Two weeks ago, we visited evacuation shelters housing families from the devastating South Fork and Salt fires in Capitan and Roswell and talked to families awaiting news of their homes and first responders fighting the fire on the frontlines, I also joined Governor Lujan Grisham, Congressman Vasquez, and Tribal leadership to meet with the fire incident command. It's true that when emergencies happen, our communities rally and come together. Every community, across every corner of the state came together to help those impacted by the fires and floods—because that’s what New Mexicans do.

Supporting Our Families experiencing Homelessness

Every family deserves safe and sustainable housing. That’s why I am proud to have secured nearly $1 million in Community Project funding for Sarnam’s new Westside transitional housing facility for families experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque. Last week, I toured the new facility and heard the stories of those whose lives are being transformed. This is what serving the community looks like!

Celebrating Pride Month and Our LGBTQIA+ Communities

Every day, New Mexico celebrates PRIDE! From passing legislation to protect the rights of our LGBTQIA+ community—like protecting gender affirming care, New Mexico legislators on both the state and federal level are working together to make our state an island in a sea of red states where the LGBTQIA+ community feels at home. That's why I hosted a small business luncheon with LGBTQIA+ business owners to talk about this important legislation, but also get insight on how we can further help our small businesses. We’re working every day to lift up our communities and reimagine our future!

Welcoming Our Veterans Home

It was so exciting welcoming 31 Korean and Vietnam Veterans home from their Honor Flight from Washington D.C. last week! Veterans on Honor Flight trips are flown to D.C. all expenses paid so they can visit memorials and receive the honor and gratitude they deserve. To all of our Veterans who have served this great nation and defended our freedoms: we thank you for your service.

Honoring Tina Cordova

Tina Cordova has selflessly served her community for decades and fought for justice for Tularosa downwinders her entire life. She is a sixth-generation New Mexican and co-founded the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium. Like so many New Mexicans, Tina and her family are victims of the deadly effects of radiation fallout after the Trinity Bomb test during World War II. That’s why it was my absolute honor to give a one-minute speech on the House Floor to celebrate all of her work. It is a privilege to call her a friend and I will continue to be an ally in the fight to extend and expand RECA for our downwinders. Watch my full speech here.

Visiting Our Community Projects

In 2022, I secured $125,000 in Community Project funding for the New Mexico Black Leadership Council’s Roots Conservatory, which serves children and teens in the International District of Albuquerque. The program is focused on positive youth development and strengthening the ties in the community. I was finally able to visit their new site! That’s why Community Projects are so important—they truly transform the lives of New Mexicans all across the district.

Touring Sandia Labs

Although I’ve toured Sandia National Laboratories many times before, I toured the Microsystems Engineering, Science and Applications Complex, or MESA Complex for short. The MESA Complex is used to build powerful microsystems that eventually find their place in larger macro-systems that protect us from national security threats. Sandia Labs employs over 16,700 people and I’m proud the lab is located at the heart of my district.

It is the honor of a lifetime to represent you in Congress. If I can assist you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to our District Office at (505) 346–6781! If you’d like to keep up to date on what I am working on in Washington, D.C., you can subscribe to our newsletter here and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

All my best,