Dear Friend,

During our Tele-Town Hall, 13,000 New Mexicans joined me to talk about how the shutdown is affecting their lives. You asked important questions — about health care, food assistance, and the future of our democracy. Since we couldn't get to every question, I want to keep answering them here.

Missed the Tele-Town Hall? Watch it here: 

Food Assistance

I am very concerned about what the shutdown will mean for all New Mexicans on SNAP. I’ve seen reports that millions of Americans could now lose their SNAP benefits. Will SNAP benefits continue during the shutdown?

The Trump Administration's Department of Agriculture has notified the States that there was “insufficient funding” to issue November SNAP benefits, directing them to delay payments until further notice. At the same time, USDA is sitting on $5 billion in SNAP contingency funds — money set aside specifically for emergencies like this. USDA has the authority to transfer money to fully cover benefits for November while Republicans continue this government shutdown.  

I am very angry that President Trump is willing to starve Americans of these SNAP benefits when he has $5 billion for SNAP sitting in the bank.  Trump is building a $300 million ballroom and sending a $40 billion bailout to Argentina, which shows he does not prioritize the American people’s ability to eat.

We know that food banks and states can not make up the difference. New Mexico receives $81 to $90 million a month in the SNAP program to provide food to 459,535 New Mexican children and seniors who rely on it.  And remember, our ranchers, farmers and local groceries also benefit from the economic benefits of these payments, 

Hunger is not a political tool. It’s a choice, a moral test — and right now, this administration is failing it.

What about WIC payments? 

Approximately 36,719, including 9,217 infants and 18,229 children, in New Mexico could lose access to WIC benefits in a prolonged shutdown. 52% of all infants born in New Mexico are served by WIC. The Governor’s office has assured us that New Mexico has enough federal funds to maintain WIC until mid-November. 

Federal Pay, Jobs & Local Impacts

What is the impact of the government shutdown on my Social Security check? 
Social Security should be a sacred promise to our seniors and those who need SSI.  

Social Security checks should be going out as regularly scheduled for existing beneficiaries. Offices are open, and federal employees are showing up to answer your questions and help you through the process.  However, the reality is that the Social Security Administration has seen substantial cuts in its operating budget since Trump took office. In one office in my district, more than half of the employees were forced out before the shutdown. Because of the shutdown, we know that the people who need to apply for new benefits might have longer wait times.  If you are having problems getting your Social Security, please visit my government shutdown guide for information on other services here: fernandez.house.gov/resources/government-shutdown-resource-guide.htm.  

Are federal employees being laid off or just furloughed — and is that legal?

Trump has used the shutdown to try to fire federal employees in what he calls “Democratic jobs” - like at the Department of Education. There are no Democratic or Republican jobs. Our federal workers are civil servants who are prohibited from engaging in political activities in their work.  Trump is trying to terrorize our federal employees. His threats are likely illegal. In fact, a federal judge recently ruled that the administration cannot layoff workers during the shutdown. In 2019, Trump himself signed the law that protects these federal workers.

I’ve met with federal workers who keep our public lands open and safe, collect data for important scientific work, keep us safe while we travel, fund essential education programs, and get benefit checks to those who have earned them. None of these federal employees deserve to suffer because of Republicans’ failure to govern and pass a bipartisan funding bill. 

Will furloughed workers get back pay when the shutdown ends?

In 2019, Congress passed and Trump signed into law legislation requiring back pay for federal workers, regardless of whether they were furloughed. That’s why I signed a letter to OMB Director Vought to urge him to follow the law and pay all federal workers. If Trump tries to stop their backchecks from going out, we will see more lawsuits to protect their pay. 

What help is available for people working without pay or who are supporting multiple households?

If you are one of the 30,0000 federal employees in New Mexico who aren’t getting a paycheck,  you might be eligible for a no-interest short term loan which can be paid back when the government reopens.  Local and national credit unions that offer these loans are listed HERE . They also have other kinds of financial assistance like payment deferrals, fee waivers, and financial counseling. Federal employees in New Mexico are also eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) as long as they meet state eligibility factors. Federal employees may file online at www.jobs.state.nm.us. You can find more information about unemployment insurance benefits for federal employees at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. Employees who receive UI benefits and later receive back pay will be required to repay the unemployment insurance benefits. 

How is the shutdown affecting Cannon Air Force Base, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and other federal sites?

Service members at Cannon Air Force Base continue to perform their duties, but are not expected to receive pay through the duration of the shutdown. 

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is operated under a federal contract with Triad.  They believe they can maintain their normal operating status through the end of November. LANL will continue to update employees on any changes to Laboratory operating status due to the shutdown through LANLToday and the LANLInside homepage.

We’ve learned that 80 of the 87 Federal employees of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at LANL were furloughed on Monday, October 20. 

Health Care Crisis

What happens if the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits aren’t extended?

If the ACA-enhanced premium tax credits aren’t extended, about 46,000 New Mexicans will see their health care costs rise sharply. Premiums could more than triple for some families, with an average increase of 114%. For example, a two-income household with a child earning $108,000 a year in Chaves County would see their premiums more than triple from $441.01 a month to $1,776.16. If Republicans allow the enhanced premium tax credits to expire, hospitals, physicians, and other providers will face more than $32.1 billion in lost revenue and a $7.7 billion spike in uncompensated care in 2026 alone.

Is the health-care crisis connected to the government shutdown?

Yes. President Trump and Congressional Republicans would rather shut down the government than help millions of Americans afford health care. They have the power to fix this health care crisis. Families across the country are watching their premiums skyrocket, and millions of Americans stand to lose coverage altogether. 

Can new applicants still sign up for coverage on the marketplace?

Yes, open enrollment dates for plan year 2026 will run from November 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026. You can make changes to your health insurance, select a new plan through the marketplace, and update your income or household information at: enroll.bewellnm.com/hix/.

How is New Mexico protecting families from premium increases?

New Mexico state legislators passed and the Governor signed into law HB2: Subsidized Healthcare Premiums during the October Special Session. This will help keep BeWell premiums affordable for all enrollees through June 30, 2026, even if Congressional Republicans allow the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to expire. While this is good news for New Mexicans, it’s temporary relief that only lasts 6 months. The federal government still needs to do their job and deliver a nationwide solution. Only Congress can protect all Americans from rising health care costs.

Democracy, Accountability & Oversight

How can Congress stop Trump from ignoring funding laws and withholding money Congress already approved?

Democrats are standing up to Trump and voting against his budget bill that raises health care costs. Our bill would stop Trump from stealing the funds Congress promised to the American public for health care, agriculture, cancer research, education and so much more. Specifically, it stops pocket rescissions, increases the voting threshold from 50 to 60 votes for the Senate to rescind funding, and reverses previous cuts to public radio and more. I also joined House Democrats in filing an amicus brief in court to stand up for Congress’ constitutional authority to appropriate funds and protect constituents against lawless funding freezes by the Trump Administration.

Do Democrats and Republicans both need to compromise to end this shutdown?

Every year, Democrats and Republicans in Congress come together to pass a law to fund the government. It has always been bipartisan. It takes a lot of negotiating, but this bipartisan process makes sure we uphold the Constitution, which says that Congress, not the President, gets to decide how to spend your tax dollars. With health care premiums skyrocketing, Democrats are insisting that Republicans work with us so that we can bring down the cost of health care and reopen the government. It’s time they come to the table to negotiate.

What can citizens do right now to help bring this shutdown to an end?

This shutdown, and this moment, will end with public pressure from people like you. We saw that with the peaceful No Kings rallies; we see it in every letter and phone call you make to your Member of Congress; we see it when you write letters to the editor and speak out. We only need three Republicans to work with us. Your voice is essential to creating public pressure to convince them to do so.  Keep reaching out to my office, share this newsletter and our social media, and maybe a friend or family member of yours might get through to their Republican Representative or Senator in Congress to convince them to stand up for health care. 

Constituent Advocacy & Civic Engagement

How can I contact your office for help with my federal agency case?

If you are encountering any problems with a federal agency, please call my office so that we can help you. Our phone number is (505) 428-4680. We have a whole team of caseworkers to help you with problems from Social Security or VA benefits to getting a passport, or more. 

What are the most effective things citizens can do to defend democracy and fight back?

Authoritarian regimes thrive when people feel powerless. But in America, the power belongs to the people. The First Amendment gives us our roadmap: freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, and the right to petition our government. That’s why it matters when you share your story, contact Members of Congress, join community groups, or write letters to the editor. Trump and his allies want a country of, by, and for billionaires, but we can stop them. We will organize, not agonize. Our democracy is worth fighting for, and together, we’ll protect it.