President Joe Biden, center, chats with members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation on the tarmac this afternoon in Albuquerque following his arrival to visit the land of Enchantment. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal

President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One today in Albuquerque. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal

Congressional Delegation News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in response to calls from U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Yvette Herrell (D-N.M.), President Joe Biden announced that his administration will waive the 25 percent non-federal cost-share for Categories A and B under the Major Disaster Declaration assistance he approved for New Mexico in wake of severe wildfires.

The New Mexico congressional delegation requested this cost-share waiver May 4.

President Biden made the announcement today when he met with the lawmakers at the New Mexico State Emergency Operations Center in Santa Fe.

The federal share for Category A (debris removal) and Category B (emergency protective measures) including direct federal assistance has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for the first 90 days of the incident period.

Category B (emergency Protective measures) can provide funding for emergency work, including procuring equipment and supplies for responders, supporting evacuation requirements such as traffic control and sheltering residents, pre-positioning resources to support the response, and establishing field camps and meals for responders.

This week, the Biden administration also approved a request to expand federal assistance eligibilities for Categories C-G for Colfax, Mora, and San Miguel Counties.

Additional key attendees of today’s meeting:

• U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland
• Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell
• Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez

Additional background:

• N.M. Delegation Announces President’s Approval Of State’s Request To Expand Federal Assistance Eligibilities For Colfax, Mora, San Miguel Counties
• N.M. Congressional Delegation Calls On President Biden To Grant State’s Request To Expand Federal Assistance Eligibilities For Colfax, Mora, San Miguel Counties
• N.M. Congressional Democrats Welcome Announcement That President Biden Will Travel To New Mexico To Discuss Wildfires
• N.M. Congressional Delegation Calls On President Biden To Grant State’s Request For Additional Federal Assistance, Waive Cost Share Of Disaster Costs
• N.M. Delegation Announces President’s Approval Of Major Disaster Declaration For New Mexico
• N.M. Congressional Delegation Calls On President Biden To Grant State’s Major Disaster Declaration Request In Wake Of Severe Wildfires

Air Force One passes the Sandia Mountains on its approach to Kirtland Air Force Base today in Albuquerque. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal