Stansbury “adamantly opposed” to Heinrich’s signature permit reform bill

By Pat Davis, New Mexico Political Report — In a rare public split between members of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury says she is “adamantly opposed” to and will not – for now – vote for Senator Martin Heinrich’s career-defining permit reform legislation being teed up for quick passage in Congress during the scant few weeks available for votes between Election Day and the end of this Congress at the end of the year.

Stansbury, a Democrat representing the First District in Albuquerque and eastern New Mexico, released a statement on Tuesday saying “as drafted… I adamantly opposed to this bill – which could undermine Tribal sovereignty and consultation, protection of sacred and cultural sites, our public land and waters and the ability of our communities to have a say in the projects that impact them.” Sources close to both officials confirm that Heinrich did not reach out to Stansbury about the bill before it was introduced, though House and Senate members routinely introduce legislation in their own chambers independently. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (S.5653) was introduced by Heinrich, also a Democrat, with an unusually bipartisan cohort of Republican and Democratic Senate committee chairs as sponsors. It aims to establish timelines for federal permitting of projects, including large-scale energy generation and transmission projects Heinrich says are needed to address energy shortages and pricing. Many large projects now languish for decades as disconnected federal permit reviews wind their way through agencies, courts and different administrations.

On Tuesday, youth climate organizers staged walkouts and demonstrations across the state against the bill and Heinrich who they called a “sell out.” They specifically objected to many of the same tribal and environmental process rule changes Stansbury called out in her opposition. A Heinrich spokesperson told New Mexico Political Report the Tribal consultations remain in effect in Section 106 of the bill while also creating, for the first time, a defined process for consultation with tribes.

Spokespersons for both Heinrich and Stansbury declined to comment on their differences over the bill.

Heinrich previously told NM Political Report that Republican Senate leaders were eyeing a voting schedule after Election Day when Congress returns to Washington in mid-November. While local opposition is organizing, the bill is earning some big endorsements nationally including Tom Steyer, billionaire climate activist, and the White House which has issued statements supporting the bill.