Luján Hosts Farm Bill Roundtable with Local Food Banks, Continues Push for RECA Expansion and Extension

Albuquerque, N.M. – Today,U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) hosted a roundtable discussion with local Food Banks on the upcoming Farm Bill to address their specific needs and help improve nutrition access for low-income communities. Senator Luján was joined by Roadrunner Food Bank of NM CEO Linda Wedeen, Gallup Community Pantry Inc. CEO Alice Perez, ECHO Inc. Interim CEO Laura Butziger, Food Bank of Eastern NM CEO Dianna Sprague, and The Food Depot CEO Sherry Hooper.

“As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, keeping healthy food on the table is a top priority. That’s why it’s important to hear directly from our producers about the challenges and opportunities they face to ensure the Farm Bill meets their specific needs,” said Luján. “With so many New Mexican families who depend on SNAP and EBT, I’m fighting to make sure these critical programs are maintained and well-funded through the Farm Bill.”

Following this, Luján held a roundtable discussion on the extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program with statewide stakeholders to hear their stories and celebrate progress. Last month, Luján led the Senate in passing a historic, bipartisan expansion and extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Luján continued, “Last month’s vote to expand and extend RECA was an important step in the fight for justice for Downwinders and uranium miners, but we still have work to do. I’m carrying their stories back to Washington because I refuse to let their voices be ignored. I promise I will not stop fighting until RECA expansion is signed into law for those who sacrificed in the name of our national security.”