protection. By designating this natural treasure a national monument, a critical piece of our shared outdoor heritage will be protected for us now and for future generations of Americans to enjoy,\" Heinrich said. \"I look forward to working with Senator Tom Udall and communities across New Mexico to get this done.\" The bill conserves land in an area stretching across the Organ, Do\u00f1a Ana, Potrillo, Robledo and Uvas mountains, home to game animals, such as pronghorn sheep and deer, as well as rare plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world, including the Organ Mountains pincushion cactus. It encompasses Broad Canyon, Sleeping Lady Hills, Rough and Ready Hills, Picacho Peak, Mount Riley, Pe\u00f1a Blanca and Bishop's Cap. And it contains over 5,000 archeologically and culturally significant sites, including Geronimo's Cave, Billy the Kid's Outlaw Rock, Spanish settlement sites, and numerous petroglyphs and pictographs. The national monument proposal is the result of many years of research and conversations with the surrounding communities, as well as White Sands Missile Range, Fort Bliss, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Importantly, the bill preserves existing grazing rights and vehicular access to 100 percent of roads leading to currently used water wells, troughs and corrals, and it enhances hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. It also strengthens border security in the region by releasing wilderness study areas within five miles of the international border, creating a buffer area for Border Patrol activities, and adding an additional road for border security purposes. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act: \n    \n   Boosts the economy and creates jobs. A recent study found that new visitors would generate $7.4 million in new economic activity and create new jobs. \n   Conserves wildlife habitat and enhances hunting opportunities for generations to come. \n   Protects some of Southern New Mexico's most iconic vistas and preserves important landmarks and archeological and cultural resources. \n   Increases flexibility for Border Patrol to conduct operations. \n   Directs the completion of a watershed restoration assessment that will support flood prevention. \n   Maintains existing grazing allotments under the current rangeland management guidelines. \n    \n  \n   Udall and Heinrich announced the bill's introduction during a press conference call earlier today. To download the audio of the call, click \n   here.\u00a0\n   \n   \n  Legislative Text - S. 1805 - The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act by Tom Udall \n   \n  \u00a0\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1499", "Udall-Heinrich Provision to Expand White Sands Included in Defense Authorization Act [press_release]", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall-Heinrich Provision to Expand White Sands Included in Defense Authorization Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t House Fails to Include Provisions for Fort Bliss\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators\u00a0\u00a0Tom Udall and\u00a0Martin Heinrich today made the following statements in response to a provision included in the compromise language of the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), released yesterday. The provision is part of a bill the New Mexico senators introduced earlier this year, which passed the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to strengthen the missions at White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss.\n\"White Sands Missile Range is a critical and valuable asset for New Mexico and for our national security, and I'm glad that that these measures to strengthen WSMR were included in this year's defense bill. This commonsense bill sets aside an enduring buffer that clarifies the boundaries and protects this unique asset from incompatible development,\" said Sen. Udall. \"Fort Bliss needs similar protection, and we'll continue to work to ensure that the remaining portions of our bill can be passed and enacted as soon as possible.\"\n\"I am pleased that both the House and Senate came together to support this important provision for White Sands Missile Range.  This expansion is critical to strengthening WSMR's vital national security mission and will further protect it from encroachment,\" said Sen. Heinrich. \"However, I am disappointed that similar buffer zone provisions for Fort Bliss failed to advance in the House.  Despite receiving broad support from the Department of Defense, Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management,  White Sands Missile Range, community leaders, and specifically from Fort Bliss, the House neglected to introduce and consider common sense legislation that will further protect Fort Bliss from encroachment and incompatible development. I will continue to advocate  for the buffer zone provisions for Fort Bliss and encourage my House colleagues to support their passage in next year's defense bill.\"\nThe Udall-Heinrich bill was reintroduced as part of an amendment to the NDAA.  House negotiators objected to the language since the Fort Bliss provisions were never introduced in the House of Representatives.\nThe bullets below summarize the specific land exchanges:\n \nWhite Sands Missile Range (included in NDAA) Transfers 5,100 acres of land from the BLM to the Army in order to provide a critical safety and security buffer to NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) and the Department of Defense's Aerospace Data Facility - Southwest, which are both key tenants of White Sands Missile Range;\n \n \nFort Bliss (not included in NDAA) Transfers 2,050 acres of land in Fillmore Canyon from the Army to the BLM to create a boundary that is more clearly identifiable to the public to prevent accidental trespass onto Fort Bliss; and\n \n \nFort Bliss (not included in NDAA) Prohibits the BLM from selling or exchanging 35,550 acres of land in order to prevent incompatible development near the Fort Bliss Dona Ana Range Complex and Training Areas that include some of the Army's premier large weapons system firing ranges and artillery firing boxes. This land will still be accessible to the public for recreation, grazing, transportation, and other existing uses.\n \n\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221174441/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=1498", "Organ Mountains, Desert Peaks [blog]", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today I'm proud to introduce legislation to preserve some of our state's most iconic landscapes, while boosting the region's tourism and outdoor economy, creating jobs and improving hunting and hiking opportunities.\nOur Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act would designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument on 498,815 acres to conserve to conserve and protect scenic, recreational and culturally significant land.\nDesignating a national monument would put the Organ Mountains and other spectacular areas of Do\u00f1a Ana County on recreation maps around the world, attracting tourists to Southern New Mexico, creating jobs and bringing in millions of dollars in tourism revenue.\nThe Organ Mountains and surrounding area form a beautiful and iconic backdrop for Las Cruces and are beloved by New Mexicans. Our bill would help ensure local families and visitors will continue to be able to hike, hunt, and learn from the thousands of significant historic sites throughout the hills for generations to come.\nThe new monument would be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and would include eight new wilderness areas. Studies estimate that designating the area a national monument would bring new visitors and business opportunities, generating $7.4 million in new economic activity annually.\nAt the same time, by designating a monument, we're able to conserve the land while also preserving access to existing grazing rights, releasing wilderness study areas from consideration - to give U.S. Border Patrol increased flexibility for patrols, enhancing hunting opportunities, and ensuring watershed restoration and flood control can continue.\nThe national monument proposal is the result of many years of research and conversations with the surrounding communities, as well as White Sands Missile Range, Fort Bliss, and the U.S. Border Patrol.\nThe bill conserves land in an area stretching across the Organ, Do\u00f1a Ana, Potrillo, Robledo and Uvas Mountains; home to game animals, such as pronghorn sheep, quail, and deer; as well as rare plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world, including the Organ Mountains pincushion cactus.\nFor more information, download the fact sheet below, access the legislative text and share the infographic to spread the word about how the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Monument would help New Mexico's economy.\nThe Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act:\n \nBoosts the economy and creates jobs. A recent study found that new visitors would generate $7.4 million in new economic activity and  over $560,000 in additional local and state tax revenue each year, and create new jobs.\nConserves wildlife habitat and enhances hunting opportunities for generations to come.\nProtects some of Southern New Mexico's most iconic vistas and preserves important landmarks and archeological and cultural resources.\nIncreases flexibility for Border Patrol to conduct operations.\nDirects the completion of a watershed health assessment that will support restoration and flood prevention.\nMaintains existing grazing as part of our state's heritage.\n \n\u00a0\nOverview Map of the Proposed Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument by Tom Udall\n\u00a0\nOrgan Mountains Area Map\nMap of the Desert Peaks Complex\nMap of the Potrillo Mountains Complex\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLegislative Text - S. 1805 - The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act by Tom Udall", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-udall-provision-to-expand-white-sands-included-in-defense-authorization-act", "Heinrich-Udall Provision to Expand White Sands Included in Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich-Udall Provision to Expand White Sands Included in Defense Authorization Act\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tHouse Fails to Include Provisions for Fort Bliss\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 12, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) today made the following statements in response to a provision included in the compromise language of the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), released yesterday. The provision is part of a bill\u00a0the New Mexico senators\u00a0introduced\u00a0earlier this year, which\u00a0passed\u00a0the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to strengthen the missions at White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss.\r\n\u201cI am pleased that both the House and Senate came together to support this important provision for White Sands Missile Range.\u00a0 This expansion is critical to strengthening WSMR\u2019s vital national security mission and will further protect it from encroachment,\"\u00a0said Sen. Heinrich.\u00a0\"However,\u00a0I am disappointed that similar buffer zone provisions for Fort Bliss failed to advance in the House.\u00a0 Despite receiving broad support from the Department of Defense, Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management,\u00a0 White Sands Missile Range, community leaders, and specifically from Fort Bliss, the House neglected to introduce and consider common sense legislation that will further protect Fort Bliss from encroachment and incompatible development.\u00a0I will continue to advocate for the buffer zone provisions for Fort Bliss and encourage my House colleagues to support their passage in next year\u2019s defense bill.\u201d\r\n\"White Sands Missile Range is a critical and valuable asset for New Mexico and for our national security, and I'm glad that that these measures to strengthen WSMR were included in this year's defense bill. This commonsense bill sets aside an enduring buffer that clarifies the boundaries and protects this unique asset from incompatible development,\" said Sen. Udall.\u00a0\"Fort Bliss needs similar protection, and\u00a0we'll continue to work to ensure that the remaining portions of our bill can be passed and enacted as soon as possible.\"\r\nThe Heinrich-Udall bill was reintroduced as part of an amendment to the NDAA.\u00a0\u00a0House negotiators\u00a0objected to the language since the Fort Bliss provisions were never introduced in the House of Representatives. \u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe bullets below summarize the specific land exchanges:\r\nWhite Sands Missile Range (included in NDAA)\u00a0\u00a0Transfers 5,100 acres of land from the BLM to the Army in order to provide a critical safety and security buffer to NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) and the Department of Defense's Aerospace Data Facility - Southwest, which are both key tenants of White Sands Missile Range;\r\nFort Bliss (not\u00a0included in NDAA)\u00a0Transfers 2,050 acres of land in Fillmore Canyon from the Army to the BLM to create a boundary that is more clearly identifiable to the public to prevent accidental trespass onto Fort Bliss; and\r\nFort Bliss (not\u00a0included in NDAA)\u00a0Prohibits the BLM from selling or exchanging 35,550 acres of land in order to prevent incompatible development near the Fort Bliss Dona Ana Range Complex and Training Areas that include some of the Army's premier large weapons system firing ranges and artillery firing boxes. This land will still be accessible to the public for recreation, grazing, transportation, and other existing uses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/udall-heinrich-introduce-organ-mountains-desert-peaks-conservation-bill", "Udall, Heinrich Introduce Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Bill", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Udall, Heinrich Introduce Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Bill\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tBill would designate national monument to boost economy, create jobs, enhance recreation and hunting  \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 12, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Today,\u00a0U.S. Senators Tom Udall\u00a0and\u00a0Martin Heinrich\u00a0introduced legislation to preserve some of Do\u00f1a Ana County\u2019s most iconic landscapes, while boosting the region\u2019s tourism and outdoor economy, creating jobs and improving hunting and hiking opportunities.\u00a0The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act would designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks\u00a0National Monument to conserve, protect and enhance scenic, recreational and culturally significant land.\u00a0\r\nThe new monument would be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and would include\u00a0eight new wilderness areas. Studies show that designating the area a national monument would bring new visitors and business opportunities, generating $7.4 million in new economic activity annually.\r\n\u201cDesignating a national monument would put the Organ Mountains and other spectacular areas of Do\u00f1a Ana County on recreation maps around the world, attracting tourists to Southern New Mexico, creating jobs and bringing in millions of dollars in tourism revenue,\u201d Udall said. \u201cThe Organ Mountains and surrounding area form a beautiful and iconic backdrop for Las Cruces and are beloved by New Mexicans. Our bill would help ensure local families and visitors will continue to be able to hike, hunt, and learn from the thousands of significant historic sites throughout the hills for generations to come.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks region offers outstanding cultural resources, tourism and recreational opportunities like hunting, hiking, and camping, and links us strongly to our past. For years, diverse coalitions in New Mexico have worked tirelessly for its permanent protection. By designating this natural treasure a national monument, a critical piece of our shared outdoor heritage will be protected for us now and for future generations of Americans to enjoy,\u201d Heinrich said. \u201cI look forward to working with Senator Tom Udall and communities across New Mexico to get this done.\u201d\r\nThe bill conserves land in an area stretching across the Organ, Do\u00f1a Ana, Potrillo, Robledo and Uvas mountains, home to game animals, such as pronghorn sheep and deer, as well as rare plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world, including the Organ Mountains pincushion cactus. It encompasses Broad Canyon, Sleeping Lady Hills, Rough and Ready Hills, Picacho Peak, Mount Riley, Pe\u00f1a Blanca and Bishop\u2019s Cap. And it contains over 5,000 archeologically and culturally significant sites, including Geronimo\u2019s Cave, Billy the Kid\u2019s Outlaw Rock, Spanish settlement sites, and numerous petroglyphs and pictographs.\r\nThe national monument proposal is the result of many years of research and conversations with the surrounding communities, as well as White Sands Missile Range, Fort Bliss, and the U.S. Border Patrol.\r\nImportantly, the bill preserves existing grazing rights and\u00a0vehicular access to\u00a0100 percent of roads leading to currently used water wells, troughs and corrals, and it enhances hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. It also strengthens border security in the region by releasing wilderness study areas within five miles of the international border, creating a buffer area for Border Patrol activities,\u00a0and\u00a0adding an additional road for border security purposes.\r\nThe Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act:\r\n\r\n \r\nBoosts the economy and creates jobs. A recent study found that new visitors would generate $7.4 million in new economic activity and create new jobs.\r\nConserves wildlife habitat and enhances hunting opportunities for generations to come.\r\nProtects some of Southern New Mexico\u2019s most iconic vistas and preserves important landmarks and archeological and cultural resources.\r\nIncreases flexibility for Border Patrol to conduct operations.\r\nDirects the completion of a watershed restoration assessment that will support flood prevention.\r\nMaintains existing grazing allotments under the current rangeland management guidelines.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/organ-mountains-desert-peaks", "Organ Mountains, Desert Peaks", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2013\n\t\t\t Organ Mountains, Desert Peaks \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tToday I'm proud to introduce legislation to preserve some of our state's most iconic landscapes, while boosting the region's tourism and outdoor economy, creating jobs and improving hunting and hiking opportunities.\nOur Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act would designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument on 498,815 acres to conserve to conserve and protect scenic, recreational and culturally significant land.\nDesignating a national monument would put the Organ Mountains and other spectacular areas of Doa Ana County on recreation maps around the world, attracting tourists to Southern New Mexico, creating jobs and bringing in millions of dollars in tourism revenue.\nThe Organ Mountains and surrounding area form a beautiful and iconic backdrop for Las Cruces and are beloved by New Mexicans. Our bill would help ensure local families and visitors will continue to be able to hike, hunt, and learn from the thousands of significant historic sites throughout the hills for generations to come.\nThe new monument would be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and would include eight new wilderness areas. Studies estimate that designating the area a national monument would bring new visitors and business opportunities, generating $7.4 million in new economic activity annually.\nAt the same time, by designating a monument, we're able to conserve the land while also preserving access to existing grazing rights, releasing wilderness study areas from consideration - to give U.S. Border Patrol increased flexibility for patrols, enhancing hunting opportunities, and ensuring watershed restoration and flood control can continue.\nThe national monument proposal is the result of many years of research and conversations with the surrounding communities, as well as White Sands Missile Range, Fort Bliss, and the U.S. Border Patrol.\nThe bill conserves land in an area stretching across the Organ, Doa Ana, Potrillo, Robledo and Uvas Mountains; home to game animals, such as pronghorn sheep, quail, and deer; as well as rare plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world, including the Organ Mountains pincushion cactus.\nFor more information, download the fact sheet below, access the legislative text and share the infographic to spread the word about how the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Monument would help New Mexico's economy.\nThe Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act:\n \nBoosts the economy and creates jobs. A recent study found that new visitors would generate $7.4 million in new economic activity and  over $560,000 in additional local and state tax revenue each year, and create new jobs.\nConserves wildlife habitat and enhances hunting opportunities for generations to come.\nProtects some of Southern New Mexico's most iconic vistas and preserves important landmarks and archeological and cultural resources.\nIncreases flexibility for Border Patrol to conduct operations.\nDirects the completion of a watershed health assessment that will support restoration and flood prevention.\nMaintains existing grazing as part of our state's heritage.\n \n\nOverview Map of the Proposed Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument by Tom Udall\n\nOrgan Mountains Area Map\nMap of the Desert Peaks Complex\nMap of the Potrillo Mountains Complex\n\n\nLegislative Text - S. 1805 - The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act by Tom Udall\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-heinrich-introduce-organ-mountains-desert-peaks-conservation-bill", "Udall, Heinrich Introduce Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Bill", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Heinrich Introduce Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill would designate national monument to protect outstanding resources, boost economy, create jobs, enhance recreation and hunting\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n \n \n   WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich introduced legislation to preserve some of Doa Ana County's most iconic landscapes, while boosting the region's tourism and outdoor economy, creating jobs and improving hunting and hiking opportunities. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act would designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument to conserve, protect and enhance scenic, recreational and culturally significant land. \n  The new monument would be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and would include eight new wilderness areas. Studies show that designating the area a national monument would bring new visitors and business opportunities, generating $7.4 million in new economic activity annually. \n  \"Designating a national monument would put the Organ Mountains and otherspectacular areas of Doa Ana County on recreation maps around the world, attracting tourists to Southern New Mexico, creating jobs and bringing in millions of dollars in tourism revenue, Udall said. \"The Organ Mountains and surrounding area form a beautiful and iconic backdrop for Las Cruces and are beloved by New Mexicans. Our bill would help ensure local families and visitors will continue to be able to hike, hunt, and learn from the thousands of significant historic sites throughout the hills for generations to come.\" \n  \"The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks region offers outstanding cultural resources, tourism and recreational opportunities like hunting, hiking, and camping, and links us strongly to our past. For years, diverse coalitions in New Mexico have worked tirelessly for its permanent protection. By designating this natural treasure a national monument, a critical piece of our shared outdoor heritage will be protected for us now and for future generations of Americans to enjoy,\" Heinrich said. \"I look forward to working with Senator Tom Udall and communities across New Mexico to get this done.\" The bill conserves land in an area stretching across the Organ, Doa Ana, Potrillo, Robledo and Uvas mountains, home to game animals, such as pronghorn sheep and deer, as well as rare plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world, including the Organ Mountains pincushion cactus. It encompasses Broad Canyon, Sleeping Lady Hills, Rough and Ready Hills, Picacho Peak, Mount Riley, Pea Blanca and Bishop's Cap. And it contains over 5,000 archeologically and culturally significant sites, including Geronimo's Cave, Billy the Kid's Outlaw Rock, Spanish settlement sites, and numerous petroglyphs and pictographs. The national monument proposal is the result of many years of research and conversations with the surrounding communities, as well as White Sands Missile Range, Fort Bliss, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Importantly, the bill preserves existing grazing rights and vehicular access to 100 percent of roads leading to currently used water wells, troughs and corrals, and it enhances hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. It also strengthens border security in the region by releasing wilderness study areas within five miles of the international border, creating a buffer area for Border Patrol activities, and adding an additional road for border security purposes. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act: \n    \n   Boosts the economy and creates jobs. A recent study found that new visitors would generate $7.4 million in new economic activity and create new jobs. \n   Conserves wildlife habitat and enhances hunting opportunities for generations to come. \n   Protects some of Southern New Mexico's most iconic vistas and preserves important landmarks and archeological and cultural resources. \n   Increases flexibility for Border Patrol to conduct operations. \n   Directs the completion of a watershed restoration assessment that will support flood prevention. \n   Maintains existing grazing allotments under the current rangeland management guidelines. \n    \n  \n   Udall and Heinrich announced the bill's introduction during a press conference call earlier today. To download the audio of the call, click \n   here.\n   \n   \n  Legislative Text - S. 1805 - The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act by Tom Udall \n   \n  \n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-heinrich-provision-to-expand-white-sands-included-in-defense-authorization-act", "Udall-Heinrich Provision to Expand White Sands Included in Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall-Heinrich Provision to Expand White Sands Included in Defense Authorization Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t House Fails to Include Provisions for Fort Bliss\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. SenatorsTom Udall andMartin Heinrich today made the following statements in response to a provision included in the compromise language of the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), released yesterday. The provision is part of a bill the New Mexico senators introduced earlier this year, which passed the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to strengthen the missions at White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss.\n\"White Sands Missile Range is a critical and valuable asset for New Mexico and for our national security, and I'm glad that that these measures to strengthen WSMR were included in this year's defense bill. This commonsense bill sets aside an enduring buffer that clarifies the boundaries and protects this unique asset from incompatible development,\" said Sen. Udall. \"Fort Bliss needs similar protection, and we'll continue to work to ensure that the remaining portions of our bill can be passed and enacted as soon as possible.\"\n\"I am pleased that both the House and Senate came together to support this important provision for White Sands Missile Range.  This expansion is critical to strengthening WSMR's vital national security mission and will further protect it from encroachment,\" said Sen. Heinrich. \"However, I am disappointed that similar buffer zone provisions for Fort Bliss failed to advance in the House.  Despite receiving broad support from the Department of Defense, Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management,  White Sands Missile Range, community leaders, and specifically from Fort Bliss, the House neglected to introduce and consider common sense legislation that will further protect Fort Bliss from encroachment and incompatible development. I will continue to advocate  for the buffer zone provisions for Fort Bliss and encourage my House colleagues to support their passage in next year's defense bill.\"\nThe Udall-Heinrich bill was reintroduced as part of an amendment to the NDAA.  House negotiators objected to the language since the Fort Bliss provisions were never introduced in the House of Representatives.\nThe bullets below summarize the specific land exchanges:\n \nWhite Sands Missile Range (included in NDAA) Transfers 5,100 acres of land from the BLM to the Army in order to provide a critical safety and security buffer to NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) and the Department of Defense's Aerospace Data Facility - Southwest, which are both key tenants of White Sands Missile Range;\n \n \nFort Bliss (not included in NDAA) Transfers 2,050 acres of land in Fillmore Canyon from the Army to the BLM to create a boundary that is more clearly identifiable to the public to prevent accidental trespass onto Fort Bliss; and\n \n \nFort Bliss (not included in NDAA) Prohibits the BLM from selling or exchanging 35,550 acres of land in order to prevent incompatible development near the Fort Bliss Dona Ana Range Complex and Training Areas that include some of the Army's premier large weapons system firing ranges and artillery firing boxes. This land will still be accessible to the public for recreation, grazing, transportation, and other existing uses.\n \n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1495", "Udall: Filibuster Rule Change Reducing Senate Gridlock [press_release]", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall: Filibuster Rule Change Reducing Senate Gridlock \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Confirmation of Millett by vote of 56-38 shows rules change is allowing Senate to return to standard of \u0091advise and consent' as required by the Constitution\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall praised the confirmation of Patricia Millett to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She is the first nominee to be confirmed by the Senate since changing its rules to prohibit filibusters of executive branch and judicial nominees, other than those to the U.S. Supreme Court. Since 2009, Udall has led the fight in the Senate to cut through gridlock, and he said Millett's confirmation by a vote of 56-38 is evidence that the Senate is finally working again when it comes to these important nominees.\n\"After years of unprecedented obstruction of the president's nominees, the Senate finally took steps last month to rein in the abuse of the filibuster - and already we're seeing the benefit of our fight to make the Senate work for all Americans,\" Udall said. \"Patricia Millett deserved an up-or-down vote in October, but she instead became another example of a highly qualified nominee blocked purely for partisan gain. Patricia Millett's confirmation today isn't a radical move. What's radical is that the Senate is finally doing what our founders intended - exercising its advise and consent responsibilities. A majority of the body approved of Millett's confirmation, so she now heads to the federal bench.\" \"With today's vote of 56-38, the Senate is finally operating according to the majority rule standard required by the Constitution when it comes to executive branch and judicial nominees,\" Udall added. \"If nominees are qualified, they get an up or down vote in the Senate. If a majority is opposed, they can reject a nominee. But a minority can no longer delay them indefinitely. This is how our democracy is intended to work.\"  At the beginning of this Congress, Republicans agreed to filibuster nominees only under \"extraordinary circumstances.\" Yet the pattern of obstruction continued and many well qualified judicial and executive branch nominees were denied up or down confirmation votes.\nMillett was one of four D.C. Circuit Court nominees blocked by a Republican filibuster, despite their impeccable credentials and the support of a majority of the Senate. Republicans also recently blocked the nomination of U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C., to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Udall continues to fight for further rules changes, such as a \"talking filibuster,\" which would require senators to go to the floor make their case for blocking legislation.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185004/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=1493", "Photo Contest: Showcasing New Mexico [blog]", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "I don't know about you, but I think New Mexico is the most beautiful state in the country. It's filled with diverse landscapes from mountains to forests to desert peaks and ancient rock formations that tell the story of our history and culture. Not only do New Mexicans enjoy taking photos of our great scenery in all four corners, we like to share them too.\nAs the snow falls and we settle into winter, I'll be on the lookout for great photos of New Mexico to feature on my website and social media channels. If you have captured a great picture, please share it with me and help showcase New Mexico.\n \nJoin the photo contest and upload your photo at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/senatortomudall-showcasingnewmexico/\n \nYou don't have to be a professional photographer - just have a good eye for capturing New Mexico at its best.\u00a0The requirements are simple:\n- The photo must be taken in New Mexico. When uploading, please note where the picture was taken and geo-tag the location if possible.  - The photo should be high-resolution (camera phone pictures aren't likely to show up very clearly).  - For this season's contest, photos should be taken in winter, but we'll always consider others for next spring, summer and fall.  - You must own the copyright of the photo or have permission from the photographer.\u00a0\nUnfortunately we cannot accept photos emailed directly to us. Please upload them using the free sharing site Flickr. All you have to do is:\n- Join my Photo Contest group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/senatortomudall-showcasingnewmexico/  - Upload your photos using a NonCommercial, ShareAlike Creative Commons attribution so we know it's okay to feature them.\nThat's it!\u00a0Please check out my Facebook page, Twitter\u00a0or\u00a0YouTube channel to get an idea of how your photos might be featured. You\u00a0can also see previous photos I've used on my website at:\u00a0http://www.flickr.com/groups/senatortomudall-showcasingnewmexico/\nI look forward to seeing your photos!\n \nIt's winter in #NM! Help me #ShowcaseNM w/your #NMPhotos & yours could be featured. http://t.co/CbmPe9du8M pic.twitter.com/AhOf2jvrjw\n\u2014 Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) December 10, 2013 \n*By uploading your photo to this group you are granting permission for my office to use your photo in non-commercial ways, including being featured on my website, social media channels or other online media.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/thursday-udall-heinrich-to-hold-conference-call-with-reporters-to-announce-major-public-lands-proposal", "THURSDAY: Udall, Heinrich to Hold Conference Call with Reporters to Announce Major Public Lands Proposal", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Udall, Heinrich to Hold Conference Call with Reporters to Announce Major Public Lands Proposal\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 10, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich will hold a conference call for reporters and editorial writers on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at 9 a.m. MT\u00a0(11 a.m. ET) to announce a major public lands proposal impacting southern New Mexico. \u00a0\r\n***Members of the press interested in participating in the conference call must RSVP for the call-in information. Please email news_pressoffice@tomudall.senate.gov or call 202-228-6870.***\r\nWHO: U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich \u00a0\r\nWHAT: Conference Call to Roll Out Major Public Lands Proposal\u00a0\r\nWHEN: Thursday, December 12, 2013, at 9 a.m. MT (11 a.m. ET)\r\nRSVP: news_pressoffice@tomudall.senate.gov or 202-228-6870", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-filibuster-rule-change-reducing-senate-gridlock", "Udall: Filibuster Rule Change Reducing Senate Gridlock", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall: Filibuster Rule Change Reducing Senate Gridlock \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Confirmation of Millett by vote of 56-38 shows rules change is allowing Senate to return to standard of advise and consent' as required by the Constitution\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall praised the confirmation of Patricia Millett to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She is the first nominee to be confirmed by the Senate since changing its rules to prohibit filibusters of executive branch and judicial nominees, other than those to the U.S. Supreme Court. Since 2009, Udall has led the fight in the Senate to cut through gridlock, and he said Millett's confirmation by a vote of 56-38 is evidence that the Senate is finally working again when it comes to these important nominees.\n\"After years of unprecedented obstruction of the president's nominees, the Senate finally took steps last month to rein in the abuse of the filibuster - and already we're seeing the benefit of our fight to make the Senate work for all Americans,\" Udall said. \"Patricia Millett deserved an up-or-down vote in October, but she instead became another example of a highly qualified nominee blocked purely for partisan gain. Patricia Millett's confirmation today isn't a radical move. What's radical is that the Senate is finally doing what our founders intended - exercising its advise and consent responsibilities. A majority of the body approved of Millett's confirmation, so she now heads to the federal bench.\" \"With today's vote of 56-38, the Senate is finally operating according to the majority rule standard required by the Constitution when it comes to executive branch and judicial nominees,\" Udall added. \"If nominees are qualified, they get an up or down vote in the Senate. If a majority is opposed, they can reject a nominee. But a minority can no longer delay them indefinitely. This is how our democracy is intended to work.\"  At the beginning of this Congress, Republicans agreed to filibuster nominees only under \"extraordinary circumstances.\" Yet the pattern of obstruction continued and many well qualified judicial and executive branch nominees were denied up or down confirmation votes.\nMillett was one of four D.C. Circuit Court nominees blocked by a Republican filibuster, despite their impeccable credentials and the support of a majority of the Senate. Republicans also recently blocked the nomination of U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C., to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Udall continues to fight for further rules changes, such as a \"talking filibuster,\" which would require senators to go to the floor make their case for blocking legislation.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/winter-photo-contest-results", "Winter Photo Contest Results", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2013\n\t\t\t Winter Photo Contest Results \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n[<a href=\"//storify.com/SenatorTomUdall/winterphotocontest\" mce_href=\"//storify.com/SenatorTomUdall/winterphotocontest\" target=\"_blank\">View the story \"#ShowcaseNM Photo Contest - Winter 2014\" on Storify</a>]\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-lujan-grisham-letter-to-the-editor-of-washington-post-on-tax", "ICYMI: Lujan Grisham Letter to the Editor of Washington Post on Tax-Exempt Social Welfare Organizations", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221214928/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=1494", "Additional Women's Career Success Conference on Thursday [blog]", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Last month, I was pleased to host the Women's Career Success Conference to help women in New Mexico advance their careers.\nBecause of the overwhelming response from you, I'm hosting another conference on Thursday, December 12, at CNM's Workforce Training Center in Albuquerque.\nLimited space is still available, so I invite you to register today at tomudall.senate.gov/womenssuccess or by calling my Albuquerque office at (505) 346-6791.\nIf you are a woman in New Mexico and you haven't attended a previous Women's Career Success Conference, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to access resources from fellow women about how to improve your job skills and enhance your careers.\nThe conference brings together area employers, nonprofit organizations and federal agency officials to offer personalized skill-building opportunities for women to strengthen their competitiveness in the workforce.\nWhether you are looking to start your own business, needing help improving your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, or simply considering a career change, the Women's Career Success Conference can help guide you in the right direction.\nHighlights of the conference include:\n- breakout sessions with HR professionals who can offer resume and cover letter writing tips\n- interviewing tips, mock interview practice, and dressing for success\n- a computer skill session, including online job search tips and help navigating USAjobs.gov\n- lessons in what it takes to start a successful small business, including creating a business plan and securing business loans, utilizing a community commercial kitchen to start a food production business, and marketing your business.\nFor more information and to register for this free event visit tomudall.senate.gov/womenssuccess.  Special thanks to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the USDA Rural Development Office, ACCION, WESST, Central New Mexico Community College and local employers for their participation in this great event.\nP.S. - If you know someone who might also benefit from this workshop, please forward this invitation or share it on Facebook or Twitter:\n \nOn 12/12 I'm proud 2 host #womensuccess conf 4 #NM women-join us @CNMonline's Workforce Training Ctr in #ABQ http://t.co/5UlCkuxhnS #CNM\n\u2014 Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) December 5, 2013", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/additional-women-and-039s-career-success-conference-on-thursday", "Additional Women's Career Success Conference on Thursday", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 09, 2013\n\t\t\t Additional Women's Career Success Conference on Thursday \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLast month, I was pleased to host the Women's Career Success Conference to help women in New Mexico advance their careers.\nBecause of the overwhelming response from you, I'm hosting another conference on Thursday, December 12, at CNM's Workforce Training Center in Albuquerque.\nLimited space is still available, so I invite you to register today at tomudall.senate.gov/womenssuccess or by calling my Albuquerque office at (505) 346-6791.\nIf you are a woman in New Mexico and you haven't attended a previous Women's Career Success Conference, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to access resources from fellow women about how to improve your job skills and enhance your careers.\nThe conference brings together area employers, nonprofit organizations and federal agency officials to offer personalized skill-building opportunities for women to strengthen their competitiveness in the workforce.\nWhether you are looking to start your own business, needing help improving your rsum, or simply considering a career change, the Women's Career Success Conference can help guide you in the right direction.\nHighlights of the conference include:\n- breakout sessions with HR professionals who can offer resume and cover letter writing tips\n- interviewing tips, mock interview practice, and dressing for success\n- a computer skill session, including online job search tips and help navigating USAjobs.gov\n- lessons in what it takes to start a successful small business, including creating a business plan and securing business loans, utilizing a community commercial kitchen to start a food production business, and marketing your business.\nFor more information and to register for this free event visit tomudall.senate.gov/womenssuccess.  Special thanks to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the USDA Rural Development Office, ACCION, WESST, Central New Mexico Community College and local employers for their participation in this great event.\nP.S. - If you know someone who might also benefit from this workshop, please forward this invitation or share it on Facebook or Twitter:\n \nOn 12/12 I'm proud 2 host #womensuccess conf 4 #NM women-join us @CNMonline's Workforce Training Ctr in #ABQ http://t.co/5UlCkuxhnS #CNM\n Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) December 5, 2013 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1490", "Udall to Host Additional Women's Career Success Conference in Albuquerque [press_release]", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 05, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall to Host Additional Women's Career Success Conference in Albuquerque \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Registration is Open, Space is Limited\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Office of U.S. Senator Tom Udall and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) is hosting an additional Women's Career Success Conference at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.  The Women's Career Success Conference will bring together businesses, nonprofit organizations and federal agency officials to help women in New Mexico learn how to enhance their careers and increase their competitiveness in the job market. Space is limited, so women interested in attending are asked to register at tomudall.senate.gov/womenssuccess, or by calling Udall's Albuquerque office at (505) 346-6791. The conference will be held at CNM's Workforce Training Center located at 5600 Eagle Rock Avenue NE in Albuquerque. This is the third women's career success conference hosted by Udall. Last month's conference at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce brought together more than 60 women; because of the overwhelming response, Udall's office organized an additional conference.  The Women's Career Success Conference features area businesswomen and entrepreneurs sharing their stories, discussing the unique challenges they faced and offering insights on how to achieve economic empowerment. It will also offer training programs and personalized skill-building opportunities. Participants will select from two targeted tracks - Jobs or Business.  The Job Track will focus on helping those who are searching for employment or looking to advance in their current fields. Sessions will include one-on-on help from HR professionals on r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter writing and interviews skills. An additional session will also be available to help participants with WorkKeys. Attendees interested in applying for a job with the federal government can participate in a session on navigating employment through USAJobs.gov. The Business Track will offer assistance to participants interested in starting their own small business and will include discussions on how to create a business plan, secure business loans and grants, utilizing local resources, and marketing. The Women's Career Success Conference is hosted by Sen. Udall and Central New Mexico Community College, with special thanks to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the USDA Rural Development Office, ACCION, WESST and local employers for their participation.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1491", "Udall Statement on President's Challenge to Triple Federal Government's Renewable Energy Use by 2020 [press_release]", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 05, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Statement on President's Challenge to Triple Federal Government's Renewable Energy Use by 2020 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall welcomed the president's \"Presidential Memorandum,\" challenging federal agencies to nearly triple their renewable energy consumption to 20 percent by 2020. Udall, who has led the effort to set a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), requiring utilities to generate 25 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2025, issued the following statement:\n \n\"The United States should lead the world in clean energy jobs, innovation and in efforts to fight global warming. A national RES is critical to get us there. Today, by challenging federal agencies -- together the nation's largest consumer of energy -- to lead by example, the president is taking a strong step in the right direction. I think we can do even more, and I welcome the president's action, which will help make the case for a strong national RES that would create hundreds of thousands of jobs, generate new home-grown sources of clean energy and revitalize our rural communities.\"\n \nUdall has long advocated a \"do it all, do it right\" energy policy, and he emphasizes the need to produce traditional energy sources, such as oil and gas, as well as renewables, such as biofuel, solar and wind. On Oct. 29, Udall, along with his first cousin Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, introduced an RES bill, which experts have said could create almost 300,000 jobs. The two have advocated for RES legislation since 2002. They successfully built a coalition of support and passed a version of the bill as an amendment in the U.S. House in 2007. They have continued the fight in the U.S. Senate, introducing RES legislation every Congress since 2008.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1492", "Udall Statement Honoring the Life of Nelson Mandela [press_release]", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 05, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Statement Honoring the Life of Nelson Mandela \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement on the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela:\n \n\"I'm deeply saddened to hear of Nelson Mandela's passing. His inspiring personal fight to overcome oppression and his lifetime of crusading for justice transformed a nation and changed the world for the better. He taught that freedom and peace are best achieved through education and respect for everyone in society. We will best celebrate Mandela's life by honoring those lessons long into the future.\"\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-statement-honoring-the-life-of-nelson-mandela", "Udall Statement Honoring the Life of Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 05, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Statement Honoring the Life of Nelson Mandela \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement on the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela:\n \n\"I'm deeply saddened to hear of Nelson Mandela's passing. His inspiring personal fight to overcome oppression and his lifetime of crusading for justice transformed a nation and changed the world for the better. He taught that freedom and peace are best achieved through education and respect for everyone in society. We will best celebrate Mandela's life by honoring those lessons long into the future.\"\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-statement-on-president-and-039s-challenge-to-triple-federal-government-and-039s-renewable-energy-use-by-2020", "Udall Statement on President's Challenge to Triple Federal Government's Renewable Energy Use by 2020", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 05, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Statement on President's Challenge to Triple Federal Government's Renewable Energy Use by 2020 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall welcomed the president's \"Presidential Memorandum,\" challenging federal agencies to nearly triple their renewable energy consumption to 20 percent by 2020. Udall, who has led the effort to set a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), requiring utilities to generate 25 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2025, issued the following statement:\n \n\"The United States should lead the world in clean energy jobs, innovation and in efforts to fight global warming. A national RES is critical to get us there. Today, by challenging federal agencies -- together the nation's largest consumer of energy -- to lead by example, the president is taking a strong step in the right direction. I think we can do even more, and I welcome the president's action, which will help make the case for a strong national RES that would create hundreds of thousands of jobs, generate new home-grown sources of clean energy and revitalize our rural communities.\"\n \nUdall has long advocated a \"do it all, do it right\" energy policy, and he emphasizes the need to produce traditional energy sources, such as oil and gas, as well as renewables, such as biofuel, solar and wind. On Oct. 29, Udall, along with his first cousin Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, introduced an RES bill, which experts have said could create almost 300,000 jobs. The two have advocated for RES legislation since 2002. They successfully built a coalition of support and passed a version of the bill as an amendment in the U.S. House in 2007. They have continued the fight in the U.S. Senate, introducing RES legislation every Congress since 2008.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-to-host-additional-women-and-039s-career-success-conference-in-albuquerque", "Udall to Host Additional Women's Career Success Conference in Albuquerque", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 05, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall to Host Additional Women's Career Success Conference in Albuquerque \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Registration is Open, Space is Limited\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Office of U.S. Senator Tom Udall and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) is hosting an additional Women's Career Success Conference at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.  The Women's Career Success Conference will bring together businesses, nonprofit organizations and federal agency officials to help women in New Mexico learn how to enhance their careers and increase their competitiveness in the job market. Space is limited, so women interested in attending are asked to register at tomudall.senate.gov/womenssuccess, or by calling Udall's Albuquerque office at (505) 346-6791. The conference will be held at CNM's Workforce Training Center located at 5600 Eagle Rock Avenue NE in Albuquerque. This is the third women's career success conference hosted by Udall. Last month's conference at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce brought together more than 60 women; because of the overwhelming response, Udall's office organized an additional conference.  The Women's Career Success Conference features area businesswomen and entrepreneurs sharing their stories, discussing the unique challenges they faced and offering insights on how to achieve economic empowerment. It will also offer training programs and personalized skill-building opportunities. Participants will select from two targeted tracks - Jobs or Business.  The Job Track will focus on helping those who are searching for employment or looking to advance in their current fields. Sessions will include one-on-on help from HR professionals on rsum and cover letter writing and interviews skills. An additional session will also be available to help participants with WorkKeys. Attendees interested in applying for a job with the federal government can participate in a session on navigating employment through USAJobs.gov. The Business Track will offer assistance to participants interested in starting their own small business and will include discussions on how to create a business plan, secure business loans and grants, utilizing local resources, and marketing. The Women's Career Success Conference is hosted by Sen. Udall and Central New Mexico Community College, with special thanks to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the USDA Rural Development Office, ACCION, WESST and local employers for their participation.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-announces-15-cost-of-living-increase-for-veterans-in-2014", "Lujan Grisham Announces 1.5% Cost-of-Living Increase for Veterans in 2014", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-chc-statements-of-support-on-national-day-to-act-fast-and", "Lujan Grisham, CHC Statements of Support On National Day To Act, Fast And Pray", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/in-the-news/new-mexico-delegation-touts-columbine-hondo", "New Mexico delegation touts Columbine-Hondo", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Taos News: New Mexico delegation touts Columbine-Hondo\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    J.R. Logan \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Monday, December 2, 2013\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            Members of New Mexico\u2019s congressional delegation continue to push for the designation of 45,000 acres in Taos County as the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness.\r\nThe Columbine-Hondo located in the high country north of the existing Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area, is currently a wilderness study area. Local activists are hoping an official wilderness designation would protect the area in perpetuity.\r\nSpeaking at a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing last week, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, called the Columbine-Hondo \u201cone of the most treasured places in New Mexico\u201d and a key attraction in Taos\u2019 tourism economy.\r\n\u201cPeople come to these mountains to hike, camp, hunt, fish, and spend time with their families, and invariably they leave Taos County with their wallets a little lighter,\u201d Heinrich said at the hearing.\r\nHeinrich and Sen. Tom Udall, D-NM, are co-sponsors of a Senate bill to designate the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness. A companion bill has been introduced by Rep. Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n, D-NM.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1489", "As Holiday Approaches, Udall Encourages New Mexicans to Support Small Businesses in NM [press_release]", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 27, 2013\n\t\t\t As Holiday Approaches, Udall Encourages New Mexicans to Support Small Businesses in NM \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Cosponsors 'Small Business Saturday' resolution in U.S. Senate\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement announcing his cosponsorship of a resolution to designate Nov. 30, 2013, as \"Small Business Saturday\" and to increase awareness of the importance of locally owned small businesses. On Saturday, Udall will visit Albuquerque small businesses to talk to owners and shoppers about the important role small business plays in our economy.\n\"Small businesses have been the economic foundation of communities across America since our nation's beginning, and they remain a driving force behind our economy. Today, small businesses in New Mexico are almost 96 percent of our state's employers, and employ over half of our private-sector workforce. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'm working hard to implement policies that create opportunities for small businesses to grow, get access to capital and hire new workers.\n\"The upcoming holiday season presents a real opportunity to support our locally owned businesses. That's why I have cosponsored a resolution in the Senate to designate the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, 2013, as Small Business Saturday. Historically, the weekend following Thanksgiving is the heaviest shopping weekend of the year. As we approach the holiday season this year, I encourage you to join me in shopping at our locally owned businesses. I wish all New Mexicans a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving and - for our small business owners, a prosperous Small Business Saturday.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221182901/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=1488", "Supporting Small Businesses in New Mexico [blog]", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Small businesses have been the foundation of our communities since our nation's beginning, and today they are a driving force behind our economy. Small businesses in New Mexico are almost 96 percent of our state's employers, and employ over half of our private-sector workforce.\nThat's why I co-sponsored a resolution in the Senate to designate the Saturday after Thanksgiving - Nov. 30, 2013 - as Small Business Saturday. It's a day to support the family- and locally-owned businesses that keep New Mexico's Main Streets strong.\nI've had the pleasure of visiting a lot of small businesses this year in New Mexico. Businesses like bigbyte.cc, which is providing incubator space to grow our state's high-tech workforce; Solano's Boot and Western Wear in Raton, which has been providing quality service in Northeastern New Mexico for more than 50 years; and El Dorado Biofuels, which is developing \"Jalgae\" to help fuel our transportation needs with home grown resources right here in New Mexico.\nAs a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'm working hard to implement policies that create opportunities for small businesses to grow, get access to capital and hire new workers, and I'm proud to be doing this on a bipartisan basis.\nWe can all play a part in helping New Mexico's business community prosper. To show your support, I hope you'll consider supporting a small business in your community this weekend. You can help right now by spreading the word on Facebook, or on Twitter.\nI wish all New Mexicans a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving and - for our small business owners, a prosperous Small Business Saturday.\n \nOn Sat, I'll be supporting #SmallBiz in #NM. RT & join me 4 #SmallBizSat/#SmallBusinessSaturday http://t.co/t4VCFHCBSW\n\u2014 Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) November 27, 2013", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-staff-to-hold-mobile-office-hours-in-alamogordo", "Heinrich Staff To Hold Mobile Office Hours In Alamogordo", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ALBUQUERQUE\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t400 Gold Avenue SW, Ste. 1080\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlbuquerque, New Mexico 87102\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (505) 346-6601\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (505) 346-6780\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFARMINGTON\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t7450 East Main St., Ste. A\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFarmington, NM 87402\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (505) 325-5030\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (505) 325-6035\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLAS CRUCES\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLoretto Towne Center\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t505 South Main St., Ste. 148\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLas Cruces, New Mexico 88001\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (575) 523-6561\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (575) 523-6584\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tROSWELL\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t200 East 4th St., Ste. 300\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoswell, New Mexico 88201\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (575) 622-7113\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (575) 622-3538\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSANTA FE\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t123 East Marcy St., Ste 103\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSanta Fe, New Mexico 87501\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (505) 988-6647\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (505) 992-8435\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t303 Hart Senate Office Building\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWashington, D.C. 20510\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tp: (202) 224-5521\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tf: (202) 228-2841\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/letter-to-holder-use-of-lethal-force-against-anwar-al-aulaqi-was-legal-public-and-congress-deserve-more-info-on-targeted-killing-rules", "Letter to Holder: Use of Lethal Force Against Anwar al-Aulaqi Was Legal; Public and Congress Deserve More Info on Targeted Killing Rules", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Letter to Holder: Use of Lethal Force Against Anwar al-Aulaqi Was Legal; Public and Congress Deserve More Info on Targeted Killing Rules\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, November 27, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 After considerable review of both the decision to use lethal force against Anwar al-Aulaqi and the rules governing such \u201ctargeted killings,\u201d U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have concluded that the use of lethal force against al-Aulaqi \u2013 an American -- met legal standards. In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, the senators \u2013 all members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence \u2013 said the lethal action against al-Aulaqi was a\u00a0\u201clegitimate use of the authority granted to the President\u201d\u00a0but also expressed concern that the limits and boundaries of these authorities are not yet, and should be, public knowledge. \u00a0The Senators pressed for more openness regarding these limits and boundaries, particularly the rules for taking lethal action against Americans, and the rules for preventing harm to civilians. \u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0  In their letter, the Senators referenced al-Aulaqi\u2019s decision to join an organized fighting force engaged in attacks against the U.S., his leadership role in this organization and his involvement in the planning of ongoing operations and intent to carry them out.\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0  \u201cMr. al-Aulaqi clearly made a conscious decision to join an organized fighting force that was (and is) engaged in planning and carrying out attacks against the United States \u2026,\u201d\u00a0the Senators wrote.\u00a0\u201cBy taking on a leadership role in this organization, involving himself in ongoing operational planning against the United States, and demonstrating the capacity and intent to carry out these operations, he made himself a legitimate target for military action.\u201d\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0  The Senators urged the President to make the rules governing \u201ctargeted killings\u201d available to the American people. They asked the Executive Branch to explain exactly how much evidence is necessary to determine whether an American should be a target for military action. They also seek a public explanation of the requirements governing how an individual is determined to be an \u201cimminent\u201d threat whose capture is \u201cinfeasible.\u201d\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0  \u201cWe have also concluded that the limits and boundaries of the President\u2019s power to authorize the deliberate killing of Americans need to be laid out with much greater specificity,\u201d\u00a0the Senators continued.\u00a0\u201cThe United States\u2019 playbook for combatting terrorism will sometimes include sections that are secret, but the rulebook that the United States follows should always be available to the American public. \u2026 As we see it, every American has the right to know when their government believes it is allowed to kill them.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0  The senators also requested additional legal analysis, and called for more details about the rules for protecting civilians to be made public. \u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0  Click here to read the full letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/udall-heinrich-announce-149-million-federal-grant-for-innovation-center", "Udall, Heinrich Announce $1.49 Million Federal Grant for Innovation Center", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Udall, Heinrich Announce $1.49 Million Federal Grant for Innovation Center\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, November 27, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced federal funding to help develop a new high-tech business district in Albuquerque.\u00a0\r\nSTC.UNM, the technology-transfer and economic-development arm of the University of New Mexico (UNM), will receive a $1,498,048 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to go toward the purchase of property to be developed into an innovation center between downtown Albuquerque\u2019s central business district and the University of New Mexico. The City of Albuquerque has committed more than $2 million to the project and the New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union has also committed $3 million.\r\nAcquiring the property is the first piece of Innovate ABQ, a collaborative initiative that brings together the research powers of UNM and New Mexico's government, education, and business communities to develop an innovation center that will be a catalyst for new companies, grow existing ones, and attract more out-of-state business to the state.\u00a0\r\n\u201cNew Mexico is leading the way in research efforts that we can channel into building a high-tech economy,\u201d said Udall. \u201cThis innovation center will serve as an incubator to help new entrepreneurs take advantage of innovative research and turn it into a successful business.\u201d\r\n\"Innovation and technology drive New Mexico\u2019s economy and our contributions to the nation,\" said Heinrich. \"This investment in Innovate ABQ will help to foster industry partnerships that will boost job creation and encourage entrepreneurs to start businesses in New Mexico. I look forward to working with each partner in this collaborative effort to ensure this innovation center becomes a reality.\"\r\nEDA grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the application\u2019s merit, the applicant\u2019s eligibility, and the availability of funds. \u00a0More information on EDA\u2019s grant process and investment process can be found at www.eda.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-holiday-approaches-udall-encourages-new-mexicans-to-support-small-businesses-in-nm", "As Holiday Approaches, Udall Encourages New Mexicans to Support Small Businesses in NM", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 27, 2013\n\t\t\t As Holiday Approaches, Udall Encourages New Mexicans to Support Small Businesses in NM \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Cosponsors 'Small Business Saturday' resolution in U.S. Senate\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement announcing his cosponsorship of a resolution to designate Nov. 30, 2013, as \"Small Business Saturday\" and to increase awareness of the importance of locally owned small businesses. On Saturday, Udall will visit Albuquerque small businesses to talk to owners and shoppers about the important role small business plays in our economy.\n\"Small businesses have been the economic foundation of communities across America since our nation's beginning, and they remain a driving force behind our economy. Today, small businesses in New Mexico are almost 96 percent of our state's employers, and employ over half of our private-sector workforce. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'm working hard to implement policies that create opportunities for small businesses to grow, get access to capital and hire new workers.\n\"The upcoming holiday season presents a real opportunity to support our locally owned businesses. That's why I have cosponsored a resolution in the Senate to designate the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, 2013, as Small Business Saturday. Historically, the weekend following Thanksgiving is the heaviest shopping weekend of the year. As we approach the holiday season this year, I encourage you to join me in shopping at our locally owned businesses. I wish all New Mexicans a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving and - for our small business owners, a prosperous Small Business Saturday.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/supporting-small-businesses-in-new-mexico", "Supporting Small Businesses in New Mexico", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 27, 2013\n\t\t\t Supporting Small Businesses in New Mexico \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSmall businesses have been the foundation of our communities since our nation's beginning, and today they are a driving force behind our economy. Small businesses in New Mexico are almost 96 percent of our state's employers, and employ over half of our private-sector workforce.\nThat's why I co-sponsored a resolution in the Senate to designate the Saturday after Thanksgiving - Nov. 30, 2013 - as Small Business Saturday. It's a day to support the family- and locally-owned businesses that keep New Mexico's Main Streets strong.\nI've had the pleasure of visiting a lot of small businesses this year in New Mexico. Businesses like bigbyte.cc, which is providing incubator space to grow our state's high-tech workforce; Solano's Boot and Western Wear in Raton, which has been providing quality service in Northeastern New Mexico for more than 50 years; and El Dorado Biofuels, which is developing \"Jalgae\" to help fuel our transportation needs with home grown resources right here in New Mexico.\nAs a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'm working hard to implement policies that create opportunities for small businesses to grow, get access to capital and hire new workers, and I'm proud to be doing this on a bipartisan basis.\nWe can all play a part in helping New Mexico's business community prosper. To show your support, I hope you'll consider supporting a small business in your community this weekend. You can help right now by spreading the word on Facebook, or on Twitter.\nI wish all New Mexicans a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving and - for our small business owners, a prosperous Small Business Saturday.\n \nOn Sat, I'll be supporting #SmallBiz in #NM. RT & join me 4 #SmallBizSat/#SmallBusinessSaturday http://t.co/t4VCFHCBSW\n Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) November 27, 2013 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-heinrich-announce-149-million-federal-grant-for-innovation-center", "Udall, Heinrich Announce $1.49 Million Federal Grant for Innovation Center", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 27, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Heinrich Announce $1.49 Million Federal Grant for Innovation Center \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced federal funding to help develop a new high-tech business district in Albuquerque. STC.UNM, the technology-transfer and economic-development arm of the University of New Mexico (UNM), will receive a $1,498,048 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to go toward the purchase of property to be developed into an innovation center between downtown Albuquerque's central business district and the University of New Mexico. The City of Albuquerque has committed more than $2 million to the project and the New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union has also committed $3 million.\nAcquiring the property is the first piece of Innovate ABQ, a collaborative initiative that brings together the research powers of UNM and New Mexico's government, education, and business communities to develop an innovation center that will be a catalyst for new companies, grow existing ones, and attract more out-of-state business to the state.  \"New Mexico is leading the way in research efforts that we can channel into building a high-tech economy,\" said Udall. \"This innovation center will serve as an incubator to help new entrepreneurs take advantage of innovative research and turn it into a successful business.\"\n\"Innovation and technology drive New Mexico's economy and our contributions to the nation,\" said Heinrich. \"This investment in Innovate ABQ will help to foster industry partnerships that will boost job creation and encourage entrepreneurs to start businesses in New Mexico. I look forward to working with each partner in this collaborative effort to ensure this innovation center becomes a reality.\"\nEDA grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the application's merit, the applicant's eligibility, and the availability of funds.  More information on EDA's grant process and investment process can be found at www.eda.gov.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-statement-on-treasury-proposed-guidance-for-tax-exempt", "Lujan Grisham Statement on Treasury Proposed Guidance for Tax-Exempt Social Welfare Organizations", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/in-the-news/the-new-york-times-op-ed-end-the-nsa-dragnet-now", "The New York Times: OP-ED: End the N.S.A. Dragnet, Now", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By:\u00a0\r\n                    U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Mark Udall, and Martin Heinrich\r\n                 WASHINGTON \u2014 THE framers of the Constitution declared that government officials had no power to seize the records of individual Americans without evidence of wrongdoing, and they embedded this principle in the Fourth Amendment. The bulk collection of Americans\u2019 telephone records \u2014 so-called metadata \u2014 by the\u00a0National Security Agency\u00a0is, in our view, a clear case of a general warrant that violates the spirit of the framers\u2019 intentions. This intrusive program was authorized under a secret legal process by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, so for years American citizens did not have the knowledge needed to challenge the infringement of their privacy rights.\r\nOur first priority is to keep Americans safe from the threat of terrorism. If government agencies identify a suspected terrorist, they should absolutely go to the relevant phone companies to get that person\u2019s phone records. But this can be done without collecting the records of millions of law-abiding Americans. We recall Benjamin Franklin\u2019s famous admonition that those who would give up essential liberty in the pursuit of temporary safety will lose both and deserve neither.\r\nThe usefulness of the bulk collection program has been greatly exaggerated. We have yet to see any proof that it provides real, unique value in protecting national security. In spite of our repeated requests, the N.S.A. has not provided evidence of any instance when the agency used this program to review phone records that could not have been obtained using a regular court order or emergency authorization.\r\nDespite this, the surveillance reform bill recently ratified by the Senate Intelligence Committee would explicitly permit the government to engage in dragnet collection as long as there were rules about when officials could look at these phone records. It would also give intelligence agencies wide latitude to conduct warrantless searches for Americans\u2019 phone calls and emails.\r\nThis is not the true reform that poll after poll has shown the American people want. It is preserving business as usual. When the Bill of Rights was adopted, it established that Americans\u2019 papers and effects should be seized only when there was specific evidence of suspicious activity. It did not permit government agencies to issue general warrants as long as records seized were reviewed with the permission of senior officials.\r\nCongress has a crucial opportunity to reassert constitutionally guaranteed liberties by reforming the N.S.A.\u2019s overbroad collection of Americans\u2019 personal data. But the Intelligence Committee bill squanders this chance. It would enable some of the most constitutionally questionable surveillance activities now exposed to the public eye. The Senate should be reining in these programs, not giving them a stamp of approval.\r\nAs members of the Intelligence Committee, we strongly disagree with this approach. We had already proposed our own, bipartisan surveillance reform legislation, the Intelligence Oversight and Surveillance Reform Act, which we have sponsored with a number of other senators. Our bill would prohibit the government from conducting warrantless \u201cbackdoor searches\u201d of Americans\u2019 communications \u2014 including emails, text messages and Internet use \u2014 under Section 702 of the\u00a0Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. It would also create a \u201cconstitutional advocate\u201d to present an opposing view when the F.I.S.C. is considering major questions of law or constitutional interpretation.\r\nRather than adopt our legislation, the Intelligence Committee chose to codify excessively broad domestic surveillance authorities. So we offered amendments: One would end the bulk collection of Americans\u2019 records, but still allow intelligence agencies to obtain information they legitimately needed for national security purposes by getting the approval of a judge, which could even be done after the fact in emergency situations. Another of our amendments sought to prevent the N.S.A. from collecting Americans\u2019 cellphone location information in bulk \u2014 a capability that potentially turns the cellphone of every man, woman and child in America into a tracking device.\r\nEach of these proposals represents real and meaningful reform, which we believe would have fulfilled the purpose of protecting our security and liberty. Each was rejected by the committee, in some cases by a single vote.\r\nBut we will continue to engage with our colleagues and seek to advance the reforms that the American people want and deserve. As part of this effort, we will push to hold a comprehensive reform debate on the Senate floor.\r\nThere is no question that our nation\u2019s intelligence professionals are dedicated, patriotic men and women who make real sacrifices to help keep our country safe and free. We believe that they should be able to do their jobs secure in the knowledge that their agencies have the confidence of the American people.\r\nBut this trust has been undermined by the N.S.A.\u2019s domestic surveillance programs, as well as by senior officials\u2019 misleading statements about surveillance. Only by ending the dragnet collection of ordinary Americans\u2019 private information can this trust be rebuilt.\r\nCongress needs to preserve the agencies\u2019 ability to collect information that is actually necessary to guard against threats to our security. But it also needs to preserve the right of citizens to be free from unwarranted interference in their lives, which the framers understood was vital to American liberties.\r\n\r\nRon Wyden of Oregon, Mark Udall of Colorado and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, all Democrats, are United States senators.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/statements-and-speeches/heinrich-statement-on-first-step-agreement-on-irans-nuclear-program", "Heinrich Statement on First Step Agreement on Iran's Nuclear Program", "2013-11-24", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich Statement on First Step Agreement on Iran's Nuclear Program\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSunday, November 24, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on the agreement reached on Iran's nuclear program:\r\n\"The agreement reached today is a positive first step to limit Iran's nuclear program. The United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, China, and the European Union have all worked to negotiate strict oversight, enforcement mechanisms, and daily inspections that are critical to overseeing this agreement.\r\n\"While I welcome this important first step, I realize that challenges lie ahead. In the coming months Iran must show that it is sincere and that it will abide by the commitments it made to the international community. Should it violate the terms of the agreement, I stand ready to support additional sanctions in Congress. I have long supported tough sanctions in hopes of bringing Iran to the table to reach a diplomatic solution, and I am pleased to know they have helped create the conditions for today's agreement and perhaps a more comprehensive deal.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sunday-lujan-grisham-and-abq-families-to-join-national-fast-calling-for", "SUNDAY: Lujan Grisham and ABQ Families to Join National Fast Calling for Immigration Reform", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1487", "Udall, Heinrich Praise Nomination of Damon P. Martinez for US Attorney [press_release]", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 22, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Heinrich Praise Nomination of Damon P. Martinez for US Attorney \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich welcomed news that President Barack Obama has nominated Damon P. Martinez to be the next United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. Martinez has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2001 and currently supervises the Organized Crime and Gang Section in Albuquerque. He is highly experienced in cases concerning national  security and anti-terrorism, immigration and narcotics. The senators recommended Martinez for the position of U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico in an April 26, 2013, letter to President Obama. \"Damon Martinez is an excellent public servant with a distinguished career in law enforcement, and I want to thank the president for following our recommendation to nominate him for this important post,\" Udall said. \"I have no doubt Damon is up to the important challenge of enforcing federal laws in New Mexico and will make a fine U.S. Attorney for the District.\"\n\"Damon Martinez's record of public service in New Mexico and commitment to justice will make him an outstanding U.S. Attorney,\" Heinrich said. \"I have no doubt that he will distinguish himself  in this position, as he has throughout his career. I'm pleased with President Obama's selection and look forward to supporting Damon's nomination.\"  Martinez began his career as a federal prosecutor in the Las Cruces branch of the U.S. Attorney's Office and transferred to Albuquerque in 2005. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's office, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, and held the positions of legislative director and legislative assistant for then-Congressman Udall and U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, respectively. Martinez is an Albuquerque native and graduate of St. Pius X High School. He holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees, a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. He was also a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve until 2009, when he transferred to the New Mexico National Guard. Martinez currently holds the rank of Major. U.S. Attorneys serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the U.S. Attorney General. They are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. Each U.S. Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer of the U.S. within his or her particular jurisdiction.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-heinrich-praise-nomination-of-damon-p-martinez-for-us-attorney", "Udall, Heinrich Praise Nomination of Damon P. Martinez for US Attorney", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 22, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall, Heinrich Praise Nomination of Damon P. Martinez for US Attorney \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich welcomed news that President Barack Obama has nominated Damon P. Martinez to be the next United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. Martinez has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2001 and currently supervises the Organized Crime and Gang Section in Albuquerque. He is highly experienced in cases concerning national  security and anti-terrorism, immigration and narcotics. The senators recommended Martinez for the position of U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico in an April 26, 2013, letter to President Obama. \"Damon Martinez is an excellent public servant with a distinguished career in law enforcement, and I want to thank the president for following our recommendation to nominate him for this important post,\" Udall said. \"I have no doubt Damon is up to the important challenge of enforcing federal laws in New Mexico and will make a fine U.S. Attorney for the District.\"\n\"Damon Martinez's record of public service in New Mexico and commitment to justice will make him an outstanding U.S. Attorney,\" Heinrich said. \"I have no doubt that he will distinguish himself  in this position, as he has throughout his career. I'm pleased with President Obama's selection and look forward to supporting Damon's nomination.\"  Martinez began his career as a federal prosecutor in the Las Cruces branch of the U.S. Attorney's Office and transferred to Albuquerque in 2005. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's office, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, and held the positions of legislative director and legislative assistant for then-Congressman Udall and U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, respectively. Martinez is an Albuquerque native and graduate of St. Pius X High School. He holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees, a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. He was also a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve until 2009, when he transferred to the New Mexico National Guard. Martinez currently holds the rank of Major. U.S. Attorneys serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the U.S. Attorney General. They are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. Each U.S. Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer of the U.S. within his or her particular jurisdiction.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lujangrisham.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lujan-grisham-honors-pueblo-of-acoma-native-american-code-talkers", "Lujan Grisham Honors Pueblo of Acoma, Native American Code Talkers", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Michelle Lujan Grisham", "L000580", "lujangrisham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would cut the Prevention and Public Health Fund, sabotage the ACA, and raise Medicare premiums for seniors to pay for reauthorization of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1485", "Udall Amendments to Defense Bill Address Lab Research, Tech Transfer, Veterans' Homelessness, B61 LEP [press_release]", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 21, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Amendments to Defense Bill Address Lab Research, Tech Transfer, Veterans' Homelessness, B61 LEP \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that he has introduced several amendments to a major national defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets Department of Defense spending levels and policies for the upcoming fiscal year. Udall's five amendments include measures to fight unemployment and homelessness among veterans by improving access to education and life skills training for service members; help increase collaboration between the labs, nonprofits and foundations by streamlining the process the national labs must follow to accept grants; and facilitate technology transfer from the national labs to the marketplace.   Helping Service Members Transition to Civilian Life  Udall's two amendments on service member education would assist military men and women transitioning back to civilian life. The first would take steps to prevent homelessness among veterans helping them get improved financial skills education while they are still in active duty. The second would expand eligibility for post-9/11 educational assistance for members of the Reserve and National Guard.\n\"Many veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are finding it difficult to move from military life to civilian life, and too many are struggling to find a job and falling into homelessness. On any given day, one in every five people experiencing homelessness is a veteran. According to a recent study, one of the causes is a lack of basic money management skills or an understanding of how to budget and avoid scams. We can and must do better for our service members - these are skills that should be taught before they leave active duty,\" Udall said. \"My amendments would ensure the Department of Defense has the tools to provide better education, training and life skills to help service members make a smooth transition to civilian life, avoid homelessness, and build successful careers.\" Prevention of veteran homelessness: Udall's amendment calls for a review and, if necessary, a revision of the current efforts by the military to prepare both enlisted and commissioned members of the armed forces with basic financial management tools. It requires the Defense Department (DOD) to consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and public and private organizations dedicated to financial skills education in reviewing and revising these requirements. Expanded eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill: Under current law, members of the National Guard and Reserve who haven't accumulated 24 months of non-entry-level training aren't eligible for full benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Udall's amendment would change the way training time is counted for the purpose of educational benefits for Guard and Reservists who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Those who have served on the front lines deserve to have the same GI Bill benefits earned by our active duty forces.   Standing up for New Mexico's National Labs  Udall introduced three amendments to help strengthen Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories and boost the state's economy by helping the labs diversify the work they do and by encouraging tech transfer.     \"New Mexico's national labs are critical to our national security, and they provide a vital economic foundation for our state. Especially in the wake of sequestration budget cuts, we must keep them strong and nimble. My amendments would reduce bureaucratic red tape so it's easier for the labs to partner with nonprofits and foundations - and so nonprofits and foundations can more easily draw on the expertise at the labs to advance the public good,\" Udall said. \"In addition, Los Alamos and Sandia labs produce some of the most innovative research and technology, but we need to make it easier to move that cutting-edge research and technology from the lab bench to the marketplace,\" Udall continued. \"I believe that improving tech transfer is one of the keys to growing a premiere high-tech industry in New Mexico, and I've been proud to champion this effort. My amendment was developed with input from the labs and investor community in New Mexico. It would facilitate ways to help the Department of Energy, the labs, entrepreneurs, industry, the investment community and nonprofits work together.\"   Tech Transfer: Udall's amendment would improve the collaboration between the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the national labs and the private sector. The creation of an industry-focused technology transfer working group is critical to building a two-way dialogue between our national labs, which innovate, and those in industry who can develop and deploy new technologies in the market. The amendment also includes enhanced annual tech transfer accountability reporting. The new working group will convene regularly to encourage innovation, and the enhanced reporting will track annual progress. Diversifying Work at our Labs: Udall's amendment would encourage the efforts of foundations and nonprofits to utilize the expertise of research and development grants at the national labs. Currently, competing federal regulations between the DOE and the Internal Revenue Service make it difficult for the national labs to work with and receive grants from foundations and other nonprofits. This amendment would resolve the conflict between these federal regulations, empowering our lab directors to waive overhead costs and enabling the labs to do additional work in the public interest. In the past, organizations such as the Gates Foundation have worked collaboratively with the labs to advance research on HIV/AIDS, and this amendment would help them and others conduct similar work with less red tape in the future. Recognizing the importance of B61 LEP: Udall's amendment, cosponsored by Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), would establish that it is the sense of Congress that further delays to the B61 life extension program would have unacceptable effects on the reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent. The B61 LEP is an important part of the president's stockpile stewardship program and is carried out in large part by Sandia and Los Alamos national labs.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1486", "Udall Hails Rules Changes to Make Senate Work for American People [press_release]", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 21, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Hails Rules Changes to Make Senate Work for American People \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall released the following statement after the Senate voted 52-48 to change its rules and end filibusters on presidential executive and judicial nominations, except to the U.S. Supreme Court.\nUdall has led the effort to reform the Senate's rules since he was elected in 2009. His argument throughout has been that a permanent change in the Senate rules - including by requiring a talking filibuster - is the only way to ensure the Senate will work for the American people again. He said the Senate's action today is a strong step forward.\n \n\"Today's vote to change the rules is a victory for all Americans who want to end obstruction and return to a government that works for them. Americans sent us here to get things done, but in recent years, the minority has filibustered again and again - not to slow action out of substantive concerns, but for political gain. Any President-Democrat or Republican-should be able to make their necessary appointments.\n\"This change finally returns the Senate to the majority rule standard that is required by the Constitution when it comes to executive branch and judicial nominees. With this change, if those nominees are qualified, they get an up or down vote in the Senate. If a majority is opposed, they can reject a nominee. But a minority shouldn't be able to delay them indefinitely. That is how our democracy is intended to work.\n\"New Mexicans - all Americans - are tired of the gridlock in Washington. The recent filibuster of three D.C. Circuit nominees over the last four weeks wasn't the beginning of this obstruction. It was the final straw in a long history of blocking the president's nominees. Doing nothing was no longer an option. It was time to rein in the unprecedented abuse of the filibuster, and I'm relieved the Senate took action today.\"\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-bill-to-reduce-veterans-disability-claims-backlog-clears-committee-in-bipartisan-vote", "Heinrich Bill To Reduce Veterans Disability Claims Backlog Clears Committee In Bipartisan Vote", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich Bill To Reduce Veterans Disability Claims Backlog Clears Committee In Bipartisan Vote\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, November 21, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced key progress in his continued effort to reduce the veterans disability claims backlog after the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs earlier this week passed by a voice vote, S. 1581, the Veterans Programs Improvements Act of 2013. The omnibus veterans bill includes language from S. 1148, the Veterans Benefits Claims Faster Filing Act, a proposal Senator Heinrich and Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced in June.\r\n\"I'm pleased the committee took quick action to pass this commonsense approach that will help accelerate the claims process,\" said Sen. Heinrich. \"We have an obligation to keep America's promise to provide our veterans in New Mexico and across the country with the best care and benefits we have to offer in the fastest way possible.\"\r\nLanguage from the Veterans Benefits Claims Faster Filing Act would require the Veterans Benefits Administration, an agency under the VA, to provide veterans with accurate information for faster filing options. Filing claims online through the Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program, instead of filing a paper claim, accelerates turnaround times and makes processing more efficient.\u00a0 \r\nAccording to the VA, on average it takes 113 days for veterans to receive a final disability rating if they file a Fully Developed Claim online, compared to 373 days if they file a non-Fully Developed Claims on paper. Currently, the national average number of days it takes to process disability claims is 304. In New Mexico, the average is 271 days.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-votes-to-reform-senate-rules-end-stalemate-on-nominations", "Heinrich Votes To Reform Senate Rules, End Stalemate On Nominations", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich Votes To Reform Senate Rules, End Stalemate On Nominations\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, November 21, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after the Senate voted 52-48 to change its rules and end filibusters on presidential executive and judicial nominations, except to the U.S. Supreme Court:  \"Opposition and obstructionism rather than accountability and deliberation have become far too common in Washington.\u00a0 \"Today, we put an end to Senate Republicans repeatedly blocking qualified judicial and public service nominees from receiving an up or down vote. But there is still much more we can do to govern effectively and pass important legislation that would make a difference in the lives of the people of New Mexico. \"I applaud Senator Udall for leading this effort to alleviate dysfunction and increase accountability in the Senate.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-urge-solicitor-general-to-set-record-straight-on-misrepresentations-to-us-supreme-court-in-clapper-v-amnesty", "Senators Urge Solicitor General to Set Record Straight on Misrepresentations to U.S. Supreme Court in Clapper v. Amnesty", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Urge Solicitor General to Set Record Straight on Misrepresentations to U.S. Supreme Court in Clapper v. Amnesty\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSenators Mark Udall, Ron Wyden, Martin Heinrich: 'We Believe a Formal Notification to the Supreme Court of the Government's Misrepresentations \u2026 Would be an Important Step in Correcting the Public Record'\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, November 21, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) urged U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli today to answer a series of questions regarding statements and oral arguments the government made to the U.S. Supreme Court. Statements made in the recent case Clapper v. Amnesty International inaccurately described how the government collects Americans' private communications, specifically omitting recently declassified collection criteria. Udall, Wyden and Heinrich \u2014 all members of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence \u2014 said it is essential for the federal government to correct the record about facts it failed to clearly state to the court when it considered the case.\r\n\"We are pleased that the Justice Department has now publicly clarified that going forward, its policy will be to inform defendants when evidence against them has been acquired or derived from surveillance conducted under Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act. \u2026 This is an important step, since it will finally provide the courts with the opportunity to adjudicate the constitutionality of the FISA Amendments Act, which the ruling in Clapper had appeared to foreclose,\" the senators wrote in their letter. \"Still, we are concerned that the Justice Department has not gone far enough to correct incomplete or misleading representations that we believe were made by the government to the Supreme Court in Clapper v. Amnesty.\"\r\nUdall, Wyden and Heinrich point out their concern about statements in the majority opinion indicating \"the court's view that the only way the plaintiffs' communications could be intercepted under the FISA Amendments Act is if those communications are to or from a foreign intelligence target.\" However, the senators explain that the FISA Amendments Act has been secretly interpreted to allow the collection of communications not just \"to\" or \"from,\" but also \"about\" a foreign, overseas target. This likely results in the acquisition of \"tens of thousands\" of wholly domestic communications every year, according to a declassified Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court opinion.\r\n\"The existence of the 'about' collection clearly increases the likelihood that the respondents' communications would have been collected under the FISA Amendments Act, and thus we are concerned that this collection was not contemplated in the government's arguments or the court's opinion,\" the senators wrote. \"In fact, the government's statements and oral arguments were misleading in that they suggested that Section 702 collection only involves communications to and from particular targets.\"\r\nUdall, Wyden and Heinrich have been strong proponents of setting the record straight on U.S. surveillance efforts and the need to strengthen congressional oversight over the National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies. Last month the three lawmakers voted against surveillance legislation the Senate Intelligence Committee passed because it not deliver real, substantive reform to better balance Americans' security and privacy rights.\r\n\"We believe that a formal notification to the Supreme Court of the government's misrepresentations in the case \u2014 both relating to its notice policy and relating to its practice of 'about' collection under Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act \u2014 would be an important step in correcting the public record and would be in the interests of the public as well as of the Administration and the Supreme Court,\" the lawmakers said in the letter.\r\nTo read the letter, click HERE or scroll below:\r\nThe Honorable Donald Verrilli Jr.    Solicitor General    950 Pennsylvannia Ave. NW    Washington, D.C. 20530-0001\r\nDear Mr. Verrilli:\r\nWe write to bring to your attention a matter regarding Clapper v. Amnesty, a U.S. Supreme Court case decided earlier this year. On February 26, 2013, in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that respondents in the case of Clapper v. Amnesty did not have standing to challenge the FISA Amendments Act. We are concerned that the Court\u2019s decision was not informed by a complete understanding of how the FISA Amendments Act (FAA) has been interpreted and implemented. Official records suggest that the Court was given misleading information that appears to have informed the majority\u2019s decision, and that some of these misleading statements have not yet been acknowledged or corrected.\r\nWe are pleased that the Justice Department has now publicly clarified that going forward, its policy will be to inform defendants when evidence against them has been acquired or derived from surveillance conducted under Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act (FAA). In Clapper v. Amnesty, the government represented to the Court that it provides notice to a defendant of evidence obtained or derived under the FAA, a statement that was then incorporated into the majority opinion in the case. It has become clear, however, that this was not actually the policy practiced in the Justice Department and that the government misrepresented its policy and practice to the Court. Last month, by acknowledging for the first time the use of FAA-derived evidence in a criminal case, the government appears to have at least begun to realign its policy with its representations in Clapper. This is an important step, since it will finally provide the courts with the opportunity to adjudicate the constitutionality of the FISA Amendments Act, which the ruling in Clapper had appeared to foreclose.\r\nStill, we are concerned that the Justice Department has not gone far enough to correct incomplete or misleading representations that we believe were made by the government to the Supreme Court in Clapper v. Amnesty.\r\nIn Clapper v. Amnesty, the majority opinion characterizes as \u201chighly speculative\u201d the plaintiffs\u2019 fear that \u201cthe Government will decide to target the communications of non-U.S. persons with whom they communicate,\u201d and states that the \u201crespondents\u2019 theory necessarily rests on their assertion that the Government will target other individuals \u2013 namely their foreign contacts.\u201d These and other statements in the opinion indicate the Court\u2019s view that the only way the plaintiffs\u2019 communications could be intercepted under the FAA is if those communications are to or from a foreign intelligence target.\r\nYet with the disclosure and declassification in recent months of relevant documents regarding Section 702, the role of \u2018about\u2019 collection under the FAA is now public, although not widely understood. In addition to authorizing the collection of communications to and from foreign, overseas targets, the FISA Amendments Act also has been secretly interpreted to authorize the collection of communications that are merely about a targeted overseas foreigner.\r\nThis form of collection allows the government \u2013 through the \u201cupstream\u201d collection under Section 702 \u2013 to collect any communication whose content includes an identifier, such as an email address, associated with an overseas foreigner who may be a foreign intelligence target. But according to the FISA Court\u2019s October 2011 opinion, the \u2018about\u2019 collection likely results in the acquisition of \u201ctens of thousands\u201d of wholly domestic communications every year. In other words, tens of thousands of emails between law-abiding Americans are likely being collected \u2013 even though these Americans are not actually communicating directly with a foreign intelligence or terrorism target. As FAA collection was intended to target persons \u201creasonably believed to be located outside the United States,\u201d and targeting procedures were intended to \u201cprevent the intentional acquisition of any communication as to which the sender and all intended recipients are known at the time of acquisition to be located in the United States,\u201d the FISA Court in its October 2011 opinion called this expanded FAA collection a circumvention of the \u201cspirit\u201d of the law and a \u201ccause of concern for the Court.\u201d\r\nIn Clapper v. Amnesty, the government\u2019s argument that respondents could not demonstrate that their communications had been collected under the FISA Amendments Act \u2013 in part, because they could not prove that their contacts were targets under the FISA Amendments Act \u2013 was incorporated into the Supreme Court\u2019s majority opinion determining that the respondents did not have standing.\r\nIn the context of Clapper v. Amnesty, the significance of the \u2019about\u2019 collection under Section 702 is that in order to have been a subject of FISA Amendments Act collection, the respondents would not necessarily have had to have communicated with an FAA target. They could also have had their communications collected if they sent international or even wholly domestic emails in which the content included an FAA target\u2019s email address.\r\nWe are not claiming to know whether knowledge of the \u2018about\u2019 collection would have changed the majority\u2019s decision in this case. But we believe that the existence of the \u2018about\u2019 collection clearly increases the likelihood that the respondents\u2019 communications would have been collected under the FISA Amendments Act, and thus we are concerned that this collection was not contemplated in the government\u2019s arguments or the Court\u2019s opinion. In fact, the government\u2019s statements and oral arguments were misleading in that they suggested that Section 702 collection only involves communications to and from particular targets.\r\nWe would appreciate answers to the following questions:\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWas the fact that the communications of Americans might also be collected under the FISA Amendments Act if they are communicating about an FAA target conveyed to the Supreme Court during consideration of Clapper v. Amnesty? If not, why not?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWas the FISA Court\u2019s October 2011 opinion made available to the Supreme Court during consideration of this case? If not, why not?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDo you stand by the statements and oral arguments the government made to the Court in Clapper v. Amnesty, including those concerning the provision of notice to criminal defendants? If so, please explain why.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIf not, can you please provide or describe each statement and oral argument that you no longer stand by and explain how you intend to correct the record with regard to each of those representations made to the Court in Clapper v. Amnesty?\r\n\r\n \r\nWe believe that a formal notification to the Supreme Court of the government\u2019s misrepresentations in the case \u2014 both relating to its notice policy and relating to its practice of \u2018about\u2019 collection under Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act \u2014 would be an important step in correcting the public record and would be in the interests of the public as well as of the Administration and the Supreme Court.\r\nWe look forward to your reply.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/udall-heinrich-praise-nomination-of-damon-p-martinez-for-us-attorney", "Udall, Heinrich Praise Nomination of Damon P. Martinez for US Attorney", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Udall, Heinrich Praise Nomination of Damon P. Martinez for US Attorney\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, November 21, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON \u2013 Today U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich welcomed news that President Barack Obama has nominated Damon P. Martinez to be the next United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico.\r\n\u00a0Martinez has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2001 and currently supervises the Organized Crime and Gang Section in Albuquerque. He is highly experienced in cases concerning national security and anti-terrorism, immigration and narcotics.\r\nThe senators recommended Martinez for the position of U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico in an April 26, 2013, letter to President Obama.\r\n\"Damon Martinez is an excellent public servant with a distinguished career in law enforcement, and I want to thank the president for following our recommendation to nominate him for this important post,\" Udall said. \"I have no doubt Damon is up to the important challenge of enforcing federal laws in New Mexico and will make a fine U.S. Attorney for the District.\"\u00a0\r\n\u201cDamon Martinez's record of public service in New Mexico and commitment to justice will make him an outstanding U.S. Attorney,\" Heinrich said. \"I have no doubt that he will distinguish himself in this position, as he has throughout his career. I\u2019m pleased with President Obama\u2019s selection and look forward to supporting Damon\u2019s nomination.\"\u00a0\r\nMartinez began his career as a federal prosecutor in the Las Cruces branch of the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office and transferred to Albuquerque in 2005. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney\u2019s office, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, and held the positions of legislative director and legislative assistant for then-Congressman Udall and U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, respectively.\r\nMartinez is an Albuquerque native and graduate of St. Pius X High School. He holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees, a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. He was also a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve until 2009, when he transferred to the New Mexico National Guard. Martinez currently holds the rank of Major.\r\nU.S. Attorneys serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the U.S. Attorney General. They are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. Each U.S. Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer of the U.S. within his or her particular jurisdiction.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-amendments-to-defense-bill-address-lab-research-tech-transfer-veterans-and-039-homelessness-b61-lep", "Udall Amendments to Defense Bill Address Lab Research, Tech Transfer, Veterans' Homelessness, B61 LEP", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 21, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Amendments to Defense Bill Address Lab Research, Tech Transfer, Veterans' Homelessness, B61 LEP \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that he has introduced several amendments to a major national defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets Department of Defense spending levels and policies for the upcoming fiscal year. Udall's five amendments include measures to fight unemployment and homelessness among veterans by improving access to education and life skills training for service members; help increase collaboration between the labs, nonprofits and foundations by streamlining the process the national labs must follow to accept grants; and facilitate technology transfer from the national labs to the marketplace.   Helping Service Members Transition to Civilian Life  Udall's two amendments on service member education would assist military men and women transitioning back to civilian life. The first would take steps to prevent homelessness among veterans helping them get improved financial skills education while they are still in active duty. The second would expand eligibility for post-9/11 educational assistance for members of the Reserve and National Guard.\n\"Many veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are finding it difficult to move from military life to civilian life, and too many are struggling to find a job and falling into homelessness. On any given day, one in every five people experiencing homelessness is a veteran. According to a recent study, one of the causes is a lack of basic money management skills or an understanding of how to budget and avoid scams. We can and must do better for our service members - these are skills that should be taught before they leave active duty,\" Udall said. \"My amendments would ensure the Department of Defense has the tools to provide better education, training and life skills to help service members make a smooth transition to civilian life, avoid homelessness, and build successful careers.\" Prevention of veteran homelessness: Udall's amendment calls for a review and, if necessary, a revision of the current efforts by the military to prepare both enlisted and commissioned members of the armed forces with basic financial management tools. It requires the Defense Department (DOD) to consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and public and private organizations dedicated to financial skills education in reviewing and revising these requirements. Expanded eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill: Under current law, members of the National Guard and Reserve who haven't accumulated 24 months of non-entry-level training aren't eligible for full benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Udall's amendment would change the way training time is counted for the purpose of educational benefits for Guard and Reservists who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Those who have served on the front lines deserve to have the same GI Bill benefits earned by our active duty forces.   Standing up for New Mexico's National Labs  Udall introduced three amendments to help strengthen Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories and boost the state's economy by helping the labs diversify the work they do and by encouraging tech transfer.     \"New Mexico's national labs are critical to our national security, and they provide a vital economic foundation for our state. Especially in the wake of sequestration budget cuts, we must keep them strong and nimble. My amendments would reduce bureaucratic red tape so it's easier for the labs to partner with nonprofits and foundations - and so nonprofits and foundations can more easily draw on the expertise at the labs to advance the public good,\" Udall said. \"In addition, Los Alamos and Sandia labs produce some of the most innovative research and technology, but we need to make it easier to move that cutting-edge research and technology from the lab bench to the marketplace,\" Udall continued. \"I believe that improving tech transfer is one of the keys to growing a premiere high-tech industry in New Mexico, and I've been proud to champion this effort. My amendment was developed with input from the labs and investor community in New Mexico. It would facilitate ways to help the Department of Energy, the labs, entrepreneurs, industry, the investment community and nonprofits work together.\"   Tech Transfer: Udall's amendment would improve the collaboration between the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the national labs and the private sector. The creation of an industry-focused technology transfer working group is critical to building a two-way dialogue between our national labs, which innovate, and those in industry who can develop and deploy new technologies in the market. The amendment also includes enhanced annual tech transfer accountability reporting. The new working group will convene regularly to encourage innovation, and the enhanced reporting will track annual progress. Diversifying Work at our Labs: Udall's amendment would encourage the efforts of foundations and nonprofits to utilize the expertise of research and development grants at the national labs. Currently, competing federal regulations between the DOE and the Internal Revenue Service make it difficult for the national labs to work with and receive grants from foundations and other nonprofits. This amendment would resolve the conflict between these federal regulations, empowering our lab directors to waive overhead costs and enabling the labs to do additional work in the public interest. In the past, organizations such as the Gates Foundation have worked collaboratively with the labs to advance research on HIV/AIDS, and this amendment would help them and others conduct similar work with less red tape in the future. Recognizing the importance of B61 LEP: Udall's amendment, cosponsored by Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), would establish that it is the sense of Congress that further delays to the B61 life extension program would have unacceptable effects on the reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent. The B61 LEP is an important part of the president's stockpile stewardship program and is carried out in large part by Sandia and Los Alamos national labs.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-hails-rules-changes-to-make-senate-work-for-american-people", "Udall Hails Rules Changes to Make Senate Work for American People", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 21, 2013\n\t\t\t Udall Hails Rules Changes to Make Senate Work for American People \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall released the following statement after the Senate voted 52-48 to change its rules and end filibusters on presidential executive and judicial nominations, except to the U.S. Supreme Court.\nUdall has led the effort to reform the Senate's rules since he was elected in 2009. His argument throughout has been that a permanent change in the Senate rules - including by requiring a talking filibuster - is the only way to ensure the Senate will work for the American people again. He said the Senate's action today is a strong step forward.\n \n\"Today's vote to change the rules is a victory for all Americans who want to end obstruction and return to a government that works for them. Americans sent us here to get things done, but in recent years, the minority has filibustered again and again - not to slow action out of substantive concerns, but for political gain. Any President-Democrat or Republican-should be able to make their necessary appointments.\n\"This change finally returns the Senate to the majority rule standard that is required by the Constitution when it comes to executive branch and judicial nominees. With this change, if those nominees are qualified, they get an up or down vote in the Senate. If a majority is opposed, they can reject a nominee. But a minority shouldn't be able to delay them indefinitely. That is how our democracy is intended to work.\n\"New Mexicans - all Americans - are tired of the gridlock in Washington. The recent filibuster of three D.C. Circuit nominees over the last four weeks wasn't the beginning of this obstruction. It was the final straw in a long history of blocking the president's nominees. Doing nothing was no longer an option. It was time to rein in the unprecedented abuse of the filibuster, and I'm relieved the Senate took action today.\"\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tomudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1483", "Udall: Gridlock Tying up the Senate; Reform Needed Now to Make Congress Work [press_release]", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall again made the case for meaningful reform of the Senate rules, which he says is needed to end partisan gridlock and restore debate. Udall spoke on the Senate floor after a series of qualified presidential nominees for key positions were blocked by filibusters. He was joined by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who has been a partner in advocating rules reform over the past several years. For video of Udall's remarks and the exchange with Merkley, click here. In just the last four weeks, Republicans have filibustered Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency; and three nominees to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit: Patricia Millett, Nina Pillard and Robert Wilkins. At the beginning of this Congress, Republicans agreed to filibuster nominees only under \"extraordinary circumstances.\" Yet the pattern of obstruction has continued. In July, after months of Republican stalling and delay, senators finally reached an agreement to confirm several long-blocked nominees and stop abusing the rules for partisan gain. But, Udall said, the last series of filibusters show the Senate is right back in the same dysfunctional situation.  \"New Mexicans - all Americans - are tired of the gridlock in Washington. They're tired of endless filibusters and political games,\" Udall said after his speech. \"When it comes to confirmations, historically, the Senate has used the filibuster only in extreme cases. With these last three D.C. Circuit nominees there hasn't even been a pretext for blocking their confirmation. Republicans are refusing to move forward on any nominees to the D.C. Circuit period. That's unprecedented obstruction, not advise and consent.\" Udall has said since 2009 that a permanent change in the Senate rules - including by requiring senators to actually make their argument by speaking on the floor during filibuster - is the only way to ensure the Senate will work for the American people again. \"We've tried to compromise, we've tried working out agreements, but each time they've gone right back to the same obstructionist tactics,\" Udall said. \"They've demonstrated that 'gentleman's agreements' aren't enough - we need to actually change the rules to make any real difference.\" \n   I began calling for rules reform four years ago. I said the Senate was a graveyard for good ideas. I am sorry to say that little has changed. The digging continues. \n   Unfortunately, we are back where we started, and - I regret to say - in record time. We need real Senate rules reform. We needed it at the beginning of this Congress, and we need it now. \n   Americans are tired with the gridlock and dysfunction in Washington. Filibusters. Shutdowns. Hyper-partisan attacks.  \n   Americans want reform in the way their government operates. More cooperation. More transparency. Less partisanship. More problem solving. \n   This week was one more example of why we need reform. Judge Robert Wilkins was a well qualified to serve on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He deserved an up or down vote. Instead? Another filibuster. \n   He is the fourth nominee to that court to be trampled on by the minority. Not because he is unqualified, not because of any failing on his part, but because a democratic president nominated him. For some, that is enough - that is all it takes to tell an eminent American to go home. \n   First it was Caitlin Halligan in March. Then Patricia Millett last month. Followed by Nina Pillard last week. And now Robert Wilkins. Each of them exceptional. Every one of them distinguished nominees. Each would be a credit to the Court of Appeals. \n   So, number four, and counting. In baseball, three strikes and you are out - not so in the Senate. \n   This isn't just about rules. It is about having a Senate that works - not one that buckles under the weight of filibusters. \n   The partisan games continue, and the game has gone on long enough, because the losers are the American people. \n   Senators Merkley, Harkin and I proposed to change the rules at the beginning of this Congress - rules changes that were fair, that reined in the abuse and that protected the minority. \n   We were very clear: we called for a talking filibuster and we argued that if the minority wants to continue debate-which is what voting against cloture is-they should actually have to stand on the floor and debate. \n   Instead, a compromise was reached. The two leaders agreed to \"work together to schedule votes on nominees in a timely manner by unanimous consent, except in extraordinary circumstances.\" \n   The Minority Leader said, \"On the subject of nominations, Senate Republicans will continue to work with the majority to process nominations, consistent with the norms and traditions of the Senate.\" \n   That was the agreement, and it has not been kept. \n   In July, we had another showdown on confirmations. All qualified candidates. All prepared to serve. But, nominated by a democratic president, or asked to lead agencies the other side doesn't like: the Department of Labor, EPA, and the Consumer Financial Protection Board - all blocked.  \n   Once again, we looked at changing the rules with a simple majority - to restore the Senate's ability to function. We had a historic meeting in the Old Senate Chamber, and we reached another compromise. \n   I was hopeful for the outcome. There was feeling on both sides that things had to change and that we needed to change the way we do business. We confirmed several nominees. \n   But here we are again - back on the filibuster merry go round and getting nowhere. Four months later, the same debate. The same partisan games, with qualified nominees denied an up or down vote. \n   And not just judicial nominees, but, also Congressman Mel Watt - blocked from leading the Federal Housing Finance Agency. \n   The only \"extraordinary circumstance\" has been continual obstruction. This is not the norms and traditions of the Senate - it is the failure of partisan politics. \n   In fact, it wasn't long ago that Republicans were the first to say so. During the Bush administration they were up in arms. Why? Because 10 judicial nominations had been blocked. Ten. That number seems quaint now, but it was enough for Republicans. \n   Here's what the Republican Policy Committee said in 2005: \n   \"This breakdown in Senate norms is profound. There is now a risk that the Senate is creating a new, 60-vote confirmation standard. The Constitution plainly requires no more than a majority vote to confirm...Exercising the constitutional option in response to judicial nomination filibusters would restore the Senate to its longstanding norms and practices governing judicial nominations, and guarantee that a minority does not transform the fundamental nature of the Senate's advice and consent responsibility. This approach, therefore, would be both reactive and restorative.\" \n   ...restore the Senate to its longstanding norms and practices. It would be difficult to state the case more clearly. \n   One of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle said we should be careful what we wish for - that majority rule could backfire. We might get more Justice Scalias. \n   Well, that is exactly the point. The Constitution does not give me the right to block a qualified nominee, no matter who is in the White House. \n   The real \"norms and traditions\" of the Senate honor that principle. \n   Some of us may disagree with Justice Scalia on judicial philosophy. But he was a qualified nominee. He received an up or down vote, and he was unanimously confirmed. \n   Likewise, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the former ACLU general counsel, was considered liberal. Many on the other side may have disagreed with her views, but there was no filibuster. She was confirmed by a vote of 96 to 3.  \n   A minority in the Senate should not be able to block qualified nominees on either side of the aisle. That is not advise and consent - it is obstruct and delay. \n   The people elect a president. They give him or her the right to select a team to govern and to appoint judges to the federal bench. If those nominees are qualified, they deserve an up or down vote. That is how our democracy is intended to work. \n   That is the mandate of our Constitution. That is the real tradition of the Senate. That's the way it's supposed to work - and has worked that way in the past. \n   My dad was secretary of the Interior for President Kennedy. He later told me, \"Tom, I had my whole team in place the first two weeks.\" In place, ready to serve the American people in two weeks. The president's team - his team to choose, so long as they are qualified to do the job. \n   My colleague on the other side is right - the winds can change. And let's be candid - neither side is 100 percent pure. Both sides have had their moments of obstruction and no doubt had their reasons at the time. \n   But I don't think the American people care much about that. They don't want a history lesson or a lesson in parliamentary procedure. 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