U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans passed a partisan budget resolution that pours up to $140 billion into ICE and Border Patrol without any accountability while doing nothing to lower costs for American families:

“At a time when high prices squeeze New Mexicans at every turn, my Republican colleagues should focus on lowering costs for American families. Instead, they are advancing a partisan bill that hands up to $140 billion to ICE and CBP with no reforms, accountability, or justice.

“Life is becoming more difficult and more expensive for families in New Mexico and across the country. Americans aren’t asking for a blank check to fund President Trump and Stephen Miller’s out-of-control ICE and CBP. They’re asking for lower prices. 

“This bill is a total betrayal of New Mexicans struggling to afford groceries, fuel, housing, and health care.”

As food prices soar nationwide and families struggle to put food on the table, Senator Luján spearheaded the effort to reverse Republicans’ $187 billion in cuts to SNAP. Senate Republicans blocked this motion.

Watch Senator Luján’s remarks here.

Sen. Luján backed a series of amendments and motions to the Republican reconciliation bill aimed at lowering the costs of health care, gas, groceries, housing, and many other everyday necessities for New Mexicans. Senate Republicans blocked these common-sense proposals from Sen. Luján and Senate Democrats.

Following major DHS scandals, Sen. Luján introduced legislation to hold ICE and CBP accountable, increase transparency, and make communities safer.