Teresa Leger Fernandez
Representative for New Mexico · Democratic · United States
“7325, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act, to formally investigate, document, and report on boarding schools, their policies, and the generational effects on Native American peoples. We must support the healing of survivors, descendants, and Tribal communities.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“He spent 10 days supporting the response, carrying with him nearly 30 years of experience. Randy brought laughter to long assignments and faith to difficult moments. He prayed with his crew, lifted their spirits, stood up for his fellow firefighters, and lived by a simple creed: Do what is right.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Hardworking New Mexicans are the opposite of the gold-collared, corrupt politicians who cater to Trump no matter how crazy he acts. Mr. Trump, New Mexico has been New Mexico since before you got to these shores, and we will always be New Mexico. moment of silence honoring indian boarding school victims Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“New Mexicans are proud of our name and proudly patriotic. New Mexican soldiers fought in the Revolutionary War. We defeated the Confederacy at Glorieta Pass and stopped slavery's westward march. We fought for civil rights.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to provide a history lesson. In 1598, New Mexico got its name. In 2026, Donald Trump's Presidency is the most unpopular of any President. His Iran war has pushed diesel prices to record levels, and his tariffs have cost Americans thousands. How does he address the affordability crisis he created?”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Chuck Edwards' behavior over the past 2 years is disgusting and horrible. The sexual harassment of two young women on his staff and his abhorrent abuse of power is outlandish and disturbing.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
The complete record
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“He spent 10 days supporting the response, carrying with him nearly 30 years of experience. Randy brought laughter to long assignments and faith to difficult moments. He prayed with his crew, lifted their spirits, stood up for his fellow firefighters, and lived by a simple creed: Do what is right. Tragically, Randy died as a result of a medical emergency while serving our communities. He is one of 61 firefighters we have lost this fire season. Northern New Mexico mourns Randy and honors his sacrifice. He answered the call when we needed him most. We will remember him as a hero. honoring catherine garduno Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Catherine Garduno who recently passed away in Penasco, New Mexico, at the age of 96. Catherine embodied resilience, faith, service, and love of country.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“7325, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act, to formally investigate, document, and report on boarding schools, their policies, and the generational effects on Native American peoples. We must support the healing of survivors, descendants, and Tribal communities. Many of the children never returned home to their families or their communities. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence for those children who did not survive, and may they never be forgotten. honoring the life of randy lupe Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Randy Lupe, a wildland firefighter who helped protect New Mexico during the Frijoles fire. A member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Randy came with California Complex Incident Management Team 8 as the fire threatened rural communities.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Hardworking New Mexicans are the opposite of the gold-collared, corrupt politicians who cater to Trump no matter how crazy he acts. Mr. Trump, New Mexico has been New Mexico since before you got to these shores, and we will always be New Mexico. moment of silence honoring indian boarding school victims Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 30, 2026, as National Day of Remembrance to honor those who were forced to attend Indian boarding schools and to recognize Indian boarding school victims and survivors. Across New Mexico, there were 52 Indian boarding schools where Native American children were forced to relinquish their own indigenous heritage and language. I call upon my colleagues to support H.R.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“New Mexicans are proud of our name and proudly patriotic. New Mexican soldiers fought in the Revolutionary War. We defeated the Confederacy at Glorieta Pass and stopped slavery's westward march. We fought for civil rights. A New Mexican won the Supreme Court case declaring that Native Americans had the right to vote in every election everywhere. While Trump makes billions off his Presidency and tries to gut Head Start, New Mexicans have universal childcare, free college, and no child will go hungry in our classrooms. We have multicultural bilingual education that celebrates our diversity in a State that is 49 percent Latino, 11 percent Native American, and has some of the best ranchers and dairy farmers anywhere.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to provide a history lesson. In 1598, New Mexico got its name. In 2026, Donald Trump's Presidency is the most unpopular of any President. His Iran war has pushed diesel prices to record levels, and his tariffs have cost Americans thousands. How does he address the affordability crisis he created? It is by slapping a New America label on the State of New Mexico. Let me give Mr. Trump a history lesson.”
House of Representatives15 September 2026Source ↗
“We are fighting to make Congress a place where our staffers feel safe coming to work. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for the censure.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“It is time we reform the rules in Congress so abusers like Edwards are at least stripped of committee assignments or expelled if the offense calls for it--after an investigation and after a vote of the full floor--which is what we are doing today, because serving in Congress is a privilege and not an honor. It is not a right. {time} 1500 The American people continue to expect us to act with dignity, and if that trust is broken, there must be accountability. We need to protect women in the House from retaliation and make sure that the men who abuse their power face real, substantive consequences. That is exactly why the Democratic Women's Caucus, together with the GOP Women's Caucus, has been working to end the widespread problem of sexual misconduct on the Hill.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“Those 22 pages are basically a rant defending his actions. He is someone who fails to see how what he has done has negatively impacted the lives and careers of these two young women. Because of Mr. Edwards' harassment, these two women don't work here anymore. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Committee on Ethics. I thank them for their thorough and efficient investigation. I thank the chair and the ranking member for their work. Without their investigation, we may never have known that Edwards spent years sexually harassing two young women on his staff. This is textbook sexual harassment, and Congress must take action; but I say that the penalty should match the harassment. The precedent of censure, I believe, is not enough. These women lost their jobs because of Mr. Edwards' behavior. He should lose his.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Chuck Edwards' behavior over the past 2 years is disgusting and horrible. The sexual harassment of two young women on his staff and his abhorrent abuse of power is outlandish and disturbing. He not only threatened the careers and safety of his staff with his behavior, but he broke the promise he made to Americans to act with dignity and integrity. Since he continues to show no remorse, it is obvious that Edwards refuses to understand sexual harassment or his abuse of power. If we don't take action today, there is no opportunity for these women to receive justice. Mr. Speaker, every Member must vote to censure him. Over the course of these 2 years, he sent two young women on his staff mountains of expensive gifts, including designer purses, personalized handguns, and jewelry.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“They are wrecking our national parks, not out of necessity but to fund tax cuts for 759 of the richest people in America. They are bleeding rural hospitals, stripping students of opportunity, and polluting our air, all to line the pockets of the ultrarich. This isn't policy. It is plunder. House Republicans won't stop it. I say we stop it by voting against this rule. Let's defeat this rule today. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“The CMS itself said that there is less than 1 percent of fraud in the system. It is an incredibly lean system. It pays out less than any other system. Still, even with it as it is, 40 percent of pregnant women in the country rely on Medicaid so they can give birth to healthy babies. They would strip that away from those women. It is even higher in rural areas, and those hospitals in the rural areas rely on that. With regards to prices, Trump's tariffs are raising prices. At the same time that prices are going up, they are slashing food assistance. At a food bank I went to last week, they have more people showing up and less food because Trump literally stopped the trucks from delivering the food that was in the trucks. How cruel is that?”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, the reality is, after 100 days of Trump, the verdict is clear: We are living through a campaign of economic chaos, constitutional contempt, and corporate greed. The American people see what is happening, and they are not fooled by the chaos. They are not happy with the chaos. They are watching this body to see who will fight for them and who will fold to Trump. {time} 1315 Mr. Speaker, let's be honest. This administration isn't governing. It is looting. Trump's cronies are lighting the house on fire so their billionaire friends can sell the ashes for profit. With this issue of cutting Medicaid and addressing healthcare, yes, our healthcare system is not working. We need to address some issues in Medicaid. Let's be honest.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Republicans love to talk about energy dominance, but for them, as I noted, it is just ``drill, baby, drill.'' Improving fuel efficiency is cheaper, smarter, and better for the environment and economy. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stop this political theater and focus on the real issues that matter to the American people. I reserve the balance of my time.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“They don't have to stay indoors like they have to in Beijing or New Delhi or other countries that are polluted from the cars that clog their cities. Clean air isn't just about the environment. We heard the Speaker Emerita talking about the cost, the cost to the children, but it is also about economic prosperity. When people breathe clean air, they miss fewer work and school days, companies are more productive, kids learn more, families save on healthcare costs because fewer people go to the hospital for asthma and heart disease. It doesn't stop there. To meet California's emission standards, carmakers have built more fuel-efficient vehicles. That means we are saving money at the pump.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to address this issue of the Clean Air Act and the fact that Republicans often say they believe in States' rights, but when a State like California actually chooses a policy they don't like, they throw that principle out the window. When Congress passed the Clean Air Act, it gave States that had standards before 1966 the right to apply for a waiver. Congress decided that. For 50 years, California has used that waiver to clean up its air. It is not just California. Other States have chosen to adopt these standards, too. Across America, we can breathe cleaner air. That is why our children can go out and play in the park and can run around.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Republicans claim they won't make these cuts, so today I will give them a chance to put their money where their mouth is and vote to ensure those devastating cuts can't move forward in this House. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment into the Record along with any extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman asks where would we get this electricity. In New Mexico as well as in Texas, we have amazing wind power and amazing solar power. There are many ways of generating electricity. The problem is that with a policy of ``drill, baby, drill,'' they don't want to look at all of the opportunities, even though Americans know that looking at energy independence means looking at all of the beautiful ways in which we can generate power in the United States. However, a more important question that is before us is: What is happening with Medicaid and SNAP? Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to bring up H.R.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Speaker, I offered an amendment last night. I offered an amendment last time we met in rules. We will keep offering amendments to say you can't stop time. If you believe in these tariffs, be willing to debate them, to stand up on this floor and say we think the tariffs are good, we think the tariffs are bad. Make Trump defend those tariffs. Why is he doing this to us? Why is he creating this disaster? This is a disaster of Trump's own creation. We are seeking four Republicans to join us to stop this. They already have some Republicans over on the Senate side. We have some that might be moving here. Let's stop this craziness of the tariffs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker emerita.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is true in New Mexico, we have all that beautiful land. We have our ranchers. We have our farms. We have those mountains. We love our trucks, but the problem is, Trump's tariffs are making all of that more expensive. He is raising the cost of trucks. Remember, there was like a $20,000 hike after one of his first attempts at tariffs before he started flip- flopping. We never know where he is at, right? His tariffs are raising the costs of housing. In New Mexico, the firing of Federal employees and the domino effects of the economic uncertainty because of his tariffs are making jobs harder to find. Mr. Speaker, Trump promised to lower prices on day one. Instead, his tariffs are crashing our economy, making those trucks more expensive and houses more expensive.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, if they wanted to actually address the rising costs of cars, maybe they would be willing to address the tariffs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“This equates to an average price bump of $317 compared to an average price decrease of $238 in February. An increase of $317 may not seem like much, but it's notable at a time when the price of eggs is a topic of economic frustration for consumers. Furthermore, used car prices have been in the red year-over-year for consecutive months since October 2022, this is a huge shock for the used car market. The tables have turned and this has serious implications for millions of car buyers. Increased demand may give used car dealers sweet relief after a rough post-pandemic reality, but will higher sticker prices prevent some drivers from exploring purchasing opportunities? Why tariffs are affecting used car prices We are nearly three months into President Donald Trump's second term in office.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, the gentleman has mentioned the fact about a vehicle's expense. Now, let's recognize that used car prices have gone up for the first time in 30 months not because of what California has done but because of Trump's tariffs. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record an article titled: ``Used car prices just rose for the first time in 30 months. Here's why and what it could mean for consumers in 2025.''”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Maybe we will forget about this lapse of judgment, this utter failure, this TV personality who, I guess, still wants everybody to know what he is doing, but when you are Secretary of Defense, you are not supposed to be letting everybody know what we are doing and putting our servicemembers at risk. {time} 1245 Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren), the ranking member and top Democrat on our Science, Space, and Technology Committee.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“We were trying to deal with this worldwide pandemic. They have not offered any explanation for shutting down resolutions of inquiry at this time. Mr. Speaker, can you tell me why? Last night, we had an amendment to actually remove this, and we said: Why? Just explain to us why. They could not answer. I don't think it is a coincidence that the House Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee were set to take up these inquiries about the Secretary of Defense using unclassified Signal chats to share sensitive information about military strikes with his family, his personal lawyer, and a journalist. They don't want to vote on Signalgate, so they are rigging the rules to block us. They are hoping maybe this issue will pass over.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, a resolution of inquiry--Congress wants to know. Give us some answers. It is not that big of a deal, except that, right now, I think they just don't want to have to vote. They don't want to have to vote on Signalgate. They don't want to have to actually take up an issue that they know is controversial, and they don't have a reason to present to the American people of why to shut this inquiry down. I will acknowledge that we also had resolutions of inquiry, and there was a reason that we explained to the world: There was a pandemic going on. People were dying. The United States Government was in an emergency, and we were trying to save lives. We were trying to make sure that people were safe, not just here but in every single State. In New Mexico, it was devastating.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Costs are going up, markets are tanked, court orders are being ignored, and we are talking about a rule that we will hear about later today that we are going to spend all of this time on the floor of this House, but it is not going anywhere in the Senate. We are wasting the precious time that we have on this House floor to do something. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Americans are demanding we put an end to Trump's tyranny. Republican voters are showing up at the few townhalls that Republicans are brave enough to have, and they are yelling at their Representatives. They are saying: Do something. While Americans want us to have the courage to stand up to Trump, House Republicans are doing the opposite. Hidden in the rule we are debating today is a provision that will cover up Secretary Hegseth's texting of classified war plans. Republicans won't even let Democrats ask for information about what is happening at the Department of Defense--no courage, just capitulation. Today, instead of helping lower costs for working families, Republicans are pushing partisan bills to overturn environmental laws that protect our air and water. It is ridiculous.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Millions of Americans will suffer so the billionaires and the biggest corporations can get more--more power, more money, more control, and more influence in Washington, D.C. Americans are tired of how the system is rigged against working- and middle-class families. They know the rich are winning and regular Americans don't seem to have a chance. The Republican budget ends their reconciliation bill. Their tax cuts are going to make sure the rich always win. Now, Trump's approval ratings are the lowest of any President in the last 80 years. In the latest poll released today, Americans give him F's. He is getting F's on the economy. He is getting F's all over the place. Americans disapprove of Trump because he is destroying our economy, and he is betraying his promise to lower costs from day one.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“This week and into the next couple, Republicans are plotting to rip healthcare away from millions of Americans to fund tax cuts for 759 billionaires. Republicans will sacrifice healthcare for 72 million children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid to give tax cuts to the 759 richest people in America. When they destroy Medicaid, they destroy rural hospitals, and they destroy healthcare centers that everyone in the community uses, not just those on Medicaid. Trump and Republicans want to give tax cuts to the biggest corporations, as well, so they have to cut funding from low-income college students trying to get ahead and steal food from the mouths of hungry children, and that hurts our farmers and ranchers, too. These are the hungry children that Ranking Member McGovern fights for every day.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“One hundred days of chaos in the White House, where Secretary Hegseth texts war plans to journalists, and the administration belittles allies while embracing dictators like Putin. One hundred days of corruption, as billionaires like Musk and DOGE take Americans' personal Social Security data and fired the employees we need to process those Social Security checks. They fired the auditors and inspectors so no one is there to sound the alarm when Musk steers contracts to his own companies. Talk about self-dealing. One hundred days of courtroom drama, with courts--district, appellate, and even the Supreme Court--saying Trump's actions are likely illegal, unconstitutional, and must be paused to avoid irreparable harm to the American people. While Trump defies the law and damages our economy, what are House Republicans doing?”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“He stands up on this floor every week to ask us to end hunger now because he deeply feels the pains of hunger that too many young children in America suffer from. Given that huge heart, my colleagues can only imagine the love he poured into Molly. We don't even have to imagine it. We all saw the love he poured into Molly. He worried about her as she sought to live a normal life, studying in Australia and traveling, but he always said ``yes'' and never missed being by her side for key appointments and scans. {time} 1230 We cry for the things we love, and love always comes with pain. With a love as profound and deep as what Molly had, we know the McGoverns' pain will be immeasurable. To Lisa, Jim, and their son, Patrick, please know that your colleagues on this House floor on both sides of the aisle are in pain with you.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“She treated people with compassion and kindness--always standing up for the underdog, and making fast friends wherever she went.'' Molly was deeply loved by Jim and Lisa, and because of that love, Molly was also loved by many of her colleagues in this House. She grew up here in Capitol Hill with other children of colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We have been exchanging and I have been watching these beautiful pictures of Molly growing up with those kids from when she was young to just last August at the convention. Lisa McGovern dedicated herself to helping families deal with cancer at Prevent Cancer Foundation. Lisa knows directly what it is like to see that terrible disease impact a young and promising life and how it, therefore, impacts the entire family. Jim has one of the biggest hearts I know.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank Representative Roy for acknowledging the tremendous loss that Jim McGovern and his wife, Lisa, suffered this weekend when their daughter, Molly, was taken by cancer, a disease both of us have battled, as well. With the Speaker's indulgence, I will read a few sentences from the McGoverns' own statement because I think this captured a lot of who Molly was: ``Molly radiated pure joy. She lit up every room with her beaming smile--full of laughter, endless warmth, and a sharp wit that could disarm you in an instant. She was unbelievably funny, fiercely loyal, and wise beyond her years. Molly had a rare gift: She made everyone feel special because she genuinely believed everyone was special.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“They didn't let us in that building because they don't want Americans to know what they are doing. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and all my Republican colleagues: Would you let Elon Musk and his interns rummage through your savings account, your tax return, your children's personal data? I just don't understand the point of putting bills like this on the floor if we are not going to have the courage to stand up to Elon Musk and his rip off of Congress' power. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against the rule.”
House of Representatives5 February 2025Source ↗
“I have also heard loud and clear from my communities in New Mexico about the chaos that Trump's orders have created. Trump is about chaos and Trump is about corruption. Yesterday, I went to the Treasury Department to demand answers about Musk's power grab and information heist. They didn't let Members of Congress in that building, which belongs to the American people.”
House of Representatives5 February 2025Source ↗
“We just heard about the violence that was inflicted and about the violent offenders who committed them. I am asking my Republican colleagues to also keep in mind the faces and the names of those who were brutally attacked. When the majority walked into this building and they walked past those Capitol Police who are protecting them today, do they tell them: Good morning? They should also tell them: I am sorry. I am sorry that my President pardoned the people who beat you. I am sorry, and I denounce those attacks because I honor you. However, they do not seem to have the courage to say I am sorry to those police officers. It is hypocrisy to say that they care about law enforcement if they don't denounce those pardons.”
House of Representatives22 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, this image could be from the California wildfires, but it is not. It is from New Mexico's Hermit's Peak and Calf Canyon Fires, which ravaged northern New Mexico. We are still recovering from the inferno with help from the Federal Government. We might see a picture like this in Montana or Utah or anywhere there are droughts and extreme weather events.”
House of Representatives15 January 2025Source ↗