Press Releases
Senators: New Mexico to Benefit from Homeland Security Spending Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today applauded the passage of a bill that supports several of New Mexico's national security initiatives. The Senate approved the fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill; this measure can now be sent to the White House for signature. The bill includes $20 million Bingaman and Udall requested for the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. The program model… Continue Reading
October 20, 2009
Udall Statement on Afghan Election
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today issued the following statement in reaction to Afghan President Hamid Karzai's acceptance of a runoff in the country's disputed election: "The United States needs a credible and reliable government in Afghanistan. The corruption and fraud that has been well-documented in this past election are clearly unacceptable and prevent such a government from taking shape. "I welcome President Karzai's decision to accept a runoff election in Afghanistan. T… Continue Reading
October 19, 2009
Udall Congratulates Sacred Wind for "Shine a Light" Win
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., congratulated Albuquerque-based Sacred Wind Communications for winning the "Shine a Light" small business contest for their work to improve telecommunications services for the Navajo Nation. Fewer than four out of every 10 homes on the reservation currently have access to basic telephone services. "I want to congratulate Sacred Wind Communications for using their vision and expertise to help bridge the digital divide that exists for families and busin… Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Town Hall with Tom in Lordsburg
LORDSBURG - In his continued effort to reach out to New Mexicans and provide an opportunity to learn about his work on Capitol Hill, U.S. Senator Tom Udall will host a Town Hall with Tom in Lordsburg on Friday, October 16, 2009. Senator Udall will provide an update on what he's doing for New Mexico in the U.S. Senate and will field questions on a variety of issues, including the importance of providing New Mexicans with quality, affordable access to health care. Since being elected to the Senate… Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Udall Honors Fallen NM Heroes on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, today honored the lives of two New Mexico heroes killed this year in the line of duty with tribute remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Army Sergeant 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook, who grew up in Shiprock, NM, died last week from injuries sustained while serving his country in Afghanistan. His death came just over four years after his brother, Sergeant Marshall A. Westbrook, was killed when a bomb exploded near his Humvee in Baghdad, Iraq. He will be … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Udall: ABQ Firm to Receive $1 Million to Expand Rural Broadband Access
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M. today announced that Albuquerque business, Agavue, LLC will receive $1.12 million to build computer centers in Cerillos and Manzano. These centers will contain 10 computers with printers, technical support and high speed broadband Internet service. In addition to the wireless broadband services that will be made available to the community residents, the Community Connect centers will provide employment opportunities as well as training on Internet usag… Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Udall: Reform Will Help America Achieve 'Best Health Care System in World'
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, and seven of his fellow freshman senators today took to the floor of the U.S. Senate for the third in a series of speeches to highlight the need for health insurance reform. This week, the senators used their remarks to dispel myths promoted by opponents of reform who want to impede change and maintain the status quo. Udall used his time to dispel the myth that reform isn't necessary because the United States already has the greatest health care system … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
N.M. Senators: Key Spending Bill Strongly Supports N.M. Labs, WIPP & Water Projects
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall voted to give final passage (80-17) to a key spending bill that supports New Mexico's two national laboratories, the Waste Isolation Pilot Project and a variety of key water-related projects. The 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill is now ready to be sent to the White House for signature. The measure contains $20 million for upgrades to the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) - the only machine in the country that can do a serie… Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Udall Introduces Indian Health Improvement Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, joined 15 Senate colleagues today in introducing major legislation to improve health care for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives across the country - the Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization and Extension Act of 2009. The federal government has treaty obligations to provide health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives, but Udall noted Indian health care programs haven't been updated in more than ten years and have been chron… Continue Reading
October 13, 2009
Udall Sponsors Measure to Extend Unemployment Benefits to New Mexicans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, is cosponsoring a comprehensive proposal to extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers. Nearly two million out-of-work Americans face expiring benefits by the end of the year. In August, New Mexico had an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent just up by 0.5 percent in July. "I am committed to protecting New Mexicans who are trying to make ends meet in this tough economic climate," said Udall. "Helping our citizens provide for th… Continue Reading
October 09, 2009
Udall Announces $$$ to Improve Scenic Roads in New Mexico
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M. today announced that New Mexico will receive $365,000 in federal funding to improve scenic byways throughout the state. The funding comes from five U.S. Department of Transportation grants to help improve the travel experience along the roadways. "New Mexico's scenic byways allow us to share our culture and history with residents and visitors within the state and I am pleased this funding will help promote them," Udall said. New Mexico has 26 scenic by… Continue Reading
October 09, 2009
Town Hall with Tom in Gallup
GALLUP - In his continued effort to reach out to New Mexicans and provide an opportunity to learn about his work on Capitol Hill, U.S. Senator Tom Udall will host a Town Hall with Tom in Gallup on Monday, October 12, 2009. Senator Udall will provide an update on what he's doing for New Mexico in the U.S. Senate and will field questions on a variety of issues, including the importance of providing New Mexicans with quality, affordable access to health care. Since being elected to the Senate, Udal… Continue Reading
October 08, 2009
Obama Administration Endorses Organ Mountains Bill
WASHINGTON - At a Senate hearing today, the Obama administration endorsed legislation written by U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall to protect the scenic landscape of the Organ Mountains in Doña Ana County. The bill, called the Organ Mountains -Desert Peaks Wilderness Act, creates wilderness and conservation areas that would provide for continued public use while protecting the granite peaks of the Organ Mountains and the volcanic cinder cones of the Potrillo Mountains, among other… Continue Reading
October 08, 2009
Los Alamos National Lab Receives $2 Million for Development of Solar Energy Technology
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) will receive more than $2 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the development of new solar energy technologies and the rapid development of available carbon-free solar energy systems. The funding is part of up to $87 million that will be made available by DOE to support solar energy development - $50 million of which will come from the American Recovery and Reinves… Continue Reading
October 08, 2009
Udall, 29 Senators Push Public Option in Health Reform Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, and 29 fellow senators sent a letter to Senate leadership today urging the inclusion of a public health option in any health reform legislation that will be considered on the Senate floor. In the letter, addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the senators expressed concern that without a competitive and robust public insurance option, health reform legislation will not produce nationwide access and ongoing cost containment. "Health reform is a… Continue Reading
October 08, 2009
Time Is Now to End Gender Discrimination in Health Care
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today backed his female Senate colleagues' call for health reform to end discriminative practices by insurers based on gender. The nine female senators came together this morning to highlight practices Udall wants to reform including denial of coverage to domestic violence survivors, charging higher premiums for women than men, and the exclusion of maternity care services. "As a husband, father, brother and son, I refuse to accept a health care system… Continue Reading
October 08, 2009
Udall Announces Resources for Homeless NM Veterans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D- N.M. today announced the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope in Las Cruces will receive $180,750 to provide homeless veterans with shelter. The grant provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will fund 22 beds and one van. "Our veterans devoted their lives to taking care of us, and we have a moral obligation to ensure their care in return. With this funding, the Community of Hope will have additional resources to help get homeless veterans off the s… Continue Reading
October 07, 2009
Senate Approves Bill that Funds Projects at White Sands Missile Range and National Defense
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today voted to approve a spending bill that contains more than $45 million dollars to support national defense efforts, including work at White Sands Missile Range and various New Mexico universities. The Senate passed the fiscal year 2010 Defense Spending Bill (93-07); the measure must now be reconciled with the bill passed by the House of Representatives. "This spending bill funds projects in our state that are critical to our nation's def… Continue Reading
October 07, 2009
Udall Welcomes New Mexico Veterans at WWII Memorial
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall today joined a group of more than 100 veterans from southern New Mexico at the national World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., to welcome them as they visited the memorial built in their honor, most for the first time. Click here to view photos of the visit. The group of World War II, Vietnam and Korean war veterans traveled in matching New Mexico yellow jackets as part of a trip organized by a national organization to bring veterans to see their me… Continue Reading
October 02, 2009
Corporation Receives Funding to Improve Homes in Colonias
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall today announced the Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation will receive a $121,848 grant to repair and rehabilitate the homes of five low income families in the Colonias in Anthony. In addition, Tierra Del Sol will provide more than $300,000 from other sources to help with repairs. The funding, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Preservation Grant program, will help repair leaking roofs, plumbing and crumbling foundations. It will also be used … Continue Reading
