My Role as a Senator

The Senate has been called the "Greatest Deliberative Body in the World." Among many other duties, Senators debate and introduce legislation on topics ranging from health care to immigration to energy - and, of course, many more.

To be successful in my duties, I must remain well-informed. Thus, I absorb and elicit information from other senators, my staff, organizations and agencies, and constituents from New Mexico. When the Senate is in recess, I spend most of my time in New Mexico meeting with local Senator Jeff Bingaman speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate. He wears a black jacket with dark purple tie, and his hand is poised just above his desk as he emphasizes a point.officials and constituents. These trips keep me informed about the concerns and needs of individuals and communities. Even though I cannot be in the state year-round, my local staff represents me at events throughout the year and ensures that the concerns of every area of the state are relayed to me. At other times, I travel to other states or countries to explore ideas that are working elsewhere that might also help New Mexico or the United States.

When I vote on an issue, legislation, or political action, I feel it is important to look at the matter from all sides. Then I decide, based on evidence and reason, what I feel is the best choice.

I have made an effort to be assigned to committees in the Senate where I feel I will have the greatest influence on matters that benefit the state. On the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I work to develop new ways of using energy and preserving natural resources. I am also a member of the Finance Committee, as well as the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. I participate in hearings on bills the committees are considering, which gives me - along with the others senators on the committee - an opportunity to question witnesses who are presenting testimony. The information that comes from such testimony helps me to better craft legislation.

My Washington staff consists of about twenty five people who help me set and implement my legislative agenda. These people include several legislative assistants and senior policy advisers who serve as subject matter experts in various fields.

My New Mexico staff members work among five different local offices: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Roswell, and Santa Fe. The field representatives attend meetings on my behalf when I am unable to attend personally, perform community outreach, and organize my local schedule. My constituent service representatives help New Mexicans who need help working with agencies of the federal government.

MY ROLE AT A GLANCE

  • Debate and introduce legislation
  • Process information from multiple sources
  • Remain in close contact with New Mexicans
  • Seek committees that help advance legislative goals

 

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]

Photo of a young, college-age woman with her hands on a stack of books. She is smiling at the camera. This photo is also a link to the Student's Page.STUDENTS' PAGE

Elementary, junior high, high school, and college students can all benefit from learning more about the Senate. [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.