Luján Marks 100 Days in Office, Highlights Work on Behalf of New Mexicans

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statement highlighting the actions he has taken in his first 100 days in office.

“Every day, I am reminded of the immense responsibility with which New Mexicans have entrusted me. During my first 100 days in office, I’ve sought to provide New Mexicans with the support they need not only to survive this pandemic, but to thrive in the future,” said Luján. “I have also established an extensive constituent services operation to help New Mexicans navigate federal agencies, access federal grant funding, and obtain the critical benefits they rely on. I will continue fighting for New Mexicans for as long as they allow me to serve as their voice in the U.S. Senate.”

Actions taken by Senator Luján during his first 100 days:

• Voted for the American Rescue Plan to provide economic relief and critical resources to New Mexicans, Tribal communities, public health and education systems, state and local governments, small businesses and restaurants.
• Secured a provision in the American Rescue Plan to provide direct relief to help farmers and ranchers of color pay off outstanding USDA farm loan debts and related taxes, and help them respond to the economic impacts of the pandemic.

• Convened meeting between the White House and more than 250 New Mexico city and county officials to discuss the American Rescue Plan’s direct relief for local governments.
• Secured a commitment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fully compensate farmers and ranchers for unfair changes made to the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) reimbursement rate and to pause a policy change made under the Trump administration to stop covering drought claims on acequia-irrigated lands.
• Was named Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband for the 117th Congress.
• Introduced bipartisan legislation to expand eligibility for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) E-Rate program to reimburse schools that equip school buses with Wi-Fi technology. 
• Co-sponsored Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, which he worked on as a member of the House, to invest $94 billion in broadband infrastructure to help connect all Americans to reliable internet.
• Introduced bipartisan legislation to put skilled energy workers back to work by plugging orphaned oil and gas wells, which can leak methane, contaminate groundwater, and create community safety risks.
• Worked with New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Russell Toal and Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull to ensure that insurers reimburse providers for behavioral health services delivered through telemedicine, as required by the Patient Protection Act.
• Testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties about the importance of strengthening the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to compensate individuals exposed to radiation while working in uranium mines or living downwind from atomic weapons tests.
• Held meetings with New Mexico leaders across eighteen counties.
• Responded to more than 12,800 emails, calls, and letters from constituents.
• Closed cases for nearly 200 constituents seeking help to navigate federal agencies.

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