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Public Policy & Issues

My public policy initiatives reflect my desire to improve the quality of life for New Mexicans and all Americans. Here you'll find information on my legislative work in the United States Senate.

 

PUBLIC POLICY

Chief among my duties as a United States Senator is to introduce and debate legislation. It is through such efforts that I advance my legislative agenda on behalf of New Mexico. In this section you can learn about some of these initiatives.

For convenience, the legislative topics discussed here are organized into separate and distinct issues. However, issues such as these impact and influence one another in significant ways. For example, childen need proper health care in order to do well in school. Oil exploration may impact the environment. An increase in crime can cause a downturn in the economy of a community. When I consider my stand on issues, I also consider the larger contexts in which those issues exist. [MORE]

BORDER ISSUES

During my time in the Senate, I have advocated for a comprehensive approach to maintaining border security which focuses on implementing a forward thinking strategy that anticipates future threats and allocates sufficient resources to address those threats. [MORE]

CRIME & JUSTICE

I have consistently supported efforts to provide local, state, and federal law enforcement with the tools they need to combat crime. [MORE]

ECONOMY

Because I believe that high-wage jobs are a prerequisite to financial well-being, I have led efforts to promote the scientific and technological innovations that create such jobs. [MORE]

EDUCATION

I am committed to building a world-class education system that challenges students with high academic standards and sets clear, attainable goals for student achievement. [MORE]

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

As Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I am one of the Senate's principle advocates for promoting sound energy policy. [MORE]

ENVIRONMENT

As New Mexicans, we are blessed with blue skies, desert landscapes, and mountain vistas. We have a responsibility to protect this beautiful environment for future generations. [MORE]

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

I believe that the United States has a unique opportunity to positively influence the economic development, human rights, rule of law, and trade of other countries. [MORE]

HEALTH CARE

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, the panel with sole jurisdiction over Medicaid and Medicare, I am working to improve and expand quality health care in New Mexico. [MORE]

NATIONAL SECURITY

I am an advocate for an effective, efficient, and modern fighting force. [MORE]

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

I will do my part to ensure that the work performed by individuals at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Labs and elsewhere in the state continues to play a key role in helping our country meet its energy and national security needs. [MORE]

WHAT YOU’RE ASKING

Have you introduced any new legislation to tackle high energy prices?
What are your views on the Administration’s assertion of executive power?

POLICY THEMES

Explore the larger themes that emerge from the interaction of individual legislative issues. [MORE]

A photo of the dome of the U.S. Capitol.  This photo is also a link to the Introduction to the Senate page.INTRO TO THE SENATE

The Senate is an institution of deliberation and compromise. [MORE]

HOW LAWS ARE MADE

After a senator introduces legislation, it is assigned to the appropriate committee and subcommittee. [MORE]

MY ROLE AS A SENATOR

Among their other duties, senators debate and introduce legislation on many different topics. [MORE]

GLOSSARY

Like any field, policy making uses a vocabulary of specific terms. [MORE]

NM DELEGATION

New Mexico has a five-member delegation in the United States Congress. Every state has two Senators, while the number of House Members is based on the population of the state.