Heinrich, Luján Legislation to Invest in New Mexico’s Schools, Roads, County Services, & Wildfire Mitigation Passes the Senate

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced Senate-passage of legislation they cosponsored that reauthorizes the USDA’s Secure Rural Schools Program (SRS) through 2026.

The Secure Rural Schools Program invests in New Mexico’s public schools, roads, wildfire mitigation, and public safety services. The program was last reauthorized by the Infrastructure Law, which New Mexico Democrats passed into law. The program ensures that New Mexico’s rural counties that have national forest lands can pay for local police and fire protection, emergency response, schools, road maintenance, and other crucial services.

“The Secure Rural Schools Program sustains our kids’ education, equips first responders, and fortifies our forests against wildfires. But last time President Trump was in charge, he let it lapse – leaving rural communities in the lurch. Now that we’ve passed its reauthorization in the Senate, the House needs to pass this multi-year reauthorization before the end of this Congress,” said Heinrich. “Our rural communities deserve investment, and this bill will continue it, providing budget certainty for New Mexico’s rural counties.”

“For years, the Secure Rural Schools Program has provided critical funding for public schools, local infrastructure, and wildfire protection plans across New Mexico,” said Luján. “The Secure Rural Schools Program is an essential program that expands access to education and public services for over 700 rural counties across the country and I’m proud to have fought to get its reauthorization passed in the Senate. Now, I’m calling on House to act swiftly to reauthorize the program and ensure our rural communities continue to receive the support they need.”

The legislation is led by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho). In the House, the bill is led by U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), and Val Hoyle (D-Ore.). The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives.

Heinrich, Luján, and the N.M. Delegation support permanent authorization for the Secure Rural Schools program to give budget certainty to the rural counties who rely on the program.

Earlier this year, the N.M. Delegation welcomed over $9 million from the Secure Rural Schools Program for 22 counties across New Mexico.

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