Press Releases
Senators Introduce Legislation to Overhaul Veterans Appeals Process
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation to reform the appeals process for veterans benefits. Because of redundancies and inefficiencies in the current process, most veterans wait years for a decision on their appeals. The Department of Veterans Affairs Appeals… Continue Reading
September 14, 2016
NM Delegation Welcomes News That Facebook Will Build New Data Center In Los Lunas
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce, Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement welcoming news that Facebook will build its new data center in Los Lunas: "We welcome Facebook to New Mexico and are proud to help secure this new investment in our state's future. Facebook will bring innovative opportunities for our economy and much needed jobs. As a leader in energy development, New Mexico is an ideal… Continue Reading
September 13, 2016
Udall, Heinrich Announce $1.13 Million for Las Cruces ROADRunner Transit System
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the city of Las Cruces will receive more than $1.13 million to fund replacement public transit buses for the ROADRunner Transit system. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bus and Bus Facilities competitive grant program. ROADRunner Transit is a primary source of public transportation for the citizens of Las Cruces, providing an accessible fixed route system and a Dial-A-Ride … Continue Reading
September 12, 2016
Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Measure to Expedite Gold King Mine Spill Recovery
WASHINGTON - Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Tom Udall (D-NM) along with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to address the response costs associated with the Gold King Mine spill, and direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work with affected States, Indian tribes, and local governments on a long-term water quality monitoring program of the rive… Continue Reading
September 11, 2016
Udall Issues Statement on the Anniversary of 9/11
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement on the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks: "Today, we come together as a nation to remember those who lost their lives 15 years ago in senseless terrorist attacks-in New York City, in Shanksville, and in Arlington. We honor the brave first responders who did not hesitate to rush headfirst into unknown danger. And we thank the men and women called to duty in the aftermath of this national tragedy who served t… Continue Reading
September 09, 2016
Udall Statement on Administration Decision to Pause Construction on Dakota Pipeline
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement on the U.S. government's order to pause part of the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline and invite Tribes to a formal government-to-government consultation: "After the disturbing use of violence to control protesters in North Dakota, I'm pleased that the administration has halted part of the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline and committed to deploy federal resources to ensure Tribal members may exercise their free… Continue Reading
September 09, 2016
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Applaud ‘Superfund' Designation for Gold King Mine District
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to add the Bonita Peak Mining District in Colorado's San Juan County - home to the Gold King Mine - to the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites. The lawmakers have pressed the EPA to support designating the Gold King Mine as a Superfund site since a blowout last August released toxic wastewater into the Animas and … Continue Reading
September 08, 2016
Members of NM Delegation Say Escalation of Violence Against Native Protestors in ND 'Deplorable'
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham sent a letter to President Obama calling on the administration to intervene in the recent escalation of violence by private security personnel against Native protestors over the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The New Mexico lawmakers took action in response to the growing concerns in tribal communities across New Mexico about the First Amendment ri… Continue Reading
September 08, 2016
NM Delegation Announces $6.5 Million for Construction and Maintenance at 17 NM Airports
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce, Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham announced more than $6.5 million for maintenance and construction projects at 17 New Mexico airports. The funding was awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration, and will fund runway rehabilitations, fencing construction and other safety improvements at airports across the state. "New Mexico's airports help drive the economy in communities ac… Continue Reading
September 07, 2016
Senate Indian Affairs Committee Advances Udall's Resolution to Protect Native American Cultural Items
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee unanimously passed U.S. Senator Tom Udall's S. Con. Res. 49, the Protection of the Rights of Tribes to stop the Export of Cultural and Traditional (PROTECT) Patrimony Resolution. Udall's bipartisan PROTECT Patrimony Resolution, which is cosponsored by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), expresses Congress' condemnation of the theft, illegal possession or sale, transfer, and export of Tribal cultural items and calls for… Continue Reading
September 07, 2016
Udall, Heinrich Welcome Over $2.6 Million in Funding to Help NM Communities Treat and Prevent Prescription Drug Addiction
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that New Mexico will receive $2,604,223 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve access to potentially life-saving treatment and prevention programs for people addicted to prescription opioids. In 2014, New Mexico had the second-highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Udall and Heinrich have strongly urged Congress to… Continue Reading
August 31, 2016
Udall, Heinrich, Pearce Urge Air Force to Relocate F-16 Squadrons to Holloman
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Steve Pearce announced a joint effort to urge the U.S. Air Force to relocate operational F-16 squadrons to Holloman Air Force Base and expand Holloman's mission to include new F-16 formal training units. The Air Force needs to move F-16s from Hill Air Force Base in Utah, which soon will house new F-35s. In a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff General David Goldfein reques… Continue Reading
August 31, 2016
Udall Raises Concerns about Exorbitant Price Hike for EpiPen
WASHINGTON - In a letter sent Tuesday to the CEO of the pharmaceutical company Mylan, U.S. Senator Tom Udall joined 19 senators in expressing his serious concerns about the company's recent significant price hikes for the EpiPen Auto-Injector. Many children and adults who suffer from severe allergies use the EpiPen product to deliver a life-saving dose of epinephrine in the event of a life-threatening allergic reaction. Udall has heard from many New Mexico families whose doctors have told them t… Continue Reading
August 25, 2016
Udall, Heinrich: Bureau of Prisons Must Extend Help to Cibola County Workers Affected by Prison Closure
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich urged the federal Bureau of Prisons to extend its contract with Corrections Corporation of American (CCA) to allow workers at the Cibola County Correctional Facility in Milan, N.M., adequate time to find new jobs before the Department of Justice closes the privately operated prison. The Justice Department has decided not to renew its contract with CCA to operate the Cibola County facility, which will be the first of several private … Continue Reading
August 25, 2016
Happy 100th Birthday National Park Service!
Our National Park system has been called our nation's "crown jewel," our "national treasure" and "America's best idea." The parks have awed and inspired, informed, and hosted outdoor adventures for generations of Americans. Today, the National Park Service turns 100, and I hope you'll join me in wishing it a happy birthday! As part of the celebration, I'm inviting you to share photos of your experiences in New Mexico's National Parks. New Mexico is known for our spectacular scenery, fascinating … Continue Reading
August 25, 2016
Udall: Join Me in Wishing the National Park Service a Happy 100th Birthday
WASHINGTON - Today, on the centennial of the National Park Service, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, the lead Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, issued the following statement: "Our National Park system has been called our nation's 'crown jewel' and our 'national treasure.' The parks have awed and inspired, informed and hosted outdoor adventures for generations of Americans. Today, the National Park Service turns 100, and I hope New Mexicans - and a… Continue Reading
August 21, 2016
Udall: Hatch Police Officer Jose Chavez was a Hero
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement in honor of slain Hatch Police Officer Jose Chavez: "All of New Mexico will say good-bye to a hero today. Jill and I offer our sincere condolences to Officer Jose Chavez's family, the Hatch Police Department and the wider law enforcement community. "Law enforcement officers pledge to protect and serve, and they are willing to risk their lives to keep the public safe. In a moment of senseless violence, Officer Chavez gave h… Continue Reading
August 19, 2016
Udall Urges Federal Government to Provide Assistance to Cibola County as Milan Correctional Facility is Closed
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement in which he says he will push the administration to help displaced workers and others who will be impacted by the closure of the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan: "I am very concerned about the impact of the announcement that the Department of Justice plans to close the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan. Closing this facility so abruptly will put 300 people out of work and cause hardship for those families and… Continue Reading
August 18, 2016
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce $248,472 for NM Highlands University to Improve STEM Education, Increase Graduation Rates of Underrepresented Students
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján announced that New Mexico Highlands University will receive $248,472 to improve science and engineering education programs, and increase the retention and graduation rates for underrepresented minority students, particularly women. The grant was awarded through the Department of Education's Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program, which assists predominantly minority institut… Continue Reading
August 16, 2016
Udall: Navajo Nation Deserves Justice for Damages from Gold King Mine Spill
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued a statement in support of the Navajo Nation's decision to pursue justice for ongoing damages due to last year's Gold King Mine accident, which sent 3 million gallons of toxic sludge coursing down the Animas and San Juan rivers and through the Navajo Nation. "The Navajo people have been on the receiving end of devastating environmental disasters brought on by the federal government and private industry for far too long. The spill was an a… Continue Reading
