On Earth Day, Heinrich, Udall want GOP to act on climate change

Senators Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall each sent out messages to their supporters, urging them to tell Republican members of the Senate to act on climate change. The emails came on the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. “Democrats are battling climate change, working to build a greener economy and making investments in renewable energy resources,” […]

On Earth Day, Heinrich, Udall want GOP to act on climate change

Senators Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall each sent out messages to their supporters, urging them to tell Republican members of the Senate to act on climate change.

The Blue Marble. Photo taken by crew of Apollo 17. Photo by NASA
The Blue Marble. Photo taken by crew of Apollo 17.
Photo by NASA
The emails came on the 45th anniversary of Earth Day.

“Democrats are battling climate change, working to build a greener economy and making investments in renewable energy resources,” Udall wrote. “All the while Republicans continue to bury their heads in the sand and deny climate change.”

“The fight for a clean environment continues as the ravages of climate change continue to manifest themselves every day,” Heinrich wrote.

Both are Democrats, part of the Senate minority.

Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have questioned whether climate change exists or if humans can cause changes to the climate.

It is part of a wider effort by Democrats to address climate change on Earth Day.

President Barack Obama gave an address on his climate agenda from the Florida Everglades on Wednesday.

The emails the two Senators sent included links to a petition that was set up by the Senate Democratic caucus.

Democrats Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham, both Democratic members of the House, sent out statements on Earth Day.

Luján mentioned climate change in his statement.

“Since the first Earth Day in 1970, we have seen important progress – making our air and water cleaner, combating acid raid, and growing our use of renewable energy,” Luján said. “We must continue to build on these successes, and to address the pressing issue of climate change that is impacting communities across New Mexico.”

“During the past 45 years we have made significant progress to protect our planet, but there is still much more to do,” Lujan Grisham said. “I am committed to supporting legislation that ensures that New Mexico’s vast natural resources are available to future generations, including my grandchildren.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, the lone Republican in the New Mexico delegation, took a different tact on Facebook, linking to a story from the conservative news site Newsmax criticizing the economic costs of addressing climate change.

Hold on to your wallet or purse. The hidden fees and charges of the war on climate change include lost jobs, lower wages, higher utility bills and transportation costs. #NM

Posted by Congressman Steve Pearce on Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The two U.S. Senators from New Mexico are well-known for their attention to environmental issues.

For Udall, it runs in the family. His father, Stuart Udall, was the Secretary of the Interior under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Stuart Udall was known for his expansion of the National Parks.

Heinrich was New Mexico’s Natural Resources Trustee before becoming a member of Congress.

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Effort to challenge six laws enacted last year comes to an end

Effort to challenge six laws enacted last year comes to an end

Earlier this month, the New Mexico Supreme Court denied and dismissed the effort to challenge six laws enacted in 2023. The New Mexico Supreme…
Governor to call special session for public safety legislation this summer

Governor to call special session for public safety legislation this summer

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that she will call the Legislature into a special session this summer to address public safety legislation that did…
Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
NM receives $156M to boost access to solar

NM receives $156M to boost access to solar

New Mexico will receive millions in federal money to increase access to solar power. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced recipients of the $7…
Two PFAS chemicals designated hazardous substances under Superfund law

Two PFAS chemicals designated hazardous substances under Superfund law

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a final rule Friday to designate two types of PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances. Those two chemicals are perfluorooctanoic…
BLM finalizes controversial public lands rule

BLM finalizes controversial public lands rule

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management finalized its controversial public lands rule on Thursday. This rule is controversial because it allows for conservation leasing…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican Brittany Behenna Griffith has a laundry list of adjectives to describe the ideal special education teacher:…
Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican A challenging task awaits New Mexico lawmakers in the next 30 days: Reconciling three very different…
Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with covid-19 patients, emergency physician Sonya Stokes remains shaken by…
Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was awarded to six tribal nations and…
Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee discussed a potential constitutional amendment that seeks to limit the governor’s executive powers. The committee approved…
Abortion fund provider rebrands and holds open house

Abortion fund provider rebrands and holds open house

An abortion fund provider unveiled a rebrand and offered an open house in Las Cruces to celebrate the organization’s new name, mission and values. …
Stansbury introduces judicial ethics bill on U.S. Supreme Court steps

Stansbury introduces judicial ethics bill on U.S. Supreme Court steps

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury announced a bill on Thursday that would, if enacted, establish judicial ethics to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Judicial Ethics…
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
Abortion fund provider rebrands and holds open house

Abortion fund provider rebrands and holds open house

An abortion fund provider unveiled a rebrand and offered an open house in Las Cruces to celebrate the organization’s new name, mission and values. …
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that an 1864 abortion ban is enforceable, throwing another state bordering New Mexico into the situation of…
Progressives going after incumbents in hot Democratic primaries

Progressives going after incumbents in hot Democratic primaries

By Justin Horwath, NM In Depth It’s a safe bet Democrats will barrel into 2025 with their supremacy intact at the New Mexico Legislature.…
Effort to challenge six laws enacted last year comes to an end

Effort to challenge six laws enacted last year comes to an end

Earlier this month, the New Mexico Supreme Court denied and dismissed the effort to challenge six laws enacted in 2023. The New Mexico Supreme…
Vasquez calls out Republicans for ‘inaction’ on border policy

Vasquez calls out Republicans for ‘inaction’ on border policy

U.S. Rep. Gabriel “Gabe” Vasquez, a Democrat who represents the state’s 2nd Congressional District along the U.S.-Mexico border, cosponsored a resolution on Monday calling…
Progressives going after incumbents in hot Democratic primaries

Progressives going after incumbents in hot Democratic primaries

By Justin Horwath, NM In Depth It’s a safe bet Democrats will barrel into 2025 with their supremacy intact at the New Mexico Legislature.…
NM receives $156M to boost access to solar

NM receives $156M to boost access to solar

New Mexico will receive millions in federal money to increase access to solar power. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced recipients of the $7…
Two PFAS chemicals designated hazardous substances under Superfund law

Two PFAS chemicals designated hazardous substances under Superfund law

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a final rule Friday to designate two types of PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances. Those two chemicals are perfluorooctanoic…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report