Ben Ray Luján
Senator for New Mexico · Democratic · United States
“This is about making sure the people who have cared for these lands for generations have a voice in the decisions that affect our communities, our livelihoods, and our traditions. This legislation has been years in the making and has earned bipartisan, bicameral support. It was among the last bills I passed as a Member of the U.S.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support the passage of my New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“This legislation recognizes the important role that land grant-merced communities have played in New Mexico for hundreds of years and helps preserve the connection for generations to come. I urge my colleagues to once again support this legislation so we can finally get this done. Mr.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and share the inspiring story of native New Mexican Mr. Valdemar DeHerrera, a World War II veteran and prisoner of war, who celebrated his 105th birthday on October 8, 2024.”
Senate5 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, 41.2 million Americans rely on SNAP to put food on the table, and 40 percent of SNAP recipients are children. The Republican budget resolution before us tonight will dramatically slash nutrition; conservation; other farm programs for our children, families, and farmers--all to pay for the Trump tax scam.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“It is why I wanted to come to the floor today to have a conversation with my colleagues and to share the facts about what is happening here with the American people and let my colleagues know across the aisle: Let's work together.”
Senate15 January 2025Source ↗
The complete record
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“Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“This legislation recognizes the important role that land grant-merced communities have played in New Mexico for hundreds of years and helps preserve the connection for generations to come. I urge my colleagues to once again support this legislation so we can finally get this done. Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 476, S. 1363.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“This is about making sure the people who have cared for these lands for generations have a voice in the decisions that affect our communities, our livelihoods, and our traditions. This legislation has been years in the making and has earned bipartisan, bicameral support. It was among the last bills I passed as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in December of 2020. It then passed the Senate in December 2022. In December of last year, it was reported unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have provided testimony in support of this legislation at recent committee hearings, and I am proud to have worked alongside New Mexico's land grant communities and the New Mexico Land Grant Council on this effort.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support the passage of my New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act. Land grant communities in New Mexico have cared for our lands, sustained our communities, and preserved our traditions that are deeply rooted in our State's history and culture. But for too long these communities have faced unnecessary barriers when working with the Federal Government. My legislation is simple. It strengthens cooperation and coordination between land grant-merced communities and the Federal Government. It provides much needed clarity on Federal processes and ensures that historical and traditional uses are considered in Federal planning.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and share the inspiring story of native New Mexican Mr. Valdemar DeHerrera, a World War II veteran and prisoner of war, who celebrated his 105th birthday on October 8, 2024. Valdemar is one of the last American survivors of the fighting in Bataan and Corregidor in the Philippines during the end of World War II. Valdemar was raised near Taos in the town of Costilla as the third of 14 children.”
Senate5 March 2025Source ↗
“I ask for the yeas and nays.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, 41.2 million Americans rely on SNAP to put food on the table, and 40 percent of SNAP recipients are children. The Republican budget resolution before us tonight will dramatically slash nutrition; conservation; other farm programs for our children, families, and farmers--all to pay for the Trump tax scam. And we all know it is only going to benefit the wealthiest Americans. Now, I want to get a farm bill done, and I think most of us here want to do that. Taking critical Federal dollars from our rural communities will make that nearly impossible. And that is not all. This means that costs will go up for families across America at a time when prices are already high. The result: Children and families will go hungry. We all know that that is unacceptable. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, 41.2 million Americans rely on SNAP to put food on the table. I would like to call up my amendment No. 957 and ask it to be reported by number.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“I ask for the yeas and nays.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“I hope my colleagues just accept it, and we don't even have to have a vote on it. There is no reason to oppose this amendment. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I would like to call up my amendment No. 699 and ask that it be reported by number.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“I yield the floor.”
Senate19 February 2025Source ↗
“On behalf of Head Start and on behalf of the nearly 9,000 Head Start students in New Mexico, I wish to be recorded no.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“I urge my Republican colleagues to speak with their constituents who will suffer at the hands of Russell Vought as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, a decision and confirmation that would be damaging to our country. I yield the floor.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“It is why I wanted to come to the floor today to have a conversation with my colleagues and to share the facts about what is happening here with the American people and let my colleagues know across the aisle: Let's work together. Let's truly deliver on a promise to help hard-working, middle-class families all across the country, including in the State of New Mexico. I want to thank again Senator Schatz. I yield to my colleague from Vermont as well, with whom I had the honor of serving in the House and being part of this debate when it happened.”
Senate15 January 2025Source ↗