Hello fellow political junkies!

This week Congress approved legislation to keep the government open until Dec. 20, thereby preventing a shutdown.

“For weeks, extreme Republicans and Trump threatened a government shutdown unless a continuing resolution necessary to keep the government open included a radical Project 2025 proposal that would have made it harder to register and vote,” Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández said in an emailed statement after the vote. “While this CR is far from perfect, we know that if we fail to act, millions of Americans will suffer the consequences.”

Leger Fernández added that she hopes the Hermit’s Peak Claims Extension Act will pass. The bill seeks to extend the claims deadline for those affected by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire for two years.

Leger Fernández is a Democrat who represents New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District.

The continuing resolution passed following debate in which most everyone who spoke was for the continuing resolution.

“We are here to avert harmful disruptions to our national security and vital programs our constituents rely on,” Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, said during the debate. “Before I discuss the underlying bill, I’d like to note the progress this body has made so far on the appropriations process, after a late start due to the delay of fiscal year 2024 process and a late presidential budget request, the Appropriations Committee succeeded in passing all 12 of our fiscal 2025, bills out of committee, all of which were within the bounds of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which is enshrined in law.” 

Cole was lead sponsor on H.R. 9747 which continues government funding through Dec. 20 and adds funding for the U.S. Secret Service.

“It is never ideal to govern with a continuing resolution, but this is a responsible and sober measure that avoids many of the problems that would have been created with a six month funding bill,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Connecticut, said during the debate.

The constant continuing resolutions to keep the government open left Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, dissatisfied.

“The last time we moved all 12 appropriations bills through the House, I believe, was in FY 2010. The last time that we did not have to use a continuing resolution to be able to fund the government, I believe, was 1997,” Roy said. “I think four times in my lifetime have we been able to pass all 12 appropriations bills through both bodies and get them signed by the President of the United States. This institution is failing. It’s failing to do the one core thing it’s supposed to try to figure out what to do, and that isn’t the spending bills.”

New Mexico election info

New Mexico early/absentee voting begins on Oct. 8.

The New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office posted a list of bond questions and constitutional amendments that will appear on statewide ballots. 

These can be seen here. For more information about what will appear on your local ballot contact your local county clerk’s office which can also help you check on or update your voter registration, a process that can also be done online at NMVote.org. 

To see who the candidates are please visit the New Mexico Secretary of State’s 2024 General Election Contest/Candidate List.

The Election Results 2024 will be posted to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office website after polls close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. It currently lists the 2024 primary results.

Know your rights as a voter by reading the Voter Bill of Rights.

Upcoming Debate

There is going to be a debate between the incumbent U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Nella Domenici on Oct. 27 at Congregation Albert Brotherhood, 3800 LouisianaBoulevard NE in Albuquerque. There will be a deli brunch at 9:30 a.m. prior to the debate. The deli brunch costs $20 and both require reservations by Oct. 24 which can be made here.

Upcoming interim committee meetings

Interim Legislative Science, Technology and Telecommunications Committee will meet Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at  Science and Technology Park Rotunda 801 University Boulevard SE in Albuquerque.

Interim Legislative Investments and Pensions Oversight Committee will meet on Oct. 1 in Room 307 at the State Capitol.

Interim Legislative Indian Affairs Committee will meet Oct. 2 at Zia Day School 1000 Borrego Canyon Road on Zia Pueblo and Oct. 3 at Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa 1300 Tuyuna Trail on Santa Ana Pueblo.

Interim Legislative Land Grant Committee will meet Oct.3-4 at  Placitas Community Library 453 New Mexico Highway 165 in Placitas.

For more information about interim committee meetings, visit nmlegis.gov and click the Committee’s tab at the top of the screen.

Meanwhile on the Hill

Commerce Committee Democrats, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, Maria Cantwell of Washington, Jon Tester of Montana, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Jacky Rosen of Nevada introduced legislation to curb illicit drug trafficking that is done using the U.S. transportation network. 

The bill would create inspection strategies to stop drug smuggling by commercial aircraft, railroads, vehicles and ships. The legislation would also boost state, local and Tribal law enforcement resources, deploy next generation, non-intrusive detection technologies and increase inspections at ports of entry.

“The flow of fentanyl into the country has devastated far too many communities across New Mexico and the United States,” Luján said in a press release. “This bill would crack down on the trafficking of deadly drugs by implementing innovative inspection strategies for U.S. transportation networks and provide law enforcement with the tools they need to combat fentanyl smuggling. It is time for Congress to act to keep our communities safe and put an end to the fentanyl crisis.”

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–Nicole Maxwell