New Mexico Congressional offices were caught by surprise on Thursday when they the Trump administration announced on social media that it had canceled more than $8 billion Congressionally-approved appropriations in 16 “Blue States,” including New Mexico.
Inquiries from reporters, including our own, seeking details received automated responses blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
Hours later, a White House press notice provided clarity: The Trump administration had cancelled $195.2 million in climate and energy projects in New Mexico because it is a “Blue State” run by Democrats.
New Mexico’s cancellations were among the list of 321 nationwide energy and climate project cancellations announced by Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought targeting 16 Democratic-led states and $8 billion in approved funding.
All three of New Mexico’s three congressional districts were impacted, with 11 projects related to mining research, renewable energy, and tribal energy initiatives losing funding.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez’s 3rd District saw the largest cuts, totaling $81.6 million across four projects, including $50 million from the Tribal Energy Consortium and $15 million for Kit Carson Electric, the Taos-based electric cooperative.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury’s 1st District lost $57.4 million across four projects, with Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) losing $36 million.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s 2nd District had $56.2 million eliminated from four awards, all involving the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.
An email to the White House press team asking about the energy projects being terminated received this automatic reply:
“Due to staff shortages resulting from the Democrat Shutdown, the typical 24/7 monitoring of this press inbox may experience delays. We ask for your patience as our staff work to field your requests in a timely manner. As you await a response, please remember this could have been avoided if the Democrats voted for the clean Continuing Resolution to keep the government open. The press office also cannot accommodate waves requests or escorts at this time. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
– The White House Press Team”
When New Mexico Political Report emailed the White House directly, we received a similar response:
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., criticized the terminations as a “shameless and vindictive attack” designed to target Democrats, eliminate jobs, and raise energy costs.
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, called the decision “nakedly political, unhinged and unlawful,” noting that Congress had already approved and funded these projects.
Heinrich stated he was not given advance notice of the cuts by Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
The data was compiled using USAspending.gov.
It is frightening to have our congress and presidents office create bald faced lies about the reason that democrats have stood their ground to continue medical care to citizens and some LEGAL immigrants. This is about Defunding…not any additional funding request by dems.
And why has trump not been impeached along with republicans recalled for the miss handling of this nation? We need to take back our nation!
Donald Trump is on a warpath, aided by the most unqualified and incompetent administration of any modern-day president. His policies and actions thus far have done nothing more than make life in the US more expensive, more stressful and a lot less enjoyable.