Dear Friends,

I’m deeply disappointed that the House majority passed its “Default on America Act” last week. This bill is a plan to Default on America unless we impose drastic spending cuts. These cuts hurt farmers and ranchers, kids and families, and this beautiful planet we call home. 

I proposed amendments to protect veterans’ health care, the Indian Health Service, clean energy investments and rural water, housing, and business development programs. They were all blocked. 

Click here to watch my floor speech.

The United States pays its bills. That is why we have introduced special legislation to bypass the Speaker and pay our bills if only a handful of Republicans join us.

You can find more information about how this bill could impact New Mexico’s communities HERE.

Legislative Corner

It’s now been more than a year since the devastating Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire began. In the House Natural Resources Committee, I secured the commitment of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to improve prescribed burn management. 

I also asked USFS Chief Randy Moore to submit a reply in writing, outlining how the Forest Service will coordinate with other agencies to make sure all lands - including private lands - that burned are rehabilitated and how they will protect homes and property from resultant flooding. Our communities deserve a just recovery. 

Some legislation that I recently voted for, and the House passed, includes: 

• H.R. 1339 – Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, to make sure that our farmers have the technological tools they need to thrive and reduce costs. 
• H.R. 1353 – Advanced, Local Emergency Response Telecommunications Parity Act, to make it easier for providers to deliver emergency connectivity service to remote and rural areas. This bill would help communities have the consistent ability to make emergency calls and receive alerts in places where communications infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. 

Constituent Services

Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office

Avoid scams! You have the right to verify the identity of anyone employed by FEMA’s Hermit’s Peak Claims Office. 

Call the office at 505-995-7133 if you are unsure. For more information, click here.

Affordable Connectivity Program

Reminder: the Affordable Connectivity Program can help you pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet. 

Find out if you qualify and how to apply at affordable connectivity.gov.

Follow me on Twitter @RepTeresaLF!