Press Releases
Udall, Heinrich Express Concern about US Attorney General’s Review of Local Law Enforcement Consent Decrees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are among 16 senators pressing U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions for answers about the Department of Justice (DOJ) review and delay of consent decrees between the federal government and local law enforcement agencies. In a letter to Sessions, the senators asked him to explain his intentions, including what he hopes will be the impact of the review and whether it could result in the termination or modification of existing consent decrees.… Continue Reading
April 12, 2017
As Tax Day Approaches, Udall to Introduce Bill to Simplify Tax Filing
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, along with 10 other senators, announced plans to reintroduce the Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2017 to simplify and decrease the costs of the tax filing process for millions of American taxpayers. This year, taxpayers will spend an average of 13 hours preparing and filing their returns, and will pay $200 for tax preparation services - a cost equal to almost 10 percent of the average federal tax refund. "Tax Day should be as painless as possible for… Continue Reading
April 12, 2017
Western Democratic Senators Tell Trump: Don’t Reverse National Monument Designations
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall led a group of Western Democratic senators in calling on President Donald Trump to live up to his repeated promises on the campaign trail to protect public lands for all Americans and uphold the existing protections for the 157 national monuments, which have been designated throughout the decades by nearly every U.S. president of the last century. In particular, the senators warned President Trump against reversing the recent designation of the Bears E… Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Udall Introduces Resolution Recognizing National Public Health Week
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that he has introduced a resolution in Congress this week to in support of the goals and mission of National Public Health Week, April 3rd through 9th, as a part of the efforts to continue working towards a healthier America. The theme for this year's National Public Health Week, organized by the American Public Health Associateion (APHA), is "Healthiest Nation 2030," emphasizing a goal of making America the healthiest nation in one generation. A sim… Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Udall Statement on Trump's Move toward War in Syria
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall today expressed deep concerns about President Trump's increasing military involvement in the Syrian civil war. Udall reiterated his call for Congress to debate and approve an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) before the president begins a new war in the Middle East. Udall has long said that Congress should debate and vote on a new AUMF for the war against ISIS; the United States is currently acting under an AUMF approved 15 years ago after the… Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Udall Statement on Vote Against Confirming Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall voted against advancing the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court. After Judge Gorsuch's nomination failed to reach the 60-vote threshold, Senate Republicans quickly changed Senate rules for confirming Supreme Court nominees, without any Democratic support, to move the nomination forward. A final vote on Gorsuch's confirmation is expected tomorrow, and Udall will again vote no. He released the following statement: "What was mos… Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
VIDEO: Udall Speaks Against Gorsuch Supreme Court Nomination on Senate Floor
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18pWhdIyy_k WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall spoke on the Senate floor against the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court. Discussing his opposition to Gorsuch and his intention to vote against cloture, Udall cited the "extraordinary circumstances" surrounding Goruch's nomination, including Republicans' unprecedented obstruction of Judge Merrick Garland, the investigation into President Trump's ties to Russia, and Gorsuch'… Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Udall, Blumenthal, Markey Call on Trump to Withdraw Todd Ricketts’ Nomination to be Deputy Commerce Secretary
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) called on President Donald Trump to withdraw his nomination of Todd Ricketts to serve as Deputy Secretary of Commerce, saying that Ricketts' "actions to date suggest he is unfit to be confirmed." In calling for the nomination to be withdrawn, the senators cited Ricketts' failure to respond to their inquires into his reported heavy involvement with a Super PAC and associated dark mon… Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Udall, Senators Demand Trump Administration Release Secret Plan to Undermine Health Care System that Was Presented to House Freedom Caucus
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall joined 21 of his Senate colleagues, led by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), in releasing a letter to Tom Price, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), calling on the Trump Administration to release a secret plan that was presented to the House Freedom Caucus. In a bid to win the far right group's support, reports indicate that the Administration identified specific Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules that the Administration would gut in exc… Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Udall Opens Application Process for Military Service Academy Nominations
Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that he has begun accepting applications for nominations to U.S. military service academies. Throughout April and May, members of Udall's staff will host information sessions across the state for high school students and recent graduates who are interested in applying to enter an academy in the fall of 2018. The first session will be held on April 13 in Santa Fe. Four of the five service academies - the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval A… Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Udall, Heinrich Continue Fight For Equal Pay For Women
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich marked Equal Pay Day and reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and guarantee that women can challenge pay discrimination and hold employers accountable. "It's long past time that Congress passed the Paycheck Fairness Act to ensure that women in New Mexico and across the country receive equal pay for equal work," Udall said. "Women are entitled to the full and fair compen… Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Udall, Heinrich, Lujan Grisham Announce $1.6 Million to UNM to Train STEM Students and Workers for Labs Jobs in Microsystems Technology
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a funding award of $1.6 million to the University of New Mexico to train STEM workers for jobs specializing in the development of microsystems. The money will go to UNM's Southwest Center for Microsystems Education (SCME) program, which provides materials, models, and professional development activities for microsystem technicians to develop a workforce that is prepared for re… Continue Reading
April 03, 2017
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Welcome Trade Adjustment Assistance for Intel Employees in Rio Rancho
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall, Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján announced that the U.S. Department of Labor awarded access to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for workers at Intel's Rio Rancho facility who have been partially or completely laid off as a result of downsizing. Employees at the fabrication facility in New Mexico have been impacted by the company's global restructuring, which has led to decreased local production and increased imports of co… Continue Reading
March 31, 2017
Udall Honors Life and Legacy of César Chávez
ALBUQUERQUE - Today, on César Chávez Day, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, cosponsored a resolution honoring the life and legacy of the legendary civil rights leader. He issued the following statement: "Today we honor the legacy and achievements of César Chávez, a true American civil rights hero. Chávez dedicated his life to bettering the lives of others, fighting tirelessly to improve conditions for farm workers t… Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
VIDEO: Udall Renews Call for Independent Investigation into Russian Interference in Presidential Election
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/u9-4fKctL34 WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall spoke on the Senate floor to renew his call for an independent, bipartisan investigation into the Russian government's interference in the 2016 presidential election, and into possible ties between Russia and President Trump, his family businesses, or his close associates. "The president and his associates keep giving the American people reason for worry: inaccurate denials, evasive answers, explosive attacks they c… Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
VIDEO: Udall Questions Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Need for Congressional War Authorization for Syrian Conflict
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ik0maEN9Jsg WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, asked former Sec. of State Madeleine Albright about the need for Congress to debate an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) for the ongoing and growing U.S. military involvement in Syria. Last week, Udall questioned Sec. of Defense James Mattis about the need for an AUMF, saying the Constitution clearly requires Congress - not the president - to make declarations of war, and Secretary Mattis responded… Continue Reading
March 29, 2017
Udall, Heinrich Join Senate Democrats in Calling on President Trump to Immediately Rescind his Executive Order that Undermined the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined Senate Democrats in urging President Trump and his administration to abandon their efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and instead work in a bipartisan fashion to improve the law and lower the costs of health care for all Americans. In a letter signed by 44 Senate Democrats, they also requested - as a first step - that the Trump administration rescind the executive order signed on Jan. 20, which severely undermine… Continue Reading
March 28, 2017
Supporting New Mexico Artists and Boosting Our Creative Economy
New Mexico is home to one of the most vibrant artistic communities in America. The abundance of art in our state reflects our unique and diverse heritage, and our artists play a vital role in shaping our culture, and building the future of our state. The arts are also an important part of our economy. One in 10 jobs in New Mexico is related to arts and culture, from Navajo jewelers in Gallup to performers and artisans in Las Cruces. And from Pueblo sculptors, santeros and weavers in Northern Ne… Continue Reading
March 28, 2017
Government Watchdog to Conduct Review of Security and Costs at Mar-a-Lago
WASHINGTON - The Government Accountability Office has initiated a review requested by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Representative Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, into President Trump's security procedures and taxpayer-funded travel costs at Mar-a-Lago resort. Last month, the Members of Congress raised concerns following an incident in which "the President his s… Continue Reading
March 28, 2017
Udall Statement on Trump Executive Order to Roll Back Efforts to Fight Climate Change
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall vowed to fight President Trump's short-sighted executive order to rip apart U.S. efforts to fight climate change. Udall will be cosponsoring legislation to rescind the executive order, and signed a letter with Western Democratic senators emphasizing the importance of combating climate change and investing in renewable energy jobs. Udall released the following statement:"With this executive order, President Trump is killing our country's best efforts to … Continue Reading
