WASHINGTON, D. C. - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, thanked Twin Lakes native and Udall Foundation Native American Congressional Intern Raven Pinto for her work as an intern in his Washington, D.C., office this summer. During her ten weeks on Capitol Hill, Pinto worked primarily on legislative issues related to Indian affairs.

“U.S. Senate interns gain invaluable experience as they learn to navigate our nation’s legislative process and the Capitol’s halls,”  Udall said Aug. 12. “It’s been a pleasure to work with Raven this summer, and I hope she finds her experiences during this internship rewarding as she finishes college...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small, NM-2, released a statement Aug. 23 calling on the Trump Administration to reconsider changes proposed to the interpretation of the Flores Settlement Agreement concerning detention of migrant children in federal facilities.

“Children are especially vulnerable when they are held in detention. The Flores Agreement addresses that fact. We all recognize that our immigration system is broken, but keeping children in detention with no end in sight does not improve safety or reflect our values.  I call on the Administration to reconsider its decision, and come to the table to work with the leadership from both parties and Chambers to...

Paid sick leave: an important piece of family well-being puzzle

Half of all workers in New Mexico cannot earn paid sick leave and have to either go to work when they or a family member is sick, or stay home and lose pay. This is the highest rate in the nation, according to a report released August 19, entitled “Valuing Families at Work: The Case for Paid Sick Leave in New Mexico.” The report was released by the child advocacy organization, New Mexico Voices for Children.

A big part of the problem is that the federal government has no paid sick leave policy - unlike most wealthy nations. Several states and municipalities have enacted paid sick leave policies - most recently, Oregon...

Joins 22 attorneys general

In an action designed to protect against discrimination against women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community and other vulnerable populations, Attorney General Hector Balderas joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter that opposes the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proposed rule to drastically undermine Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination in federal healthcare programs, benefits, and services. Specifically, Section 1557 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age. The proposed rule...