Commentary: As a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement after the Committee moved to advance the Farm Bill to the Floor for consideration.

"I am proud to support this Farm Bill that advances the interests of New Mexican families, farmers, and ranchers for years to come," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "It was an honor to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect SNAP, support New Mexico Land Grants and Acequias, strengthen conservation and water management programs, promote Tribal sovereignty, and establish the first ever broadband grant program in a Farm Bill.   This broadband program, modeled after legislation I introduced, will help transform the economies of rural areas in New Mexico.  High-speed internet has revolutionized every aspect of the U.S. economy, including education, health care, and agriculture. Expanding broadband access will grow New Mexico's economy, create jobs, boost wages, improve health outcomes, support small business growth, help our students learn, increase crop yields, and so much more.

Commentary: For decades, our State government has failed to provide our students with the education they need and deserve, creating some of the worst racial and economic inequalities for educational achievement in the country. Sweeping changes must be made.  In a landmark court decision, a judge ruled that New Mexico is violating the constitutional rights of students to a sufficient education (Yazzie/Martinez case). The court ruled that the state must provide funding sufficient so that every New Mexico student can have an equal opportunity to succeed, no matter a student’s personal, family or community circumstances, or the state’s other needs.  The court also highlighted a severe teacher shortage in our state.

Commentary: One of the best things about living in New Mexico is the abundance of great natural beauty and opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it’s the view from just about any rural highway or one of the many state and national parks and forests, New Mexico boasts some of the most beautiful land in the nation. It is a heritage that all proud New Mexicans want to protect for future generations, a pride woven into our culture. The preservation of our public lands is a sacred trust, but it’s being made more difficult by the inaction of Congress.

Commentary: The Rio Grande in Southern New Mexico has experienced the loss of up to two-thirds of its native fish species due to a century of dam-building, channel-straightening, and diversion of its flows for agriculture. The Southwest Environmental Center recently released a report that proposes novel solutions for restoring native fish and a path forward for redressing this historical injustice.

“For too long, we’ve tolerated management that has ignored the needs of the many species of plants and animals that depend upon a healthy river,” Kevin Bixby, executive director of the Southwest Environmental Center said. “Our report proposes concrete steps that can be taken today to recover some of the amazing native fishes that were once found in the Rio Grande.”

Commentary: Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring co-authored comments to a proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule change that violates federal law and will result in unfair discrimination against underserved immigrant families. The so called "public charge" rule change will allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to determine whether immigrant families who seek lawful status in the United States may need any form of government assistance, and if so, allow ICE to deny their application.