Luján Statement on GOP Budget that Sets the Stage to Dismantle Health and Nutrition Programs, Increase Everyday Costs

Senate Republicans Block Luján Amendments to Improve Public Safety, Keep New Mexicans Safe

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M), a member of the Senate Committee on the Budget, issued the following statement on the Republican Budget Resolution: 

“In the dark of night, Senate Republicans passed a partisan budget that will fund the Trump Tax Scam 2.0 at the expense of everyday Americans. This will make it harder for families to afford health care, put food on the table, and get a quality education – all to give a tax handout to the wealthiest Americans and corporations.

“Slashing programs that millions of Americans rely on will devastate our families and communities. I joined my Democratic colleagues in introducing dozens of common-sense amendments that would make Americans safer, give children the resources needed to succeed, and lower costs for families. Senate Republicans blocked every single amendment, including one that I led to provide increased support for local law enforcement. 

“Make no mistake, Republicans are using this opportunity to fund their newest tax scam instead of lowering costs for Americans.” 

Senator Luján introduced and co-led a series of amendments to the Republican budget that will protect access to health care, make our communities safer, and improve the quality of life for New Mexicans. Senate Republicans blocked common-sense amendments introduced by Senator Luján and Senate Democrats. 

Keeping New Mexico Communities Safe

Amid a nationwide shortage of police officers, Senator Luján introduced an amendment to provide increased resources for local law enforcement by funding the COPS Hiring Program. The COPS Hiring Program provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. This amendment was voted down by Senate Republicans. Watch Senator Luján’s floor speech HERE.

Putting Food on the Table

Millions of families across the country rely on nutrition assistance programs. Senator Luján introduced an amendment to protect funding for programs that make sure New Mexico families and children have the nutritious food they need. Watch Senator Luján’s floor speech HERE.

Stopping the Flow of Fentanyl 

As the fentanyl crisis devastates families in New Mexico and across the country, Senator Luján introduced an amendment addressing the need to have 100% screening using non-intrusive inspection technology to stop fentanyl and illicit activity from entering the U.S.

Boosting U.S. Manufacturing 

Senator Luján is committed to boosting domestic manufacturing and good jobs for New Mexicans. To create more American jobs, Senator Luján introduced an amendment to provide greater incentives for companies to manufacture right here at home unlike the first Trump Tax Scam that drove jobs overseas. 

Protecting Medicare and Medicaid

Republicans want to fund tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations by ripping health care away from Americans on Medicaid. New Mexico has the most Medicaid recipients per capita than any other state, and millions of children and pregnant women across the country rely on Medicaid to access health care. Senator Luján introduced an amendment to strengthen Medicaid for pregnant women and children under five years old. Senator Luján also co-led an amendment to ensure there is no reduction in benefits for people with Medicare and Medicaid. 

Protecting Veterans’ Sensitive Data

Senator Luján introduced an amendment to protect the sensitive, private information of veterans from being accessed by private companies including those owned by Elon Musk.

Supporting Firefighters

As New Mexico and Western states have been devastated by wildfires in recent years and months, Senator Luján co-led an amendment highlighting the vital role firefighters play in fighting wildland fires in the wake of the Trump administration’s hiring freeze and firings of federal firefighters.

Supporting our National Parks, Forests, and Wildlife

As federal employees at the Forest Service, National Park Service, United State Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management have been recklessly fired in recent weeks, Senator Luján co-led an amendment highlighting the importance of reinstating these fired federal employees.

Additionally, Senator Luján introduced 34 amendments that boost safety, lower everyday costs, fund critical health care programs, and improve disaster relief. 

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