Luján: Republican Bill Betrays New Mexico Families by Taking an Axe to Health Care, Nutrition Programs, and Rural Communities
WATCH: Luján Holds Senate Floor During Midnight Session
WATCH: Luján Introduces Amendment to Save SNAP
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to pass their partisan budget reconciliation bill:
“Senate Republicans just pushed through a budget bill that hurts New Mexican families. In their rush to meet President Trump’s demands, they voted blindly, with no regard for the harm this bill will inflict on all of our constituents.
“This Republican bill guts health care for children and families, strips food assistance from our neighbors, and puts rural hospitals and grocery stores on the brink of closure – all to hand out massive tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. It also adds more than $3 trillion to the national debt – driving up interest rates across the board, making car loans and mortgages more expensive for families, and raising borrowing costs for small businesses and farmers.
“This bill is not just bad policy – it’s a failure of leadership and a betrayal of New Mexico families, rural communities, and American values.”
Senator Luján backed a series of amendments and motions to the Republican reconciliation bill aimed at protecting access to health care and nutrition programs and lowering costs for New Mexicans. Senate Republicans blocked these common-sense proposals from Senator Luján and Senate Democrats. Among those measures:
Keeping Food on the Table for New Mexicans:
Millions of families rely on nutrition assistance programs. Senator Luján led a motion to protect funding for SNAP that ensures New Mexico families and children have access to nutritious food. These programs also support New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers, and local communities that rely on these dollars to keep food on shelves and economies strong.
Defending Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act:
Republicans are trying to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations by ripping away Medicaid coverage from millions of Americans. New Mexico has the highest per-capita Medicaid enrollment in the country, and children, pregnant women, and working families depend on it. Senator Luján supported a motion to strengthen Medicaid and protect health care for New Mexicans.
Keeping New Mexico Communities Safe:
Amid a nationwide shortage of police officers, Senator Luján proposed a motion to provide increased resources for local law enforcement by funding the COPS Hiring Program. Senator Luján previously led dozens of his colleagues in calling for additional funding for public safety.
Protecting New Mexicans from Wildfires:
As wildfires continue to devastate New Mexico and the West, Senator Luján supported a motion to invest in wildfire prevention and protect our communities from future disasters.
Protecting Clean Energy Investments:
As the climate crisis grows more urgent – and Republicans push to gut clean energy programs – Senator Luján supported amendments to safeguard investments in our energy future and reduce costs.
Lowering Taxes for Small Businesses and the Middle Class:
To bring down costs for New Mexico families and small businesses, Senator Luján supported amendments that would provide tax relief to the middle class and small businesses.
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