Luján Statement on Senate Passage of Budget Resolution, Progress Toward COVID-19 Relief Package

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the Senate passage of a budget resolution at 5:30 a.m. ET, after a 15-hour overnight voting session. The resolution is an important procedural step needed to urgently pass a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package with a simple majority.

“January was the deadliest month on record since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – and New Mexicans have lost more than 3,300 of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones to this virus. From our largest cities to our smallest villages, New Mexico families and small businesses owners cannot afford to wait for relief.

“In an early morning vote, the Senate joined the House in passing a budget resolution that sets the guidelines for a COVID-19 relief package to help our communities combat this pandemic and give New Mexicans the tools needed to help recover and rebuild. Congress is one step closer to delivering additional direct payments, providing much-needed support to workers and small businesses, and ensuring that vaccine shots get into the arms of New Mexicans.”

Senator Luján spoke on the Senate floor earlier this week to uplift the voices of New Mexicans and make a strong case for passing the budget resolution. As a new member of the Senate Committees on Health, Labor, Education, and Pensions; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Indian Affairs; and Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Luján highlighted the areas these committees would oversee in an eventual COVID package – including vaccinations, schools reopening safely, nutrition assistance, and Tribal needs.

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