Press Releases
Recovery Tax Credits for NM Clean Energy Projects Will Create Jobs, Improve Economy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that two New Mexico clean energy manufacturing projects will receive a total of almost $5 million in tax credits as part of $2.3 billion in Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits announced today by President Obama. Johnson Plate & Tower Fabrication, Inc., of Santa Teresa, will receive a $2.3 million tax credit to establish and design a facility to manufacture commercial wind towers. The facility will produc… Continue Reading
December 24, 2009
Senate Passes Historic Health Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, today voted in favor of historic health care reform legislation that will provide quality, affordable health coverage to 96 percent of New Mexicans while reducing health care costs for individuals, businesses and government. The Senate approved the bill 60-39. The legislation, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, expands health care coverage to 31 million Americans, including 305,000 additional New Mexicans. It also reduces the federal… Continue Reading
December 21, 2009
Senate Takes Next Step Toward Historic Health Care Reform
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, reported today that the Senate took another historic step toward health care reform by voting to end debate on an amendment package that includes numerous provisions advocated by Udall to benefit New Mexicans. The Senate is expected to vote on final approval Tuesday morning. The so-called "manager's package" includes proposals to increase coverage options for Americans, improve preventive care, expand access to care for rural residents, and reauthorize … Continue Reading
December 21, 2009
Coming Together to Work for Reform
I've noticed that whenever a snowstorm hits Santa Fe, there's always a bright side - bringing a community together. Helping your neighbor dig out their car or shovel their sidewalk, a good blizzard can bring us closer to one another. This spirit seemed to be alive and well in the Senate this weekend as we made significant strides toward achieving meaningful health insurance reform. Very early this morning we held an important vote on a package of amendments to the Senate health reform bill that … Continue Reading
December 21, 2009
As Holidays Approach, Lautenberg and Udall Introduce New Legislation to Fight Drunk Driving
WASHINGTON - Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Tom Udall (D-NM) were joined by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) today to unveil new legislation that would help keep repeat drunk drivers off the road. Under the legislation, states must require the use of ignition interlock technology for all convicted drunk driving offenders, or else lose a portion of their federal transportation funding. The ignition interlock is an electronic breath testing system connected to a vehicle's ignition syst… Continue Reading
December 18, 2009
Udall Statement on President’s Progress in Copenhagen Climate Negotiations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today issued the following statement on President Barack Obama's breakthrough towards reaching international climate change agreements in Copenhagen: "I commend President Obama for rescuing a deal for major nations to reduce greenhouse gas pollution in Copenhagen tonight. Here in the United States and in my home state of New Mexico we will continue to advance clean energy technology and save money… Continue Reading
December 18, 2009
No Air Travel Disruptions - REAL ID Deadline Extended
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall and Congressman Ben Ray Luján today announced that the Department of Homeland Security has officially extended the Dec. 31 deadline for compliance with the REAL ID Act, ensuring that New Mexicans planning domestic air travel over the New Year won't face disruptions because of new identification requirements. Last week, Bingaman, Udall and Luján received assurances from the Department of Homeland Security that New Mexico travele… Continue Reading
December 17, 2009
N.M. Institutions Receive Funding For Humanities and Culture Education
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, today announced that three New Mexico institutions will receive $140,000 in several grants to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture. The National Endowment for the Humanities grants to the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture will help ensure that the best of humanities research, education, preservation and public pro… Continue Reading
December 17, 2009
NM Delegation Announces Over $1.4 Million in Recovery Funding for Broadband Access
WASHINGTON - Thursday, members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation announced today that the New Mexico State Library has been awarded $1,457,488 in recovery funding to expand broadband technology and access across New Mexico. The "Fast Forward New Mexico" program, administered through a partnership with the University of New Mexico, Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship, and the 1st-Mile Institute, aims to increase statewide broadband adoption and promote computer literacy and Inter… Continue Reading
December 17, 2009
NM Congressional Delegation Announces $5 Million to Provide Health Care for More Children
WASHINGTON - Today, the New Mexico Congressional delegation announced that New Mexico is one of nine states to receive a Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHPRA) performance bonus of $5,084,179 for boosting enrollment among eligible, uninsured children, particularly the lowest income children eligible for Medicaid. The amount of money awarded to New Mexico was calculated based on the level of enrollment success and per capita State Medicaid expenditures for children. "The … Continue Reading
December 16, 2009
Bill Containing Million for New Mexico Transportation Projects is Signed into Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that a spending bill containing millions of dollars to address transportation and community needs in New Mexico has been signed into law. "Transportation infrastructure is essential to a community's economic viability. This bill will help New Mexico communities upgrade their roads and highways, and improve their public transportation," Bingaman said. "It's a great investment in our state's future." "Now that this bill has b… Continue Reading
December 16, 2009
Bill Funding New Mexico Health and Education Initiatives Signed into Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that a spending bill containing funding for New Mexico health and education initiatives has been signed into law. "In these difficult economic times, it is extremely important to invest in health care and education initiatives that will help build a stronger future for our state," Bingaman said. "This bill supports worthwhile endeavors that touch the lives of many New Mexicans." "Investing in the health and education of our … Continue Reading
December 16, 2009
President Signs Bill Containing Millions for New Mexico Air Force Bases
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that a key spending bill containing funding for numerous upgrades at New Mexico's military installations and the Department of Veterans Affairs has been signed into law. The legislation also included an amendment from Udall, Bingaman and Sen. Kit Bond, R-MO, to provide an additional $6 million for transitional housing services for the nation's homeless veterans. "Our state's military installations have proven time and again h… Continue Reading
December 16, 2009
President Signs Spending Bill Containing Millions for New Mexico Crime-Fighting Initiatives
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that a spending bill that contains millions of dollars to fight meth use, tackle border crime, and support the state's drug courts has been signed into law. "From domestic violence prevention to juvenile justice programs, New Mexico communities will greatly benefit from the funding included on this bill," Bingaman said. "I am pleased that President Obama has signed a bill to give our law enforcement the tools they need to kee… Continue Reading
December 15, 2009
Udall Urges Quick Passage of Indian Health Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) highlighted on the Senate floor the disparities Native Americans face in gaining access to quality health care, urging his colleagues to reform the Indian health care system as part of the larger health care overhaul. In his remarks, Udall noted that the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which provides the framework under which Native American health care programs are delivered, hasn't been reauthorized in more than a decade. "This means the Indian He… Continue Reading
December 15, 2009
Health reform is Our Chance to Fix Indian Health Care Disparities
While we discuss health care reform, we all too frequently neglect to talk about the health care needs of Indian Country. I spoke on the Senate floor about the dismal health care situation faced by Native Americans. For them, the status quo was plainly summed up in a recent Civil Rights Commission study: U.S. Spending (per year) on Health Care General population: $5,000 per person Federal prison inmates: $3,800 per person Native Americans: $1,900 per person That's right: our inmates have be… Continue Reading
December 11, 2009
Key Spending Bill Contains Millions for New Mexico Air Force Bases
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that the final version of a key spending bill contains funding for numerous upgrades at New Mexico's military installations and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill is expected to pass the Senate as soon as this weekend, and be sent to the president for signature. The legislation also included an amendment from Udall, Bingaman and Sen. Kit Bond, R-MO, to provide an additional $6 million for transitional housing service… Continue Reading
December 11, 2009
Finalized Bill Contains Million For New Mexico Transportation Projects
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that the final version of a key spending bill contains millions of dollars to address transportation and community needs in New Mexico. The bill is expected to pass the Senate as soon as this weekend, and be sent to the president for signature. "Improving our roads, highways and public transportation are essential to building a strong economy in New Mexico," Bingaman said. "This spending bill invests millions of dollars in t… Continue Reading
December 11, 2009
Finalized Spending Bill Contains Millions for New Mexico Initiatives
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that the final version of a key spending bill contains millions of dollars to fight meth use, tackle border crime, and support the state's drug courts. It also allocates additional funding to recruit new graduates into science fields and to support the development of aviation jobs in southeastern New Mexico. The bill is expected to pass the Senate as soon as this weekend, and be sent to the president for signature. "This bil… Continue Reading
December 11, 2009
Reimbursement Fix Should Be Part of Medicare Buy-In
WASHINGTON - Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Tom Udall (N.M.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) today highlighting their concerns regarding plans to expand Medicare to Americans between the ages of 55-64 without addressing inequities in current Medicare reimbursement rates. Such an e… Continue Reading
