Senator Luján in the News
Fighting to Protect New Mexicans’ SNAP Benefits
Senator Luján joins MSNBC’s Jen Psaki to expose the Trump administration’s refusal to release available food assistance funds and the Senate Republicans who blocked his bill to keep these programs running.
Politico: Democrats launch alternative bill to save SNAP funding
“Let me be clear: the Trump administration has the authority and the funds to keep SNAP running,” Luján said in a statement. “If they refuse to act, millions of Americans will go hungry. Ensuring Americans don’t go hungry should not be a partisan issue, yet the Trump administration is playing politics with people’s lives.”
Source NM: Luján leads US Senate effort to reverse SNAP cuts
U.S. Sen Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico led fellow senators Thursday in a denunciation of recent federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program before introducing a bill that would repeal all SNAP-related changes in the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Santa Fe New Mexican: Ben Ray Luján leads Senate Democrats in bill to undo cuts to SNAP
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján on Thursday joined a team of Senate Democrats in introducing a bill that would overturn cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program included in the federal budget reconciliation law.
KRQE: New Mexico senator leads effort to repeal SNAP cuts
New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Lujan is leading an effort on Capitol Hill to reverse cuts to the SNAP program. Senate Democrats have introduced a bill to repeal cuts to the food assistance program implemented in President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Source NM: Rural hospitals, SNAP cuts, Medicaid: Democrats force tough votes on GOP megabill
New Mexico Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján offered a motion to commit the bill back to committee in order to remove all changes related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. It was rejected following a 49-51 vote, though Alaska Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan and Murkowski voted in favor.
KOAT: Low-income households could lose food aid under proposed SNAP cuts
Senate Democrats, including New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, are holding a conference Tuesday after the House Agriculture Committee released their provisions to a Republican backed bill that would require states to cover a portion of SNAP benefit costs, tighten eligibility requirements for the program, and block future increases to monthly benefits.
News From the States: U.S. House Republican plan would force states to pay for a portion of SNAP benefits
One in four New Mexicans rely on SNAP, said Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. The farmers and ranchers he represents also plan their farming season based on what grocery stores and food banks will need, and farmers already planted seeds with the idea that those vegetables will be used for school lunches and other food programs.
KOB: Sen. Ben Ray Luján concerned over federal funding cuts to New Mexicans
“Look, they’re going after food programs. So if your only source of getting a healthy meal, or maybe getting that one meal a day was at school or with seniors with Meals on Wheels, or for our loved ones at home that just can’t get out, then they’re not going to be eating,” said Luján.
Fighting for the Trump Administration to Release the Epstein Files
In the Senate they’re not waiting for the Friday deadline. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ben Ray Lujan are attempting to block all of Trump’s civilian nominations in response to the administration’s “failure to provide a briefing to lawmakers on the release of the files.”
NBC News: Lawmakers ask AG Pam Bondi for a status update on releasing the Epstein files
Five members of Congress from both parties and both chambers are asking Attorney General Pam Bondi for a briefing and status update by the end of the week on the legally mandated release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The signatories are Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; and Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., as well as the law’s lead authors, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
New Mexico Political Report: New Mexico senators blast Republicans for blocking Epstein document release
“The American people and the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s heinous crimes deserve justice and transparency. I am disappointed that my Republican colleagues blocked this motion and have once again denied the American people answers. We must provide the public with full transparency relating to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates to deliver justice for the survivors,” Lujan said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Standing Up Against the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans Attacks
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, joined MSNBC’s Ali Vitali to speak out forcefully in defense of his colleague and friend, Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), after the Senator was forcibly removed by federal agents at a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
On day eight of the Trump Shutdown, Senator Luján stressed that Democrats are working to reopen the government, while Congressional Republicans and President Trump continue to threaten jobs, drive up costs for working families, and refuse to negotiate to prevent skyrocketing health care premiums for Americans.
The Washington Post: Brendan Carr said the FCC isn’t independent. Its website quickly updated.
In the course of an otherwise anodyne Senate committee hearing where its commissioners were testifying, the Federal Communications Commission removed the word “independent” from a description of the agency on its own website to line up with its chairman’s live remarks. Just minutes earlier, Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico), waving a screenshot of the commission’s website, asked Brendan Carr, its Republican chairman, about the agency’s status. “Just so you know, Brendan, on your website it just simply says, man, the FCC’s independent,” Luján said. “This isn’t a trick question.”
Santa Fe New Mexican: Amid shutdown, U.S. Energy Department cuts $135 million for 10 energy projects in New Mexico
“Let me be clear: President Trump is using his own shutdown as a tool for political retribution — targeting energy projects that create good-paying jobs and help lower costs for families,” Luján said in a statement. “The president is taking jobs away from hardworking New Mexicans and jacking up costs for New Mexico families.”
Taos News: Sen. Ben Ray Lujan on how federal funding cuts could affect New Mexicans
This week on Voices of Taos, Editor Geoffrey Plant speaks with U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, who visited the Taos News recording studio late in the afternoon Aug. 4 immediately after he attended a roundtable discussion at Holy Cross Medical Center.
The Hill: Democrats blast Bessent over Trump baby accounts ‘backdoor for privatizing Social Security’ remarks
Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) said Wednesday in a post on social platform X that Bessent was “saying the quiet part out loud. In a way, it is a backdoor for privatizing Social Security.’ – Scott Bessent,” Luján said in his post, which featured a clip of Bessent’s comments. “That means gutting the promise our seniors earned and dismantling Social Security as we know it.”
Santa Fe New Mexican: Forest Service office in New Mexico among 9 on chopping block
In a Wednesday hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee on the reorganization plan, New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Luján’s questions about the Albuquerque office and its approximately 250 employees devolved into a fiery exchange with Vaden. Like other senators on the committee — Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, called the reorganization a “half-baked plan with no notice” — Luján demanded additional details about the plan from the deputy secretary. “Mr. Vaden, I’ll try to be more clear,” Luján said at one point. “I’m sorry if my English is spoken with an accent. … I’m proud to be born and raised in New Mexico. I’ll try to speak more clearly. When will you provide this information to the committee?”
KRWG: U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján shares concerns about funding cuts to public media in NM
KC Counts speaks with Senator Ben Ray Luján about the impacts of funding cuts to public media outlets across New Mexico.
Standing Up for New Mexico's 23 Tribes and Pueblos
Santa Fe New Mexican: New Mexico Sen. Luján: Trump administration blocking nearly $316 billion for tribes
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján continued to sound the alarm this week on the Trump administration’s decision to block hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds for programs that focus on health, education and other services in Native American communities.
KRQE: NM Senator: Trump Administration blocking $316B slated for Native American communities
New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D) said Donald Trump’s Administration has blocked hundreds of billions of dollars for programs that support Indian Country and native communities. The United States Senate Committee on Appropriations released a tracker of the cuts made by DOGE in President Trump’s first 100 days.
Source NM: Luján calls on Trump to fund Navajo-Gallup water pipeline, as Gallup warns it’s running dry
New Mexico Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján is calling on President Donald Trump to fund the next phase of a massive water pipeline in northwest New Mexico, saying failing to do so would violate Navajo water rights and could cause the project to fail completely.
Fighting to Protect New Mexico’s Farmers and Ranchers
Source NM: NM delegation reacts to screwworm outbreak
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, announced on Thursday bipartisan legislation, also sponsored by fellow New Mexico Democrat U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, aimed at curbing the outbreak.
KRQE: Bill to combat screwworm outbreak co-sponsored by New Mexico Senators
The legislation was introduced by New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján and Texas Senator John Cornyn. It was co-sponsored by Martin Heinrich and Ted Cruz. The screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on livestock, wildlife, and in some cases humans.
Albuquerque Journal: Farmers say ending federal programs hurts small producers in New Mexico
“It’s mid-March. Food is in the ground, seedlings are in the greenhouse, with the intention of them going to the Food Depot, with the intention of these seeds already planted going to our school lunches, and now the funding has been cut,” Juliana Ciano with Reunity Resources, a nonprofit vegetable farm in Santa Fe, said during a roundtable hosted by Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján at Roadrunner Food Bank on Monday. “We have been planning on this for months, and the work and investment from farmers has already taken place.”
Visiting Communities Across New Mexico
Source NM: U.S. Sen. Luján spreads word of efforts to combat Trump administration, GOP
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) pledged to protect federal spending that pays for medical care for many seniors and benefits for people with disabilities Monday, and denounced proposed cuts to federal programs by billionaire Elon Musk and Republican lawmakers.
Albuquerque Journal: Sen. Luján hails rural water projects in southern NM stop
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján paid a visit to a rural water utility near the border Tuesday, addressing an event room snugly packed with local workers, many wearing muddy boots and fluorescent work vests, whom the senator called “heroes in our communities.”
KRWG: U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján answers questions at town hall
KRWG Public Media reported this week on U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján’s visit to Las Cruces to hold a town hall and listening session on the impacts of expected cuts to Medicaid. Attendees of the town hall had concerns about crime, education and many other topics on their minds.
Source NM: NM coffee roaster warns U.S. senator of ‘slow drip’ of price increases because of Trump tariffs
“Everything that this President is doing is arbitrary. So that’s more uncertainty, more pressure on all these entrepreneurs, all these small businesses across the country,” the New Mexico Democrat said. “I’ve not spoken to one business in New Mexico yet that has told me that they are applauding these tariffs, whether it’s a toy store, restaurants, a manufacturing wholesaler.”
Santa Fe New Mexican: SNAP, Medicaid cuts at forefront as U.S. Sen. Luján visits Española schools, Christus St. Vincent
Luján visited with Española school officials as well as Northern New Mexico hospital leaders to anticipate the fallout from a federal reconciliation bill passed last month, including budget cuts likely to trickle down to school meals and hospitals’ budgets.
Standing Up to President Trump’s Dangerous Nominees
WATCH: Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joins Meet the Press NOW after pressing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his Senate confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Roll Call: Commerce pick Lutnick defends tariffs, funding freeze
In a tense exchange, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., tried to pin Lutnick down on whether he would withdraw funding allocated by law if Trump asked him to.
Albuquerque Journal: Senate Democrats boycott Trump’s budget office director pick in wake of attempted funding freeze
After an attempt this week by President Donald Trump’s budget office to freeze federal funding to determine if it aligned ideologically with his priorities, Senate Democrats, including Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, boycotted a budget committee vote for the president’s budget office pick, Russell Vought. Although the OMB memo has been rescinded, White House officials have said Trump’s executive order related to the Monday memo is still in effect, causing “more confusion, more chaos,” Luján said.
ABC: Senate considers Neil Jacobs, ‘Sharpiegate’ scientist, as NOAA administrator
When asked by Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-NM, on Wednesday whether he would “make the same decision again,” Jacobs replied, “There’s probably some things I would do differently.”
MSNBC: Chris Hayes Highlights Senator Lujan’s Questioning of Dr. Neil Jacobs
Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, questioned Dr. Neil Jacobs, President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), about his commitment to telling the truth during emergencies.
The Washington Post: Trump rolls back rules meant to keep politics out of climate research
In a confirmation hearing last month, Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) asked Jacobs if he would make the same decision again. Jacobs said he would not, and began to explain measures taken to prevent such a scenario from repeating. Before he could, Luján asked, “Would you sign off on an inaccurate statement due to political pressure in the same event, yes or no?”
Standing Up For New Mexicans’ Health Care
Just days before Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits are set to expire, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined MS NOW’s Chris Jansing to discuss Democrats’ plan to avoid skyrocketing health care premiums for hardworking American families and Republicans’ refusal to prevent this crisis.
MSNOW: Chris Jansing Reports on Viral Moment During Dem Press Conference
Democrats are forcing a vote next week that would extend those subsidies for 3 years, Republicans however, are still figuring out their counter proposal. New Mexico’s Democratic Senator Ben Ray Luján stressed the need for quick action while showing the scars he bears from a 2022 stroke.
Santa Fe New Mexican: U.S. Sen. Luján among Dems pushing last-ditch plan to extend health tax credits
“Look, this is about affordability,” Luján said. “What Republicans are doing right now is they really don’t give a damn how expensive health care is going to be for the American people. Plain and simple.”
New Mexico Political Report: Sen. Lujan: Trump Administration retreats from pharmaceutical tariffs after warning
“Thanks to efforts to raise the alarm on how steep tariffs would hike prescription drug prices, disrupt access to care, and strain the generics supply chain, the Trump administration backed down,” Luján said in a statement.
KOB: RECA forms and guidance now available for claimants
“I’m thankful that following my push to secure clear guidance from the DOJ, claimants now have the instructions they need to apply for and receive compensation through RECA. I have long fought for RECA, and I am committed to ensuring RECA is implemented urgently and that families receive the compensation they deserve,” Lujan said.
New Mexico Political Report: Sen. Luján leads Democratic push to reverse health care cuts affecting 89,000 New Mexicans
“Sixty years after Medicare and Medicaid opened the door to health care for millions, Congressional Republicans slammed it shut with their Budget Betrayal – ripping coverage from 15 million Americans, including over 100,000 New Mexicans,” Luján said in a news release. “Their cuts target children, families, and seniors who depend on Medicaid to survive, and could force rural clinics and hospitals to close their doors.”
Santa Fe New Mexican: Sen. Luján, fellow Democrats introduce bill to reverse health care cuts in federal reconciliation bill
In observance of the 60th anniversary of the enactment of Medicaid and Medicare, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján and fellow Democratic senators introduced legislation Wednesday to reverse health care cuts included in the recent federal budget reconciliation bill.
New Mexico Political Report: New Mexico senators demand transparency on rural health fund as hospital closures loom
“We are alarmed by reports suggesting these taxpayer funds are already promised to Republican members of Congress in exchange for their votes,” the senators wrote in their letter to Oz. They criticized what they called “vague legislative language” that could allow the fund to be “distributed according to your political whims.”
Securing Funds for New Mexico
Both houses of Congress and the executive branch of government may be in the hands of the Grand Old Party, but despite that, more than $200 million in federal funds are coming to New Mexico for 2026 projects, thanks to Democratic Sens. Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich.
New Mexico Political Report: New Mexico senators secure nearly $400 million for military bases, rural communities
“From strengthening our military’s readiness and safety, to boosting emergency response, the U.S. Senate just passed critical appropriations bills that will benefit communities across New Mexico,” Luján said in a press release.
Standing Up for New Mexicans’ Safety
Source NM: NM Sen. Luján introduces three wildfire-related bills
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced three wildfire-related bills this week in a newly reopened United States Senate, all of which use New Mexico’s recent wildfire experience as a guide — or a cautionary tale — for the rest of the country.
Source NM: Luján pushes bipartisan bill to restore forests
“Water is essential to the health and safety of our communities. Protecting and improving our watersheds is critical to ensuring reliable access to clean drinking water and making our forests more resilient against wildfires,” Luján said. “The Headwaters Protection Act will strengthen these efforts by investing in watershed management and pollution prevention.”
The Hill: Musk’s Grok chatbot restricts image generation after sexualization complaints
U.S. lawmakers have also joined this chorus of voices. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) wrote to Apple and Google on Friday, asking the tech giants to remove X and Grok from their respective app stores.
