‘The front line:’ NM federal House leadership urge Legislature to enact protections

Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation came to the Roundhouse on Thursday to plead with lawmakers on passing critical legislation during the 60-day session.

While the Democratic majority was present, Republicans made themselves scarce.

“We know that there will be many difficult days ahead, and we must remain clear-eyed about the scale of the challenges we face,” U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said in her speech. “For those of you who are feeling scared and uncertain about the future of this country, know that we will fight to protect our communities, and especially those who are most vulnerable.”

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., voiced support for a Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Upon his mention of this in his speech, all of the present House Republicans walked out of the chamber, including House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, who said she left because of Vasquez’s mention of the measure, one that Republicans have refused to support for the past six years.

She supported the congressman’s speech until then, she added.

“I’m going to let him do his job, and he can let us do ours,” Armstrong told the Journal.

Stansbury later told members of the media she, too, supports paid family and medical leave, adding that she’d like to see state legislators also pass water quality protections and trade worker safety bills.

The representative later told members of the media she doesn’t know what will come from the Trump administration in the coming days or weeks, which makes the ongoing state legislative session more crucial than ever to pass bills benefiting New Mexicans.

“The New Mexico state Legislature is the front line,” Stansbury said.

Vasquez, in his speech, called on the Legislature to work across the aisle to address public safety, making investments in education, health care and housing — “critical components of a comprehensive public safety strategy.”

“New Mexicans understand that the path to safer communities begins with addressing the root causes of crime and public safety,” he said. “That includes poverty, domestic violence, addiction, gun safety, homelessness and the lack of economic opportunity.”

Vasquez added that he represents New Mexico’s shared border with Mexico and said he’s committed to “common-sense immigration reform that treats people humanely and modernizes what we’re doing at the border.” House Caucus Chair Rebecca Dow of Truth or Consequences stood up to applaud this.

A measure that drew support from everyone was getting compensation delivered to New Mexicans affected by nuclear testing for certain types of cancer. Stansbury and Vasquez said they won’t stop fighting to pass the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, ensuring New Mexico victims are included.

Another speaking point that drew bipartisan applause was Stansbury’s commendation of New Mexico for having the largest female-majority Legislature in the nation.

That prompted someone on the House chamber floor to exclaim “Girl Power!”, a phrase that Stansbury then repeated.