Udall, Heinrich: New Mexico Priorities Pass the Senate in Major Funding Bills

Statement

Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined the full Senate in voting to pass a package of Fiscal Year 2020 bills to fund New Mexico priorities, including the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, the Agriculture Appropriations Bill, the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill, and the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill. The bills must now be negotiated with the House of Representatives before being sent to the president to be signed into law.

Udall, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee where the bills were written, said: "Federal funding is very important for New Mexico, and I'm proud to have secured critical investments in New Mexico's economy and communities in the Appropriations Committee that were included in these major, bipartisan funding bills. As the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment, I made sure that our bill benefits and strengthens New Mexico, Indian Country, and the entire nation -- providing strong resources to protect our public lands and the thriving outdoor economy they fuel, as well as funding key programs for Native and rural communities, and protecting Chaco Canyon. I also worked for an agriculture funding bill that gives support to a range of New Mexico's farming communities -- including acequias, land grants, veterans, beginning farmers, and those that may be socially disadvantaged -- and other rural communities. And, I'm proud to have helped secure a transportation and housing bill that makes smart investments in technology to reduce DUI accidents, protects funding for Amtrak's Southwest Chief route, and invests in infrastructure and housing in New Mexico and Indian Country. I'll work hard to get these investments signed into law to benefit our economy and way of life in New Mexico." Udall is the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related agencies, which writes the Interior Appropriations Bill.

Heinrich said: "This funding bill makes robust investments in the people of New Mexico and our economy. Because of the services we provide to the nation, New Mexico's economy relies heavily on federal investments, and this package provides some long-term stability. I'm pleased we were able to secure measures to improve tribal broadband and housing, support our farming communities, invest in science and infrastructure, and grow New Mexico's outdoor recreation economy -- including resources for the Valles Caldera and the highest funding level for the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 15 years. I will continue to work to get this funding package over the finish line to support our state and build an economy that works for everyone."

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