WASHINGTON – U .S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today joined in introducing legislation that would help New Mexico and all other states pay for the increased costs of providing health care. He is urging swift passage of the measure.

At Bingaman's urging, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included approximately $630 million in additional funding for New Mexico to help defray the costs of Medicaid – the federal/state initiative that provides health care to low-income Americans. In addition, many experts believe this funding provides an important stimulation to state economies. Funding will run out on December 31, 2010, half way through the state fiscal year.

The legislation Bingaman cosponsored today would ensure that New Mexico receives approximately $100 million in additional funding for Medicaid to bring it through the end of fiscal year 2011. New Mexico's state legislature and many other states are currently finalizing their 2011 budgets and swift action on this legislation is critical to overt cuts to Medicaid and other state programs.

"As Americans lost their jobs, many also lost their health care coverage as well, and states have struggled to deal with the increased demand on Medicaid. The increased funding we were able to provide to states from the Recovery Act last year helped ensure that thousands of New Mexicans kept their health care coverage. As we continue to focus on job creation, I believe we must also continue to help states defray the cost of Medicaid. That's what this bill would do," Bingaman said.

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Bingaman was influential in helping write the Recovery Act in a way that ensured that New Mexico received its fair share of health care dollars.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that three New Mexico Fire departments will benefit from U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance grant.

The following New Mexico Fire Departments will receive funding that for operations and safety programs, including training, equipment, personal protective equipment, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.

"Federal support is essential in ensuring New Mexico fire departments are properly equipped and trained to handle emergency situations," Bingaman said.  "This funding represents an important investment in our state."

Bingaman is a strong supporter of the Assistance to Firefighters programs, which provide much-needed federal assistance to local fire departments for equipment, training, and fire prevention campaigns.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today asked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strengthen efforts aimed at addressing the smuggling of stolen motor vehicles from the United States into Mexico.

Vehicles stolen from cities and towns in border states are often illegally brought into Mexico. Nationwide, seven of the 10 metropolitan statistical areas with the worst motor vehicle losses are on, or along, our border with Mexico.  New Mexico has the highest non-recovery rate in the country for stolen vehicles and the city of Albuquerque ranks number eight in the nation in motor vehicle thefts.

In a letter today to Secretary Janet Napolitano, Bingaman requested that the DHS take steps to enhance its efforts to identify and interdict stolen motor vehicles being smuggled into Mexico.

"In addition to raising auto insurance premiums for consumers, motor vehicle theft is increasingly undertaken by organized criminal networks, including narco-trafficking groups.  These groups use stolen vehicles to transport narcotics, weapons, and drug proceeds, as well as to finance their illicit activities.  Addressing motor vehicle theft will not only have a positive impact in terms of the reduction of car insurance and local crime rates, but also on the disruption of transnational criminal enterprises that are responsible for thousands of deaths in Mexico and the trafficking of drugs in the United States," Bingaman wrote.

In particular, Bingaman urged DHS to: (1) deploy License Plate Readers (LPRs) at outbound inspection stations at all of the international ports of entry in New Mexico and El Paso; (2) utilize other appropriate technology, such as cameras and computer systems; (3) increase cooperation and intelligence sharing with local and state law enforcement to address this issue in a more coordinated manner; and (4) work with Mexico to recover more stolen vehicles.

"In partnership with state and local law enforcement, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers play a vital role in interdicting stolen vehicles that are bound for Mexico.  In order to better address this problem, however, we need to bolster our efforts and enhance cooperation between federal, state, local and Mexican authorities," Bingaman wrote.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked to New Mexico reports about the president's fiscal year 2011 budget proposal and how it will benefit New Mexico. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved online.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he believes President Obama's budget proposal for next year makes the right investments in New Mexico's military installations.

The president today unveiled his 2011 budget, which Congress will use as a blueprint for the spending bills it will pass later this year to fund the federal government.  The proposal ensures that New Mexico's Air Force Bases, White Sands Missile Range, and the Army National Guard and Reserves have the support what they need.

"With this budget proposal, it is clear President Obama is making our nation's security a top priority.  The White House is making the necessary investments in our state's military installations, ensuring that they can meet their missions," Bingaman said.

Cannon Air Force Base:

• $14 million for 96-room dormitory
• $20 million for Squadron Ops Facility
• $13.287 million to Add/Alter Simulator Facility for MC-130J
• $26 million for C-130 Parking Apron Phase I
• $12.636 million for Aircraft Parking Apron (MC-130J)
• $24.622 million for Hanger/AMU (MC-130J)
• $39.674 million for Operations and Training Complex

Holloman Air Force Base:

• $15.47 million to Add/Alter Maintenance Hanger
• $22.5 million for Maintenance Hangar

Kirtland Air Force Base:

• $3.8 million for Aerial Delivery Facility Addition
• $6.46 million for Armament Shop
• $14.142 million for HC/MC-130 Fuel System Maintenance Facility

White Sands Missile Range

• $29 million for barracks
• $22.9 million for TRICARE Health and Dental Clinics

Army National Guard

• $8.5 million for Readiness Center in Farmington

Army Reserves

• $11.4 million for Army Reserve Center/Land in Las Cruces

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voiced strong support for President Obama's health care and education priorities for next year.

The White House today unveiled its fiscal year 2011 budget proposal, which among other things highlights how completing work on health insurance reform can provide major savings.  The president's proposal includes the enactment of health insurance reform proposals being debated in Congress.  Savings would be achieved through reducing wasteful spending, improving quality and incentivizing more efficient care, among other initiatives.

To help states weather this difficult economic period, the president's proposal contains $25.5 billion for additional Medicaid assistance that will help defray health care costs for millions of Americans.  This support is a continuation of an initiative first funded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last year.  New Mexico would receive roughly an additional $100 million, which would provide an additional 6 months of Recovery funding.

"Health care reform continues to be a top priority for the Obama administration and for me.  Not only are there short-term health care benefits to be gained by passing health insurance reform, there are long-term fiscal benefits to be gained, as well," Bingaman said.  "I hope we soon get back to work on this very important issue."

"But in the meantime, I'm pleased with the emphasis the Obama administration has placed on our nation's – and New Mexico's – health care delivery system.  Overall, this budget makes some important health care investments in health care," he added.

The president's budget includes the following for national health care initiatives:

• $2.5 billion for health centers to provide affordable high quality primary and preventive care to underserved populations, including the uninsured.
• $169 million – a $27 million increase - in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to place providers in medically underserved areas to improve access to needed health care services. Under the NHSC, primary health professionals such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and dentists agree to serve in a medically underserved community in exchange for having a portion of their student loans paid off.
• $4.4 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to expand investments initiated in 2010.
• $1 billion per year as part of the reauthorization of the school meals program and other child nutrition programs to help improve children's access to healthy meals and help to reduce childhood obesity rates.

In the area of education, the president's budget would increase education by about 6 percent.  According to White House calculations, the proposal contains at least $437.6 million for New Mexico's elementary and secondary schools, students, and teachers.  It also proposes $245.8 million in Pell Grants to help more than 61,500 New Mexican students afford college.

"It has never been more important for America to maintain its competitive edge.  We must work to ensure that every student in New Mexico and nationwide is academically prepared to compete in the global economy and I am pleased the president's budget makes an investment in this key area," Bingaman said.

Bingaman said he is particularly pleased that the administration's budget would support initiatives on education issues he has prioritized as a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.  Bingaman has, for example, long supported improved Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, high school dropout prevention, and funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions – many of which are in New Mexico.  These issues receive significant proposed funding increases.

Among the education budget highlights:

• Improving STEM Education - $300 million to improve the teaching and learning of STEM subjects in elementary and secondary schools; $150 million in new competitive grants to support innovative STEM programs.
• Increasing College Affordability –$34.8 billion for Pell Grants to help nearly 9 million low-income students attend college; $7.5 billion over 10 years to expand income-based repayment options to help borrowers with large loan balances and low incomes.
• Preventing High School Dropouts - $1.2 billion in new competitive grants to strengthen high schools; $900 million to help school districts turn around their lowest-performing schools.
• Providing Integrated Student Services - $210 million for the Promise Neighborhood competitive grant program, which will support comprehensive neighborhood programs designed to combat the effects of poverty and improve educational and life outcomes for children and youth; $410 million to improve school climate, student health, and parent engagement.
• Meeting the Needs of Hispanic Students - $123.3 million, an increase of 5 percent, for Hispanic-serving colleges and universities; $800 million, an increase of 6.7 percent, for K-12 programs serving English Language Learners. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is pleased President Obama's budget proposal funds initiatives to help secure the Southwest border and make communities safer by reducing crime.

"President Obama's budget continues to strengthen security along our border, while improving the safety of New Mexico's communities by investing in efforts to hire additional police officers, address domestic violence, and tackle crime," Bingaman said.

The White House today unveiled its fiscal year 2011 budget proposal – a blueprint used by Congress in writing spending bills that fund the federal government.  The plan contains funding to support 20,000 Border Patrol agents and hire an additional 300 Customs agents to facilitate bilateral trade and passenger traffic at border ports of entry.

The budget would also provide assistance to address the ongoing drug-related violence in Mexico, including $12 million for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Project Gunrunner program to continue to combat illegal gun smuggling along the U.S.-Mexico border.  Bingaman is a strong supporter on the program and has worked in the past to secure funding for the anti-smuggling initiative.

To help combat drug trafficking along the country's Southwest border, the budget also contains a $37 million increase for federal drug task forces and an additional $54 million for the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) to enhance anti-drug operations and intelligence sharing.  As part of partnership with Mexico, the budget contains $292 million as a follow-up to the Mèrida Initiative to strengthen democratic institutions, train law enforcement, and support local communities struggling to confront the violence.

The budget would also provide $600 million for the COPS hiring program, which would fund 8,900 new officers throughout the country as part of the Administration's multi-year effort to hire an additional 50,000 police officers.

The president's budget also includes the following:

• $330 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) program to reimburse states for the costs of incarcerating certain criminal aliens;
• $278 million for the various Federal Law Enforcement Training Academies (FLETCs), including FLETC-Artesia, which provides basic training to Federal Air Marshals and Border Patrol agents;
• $538 million (increase of $120 million) to address violence against women;
• $144 million for prisoner reentry programs to reduce recidivism crime rates;
• $104 million for additional FBI agents and DOJ attorneys to investigate and prosecute major white collar crime, and $60 million to increase the number of joint HHS and DOJ health care fraud task forces from seven to twenty;
• $19 million to support 45 new FBI agents in Indian Country;
• $25 million to improve tribal law enforcement equipment and training;
• $57,000,000 for drug, mental health, and problem-solving courts;
• $25 million for water and wastewater projects in colonias in the four states that border Mexico.

In addition, the budget proposal increases flood protection by setting aside $26.9 million in the International Boundary and Water Commission for construction, including $21 million for flood control and Rio Grande canalization. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is pleased that the Obama administration is making water projects and public lands initiatives in New Mexico a priority in his 2011 budget proposal. Congress will use this budget proposal as a blueprint when it develops the spending bills that will fund the federal government next year.

The 2011 budget unveiled today includes $16 million for the Navajo water settlement Bingaman helped authorize last year. Of that amount, $10 million would be used for Navajo-Gallup pipeline design; $6 million would be put in the Navajo trust fund that will help pay for water-related projects.  The bill also contains $12.134 million for the Animas-La Plata project, which includes construction of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline in New Mexico.

"The funding the Obama administration set aside for the Navajo-Gallup pipeline is heartening. After years of working to settle the long-standing water rights claim in the region, we are already off to a good start in getting this important pipeline project under way," Bingaman said.

The budget proposal includes $25 million for the Middle Rio Grande for operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of project facilities, river maintenance, and for efforts focused on the protection and recovery of the Rio Grande silvery minnow and southwestern willow flycatcher. The budget also includes $10 million for Rio Grande floodway work below San Acacia.

Additionally, funding from the Native American Affairs Program -- $7.4 million -- is anticipated to be used toward Rio Grande Pueblo infrastructure rehabilitation – a new initiative Bingaman got enacted into law last year giving the Bureau of Reclamation the authority to work with any of New Mexico's tribes to assess pueblo irrigation infrastructure and initiate projects to rehabilitate and repair the infrastructure as needed.

Bingaman said he is disappointed that a water project in eastern New Mexico pipeline construction authorized in a 2009 law he wrote would not receive funding.  Bingaman said he will work to secure $1 million for the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority's use to construct a pipeline to bring water from Ute Reservoir to eastern New Mexico.

"I understand and respect the Obama administration's desire to use fiscal restraint this year. But it's clear that the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Project is a worthy investment. I am confident that -- working with the administration -- we can secure the funding needed for this important initiative," Bingaman said.

Bingaman said he is very pleased that the Obama Administration is funding initiatives to implement the SECURE Water Act – legislation Bingaman wrote into law last year to improve water management and increase the acquisition and analysis of water-related data to better understand critical water resources, particularly in arid parts of the country. The administration has set aside $27 million for Water SMART grants that pay for water conservation initiatives, $3 million for basin studies, $29 million for BOR water reuse programs and $10.9 million for U.S. Geological Service's (USGS) programs. The budget requests for Reclamation and USGS also include over $80 million for climate change "adaptation" measures.

In the area of public lands, Bingaman said he is pleased the Obama Administration proposal supports public lands, including:

• $1.75 million to acquire 7,440 acres within the Lesser Prairie Chicken Habitat Conservation Area of Critical Environmental Concern in Chaves County;
• $1.17 million to acquire 188 acres within the Pecos National Historical Park.

The budget also invests in other New Mexico public lands, but that level of detail is not available until the administration testifies about the Interior and Forest Service budgets later this month.

The Obama budget blueprint contains funding for key environmental protection initiatives. The following initiatives are proposed through the Environmental Protection Agency:

Water

• $ 2.4 million to address pollution.
• $ 1.6 million to water pollution control.
• $ 1.1 million in Public Water Systems Supervision funding to help monitor drinking water quality and enforce health standards.
• $ 9.6 million in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to provide low interest loans to help finance wastewater treatment facilities and other water quality projects.
• $ 12.6 million in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to provide low-interest loans to municipalities to build, improve, and prevent pollution in drinking water systems.

Air

• $ 2.6 million in Air Pollution Control Program grants to assist in attaining new air quality standards.

Hazardous Waste

• $1.0 million in Resource Conservation and Recovery Act funding to manage the generation, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste.

Finally, the administration sets aside $16 million in the U.S. Department of Agriculture budget for tribal water and wastewater projects and $800,000 for technical assistance for rural water systems that serve tribal communities.

WASHINGTON – In a budget proposal that caps much of the federal government's discretionary spending at 2010 levels, U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman said he is pleased that the Department of Energy budget is being given priority with important increases  in funding – a move that demonstrates the Obama administration's commitment to scientific innovation and nuclear nonproliferation.

President Obama today unveiled his budget blueprint for 2011 – a plan that increases DOE spending in New Mexico by 12.7 percent.  Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, has called the Energy Secretary Steven Chu to testify about the budget on before the panel on Thursday, February 4.

"This budget blueprint is a powerful statement of the priority that President Obama is giving to energy, our national competitiveness, and nuclear weapons security.  In short, it is a budget that strongly supports the important work being done at Sandia and Los Alamos laboratories," Bingaman said.

"On nearly every major initiative in the DOE, President Obama's proposal gets it right.  I hope that this budget receives vigorous support from everyone who cares deeply about securing our nation's energy future, boosting our economic growth, and combating nuclear nonproliferation," he added.

The president's budget request would result in about $4.59 billion of spending from all DOE programs in New Mexico in fiscal year 2011, up from the $4.07 billion Congress appropriated for this fiscal year.  Under the budget proposal, LANL would receive $2.22 billion, a 22 percent increase over this year's $1.82 billion budget; Sandia would receive $1.49 billion, a 14 percent increase over this year's $1.31 billion budget.

DOE increases at New Mexico laboratories are not only in the traditional areas of nuclear weapons activities and nuclear non-proliferation, but also in civilian programs that support basic science research.

In the defense area, the two New Mexico laboratories will share a nearly 19 percent increase in funding for Nuclear Weapons Activities, including major increases in the following three key areas:

• a 40 percent jump in funding for Directed Stockpile Work, which is proposed to increase to a combined total of $982 million from the current combined level of $697 million;
• a 264 percent increase in Defense Nuclear Security, which increases to a New Mexico total of $231 million from the current $183 million; and
• a 23 percent increase in Readiness in Technical Base and Facilities, which is proposed to increase to $727 million from $593 million.

"President Obama clearly recognizes what many of us in New Mexico have felt in recent years -- that our laboratories and nuclear weapons facilities have been undervalued.  I am pleased that the president is taking this decisive action to reverse the slow and steady decline he found when he came into office."

The 2011 budget request also contains a 26 percent increase, or more than $500 million in new funding, for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation activities throughout the DOE.  This initiative will translate to a nearly 13 percent increase for these programs in New Mexico, rising to a total of $657 million from the current level of $582 million.

"With the president's April 2009 announcement that he would like to secure all the vulnerable nuclear material around the world within the next 4 years, we face huge challenges in nuclear nonproliferation worldwide.  This funding increase is a strong follow-through on that commitment, which is essential to our national security," Bingaman said.

One downside in the budget is the administration's zeroing out of LANL's funding for upgrades at Los Alamos Science Neutron Center, which is a one-of-a-kind tool used for weapons diagnostics.   The administration also proposed cutting the program last year, but the delegation was able to secure $20 million for the upgrade.

"We were successful in turning back the administration last year, and I intend to fight for LANSCE again this year," Bingaman said.  "Much of the president's stockpile stewardship budget relies on work performed by LANSCE.  I plan to make a strong argument to the administration that this upgrade is needed."

Beyond the traditional nuclear security missions of the New Mexico laboratories, the FY 2010 DOE Budget Request will bring increases in other areas of special competence for the New Mexico laboratories.  This includes a projected 33 percent increase in funding for civilian nuclear energy research and development (R&D) programs, which will rise to $80.6 million from the current level of $60.3 million.  The New Mexico laboratories will also share in the growth of the other DOE civilian R&D programs, with particular increases projected by the DOE for programs in geothermal energy, carbon dioxide sequestration, and nuclear physics.

Other highlights for New Mexico:

• Environmental management – Waste Isolation Pilot Project
• $233 million; LANL cleanup $197 million. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy is releasing funding he secured for a biomass project in Roswell.

Bingaman secured $2.37 million for the Pecos Valley Biomass cooperative in a fiscal year 2009 spending bill.  The project will integrate a cooperative manure management system for the collection, storage, and the bioconversion of cow manure and other agriculture waste products into bio-methane gas. This renewable gas can be utilized through the national natural-gas pipeline system or for transportation bio-fuels. The integrated "bio-refinery" center includes anaerobic digestion and gasification for production of bio-methane and fertilizer granules.

"Biomass is an important source of renewable energy and Roswell's dairy industry makes this an ideal location for this energy project," Bingaman said.

One of the best opportunities for economic development is the area of clean energy technology.  Even during this very difficult economic climate, last year wind energy manufacturing grew nearly 40 percent in the United States.  In fact, many of the good-paying jobs created in New Mexico in the last year have been in the clean energy sector.   As the world shifts to a lower carbon economy, the need for wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal, and other renewable forms of energy technology will grow dramatically.  The United States needs to capture that market.   We need to be the supplier of green energy manufactured goods to the world. 

To achieve that goal, we need to get clean energy manufacturing off the ground.  Last year, the Senate Energy and Natural Resource committee passed an energy bill that would create the Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA), an agency within the Department of Energy whose aim would be to help finance clean energy manufacturing. 

CEDA would provide a mechanism to help businesses, including small businesses, access the capital they need to move from proven concepts to successfully manufacture and market clean energy.  This would help the nation propel into future energy technologies and continue to ensure New Mexico’s place future energy research, production, and manufacturing.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has been awarded $1.75 million by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a clean water project.

The grant awarded today will support the NMED's Clean Water Action Plan, which seeks to meet the goals of the Clean Water Act. Funding can be used for education and outreach, water quality monitoring, best management practices for surface and ground water activities, among other things.

"This funding will help the New Mexico Environment Department continue to restore and protect our state's water resources," Bingaman said.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that eight New Mexico Fire departments will benefit from $584,918 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

With the exception of the Velarde Valley, the following New Mexico Fire Departments will receive funding for operations and safety programs and can be used for training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.  Velarde Valley was awarded funding under the Vehicle Acquisition Program.  Eligible equipment includes, but is not limited to, pumpers, aerials, quints, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, foam units, and fireboats.

• Velarde Valley Volunteer Fire Department  will receive $118,750
• Bloomfield Volunteer Fire Department - $114,950
• Tyrone Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue - $92,342
• City of Las Cruces - $83,036
• Carlsbad Fire Department - $59,400
• Village of Dora Fire Department - $57,540
• Taos County EMS - $47,500
• Hillsboro Fire and Rescue Department - $11,400

"Ensuring New Mexico's fire and rescue departments are properly equipped and trained is a top priority.  This funding will help them better serve New Mexico communities," Bingaman said.

Bingaman is a strong supporter of the Assistance to Firefighters programs, which provide much-needed federal assistance to local fire departments for equipment, training, and fire prevention campaigns.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman said President Obama's State of the Union address laid out an ambitious agenda to bolster the economy in the short and long term -- creating jobs, reining in health care costs and expanding educational opportunities.

Bingaman also applauded the president's call for the creation of a task force aimed at reducing the nation's deficit and getting the country back on solid economic ground.

"President Obama laid out a very strong agenda for the Congress. In the coming months, we will focus on strengthening the economy in a way that helps American families educate their children and obtain adequate and affordable health care. We'll be working to create good jobs, including those in the clean energy sector – an area that shows great promise for New Mexico. And we'll be adopting practices to reduce the deficit and get us back to the balanced budget we had a decade ago," Bingaman said.

"I know that New Mexicans continue to struggle in these difficult economic times. In his speech, it was clear to me that the president understands that, as well. That is why I believe this is the right agenda for New Mexico and the country, and I will work hard to help the president enact it."

[Listen to Bingaman's response]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released funding he helped secure for three New Mexico projects.

• Bernalillo County will receive $570,000 for a transitional housing facility for recovering substance abuse clients.
• The Albuquerque Heights Boys and Girls Club will receive $328,300 to help renovate its facility.
• The Santa Fe Teen Art Center will receive $80,750 for site improvements and equipment for a new facility.

"The funding released today will be used to advance the work on these three important projects and ensure these organizations can continue providing services to New Mexicans," Bingaman.  

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is disappointed that the Senate defeated a proposal to create a task force aimed at reducing the nation's deficit, but remains hopeful that Congress will take meaningful action to address this serious issue. The measure needed 60 votes to pass, but received just 54.

Policies enacted over the past decade have caused our nation's balance sheet to go from record surpluses to record deficits. To address the problem, Bingaman co-sponsored an amendment that would have set up a bipartisan task force with the authority to make deficit reduction recommendations to Congress that would have been considered under expedited "fast-track" review by Congress. The recommendations would have been enacted only if they received a super-majority vote in Congress and the president's signature.

"Our current fiscal situation could have been avoided. But now that we are facing staggering deficits, we must take action to restore fiscal responsibility. One way to do that is to create new jobs, which we're working hard to do," Bingaman said. "And I believe there is merit in creating a task force whose sole focus would have been to reduce deficits."

The proposal, called the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act of 2009, was written by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad and the committee's senior Republican Judd Gregg. The bipartisan task force would have been comprised of 18 members – 8 Democrats, 8 Republicans and two members appointed by the president.   

(Watch Bingaman's floor speech online.)

Mr. PRESIDENT, there can be no downplaying the severity of the economic downturn that began in 2007. To date, our nation has lost 7.2 million jobs. In my home state of New Mexico, unemployment now stands at 7.8% – more than twice the rate of two years ago, and yet considerably lower than the rate in a majority of states. American households have lost $12.6 trillion in wealth; more than five million families have seen their homes foreclosed; and hundreds of thousands of small businesses, farms, and ranches have been forced to shut. In short, millions of American families have been – and are – experiencing severe economic pain and dislocation. And while indicators suggest the recession has officially ended, we are hardly out of the woods and it will be years before our economy fully recovers.

In the face of such pain, it is tempting to cast a vote showing disapproval of our economic downturn. And it is tempting – particularly in this political climate – to want an individual to take the fall. I rise today to urge my colleagues not to use Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's renomination for any such exercise – and to offer my strong support for his reconfirmation.

It is true that with the benefit of hindsight, it seems that the Fed could have done more to prevent the economic downturn. In particular, Chairman Bernanke was at the Fed's helm as the asset bubble expanded, and he failed in preventing that bubble from bursting. Others point to financial institution bailouts, arguing that Bernanke's Fed should not have provided financial support or guarantees to vulnerable financial institutions, or that its support should have been structured differently.

Click on the image above to watch Bingaman's floor speech.

But hindsight also tells us that without Chairman Bernanke's bold and aggressive actions, the outcome would have been considerably worse. I can imagine no Fed Chairman since the Great Depression has faced such a Herculean task of preventing the economy from falling over a cliff. And if ever there were praise for averting a disaster, Chairman Bernanke deserves it – for working effectively with other domestic and foreign agencies to ensure continuity of our global banking system; for taking significant steps to boost banks' access to funding; and for establishing targeted lending programs to restart the flow of credit in critical markets.

It is because of this skillfulness and aptitude that Chairman Bernanke enjoys strong support from President Obama, who says that the Chairman's "'bold, persistent experimentation' has brought our economy back from the brink." Similarly, in nominating Chairman Bernanke to a first term, President George W. Bush praised Bernanke's "reputation for intellectual rigor and integrity" and "deep respect in the global financial community." It would be shortsighted for Congress to second-guess the judgment of our current and former President, and it would be irresponsible for colleagues to do so if their sole reason were to score political points.

President Obama's call to give Chairman Bernanke another term is echoed by some of our nation's most distinguished economic thinkers. Former Fed Chairmen Alan Greenspan and Paul Volcker both say that it would be irresponsible not to extend Chairman Bernanke's term. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the former CBO Director who was Senator McCain's chief economic adviser in the 2008 presidential race, says that "it would be a disaster not to confirm" Bernanke. Warren Buffett said that if he could vote for Mr. Bernanke's confirmation, he would – twice. As Mr. Buffett explained: "We talked about [the economic downturn] being an economic Pearl Harbor, and he did what should have been done in response to that Pearl Harbor."

These economic thinkers know that emerging from our nation's deepest and most protracted economic downturn since the Great Depression will require continuity. Even if the economy has begun to turn around, a complete recovery will require that families, businesses, and investors see consistent policy actions. Central to that consistency is leadership at the helm of the Federal Reserve. If we were to change Fed chairmen now, we would cast considerable uncertainty on our already fragile business and financial markets. That would almost certainly trigger a selloff of equities and dollars – dangerously jeopardizing our recovery.

Finally, while I rise to support Chairman Bernanke's re-conformation, I also renew my call – which I have repeated on the Senate floor over the past year – for policymakers to make job creation the centerpiece of our economic recovery agenda. If he is re-confirmed, Chairman Bernanke must share in that priority. And we in the Congress must also press forward with the urgent task of reforming our financial regulatory infrastructure, whose cracks and holes have been exposed by the recession.

Mr. PRESIDENT, our nation faces considerable and urgent challenges – challenges that render essential the confirmation of Ben Bernanke to another term as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. I yield the floor.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico reports about a variety of issues, including jobs and the economy. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman says he expects the President to focus on job creating and the economy during his Sate of the Union Address on Wednesday.

01:36 – Bingaman says he supports including energy efficiency provisions as part of an overall jobs package.

03:23 – Bingaman says no decision has been made on how to proceed on health care reform legislation.

05:44 – Bingaman says the President's speech on Wednesday night will help the Senate set an agenda.

06:58 – Bingaman says the President will likely propose a plan to help create jobs and boost the economy during his address to Congress.

08:31 – Bingaman says he supports the confirmation of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to a second term.

10:01 – Bingaman says that using the reconciliation process is an option for getting portions of the health care reform bill passed in the Senate.

12:08 – Bingaman comments on the Supreme Court's campaign finance decision.

16:21 – Bingaman says the majority of the scientific community continues to conclude that there is a warming of the earth's atmosphere and that human activity is contributing to it.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he strongly supports a measure being debated in the Senate aimed at reducing the nation's deficit.

Bingaman said ill-advised decisions made over the last decade have caused the country to go from record surpluses to record deficits.  To help address the problem, Bingaman is co-sponsoring an amendment that sets up a bipartisan task force with the authority to make deficit reduction recommendations to Congress that will be considered under expedited "fast-track" review by Congress, and be enacted if the recommendations receive a super-majority vote in Congress and the president's signature.

"This task force may be the best hope we have in this polarized political environment to reduce our nation's deficit.  I strongly support the passage of this proposal," Bingaman said.

The proposal, called the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act of 2009, was written by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad and the committee's senior Republican Judd Gregg.  The bipartisan task force would be comprised of 18 members – 8 Democrats, 8 Republicans and two members appointed by the president.

The Senate is expected to vote on the proposal in the coming days. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that New Mexico will receive $1.86 million in emergency Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds.

Bingaman has long been an advocate of LIHEAP because it assists qualified families, disabled individuals and seniors on fixed incomes cover energy costs.  Bingaman, along with a bipartisan group of Senators, wrote to the White House in support of releasing the funds.

"By helping defray the cost of home heating bills, LIHEAP is key to helping families meet their budgets," Bingaman said.  "In this difficult economic environment, LIHEAP funding offers a lifeline for many New Mexico families."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that McKinley, Cibola, San Juan, and Sandoval counties have been declared eligible for disaster assistance due to losses caused by heavy rains and flooding that occurred in McKinley county on September 5th and 6th, 2009. The other three counties are eligible due to their proximity to the primary county.

As a result of the declaration, farmers and ranchers in the designated counties are now eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), which are both administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"I am pleased the USDA is lending a helping hand to the farmers and ranchers in McKinley, Cibola, San Juan, and Sandoval Counties who were economically affected by heavy rains that occurred last September," Bingaman said.

For more information or to determine eligibility for a low interest loan contact the local USDA Farm Service Center.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will receive $5.99 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment funding aimed at creating and supporting "green jobs."

Funding was provided through the U.S. Department of Labor's State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants program, and will support job training programs in the state aimed at helping dislocated workers find jobs in expanding green industries and related occupations.

"This grant is an important investment in New Mexico's workforce and in its renewable energy industry," said Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.  "It will have the immediate impact of helping create jobs now, while laying the groundwork for expanding on this growing industry for decades to come."

"By cultivating educational and training opportunities in the clean-energy industry we will create hundreds of stable, good-paying jobs in our state," said Udall. "This funding will support a strong public-private partnership to advance New Mexico's leadership role in renewable energy development that we need to make our nation more energy independent and reduce pollution."

Key partnerships for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions efforts include: New Mexico Green Industry Council, Indian Affairs Department, New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, Public Education Department, Environment Department, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Department of Veterans Services, State, Apprenticeship Council, State Workforce Boards, Renewable Energy Industries Association, Bluenergy Solarwind, Inc., Southwestern Biofuels Association, EMCORE Solar Power, Inc., Artistic Homes, Inc., New Mexico Green Collaborative, New Mexico Veterans Integration Council, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico reports about a variety of issues, including health care reform legislation being debated in Congress. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about the Senate's priorities over the next couple of weeks.

02:22 – Bingaman talks about the Massachusetts's Senate election.

04:01 – Bingaman talks about the options for getting health care reform legislation passed in the Senate.

05:08 – Bingaman talks about how the Massachusetts election will affect the chances of getting a health care reform bill through the Senate.

11:54 – Bingaman says he and Senator Udall have provided the president with a list of recommendations to fill the post of U.S. Attorney in New Mexico.

13:12 – Bingaman says he believes the Congress needs to focus on addressing the country's economic troubles.

18:00 – Bingaman says he is currently reviewing a study of northern New Mexico's Valles Caldera National Preserve that states that the area would be a worthy addition to the National Park Service system.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman and several of his Senate colleagues offered their strong support for U.S. efforts to provide assistance in the aftermath of devastating earthquake in Haiti.

In a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Bingaman and several other Senators, said they support immediate and aggressive action by the U.S. government.  The letter follows:

Dear Secretary Clinton,

We write to express our deep concern over the tragic loss of life and devastating destruction in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti, and to express our support for your efforts to respond quickly and aggressively to this crisis.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and the thousands of Americans who have friends and family affected by this disaster.

We appreciate the strong public statement made today by the President as well as the efforts that you and the State Department have already taken.  An aggressive and coordinated international effort—with active leadership from the United States—is essential in order to save lives and prevent further devastation.

This tragedy presents enormous challenges, not only to the people of Haiti, but also to the international community's efforts and ability to respond.  We want to assure you that we stand ready to assist you, Administrator Shah, and the administration in both the immediate response to the crisis and to the longer term plan for recovery.

Please do not hesitate to contact us or our staff if we can be of any assistance.

The letter was signed by Bingaman, Dodd, (D-CT), Kerry (D-ma), Lugar (R-IN) Leahy (D-VT), Harkin (D-IA), Durbin (D-IL), Menendez (D-NJ), Corker (R-TN), and Barrasso (R-WY).

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked about the health care and climate change legislation being debated in the Congress. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman says two New Mexico clean energy manufacturing projects will receive a total of almost $5 million in tax credits as part of $2.3 billion in Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits.

02:52 – Bingaman says Congress continues to work on legislation aimed at making health care more affordable for millions of Americans.

05:57 – Bingaman addressed some of the criticisms associated with the health care debate.

08:34 – Bingaman says he doesn't believe a public option will be a part of the final health care bill.

11:03 – Bingaman talks about the chances of getting a cap and trade bill during the second half of the 111th Congress.

12:56 – Bingaman talks about some of the obstacles preventing cap and trade legislation from moving forward.

I expect that Congress will spend much of 2010 working to get our economy back on track.  My January newsletter focuses on some of our legislative priorities, and highlights a few specific initiatives of my own.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voted with 59 of his colleagues to approve legislation aimed at fixing the nation's broken health care system.

Right now, the cost of health insurance is rising faster than many American families can keep up. In New Mexico, health insurance premiums for an average family have risen from $6,000 in 2000 to $11,000 in 2006 and they are projected to rise to an unsustainable $28,000 by 2016.

About 50 million Americans lack access to health insurance; roughly one-quarter of New Mexico residents are uninsured. The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act approved today aims to contains spiraling health care costs while extending affordable health insurance to millions of Americans.

"We are closer than we have ever been to fixing our nation's broken health care system. The bill the Senate has approved would be of great benefit to New Mexicans, many of whom cannot keep up with rising health care premium costs. In addition to reining in costs, the bill extends coverage to New Mexicans who right now don't have access to health care," Bingaman said. "I worked hard to help write a bill that would benefit New Mexico and our entire country, and I am glad we are a step closer to enacting reform."

As the only Democrat serving on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, Bingaman played a unique role in crafting the legislation with an eye toward meeting New Mexico's needs. If this legislation were to be enacted as is, Bingaman estimates that as many as 96 percent of New Mexicans would have access to health care.  

The House of Representatives and Senate must negotiate a final bill before it can be sent to President Obama.  

A summary of the Senate-passed is below:  

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care and will create the transformation within the health care system necessary to contain costs.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended, is fully paid for, will provide coverage to more than 94 percent of Americans while staying under the $900 billion limit that President Obama established, bending the health care cost curve, and reducing the deficit by $132 billion over the next ten years, with additional deficit reductions in the following years.  

Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans:

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes immediate changes to the way health insurance companies do business to protect consumers from discriminatory practices and provide Americans with better preventive coverage and the information they need to make informed decisions about their health insurance.

Uninsured Americans with a pre-existing condition will have access to an immediate insurance program to help them avoid medical bankruptcy and retirees will have greater certainty due to reinsurance provisions to help maintain coverage.

New health insurance Exchanges will make coverage affordable and accessible for individuals and small businesses. Premium tax credits and cost-sharing assistance will help those who need assistance.

Insurance companies will be barred from discriminating based on pre-existing conditions, health status, and gender.

A substantial investment in Community Health Centers will provide funding to expand access to health care in communities where it is needed most.

The Role of Public Programs:

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act expands eligibility for Medicaid to include all non-elderly Americans with income below 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), with substantial assistance to States for the cost of covering these individuals.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act maintains current funding levels for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for an additional two years, through fiscal year 2015.  

Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Health Care:

Congress is committed to protecting and strengthening the Medicare program for America's seniors. Medicare is a sacred trust with seniors and people with disabilities, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will ensure that trust is preserved. The cost of inaction is unacceptable for seniors and the Medicare program that serves them; without action, the Medicare hospital insurance trust fund is expected to go broke in just over seven years.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will make Medicare a stronger, more sustainable program.  

Medicare currently reimburses health care providers on the basis of the volume of care they provide rather than the value of care. For each test, scan or procedure conducted, Medicare provides a separate payment, rewarding those who do more, regardless of whether the test or treatment contributes to helping a patient recover. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes a number of proposals to move away from the "a la carte" Medicare fee for service system toward paying for quality and value and reducing costs to America's seniors. Preventing Chronic Disease and Improving Public Health

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act promotes preventive health care and improves the public health to help Americans live healthy lives and help restrain the growth of health care costs over time. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will eliminate co-pays and deductibles for recommended preventive care, including preventive care for women, provide individuals with the information they need to make healthy decisions, improve education on disease prevention and public health, and invest in a national prevention and public health strategy.  

Health Care Workforce:

Currently, 65 million Americans live in communities where they cannot easily access a primary care provider, and an additional 16,500 practitioners are required to meet their needs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will address shortages in primary care and other areas of practice by making necessary investments in our nation's health care workforce. Specifically, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will invest in the National Health Service Corps, scholarship and loan repayment programs to expand the health care workforce. The bill also includes incentives for primary care practitioners and for providers to serve underserved areas.  

Transparency and Program Integrity:

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will provide consumers with information about physician ownership of hospitals and medical equipment as well as nursing home ownership and other characteristics. The bill also includes provisions that will crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and private insurance. Finally, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will establish a private, non-profit entity to identify priorities for and provide for the conduct of comparative outcomes research.  

Improving Access to Innovative Medical Therapies:

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will establish a regulatory pathway for FDA approval of biosimilar versions of previously licensed biological products. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will also expand the scope of the existing 340B drug discount program, so that patients at children's hospitals, cancer hospitals, rural hospitals and in other underserved communities have access to medicines at lower cost.  

Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS):

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will make long-term supports and services more affordable for millions of Americans by providing a lifetime cash benefit that will help people with severe disabilities remain in their homes and communities. CLASS is a voluntary, self-funded, insurance program provided through the workplace. For those whose employers participate, affordable premiums will be paid through payroll deductions. Participation by workers is entirely voluntary. The Congressional Budget Office confirms that the program, which has been revised from earlier versions, is actuarially sound.  

Revenue Provisions: 

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is fully paid for and reduces the deficit in the next ten years and beyond. The revenue provisions in the bill focus on paying for reform within the health care system. This is accomplished by tightening current health tax incentives, collecting industry fees, and slightly increasing the Medicare Hospital Insurance tax for individuals who earn more than $200,000 and couples who earn more than $250,000. This increase will not only help fund health care reform, but, when combined with other provisions in the bill, will also extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund by nine years to 2026.

The bill also includes a fee on insurance companies when they sell high cost health insurance plans, designed to generate smarter, more cost-effective health coverage choices. Changes to health care tax incentives include capping FSA contributions, conforming definitions of deductible medical expenses and changing penalties for HSA spending that is not devoted to health care. The industry fees reflect responsible contributions from industries who have long profited from health care and who will benefit from the expanded coverage of millions of additional Americans under health care reform.

The bill also assesses a small excise tax on indoor tanning services. Together, these revenue provisions represent a balanced, responsible package of proposals that bend the health care cost curve by putting downward pressure on health spending.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voted to advance health insurance reform legislation aimed at driving down rising health care costs and extending health care access to millions of Americans who don't currently have it. The 60-40 vote means this historic bill now has the level of support it needs pass the Senate.

The 1 a.m. Monday vote was the first of as many as three "procedural" votes that will require the support of 60 senators to advance the legislation. The first vote was to end debate on an amendment to the underlying bill. That amendment includes a Bingaman-urged provision that protects New Mexico's federal share of Medicaid funds.

"This bill is going to help shrink the nation's deficit and reduce the growth in health care costs that have been crippling family finances. As a state with one of the fastest rising premium rates and a very high percentage of uninsured residents, New Mexico has a lot to gain from the passage of this bill," Bingaman said.

Bingaman is a member of the two Senate committees that helped write the legislation.

Please click here for more information on health insurance reform. 

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall and Congressman Ben Ray Luján today announced that the Department of Homeland Security has officially extended the Dec. 31 deadline for compliance with the REAL ID Act, ensuring that New Mexicans planning domestic air travel over the New Year won't face disruptions because of new identification requirements.

Last week, Bingaman, Udall and Luján received assurances from the Department of Homeland Security that New Mexico travelers planning to use a state-issued identification to travel after Dec. 31 will not encounter problems.

The three had previously asked DHS Secretary Janet Napalitano to extend the deadline and provide assurances that air travel would not be disrupted, saying that a large majority of states - including New Mexico - were not expected to be in compliance and that enforcing the deadline would cause a significant disruption in air travel. In their letters, they urged DHS to quickly clarify its plans regarding the implementation of the REAL ID Act.

"REAL ID had caused quite a bit of confusion and uncertainty for New Mexicans who have holiday plans that may require air travel. I am happy to report that the extension has been made official by the Department of Homeland Security just as we reported last week," Udall said.

"This decision makes it clear that New Mexicans' travel plans will not be interrupted by REAL ID. Now the important work of finding a long-term solution to this problem must get underway," Bingaman said.

"I am encouraged that the Department of Homeland Security has officially decided to extend the implementation of REAL ID, allowing people to fly after December 31st without additional complications," Luján said. "There has been significant concern among the people of New Mexico about this law, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to resolve the issues associated with it."

In 2005, Congress passed legislation -- called the REAL ID Act -- requiring states to tighten requirements related the issuance of drivers' licenses because they are used as a standard form of identification for a variety of federal purposes, including air travel. While Bingaman, Udall and Lujan support strengthening the standards governing IDs, they were concerned about a National Governors Association estimate that a majority of states would not be able to meet the Dec. 31, 2009 deadline to comply with the law.

In a statement released today, DHS reported that 46 of 56 states and territories have informed the agency that they will not be able to meet the Dec. 31 REAL ID material compliance deadline. To read the full DHS statement, click here.

"In order to ensure that the millions of Americans traveling this holiday season are not disrupted, DHS is extending the Dec. 31 REAL ID material compliance deadline. The May 10, 2011, deadline for full compliance remains in effect, and the Department will continue to work closely with states to meet this deadline," DHS spokesman Matt Chandler said in a statement.

President Obama has indicated his desire to modify the REAL ID Act through new legislation, called the PASS ID Act, but that proposal has not yet been passed into law.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today voted to approve a final version of a spending bill that contains more than $45 million dollars to support national defense efforts, including work at White Sands Missile Range and various New Mexico universities. 

The measure also extends unemployment insurance for two months, continues to help qualified Americans pay for COBRA health care benefits, and prevents families from losing access to food stamps, Medicaid and other federal assistance.

The Senate passed the fiscal year 2010 Defense Spending Bill (88-10) and the measure can now be sent to President Obama for signature.  

“This legislation provides a much-deserved 3.4 percent pay increase for our men and women in uniform, and supports very important defense-related projects based in our state,” Bingaman said.  “In addition, it provides continue assistance for the millions of Americans who are struggling during this difficult economic time.  Many New Mexicans will benefit from this important bill.”

“Passing this legislation provides for vital national defense projects along the border and at New Mexico’s military bases and universities,” said Udall. “It will also provide security for our troops in the field, their families at home, and bring necessary assistance to New Mexicans who have been laid off and are faced with losing their health care coverage or food shortages.”

Bingaman and Udall report that the measure contains the following for New Mexico:

$4.8 million for the New Mexico National Guard Counterdrug Support Program: This funding will support the Guard’s ability to conduct counterdrug activities in conjunction with by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement.  With the ongoing drug-related violence in Mexico and the need to increase resources aimed at interdicting the flow of drugs, weapons, and bulk currency being smuggled over the border, the Guard's counterdrug assistance is more important than ever.  The Guard's current counterdrug duties include camera surveillance of high traffic border areas, mobile vehicle inspection and dismantlement, vehicle barrier construction, and at-risk school counterdrug education programs.

$2.24 million for Kirtland Air Force Base: Funding would further field evaluation of the Advanced Tactical Laser before it is retired and to perform an analysis on the most suitable aircraft for future electric laser systems.

$1.6 million for Define Renewable Energy Sources at White Sands Missile Range:  This funding will be used to develop plans for the environmental, site and other assessments needed to pursue alternative energy generation (such as wind, solar and geothermal) and storage options at White Sands Missile Range. 

$4 million for the High Energy Laser System Test Facility at White Sands Missiles Range:  This funding would be used to refurbish the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) subsystem to accommodate a solid state laser, for a test qualification live-fire, and would ensure that other users with late-emerging high energy laser test and evaluation needs vital to national security will be able to utilize the facility.  Areas of research include rocket, artillery and mortar as well as unmanned aerial vehicle threats.

$3.76 million for the Regional Partnership at White Sands Missile Range: This funding, directed toward White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Ft. Bliss and Holloman Air Force Base (HAFB), will help more effectively and efficiently manage the regions land, air and frequency domains.  and coordinate real-time test and training missions. 

$2.4 million for Algal Biofuels for Aviation at New Mexico State University:  This project targets biofuels production from algal biomass as an alternative source of fuel for aviation.  Between 2.5 and 3 percent of the Department of Defense (DOD) budget is spent on fuels, with more than 60 percent of the fuels used for aviation.  Moving toward an alternative source of fuel for aviation would address sustainability, environmental impacts, economic dependence and energy security related to our military and our national security.

$5 million for Holloman Air Force Base’s High Speed Test Track:  The funding would be used to advance technology development that allows for the implementation of a levitated, vibration-free test on the ground at a significantly reduced cost. 

$3.2 million for Playas Training and Research Center at New Mexico Tech: This funding would establish Playas Training and Research Center as a Joint National Training and Experimentation Site for the National Guard Bureau to be used for mission training areas of joint operations between services as well as intergovernmental agencies, irregular warfare, new and emerging missions, emergency management and civil affairs and peacekeeping missions.

$2.32 million for UAV Systems and Operations Validation Program at New Mexico State University:  This project will address a major shortfall of the existing Department of Defense knowledge base of the expertise and technology focused on small- to mid-sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).  The recent proliferation of small to medium UAVs within the various DOD services and commands emphasizes the need for systematic and consistent data sets to support decision makers.  Critical needs for small- to mid-sized UAVs to be addressed by this project include reliability, standards, interoperability, airspace integration, communication links, maintenance standards, training, operator certification, and multiple airworthiness issues.

$1.92 million for the University Strategic Partnership at the University of New Mexico:  This funding would be used in cooperation with divisions throughout the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to research biotechnology, materials sciences, situational awareness, infectious diseases, radiation detection, and medical sciences. 

$4 million for the Smart Instrument Development at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory (New Mexico Tech): This project is a unique teaming arrangement to build a state-of-the-art observatory with a 2.4 meter telescope and a multi-telescope interferometer that will make it a test bed for numerous astronomical and Department of Defense projects and will enhance the capabilities of the existing observatory, particularly in the area of Space Situational Awareness.  The existing facility is currently being used to support the DOD in applications including sensor development and testing, space weather monitoring and the rapid tracking of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) objects and debris.  This project will result in the most comprehensive images of astronomical and man-made objects yet available.

$2.4 million for the Deployable Joint Command and Control (DJC2) Shelter Upgrade Program: Funding will be used to replace outdated shelters with systems utilizing a 10-year service life and no set up/take down limitations. The original DJC2 tents were designed to be set up and taken down 50 times with a maximum 3-year service life and are now two years past their replacement date.

$1.6 million for Deformable Mirrors for High Energy Lasers: Funding would be used to upgrade existing Deformable Mirrors (DM’s) to determine whether new DM’s can be built with hundreds of actuators in spaces of approximately 5 milimeters (mm) to take High Power in both Solid State Resonater and Beam Control Applications. 

$2.4 million for Advanced Modular Avionics for ORS Use: Funding will help develop common avionics architecture and a power system for disparate ORS payloads to enable Plug in Play interoperability and mission readiness.

$2.4 million for Additional User Evaluation and System Study for Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL):  Funding would be used to conduct additional Enhanced User Evaluation of the ATL and enter into an agreement with a Federally Funded Research and Development Center to conduct a system analysis of integrating solid state laser systems onto C-130, B-1 and F-35 platforms for the purpose of close air support.  

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today met with a top Veterans Affairs official to discuss the need to improve VA clinics throughout the state, and was given an assurance that action will be taken.

Last month, Bingaman wrote to VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki highlighting problems with several of New Mexico’s 13 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.  Bingaman told the VA the clinic facilities in Raton, Silver City, Santa Fe, Gallup and Artesia are too small and need to be upgraded, and that the process for leasing new, more suitable space takes too long.  He also said a long-planned clinic in Rio Ranchohas yet to be opened. 

Bingaman today met with Dr. Randy Petzel, the VA’s acting deputy under secretary for the Veterans Health Administration.  Petzel assured Bingaman that the VA has hired a top level official to oversee contracting, and will continue hiring contractors charged with negotiating new leases. 

“In our meeting, I was assured the VA is now focused on this issue.  It’s not the overnight improvement veterans deserve, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction,” Bingaman said. 

In his letter to Shinseki, Bingaman cited waiting room space restrictions as a particularly serious problem at the Raton clinic.  Petzel said after receiving the letter, the VA made room for an additional waiting room. 

“I’m grateful the VA moved quickly to fix the problem in Raton, even as it seeks a larger facility to meet the long-term needs of veterans,” Bingaman said. 

Finally, the VA assured Bingaman that steps are underway to move forward on new lease agreements across the state, and that many of the contracts should be awarded by the middle of next year. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that a spending bill containing millions of dollars to address transportation and community needs in New Mexico has been signed into law.

“Transportation infrastructure is essential to a community’s economic viability.  This bill will help New Mexico communities upgrade their roads and highways, and improve their public transportation,” Bingaman said.  “It’s a great investment in our state’s future.”

“Now that this bill has been signed, we will be able to invest $11.6 million for a wide range of important projects – including funding for highway improvements, expanded access to public transportation, and new community and outdoors spaces. Each will help boost our economy, increase our quality of life and create good jobs for hardworking New Mexicans,” Udall said.

The bill contains the following for New Mexico:

$974,000 – City of Clovis: Funding would be used to improve alternative routes and access to Cannon Air Force Base in response to the base’s request to close County Road R on the west side of the base due to growing concern about safety and security.

$987,000 – Improvements to San Jose Blvd in Carlsbad:  Funding will be used for the reconstruction of 2.4 miles of San Jose Boulevard from Diaz Street south to National Parks Highway.  The project will include the installation of a center turning lane and a bike lane, concrete curb and gutter and sidewalks, reconstruction of major intersections, street lighting and storm drainage improvements.

$900,000 - Hobbs Transit Intermodal Facility: Funding would be used to acquire a site and build/develop a new city transit facility, which will include bus maintenance and administrative areas, driver areas and break room, counting room, and office and storage areas.  The facility will include several covered bus storage bays and outside parking spaces for 13 vehicles.  The site will include necessary paved entry way and exiting lanes of minimum width of 50’ pavement and will be fenced with security fence.

$1.95 million – State of New Mexico Statewide Bus and Bus Facilities: Funding will be used to improve public transit services to customers, including: construction and improvements to park and ride services, replacement/expansion of transit vehicles for rural transit providers, increased access to transportation opportunities for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

$974,000 - Albuquerque Regional East-West Trail and Bikeway: Funding would be used for a project to provide a continuous east-west trail and bikeway facility extending from Tramway Boulevard near the base of the Sandia Mountains to the Rio Grande Bosque. 

$487,000 - Community Area Resource Enterprise (CARE66) in Gallup: Funding would be used for the development of up to 60 units of affordable housing.

$399,340 - Luna County Community Recreation Facility: Funding would be used for the renovation of the old Pepsi building to house dedicated youth activities, practice space, and community meeting rooms.

$389,600 - Navajo Technical College in Crownpoint: Funding would be used for construction of a regional health center located on the campus of the Navajo Technical College.

$292,200 - Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in Rancho de Taos: Funding would be used for preconstruction costs of a youth facility.

$584,400 - Town of Silver City: Funding would be used for the construction of Vistas de Plata, a 56-unit affordable housing unit.

$800,000 – Los Alamos County:  Funding will be used to rehabilitation the runway at Los Alamos County Airport.

$500,000 – Navajo Nation: Funding will be used to upgrade US 491 to four-lanes.

$500,000 – City of Clovis: Funding will be used to replace the Hull Street Overpass.

$485,000 - City of Jal: Funding will be used for the renovation of the old junior high school to serve economic development purposes.

$170,000 - City of Santa Rosa: For the construction of the Illfeld Warehouse business incubator.

$145,000 - Valencia County: Funding will be used to make upgrades and training releated to the county’s IT program.

$275,000 – City of Albuquerque: Funding will be used to replace a general aviation aircraft parking ramp at Albuquerque International Sunport.

$250,000 – Town of Estancia: Funding will be used for Main Street improvements.

$870,000 – Valencia County: Funding will be used to repair, improve and extend the Manzano Expressway, including access to a new high school.

$100,000 – City of Las Cruces: Funding will be used for the Las Cruces Airport – Terminal Air Traffic Facilities.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that a key spending bill containing funding for numerous upgrades at New Mexico’s military installations and the Department of Veterans Affairs has been signed into law.

The legislation also included an amendment from Udall, Bingaman and Sen. Kit Bond, R-MO, to provide an additional $6 million for transitional housing services for the nation’s homeless veterans.

“Our state’s military installations have proven time and again how valuable they are to our nation’s security.  With this bill, we are ensuring they have the facilities they need to continue meeting their missions,” Bingaman said. 

“The president’s approval of these key defense initiatives in New Mexico reaffirms our state’s unique leadership role in maintaining our national security,” Udall said. “I am particularly proud that the amendment I authored to combat veteran homelessness by increasing transitional housing services is now law. This provision will get more of our veterans off the streets and help them begin rebuilding their lives.”

The legislation contains the following: 

National Guard
$39 million for an Army aviation support facility at Santa Fe

Cannon Air Force Base
$15 million for a consolidated communications facility
$41.27 million for C-130 maintenance hangar facility
$11.59 million modification to hangers to support CV-22s
$6 million for a C-130 ammunition loading ramp
$450,000 for design of an airmen dormitory  

Kirtland Air Force Base
$16.7 million for two simulator facilities to train pilots on C-130J aircraft
$5.8 million for additional operations space at the Space test and Development Wing 

Holloman Air Force Base
$5.5 million for a consolidated munitions maintenance facility for the F-22 Raptor
$37.5 million to fund alteration/additions to the operations and maintenance facilities to accommodate the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Training Wing
$10.4 million for fire/crash rescue station 

Department of Veterans Affairs
$6 million increase in the Homeless Grant and Per Diem program, which brings funding to the full authorized level of $150 million

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that a spending bill containing funding for New Mexico health and education initiatives has been signed into law.

“In these difficult economic times, it is extremely important to invest in health care and education initiatives that will help build a stronger future for our state,” Bingaman said.  “This bill supports worthwhile endeavors that touch the lives of many New Mexicans.”

“Investing in the health and education of our citizens are two of the most important roles of government.  Now that this legislation has been signed, we are able to continue shaping New Mexico’s future through a wide variety of programs that will build a healthier, more efficient workforce and better informed citizens for tomorrow,” Udall said.

The bill contains the following:

$200,000 - AVANCE, Inc.: Funding would help AVANCE establish a regional office in Doña Ana County and expand their parent-child education programs to serve more families in southern New Mexico.

$200,000 - Inquiry Facilitators, Inc.: Funds would help the non-profit organization conduct up to 20 workshops throughout New Mexico to recruit participants and assist students and teachers in designing, building, programming, and testing robots as well as completing the required team engineering reports and blogs associated with robotics competitions.

$100,000 - La Familia Medical Center: The funding would help the center acquire written materials, exercise aids and staff, including a Promotora, a certified diabetes educator and a nutritionist to collaborate with a community diabetes education outreach program to provide on-site individual counseling and group classes for patients.

$200,000 Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce: Funding would be used for workforce development activities.

$150,000 - Save the Children: Funds will be dedicated towards curriculum and assessment materials, computers and technological equipment, and ongoing training and technical assistance needs, as well as towards equipment and supplies for a physical activity and healthy snack component of the afterschool literacy program.

$150,000 - City of Farmington: Funds will be used to support intervention strategies for public inebriates. The service population is primarily Native American and all programming will hold cultural competence and sensitivity.

$100,000 - Eastern New Mexico University: Funding would upgrade student labs and campus computers (software, hardware, peripherals and security) for students and faculty, with back-up power generator and servers for security protection.

$100,000 - Los Alamos National Lab Foundation: Funding would help the foundation establish the Teacher Corps programs.  It would help them recruit 20 recent math/science college graduates and provide training for alternative teacher licensure while they work in 18 school districts. These school districts are expected to hire these college graduates once they are licensed.

$100,000 - Semos Unidos: The nonprofit organization would use funds to cover staff salaries, office supplies and other equipment needed to develop and produce Hispanic learning materials for approx. 30,000 students.

$125,000 - Sierra County: Funds would help with the construction of a building to replace an out of code, old facility that serves as a critical care hospital.

$125,000 - YMCA Española Teen Center: Funds would provide salaries for instructional and administrative staff and support (i.e., transportation services) to serve 280 at-risk students for truancy, violence prevention, and provide remedial academic support.

$450,000 - University of New Mexico-Taos: The University of New Mexico will install technology and wiring at its Taos Branch Community College Telecommunications/Distance Education Center.  This effort will address overcrowded and outdated facilities and equipment at the Center, allowing it to promote Web-based learning; provide technological flexibility such as video-on-demand; and offer state-of-the-art training and equipment in support of the university’s educational programs.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that a spending bill that contains millions of dollars to fight meth use, tackle border crime, and support the state's drug courts has been signed into law.

"From domestic violence prevention to juvenile justice programs, New Mexico communities will greatly benefit from the funding included on this bill," Bingaman said.

"I am pleased that President Obama has signed a bill to give our law enforcement the tools they need to keep New Mexicans safe by decreasing drug violence, preventing youth crime, and reducing the growing threat of violence along our border," Udall said. "These investments in crime prevention and justice initiatives are critical to the safety of our state, and this bill allows us to continue these efforts."

The bill contains the following for New Mexico:

$5 million - International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEAs): The bill contains language that directs the State Department to provide $5 million to ILEA  in Roswell (ILEA-R).  ILEAs were created by the US State Department to train international law enforcement officers in an effort to enhance of the professionalism of foreign law enforcement officials to enable them to efficiently combat crime in their respective countries and at, the same time, prevent the movement of transnational criminal elements into the United States and throughout the world.

$265,000 - Juvenile Assessment and Reporting Center (JARC), Prevention and Intervention Program in Las Cruces: The nonprofit serves as a central point of entry into the juvenile justice system, where it assesses juveniles who have committed a misdemeanor or non-violent felony and makes a referral to a community program designed to address the specific needs of the juvenile and his/her family.

$200,000 - San Juan Youth Advocate Program: The funding will support the work of the Youth Advocate Program in San Juan County, which will expand gang prevention efforts to an additional 75 youth and their families.

$400,000 - Torrance County Sheriff's Department: Funding will be used to help the Torrance County Sheriff's Department fight methamphetamine use.

$275,000 - New Mexico Sheriff and Police Athletic League, Gang Prevention-Intervention Program: Funding will help the N.M. Sheriff and Police Athletic League continue a state-wide Gang Prevention-Intervention Program.  The program will identify children and youth who are at-risk for gang recruitment and seek to reduce the attractiveness of gang membership and its lifestyle.  The organization will work closely with law enforcement agencies, school systems, and communities to develop strategies to reduce gang activity and promote positive and healthy communities.

$200,000 - New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Hispanic Community Outreach:  Funding will be used to help the Albuquerque coalition expand its outreach efforts to Hispanics across the state through a comprehensive, multi-media public education campaign to raise awareness and prevent domestic violence.  Funding would be used to create and conduct a Spanish-language Hispanic domestic violence public awareness and prevention media campaign.

$300,000 - New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Drug Court Program: Funding will expand court programs throughout the state and standardize drug court databases and performance evaluations.  New Mexico's drug courts have increased over the last five years from 20 to 41 programs, and continue to report excellent performance outcomes.

$220,000 - New Mexico Attorney General, Environmental Crimes Unit (ECU) Outreach and Training Program: The ECU investigates and prosecutes environmental crimes throughout the state and requires resources to educate government agencies and the general public about environmental crime.  Funding will be used to conduct live trainings of law enforcement and land management personnel, and do public outreach through the media to create awareness of environmental crimes to deter criminal behavior and increase the reporting of suspected criminal environmental activity.

$215,000 - New Mexico Attorney General, Human Trafficking Task Force: Funding will be used to raise awareness about human trafficking and to support efforts of the Task Force, which include the training of law enforcement, a community media campaign to raise awareness of the issue, and the education of health and social service providers in indentifying trafficking victims.  In addition, the funding would be used to support victim services.

$250,000 - New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD), Juvenile Justice Services Pilot Project: CYFD will use the funding to develop and implement national standards for the delivery of juvenile justice services for probationary, paroled and committed youth.  Funding will also be used to improve health and behavioral health services, educational services, and to decrease the recidivism rate of youth offenders.

$500,000 - New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD), Prisoner Reentry Initiative: Funding will be used by NMCD to expand ongoing prisoner reentry initiatives aimed at rehabilitating prisoners and decreasing recidivism rates.

$250,000 to help the Luna County Sheriff's Department: Funding will help the department modernize its public safety communication systems.

$250,000 - City of Las Cruces Juvenile Justice and Law enforcement After School Program: Funding will be used to fund the city's Juvenile Justice and Law enforcement After School Program.

$400,000 - Albuquerque Public Safety Department: Funding will help the department continue to develop a Comprehensive Information system.

$100,000 – Farmington Interoperability Radio Communications: Funding will replace and upgrade the aging police and fire communications equipment to facilitate communications with regional partners in times of emergency.

$200,000 – New Mexico State University Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy: The Academy will use the funding to continue to engage historically underrepresented youth in activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The United States needs 400,000 new graduates in STEM fields by 2015 and only 15 percent of all colleges graduates currently choose them as careers, which impacts American competitiveness.

$300,000 – Eastern New Mexico University Flight Research Training Center: The Flight Research Training Center has developed a program to detect, mitigate and recover from loss of control accidents in aircraft by focusing on advanced maneuver and upset recovery training for pilots using in-flight simulation. Funding will be used to support the development of aviation jobs in southeastern New Mexico and the transition to a robust and economically viable program based in Roswell that will make air travel safer for the public.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has cleared legislation he wrote to protect and enhance cultural, ecological, recreational, and scenic resources on public lands in Northern New Mexico. The bill is cosponsored by Senator Tom Udall.

The "Río Grande Del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act" would protect approximately 236,000 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Taos and Río Arriba counties by designating a combination of "conservation" and "wilderness" areas. Click here for a map and a picture.

The vast majority of the land – 214,600 acres – would be managed as a conservation area. Two other areas – the 13,400-acre Cerro del Yuta on the east-side and the 8,000-acre Río San Antonio in the west – will be managed as wilderness.

"Taos and Rio Arriba counties boast some of the most scenic lands in our state. This bill would help protect a particularly special area from development while ensuring its cultural and traditional uses are also preserved," Bingaman said.

"This legislation is key to protecting the historic landscapes of Taos and Rio Arriba counties for the enjoyment of future generations," Udall said. "I commend Senator Bingaman and his Committee for moving this legislation and look forward to its consideration and approval by the full Senate."

The bill would designate as a conservation area the upper reaches of the Rio Grande Gorge previously designated as a Wild and Scenic River and a large portion of the Taos Plateau, protecting elk wintering grounds and a main migratory flyway for birds and raptors, including peregrine falcons and bald eagles. The majority of the conservation area is composed of high mesa sagebrush-grasslands interspersed with piñon juniper woodlands.

The Cerro del Yuta Wilderness will protect Ute Mountain, a forested extinct volcano which rises to more than 10,000 feet from an elevation of about 7,600 feet at its base. The Río San Antonio Wilderness Area lies northwest of San Antonio Mountain and is currently managed as a Wilderness Study Area by the Bureau of Land Management. Its unique character is shaped by the 200-foot-deep canyon formed by the waters of the Río San Antonio that bisects the wilderness area.

"Visitors and residents of northern New Mexico also enjoy these public lands for recreational purposes, including river rafting, hunting, fishing, and hiking, among many others," Bingaman said. "The local economy benefits greatly from the tourists who visit this area to take in the scenic beauty and natural character of the region, and it is my hope that this designation will further highlight the region as a premier destination in the state, nationally and internationally."

The bill is the culmination of more than two years of work with members of the local community, and because of that input, earlier drafts were revised to specifically mention that the collection of piñon nuts and firewood is permissible within the conservation area. In addition, existing grazing within the conservation area will be preserved consistent with current management practices.

The Energy Committee also approved S. 1453, the Bureau of Reclamation Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act of 2009. The bill authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to maintain annual funding through fiscal year 2023 for the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River fish recovery programs. Those programs provide environmental compliance for water uses in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and the other states within the Upper Colorado River Basin which are Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.  The recovery programs have received national recognition for their efforts to help recover endangered species while at the same time protecting existing water uses within the basin.

The bills are now ready for full Senate consideration.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today applauded the White House for supporting his call to expand a key tax incentive that would create jobs by encouraging the manufacture of clean energy technologies in the United States.

Bingaman helped shepherd through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act a new tax credit that allows qualified companies to write off 30 percent of the cost of creating, expanding, or re-equipping facilities to manufacture renewable energy technologies, like solar panels, wind turbines, and advanced batteries.

The original program allowed the Departments of Energy and the Treasury to award up to $2.3 billion in tax credits.  Today's announcement calls for an additional $5 billion, which must be approved by Congress; Bingaman committed to lead the legislative effort to secure enactment.

"There is so much potential for clean energy manufacturing in our country that the first $2.3 billion in tax credits were exhausted in just a few months," Bingaman said. "Today's announcement will help put us on the path toward being the exporter to the world for clean energy technology.  I applaud President Obama for taking this step to help us create jobs of the future," Bingaman said.

Until ARRA was enacted in February, all domestic tax incentives focused exclusively on business and consumer tax credits to encourage the use of such technology as solar panels.  The 30 percent tax credit – created first in ARRA and proposed for expansion through the American Clean Technology Manufacturing Leadership Act -- for the first time incentivized companies to manufacture clean technologies in the United States.

Last week, Bingaman introduced the American Clean Technology Manufacturing Leadership Act (S. 2857) – a bipartisan bill that would have added an additional $2.5 billion in tax credits, enough to leverage $8.33 billion in new domestic investment.

Bingaman chairs the Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources & Infrastructure, and plans to convene a hearing in 2010 on tax incentives for energy manufacturing.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked about the health care reform bill being debated in the Senate. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved online and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about the importance of passing health insurance reform legislation.

03:04 – Bingaman says he believed a provision in the health care reform bill that would expand Medicare to people as young as 55 will likely not make it into the final version of the bill. 

06:57 – Bingaman says he is optimistic that the Senate will pass a health care reform bill.

08:53 – Bingaman says health insurance reform legislation would benefit New Mexicans.

10:20 – Bingaman says the bill being debated before the Senate would help make health care more affordable for families and small businesses, and extend coverage to uninsured Americans.

13:43 – Bingaman says he has been assured by the Department of Homeland Security that New Mexico travelers planning to use a state-issued identification to travel after Dec. 31 will not encounter problems.

16:13 – Bingaman comments on the Fair Elections Now Act.

17:41 – Bingaman comments on calls to do more to protect consumer for credit card companies.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that the final version of a key spending bill contains millions of dollars to fight meth use, tackle border crime, and support the state's drug courts. It also allocates additional funding to recruit new graduates into science fields and to support the development of aviation jobs in southeastern New Mexico. The bill is expected to pass the Senate as soon as this weekend, and be sent to the president for signature.

"This bill will help New Mexico prevent juvenile delinquency and make our communities safer," Bingaman. "I'm glad we're making these important investments in New Mexico communities."

"This legislation gives our law enforcement the tools they need to keep New Mexicans safe by decreasing drug violence, preventing youth crime, and reducing the growing threat of violence along our border," Udall said. "Investments in crime prevention and justice initiatives are critical to the safety of our state, and this spending bill allows us to continue doing just that."

The bill contains the following for New Mexico:

$5 million - International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEAs) – T he bill contains language that directs the State Department to provide $5 million to ILEA in Roswell (ILEA-R). ILEAs were created by the US State Department to train international law enforcement officers in an effort to enhance of the professionalism of foreign law enforcement officials to enable them to efficiently combat crime in their respective countries and at, the same time, prevent the movement of transnational criminal elements into the United States and throughout the world.

$265,000 - Juvenile Assessment and Reporting Center (JARC), Prevention and Intervention Program in Las Cruces: The nonprofit serves as a central point of entry into the juvenile justice system, where it assesses juveniles who have committed a misdemeanor or non-violent felony and makes a referral to a community program designed to address the specific needs of the juvenile and his/her family.

$200,000 - San Juan Youth Advocate Program: The funding will support the work of the Youth Advocate Program in San Juan County, which will expand gang prevention efforts to an additional 75 youth and their families.

$400,000 - Torrance County Sheriff's Department: Funding will be used to help the Torrance County Sheriff's Department fight methamphetamine use.

$275,000 - New Mexico Sheriff and Police Athletic League, Gang Prevention-Intervention Program: Funding will help the N.M. Sheriff and Police Athletic League continue a state-wide Gang Prevention-Intervention Program. The program will identify children and youth who are at-risk for gang recruitment and seek to reduce the attractiveness of gang membership and its lifestyle. The organization will work closely with law enforcement agencies, school systems, and communities to develop strategies to reduce gang activity and promote positive and healthy communities.

$200,000 - New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Hispanic Community Outreach: Funding will be used to help the Albuquerque coalition expand its outreach efforts to Hispanics across the state through a comprehensive, multi-media public education campaign to raise awareness and prevent domestic violence. Funding would be used to create and conduct a Spanish-language Hispanic domestic violence public awareness and prevention media campaign.

$300,000 - New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Drug Court Program: Funding will expand court programs throughout the state and standardize drug court databases and performance evaluations. New Mexico's drug courts have increased over the last five years from 20 to 41 programs, and continue to report excellent performance outcomes.

$220,000 - New Mexico Attorney General, Environmental Crimes Unit (ECU) Outreach and Training Program: The ECU investigates and prosecutes environmental crimes throughout the state and requires resources to educate government agencies and the general public about environmental crime. Funding will be used to conduct live trainings of law enforcement and land management personnel, and do public outreach through the media to create awareness of environmental crimes to deter criminal behavior and increase the reporting of suspected criminal environmental activity.

$215,000 - New Mexico Attorney General, Human Trafficking Task Force: Funding will be used to raise awareness about human trafficking and to support efforts of the Task Force, which include the training of law enforcement, a community media campaign to raise awareness of the issue, and the education of health and social service providers in indentifying trafficking victims. In addition, the funding would be used to support victim services.

$250,000 - New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD), Juvenile Justice Services Pilot Project: CYFD will use the funding to develop and implement national standards for the delivery of juvenile justice services for probationary, paroled and committed youth. Funding will also be used to improve health and behavioral health services, educational services, and to decrease the recidivism rate of youth offenders.

$500,000 - New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD), Prisoner Reentry Initiative: Funding will be used by NMCD to expand ongoing prisoner reentry initiatives aimed at rehabilitating prisoners and decreasing recidivism rates.

$250,000 to help the Luna County Sheriff's Department: Funding will help the department modernize its public safety communication systems.

$250,000 - City of Las Cruces Juvenile Justice and Law enforcement After School Program: Funding will be used to fund the city's Juvenile Justice and Law enforcement After School Program.

$400,000 - Albuquerque Public Safety Department: Funding will help the department continue to develop a Comprehensive Information system.

$100,000 – Farmington Interoperability Radio Communications: Funding will replace and upgrade the aging police and fire communications equipment to facilitate communications with regional partners in times of emergency.

$200,000 – New Mexico State University Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy: The Academy will use the funding to continue to engage historically underrepresented youth in activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The United States needs 400,000 new graduates in STEM fields by 2015 and only 15 percent of all colleges graduates currently choose them as careers, which impacts American competitiveness.

$300,000 – Eastern New Mexico University Flight Research Training Center: The Flight Research Training Center has developed a program to detect, mitigate and recover from loss of control accidents in aircraft by focusing on advanced maneuver and upset recovery training for pilots using in-flight simulation. Funding will be used to support the development of aviation jobs in southeastern New Mexico and the transition to a robust and economically viable program based in Roswell that will make air travel safer for the public.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that the final version of a key spending bill contains millions of dollars to address transportation and community needs in New Mexico.  The bill is expected to pass the Senate as soon as this weekend, and be sent to the president for signature. 

“Improving our roads, highways and public transportation are essential to building a strong economy in New Mexico,” Bingaman said.  “This spending bill invests millions of dollars in transportation projects across the state.” 

“This legislation contains more than $11.6 million for a wide range of important projects – including funding for highway improvements, expanded access to public transportation, and new community and outdoors spaces – all of which will be a boon to our economy, increase our quality of life and create good jobs for hardworking New Mexicans,” Udall said. “I am proud that we won support for these important initiatives.” 

The bill contains the following for New Mexico:

$974,000 - Albuquerque Regional East-West Trail and Bikeway: Funding would be used for a project to provide a continuous east-west trail and bikeway facility extending from Tramway Boulevard near the base of the Sandia Mountains to the Rio Grande Bosque. 

$974,000 - Cannon Air Force Base: Funding would be used to improve alternative routes and access to Cannon Air Force Base in response to the base’s request to close County Road R on the west side of the base due to growing concern about safety and security.

$987,000 – Improvements to San Jose Blvd in Carlsbad:  Funding will be used for the reconstruction of 2.4 miles of San Jose Boulevard from Diaz Street south to National Parks Highway.  The project will include the installation of a center turning lane and a bike lane, concrete curb and gutter and sidewalks, reconstruction of major intersections, street lighting and storm drainage improvements.

$900,000 - Hobbs Transit Intermodal Facility: Funding would be used to acquire a site and build/develop a new city transit facility, which will include bus maintenance and administrative areas, driver areas and break room, counting room, and office and storage areas.  The facility will include several covered bus storage bays and outside parking spaces for 13 vehicles.  The site will include necessary paved entry way and exiting lanes of minimum width of 50’ pavement and will be fenced with security fence.

$1.95 million – State of New Mexico Statewide Bus and Bus Facilities: Funding will be used to improve public transit services to customers, including: construction and improvements to park and ride services, replacement/expansion of transit vehicles for rural transit providers, increased access to transportation opportunities for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

$487,000 - Community Area Resource Enterprise (CARE66) in Gallup: Funding would be used for the development of up to 60 units of affordable housing.

$399,340 - Luna County Community Recreation Facility: Funding would be used for the renovation of the old Pepsi building to house dedicated youth activities, practice space, and community meeting rooms.

$389,600 - Navajo Technical College in Crownpoint: Funding would be used for construction of a regional health center located on the campus of the Navajo Technical College.

$292,200 - Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in Rancho de Taos: Funding would be used for preconstruction costs of a youth facility.

$584,400 - Town of Silver City: Funding would be used for the construction of Vistas de Plata, a 56-unit affordable housing unit.

$800,000 – Los Alamos County:  Funding will be used to rehabilitation the runway at Los Alamos County Airport.

$500,000 – Navajo Nation: Funding will be used to upgrade US 491 to four-lanes.

$500,000 – City of Clovis: Funding will be used to replace the Hull Street Overpass.

$485,000 - City of Jal: Funding will be used for the renovation of the old junior high school to serve economic development purposes.

$170,000 - City of Santa Rosa: For the construction of the Illfeld Warehouse business incubator.

$145,000 - Valencia County: Funding will be used to make upgrades and training related to the county’s IT program.

$275,000 – City of Albuquerque: Funding will be used to replace a general aviation aircraft parking ramp at Albuquerque International Sunport.

$250,000 – Town of Estancia: Funding will be used for Main Street improvements.

$870,000 – Valencia County: Funding will be used to repair, improve and extend the Manzano Expressway, including access to a new high school.

$100,000 – City of Las Cruces: Funding will be used for the Las Cruces Airport – Terminal Air Traffic Facilities.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that the final version of a key spending bill contains funding for numerous upgrades at New Mexico's military installations and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The bill is expected to pass the Senate as soon as this weekend, and be sent to the president for signature. The legislation also included an amendment from Udall, Bingaman and Sen. Kit Bond, R-MO, to provide an additional $6 million for transitional housing services for the nation's homeless veterans. Click HERE for more information.

"New Mexico is essential to our national defense and this spending bill ensures our military installations are able to achieve their missions," Bingaman said.  "Additionally, this bill funds key initiatives that support our nation's veterans.  This is a good bill for our state," Bingaman said.

"Through this bill, we support key defense initiatives in New Mexico that are vital to the safety of our country – and that reaffirm our state's unique leadership role in maintaining our national security," Udall said. "We also take an important step forward in combating veterans homelessness through increased funding for transitional housing that will get our veterans off the streets and help them begin rebuilding their lives."

The legislation contains the following: 

National Guard
$39 million for an Army aviation support facility at Santa Fe

Cannon Air Force Base
$15 million for a consolidated communications facility
$41.27 million for C-130 maintenance hangar facility
$11.59 million modification to hangers to support CV-22s
$6 million for a C-130 ammunition loading ramp
$450,000 for design of an airmen dormitory

Kirtland Air Force Base
$16.7 million for two simulator facilities to train pilots on C-130J aircraft
$5.8 million for additional operations space at the Space test and Development Wing

Holloman Air Force Base
$5.5 million for a consolidated munitions maintenance facility for the F-22 Raptor
$37.5 million to fund alteration/additions to the operations and maintenance facilities to accommodate the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Training Wing
$10.4 million for fire/crash rescue station

Department of Veterans Affairs
$6 million increase in the Homeless Grant and Per Diem program, which brings funding to the full authorized level of $150 million

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that the final version of a key spending bill contains funding for New Mexico health and education initiatives.  The bill is expected to pass the Senate as soon as this weekend, and be sent to the president for signature.

"The initiatives funded in this bill represent some of the most innovative thinking in the state.  They benefit their community and help them reach their full potential," Bingaman said.

"Investing in the health and education of our citizens are two of the most important roles of government.  With this funding, we are helping to shape New Mexico's future through a wide variety of programs that will build a healthier, more efficient workforce and better informed citizens for tomorrow," Udall said.

The bill contains the following:

$200,000 - AVANCE, Inc.: Funding would help AVANCE establish a regional office in Doña Ana County and expand their parent-child education programs to serve more families in southern New Mexico.

$200,000 - Inquiry Facilitators, Inc.: Funds would help the non-profit organization conduct up to 20 workshops throughout New Mexico to recruit participants and assist students and teachers in designing, building, programming, and testing robots as well as completing the required team engineering reports and blogs associated with robotics competitions.

$100,000 - La Familia Medical Center: The funding would help the center acquire written materials, exercise aids and staff, including a Promotora, a certified diabetes educator and a nutritionist to collaborate with a community diabetes education outreach program to provide on-site individual counseling and group classes for patients.

$200,000 Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce: Funding would be used for workforce development activities.

$150,000 - Save the Children: Funds will be dedicated towards curriculum and assessment materials, computers and technological equipment, and ongoing training and technical assistance needs, as well as towards equipment and supplies for a physical activity and healthy snack component of the afterschool literacy program.

$150,000 - City of Farmington: Funds will be used to hire 1-2 treatment counselors and retain one position as residential counselor to provide evidence based intervention strategies for public inebriates. The service population is primarily Native American and all programming will hold cultural competence and sensitivity.

$100,000 - Eastern New Mexico University: Funding would upgrade student labs and campus computers (software, hardware, peripherals and security) for students and faculty, with back-up power generator and servers for security protection.

$100,000 - Los Alamos National Lab Foundation: Funding would help the foundation establish the Teacher Corps programs.  It would help them recruit 20 recent math/science college graduates and provide training for alternative teacher licensure while they work in 18 school districts. These school districts are expected to hire these college graduates once they are licensed.

$100,000 - Semos Unidos: The nonprofit organization would use funds to cover staff salaries, office supplies and other equipment needed to develop and produce Hispanic learning materials for approx. 30,000 students.

$125,000 - Sierra County: Funds would help with the construction of a building to replace an out of code, old facility that serves as a critical care hospital.

$125,000 - YMCA Española Teen Center: Funds would provide salaries for instructional and administrative staff and support (i.e., transportation services) to serve 280 at-risk students for truancy, violence prevention, and provide remedial academic support.

$450,000 - University of New Mexico-Taos: The University of New Mexico will install technology and wiring at its Taos Branch Community College Telecommunications/Distance Education Center.  This effort will address overcrowded and outdated facilities and equipment at the Center, allowing it to promote Web-based learning; provide technological flexibility such as video-on-demand; and offer state-of-the-art training and equipment in support of the university's educational programs.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that several New Mexico tribal communities will receive funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to improve energy efficiency and public transportation.

"New Mexico communities are putting their share of recovery funds to very good use, and in the process they're creating jobs.  Some of this funding will help boost energy efficiency efforts, while other funding will be invested in key public transportation initiatives," Bingaman said.

"The Recovery Act continues to provide significant investments in New Mexico's tribal communities in critical areas like energy efficiency and improved access to public transportation," Udall said. "With this funding, these pueblos will be able to make improvements that will create jobs, save money and improve the quality of life for all their residents."

Five pueblos and the County of San Juan will receive more than $900,000 in energy efficiency grants through the Department of Energy for energy audits, building retrofits and to create financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. They include:

Additionally, the Department of Transportation released ARRA funds to:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman, Tom Udall and Representative Ben Ray Luján today received assurances from the Department of Homeland Security that New Mexico travelers planning to use a state-issued identification to travel after Dec. 31 will not encounter problems.

On a conference call with DHS officials, the delegation offices were once again told the administration preferred to enact new legislation, called PASS ID, which would again postpone the date of compliance. However, contingency plans, including an extension of the deadline for compliance, are in the works if Congress is unable to enact the new bill before adjourning for the year.

"We fully understand the anxiety this situation has caused New Mexico holiday travelers, but we have received every assurance that there is no need for them to worry," said Bingaman, Udall and Luján. "Anyone planning to travel with a state-issued identification will not be hindered."

Last month, Bingaman and Udall sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano saying that enforcement of the Dec. 31 deadline for REAL ID would cause a significant disruption in air travel.  They also pointed out that New Mexico has asked for an extension of the deadline and urged DHS to quickly clarify its plans regarding the implementation of the REAL ID Act.

In November, Luján also reached out to the Department in a letter expressing his concern about the implementation REAL ID in New Mexico. He also asked them to be cognizant of New Mexico's diverse communities as the Department considered implementation.

Udall continued to press Sec. Napolitano to extend the deadline last week when she testified before his Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have introduced legislation that would create jobs by encouraging the manufacture of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

The senators' American Clean Technology Manufacturing Leadership Act extends the life of a successful tax credit that allows companies to write off 30 percent of the cost of creating, expanding, or re-equipping facilities to manufacture renewable energy technologies, like solar panels, wind turbines, and advanced batteries.

The legislation expands an innovative tax incentive first created at Bingaman's urging in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Act authorized the Departments of Energy and the Treasury to award up to $2.3 billion in tax credits.  But due to an unexpectedly high number of applicants, that program will run out of funds by mid-January.  The senators' American Clean Technology Manufacturing Leadership Act (S. 2857) would provide an additional $2.5 billion in tax credits, enough to leverage $8.33 billion in new domestic investment.

"This tax incentive has been so successful that President Obama himself called on Congress to extend it, so that more companies can take advantage of it and create jobs," Bingaman said.  "Currently, the United States runs an annual 'green trade deficit' of almost $9 billion.  But the United States should be the world's No. 1 manufacturer of clean energy technology.  This tax incentive will help us move toward that goal."

"With all the talk about green jobs these days, it can be confusing to figure out just what a green job is.  Well, this legislation promotes green jobs where they matter the most, in the domestic advanced energy manufacturing sector.  Renewable energy is a rapidly growing field, and we're joining together today to ensure that the United States maintains leadership in the development and manufacture of the best energy technologies, while keeping our nation on the competitive cutting edge," Hatch said.

"In order to turn our economy around and create jobs, we need to build the clean energy technology of the future here in America. Otherwise, we will lose the race with other countries and see those jobs go overseas," said Stabenow. "This manufacturing tax credit, which I co-authored in the recovery act, has already spurred interest to invest in advanced energy projects such as wind, solar, geothermal, and other renewable resources across the country. It has also set aside critical funding for companies manufacturing technologies for the next generation of advanced vehicles. This initiative is central to any jobs package, and I am pleased to partner with my Senate colleagues to introduce legislation that will help put our economy back on track."

"With one in ten Hoosiers unemployed and many more underemployed, job creation must be a first priority. Extending the Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit is a fiscally-responsible way of helping American workers and businesses use our manufacturing expertise to lead in new energy technology production," Lugar said.

Until ARRA was enacted in February, all domestic tax incentives focused exclusively on business and consumer tax credits to encourage the use of such technology as solar panels.  The 30 percent tax credit – created first in ARRA and proposed for expansion through the American Clean Technology Manufacturing Leadership Act -- for the first time incentivized companies to manufacture clean technologies in the United States.

The American Clean Technology Manufacturing Leadership Act was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Bingaman, Hatch and Stabenow are members of that committee.  Bingaman also chairs the Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources & Infrastructure, and plans to convene a hearing in 2010 on tax incentives for energy manufacturing.

The REAL ID Act requires states to tighten requirements related to the issuance of identification cards used for federal purposes, including air travel.  States are required to meet the standards under this law by December 31, 2009.

New Mexico is one of 36 states that will not be in compliance with these standards.  Senator Bingaman and Senator Tom Udall have formally requested that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant an extension to these states, so Congress may discuss legislation aimed at revising the REAL ID Act and ensure that New Mexicans' air travel is not be disrupted.

Though DHS has not yet formally announced its decision regarding the state's request, they have assured Senator Bingaman that New Mexicans do not need passports to travel.  DHS will grant extensions as a last resort for contingencies related to REAL ID implementation.

Please check back in the future for updates on the status of an extension.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked about the health care reform bill being debated in the Senate. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed.

00:00 – Bingaman talks about the health care reform legislation currently being debated on the Senate floor.

01:04 – Bingaman discusses a pending amendment to the health care bill that would change the law regarding women's reproductive health.

05:05 – Bingaman says a pubic option will ensure consumers have access to nonprofit insurance entity.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, along with Rep. Martin Heinrich, today offered congratulations to the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordination Center in Albuquerque for winning the 2009 Baldrige National Quality Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Baldrige award is the nation's highest Presidential honor for innovation and performance excellence.  Winners will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., next year.

"This center in Albuquerque is working to ensure veterans across the country are getting the high quality care they deserve.  I congratulate the employees who earned this prestigious award and applaud them for the important work they do," Bingaman said.

"What makes this award so special is that it represents excellence in every aspect. Quality improvement is an evolutionary process and I commend the entire team at the VA Cooperative Studies Program for their hard work, innovative spirit and commitment to excellence. They represent the finest example of exemplary service delivery in the federal government," said Udall.

"I congratulate The Center and its employees for earning the Baldrige National Quality Award, further demonstrating that our state is home to cutting edge businesses who are leading the way in innovation, customer service, and providing New Mexicans with quality jobs," said Heinrich (NM-1).

According to the U.S. Commerce Department award recipients were selected from a field of 70 applicants from across the country; five were selected as winners. All of the applicants were evaluated rigorously by an independent board of examiners in seven areas:  leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and results. The evaluation process for each of the recipients included about 1,000 hours of review and an on-site visit by a team of examiners to clarify questions and verify information in the applications.

Named after Malcolm Baldrige, the 26th Secretary of Commerce, the Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness and performance of U.S. businesses. Originally, three types of organizations were eligible: manufacturers, service companies and small businesses. Congress expanded the program in 1999 to include education and health care organizations, and again in 2007 to include nonprofit organizations (including charities, trade and professional associations, and government agencies). The award promotes excellence in organizational performance, recognizes the achievements and results of U.S. organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies. The award is not given for specific products or services. Since 1988, 80 organizations have received Baldrige Awards.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that Grant and Luna Counties have been declared eligible for disaster assistance due to drought and high winds that occurred during the period of January 1, 2009, and continuing.

Additionally, the counties of Catron, Dona Ana, Hidalgo, and Sierra are also eligible for disaster assistance due to their proximity to Grant and Luna counties.

As a result of the declaration, farmers and ranchers in the eligible counties now qualify to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"I am pleased the USDA is lending a helping hand to farmers and ranchers in southern New Mexico who have been affected by extreme weather in the area," Bingaman said.

Bingaman also said the counties of Catron, Cibola, Grant, Hidalgo, McKinley and San Juan were declared as eligible for disaster aid due to their proximity to Arizona, which received its own disaster declaration due to drought conditions this year.

For more information or to determine eligibility for a low interest loan contact the local USDA Farm Service Center.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today highlighted the importance of passing health insurance reform legislation.

Bingaman is a strong supporter of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act being debated in the Senate.  In a speech to his Senate colleagues, Bingaman said the current system is not working.  (Video of speech.)

"It is clear that the U.S. healthcare system is failing many Americans and that the situation is becoming more and more urgent.  According to a study published by Harvard Medical School in August, medical costs have led to almost two-thirds of the bankruptcies in the country, more than 62 percent.  The study found that most medical debtors were well educated, owned homes, and had middle-class occupations.  Shockingly, three quarters had health insurance," Bingaman said.

"And unfortunately, for many individuals, the very high cost of medical care leads them to delay or avoid receiving medical care all together.  The Urban Institute reports that 137,000 people died from 2000 through 2006 because they lacked health insurance, including 22,000 people in 2006.  Clearly, the need for national health reform has never been so great," he added.

Bingaman pointed out that according to an August report by the Commonwealth Fund, nationally, family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance increased 119 percent between 1999 and 2008, and -- if cost growth continues on its current course -- could increase another 94 percent to an average $23,842 per family by 2020.

Nowhere is the unsustainable growth felt more acutely than in my home state of New Mexico.  Without health reform, New Mexico is expected to experience the greatest increase in health insurance premiums in the nation.

The average employer sponsored insurance premium for a family in New Mexico was about $6,000 in 2000.  By 2006, this rate had almost doubled to over $11,000.  By 2016 this amount is expected to rise to an astonishing $28,000.  In addition, health insurance premiums in New Mexico make up a larger percentage of New Mexican's income than almost all other states, 31.18 percent, and this is expected to grow to an astounding 56.64 percent by 2016.

"The bill we're debating represents true healthcare reform.  It's time for the Senate to put partisanship aside and enact this critical and long overdue legislation," Bingaman said.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall applauded today's announcement that a planned biorefinery in Columbus, New Mexico, will receive a $50 million economic recovery grant and up to $54.5 million in guaranteed loans to build the facility and develop algae-based biofuels for use in jet fuel and diesel.

Sapphire Energy, which is based in San Diego, announced earlier this year plans to build an integrated algal biorefinery in Luna County. Construction of the biorefinery is expected to begin next year. In addition to the Columbus project, Sapphire has a research and pilot production facility in Las Cruces and is planning an additional demonstration project in Portales, which Udall secured nearly $1 million for in a 2009 appropriations measure.

Sapphire will use the grant and loan guarantee to demonstrate an integrated algal biorefinery process that will cultivate algae in ponds. It will then use dewatering and oil extraction technology to produce an intermediate that will be processed into drop-in green fuels such as jet fuel and diesel. The project will create hundreds of construction jobs, and several dozen full time positions once the plant is operational.

"This federal investment will create jobs in New Mexico while helping our country reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels," said Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.  "This is great news for our state -- one that will have a positive impact now and in the long term."

"This funding builds on New Mexico's investment in the development of advanced, homegrown biofuels like algae," Udall said. "As a result, we will decrease our dependence on foreign oil, reduce our carbon footprint, and create jobs for hardworking New Mexicans."

The funding for Sapphire was part of an announcement today by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.  The $50 million grant funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; the $54.5 million loan guarantee comes through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Mr. President, I would like to spend a few minutes discussing why the health reform bill is so important to all Americans and, in particular, the people of my home state of New Mexico.

First, I'd like to discuss the context for this health reform bill –the very serious problems that we currently face and the significant cost to the nation if we, as a Congress, fail to act.

As this chart demonstrates, the cost of healthcare continues to escalate at an unsustainable rate.  Currently, America spends more on healthcare than any other nation.  According to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. is spending over $2.5 trillion annually on healthcare, more than 16 percent of our Gross Domestic Product.  This threatens the fiscal health of the U.S. government, American families, and American businesses.

As this chart demonstrates, according to the Congressional Budget Office if Congress does not act to change current law, federal spending on Medicare and Medicaid combined will grow from roughly 5 percent of GDP today to almost 10 percent by 2035. By 2080, the government would be spending almost as much, as a share of the economy, on just its two major health care programs as it has spent on all of its programs and services in recent years.

As this next chart demonstrates, most of this increase is not the result of our aging population, but instead is categorized as excess cost growth.  Such spending is unsustainable and has led CBO to say that "slowing the growth rate of outlays for Medicare and Medicaid is the central long-term challenge for fiscal policy."

Moreover, across the country premiums continue to increase and are becoming more and more unaffordable for individuals and businesses.  According to an August report by the Commonwealth Fund, nationally, family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance increased 119 percent between 1999 and 2008, and -- if cost growth continues on its current course -- could increase another 94 percent to an average $23,842 per family by 2020.

Nowhere is the unsustainable growth felt more acutely than in my home state of New Mexico.  Without health reform, my state is expected to experience the greatest increase in health insurance premiums in the nation.  For example, the average employer sponsored insurance premium for a family in New Mexico was about $6,000 in 2000.  By 2006, this rate had almost doubled to over $11,000.  By 2016 this amount is expected to rise to an astonishing $28,000.  In addition, health insurance premiums in New Mexico make up a larger percentage of New Mexican's income than almost all other states, 31.18 percent, and this is expected to grow to an astounding 56.64 percent by 2016.

It's important to highlight that higher spending on health care in the United States does not necessarily prolong lives.  As this chart illustrates, in 2000 the United States spent more on health care than any other country in the world: an average of $ 4,500 per person. Switzerland was second highest, at $3,300 or 71% of the US.  Nevertheless, average US life expectancy ranks 27th in the world, at 77 years. Many countries achieve higher life expectancy rates with significantly lower spending.

Data from the McKinsey Global Institute clearly indicates that there is a considerable level of waste in the current system.  McKinsey estimates that the U.S. spends nearly a half a trillion dollars annually in excess of other similarly situated nations.  Of this, approximately $224 billion in excess costs are found in hospital care and $178 billion in outpatient care.  Together, these account for more than 80 percent of US spending above the levels of other nations.

Not surprisingly, as cost and inefficiencies continue to build, access to healthcare is becoming more and more difficult for middle and lower-income Americans.  As this chart indicates, the rate of uninsurance through the country has significantly increased since 2000.  My home state of New Mexico continues to struggle with the second highest rate of uninsurance in the nation.  It also has the lowest rate of employer sponsored insurance in the nation and the highest rate of uninsurance among employed individuals.

It is clear that the U.S. healthcare system is failing many Americans and situation is becoming more and more urgent.  According to a study published by Harvard Medical School in August, medical costs have led to almost two-thirds of the bankruptcies in the country, more than 62 percent.  The study found that most medical debtors were well educated, owned homes, and had middle-class occupations.  Shockingly, three quarters had health insurance.  And unfortunately, for many individuals, the very high cost of medical care leads them to delay or avoid receiving medical care all together.  The Urban Institute reports that 137,000 people died from 2000 through 2006 because they lacked health insurance, including 22,000 people in 2006.  Clearly, the need for national health reform has never been so great.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- introduced by Senator Reid and others a few weeks ago, includes key reforms aimed at addressing these very serious problems while protecting the aspects of our healthcare system that work.  First, it includes long-overdue reforms to increase the efficiency and quality of the U.S. healthcare system while reducing overall costs.  For example, the legislation includes payment reforms that I have championed to shift from a fee-for-service payment system to a bundled payment system.  This will reshape our healthcare reimbursement system to reward better care and not simply more care, as it currently does.

Second, it includes a broad new framework to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance.  This includes the creation of new health insurance exchanges, which will provide Americans a centralized source of meaningful private insurance as well refundable tax credits to ensure that coverage is affordable.  Finally, these new health insurance exchanges will help improve choices by allowing families and businesses to easily compare insurance plans, prices and performance. This puts families - not insurance or government bureaucrats - in charge of health care and helps people decide which quality affordable insurance option is right for them.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office forecasts the legislation would not add to the federal deficit – in fact, it would reduce the deficit by $130 billion by 2019 and by more than $400 billion by 2029.  On the subject of premium cost, CBO has also found that in the individual market, the amount that subsidized enrollees would pay for non coverage would be roughly 56 percent to 59 percent lower, on average, than the premiums charged in the individual market under current law.  Among enrollees in the individual market who would not receive new subsidies, average premiums would increase by less than 10 to 13 percent.  The legislation would have smaller effects on premiums for employment-based coverage.  Its greatest impact would be on smaller employers qualifying for new health insurance tax credits.  For these businesses and their employees, CBO predicts premiums would decrease by about 8 percent to 11 percent compared with their costs under current law.

This is consistent with estimates of the impact in my home state of New Mexico, where average families may see a decrease in premiums of as much as 60 percent.  In addition, about two-thirds of New Mexicans could potentially qualify for subsidies or Medicaid and nearly a quarter would qualify for near full subsidies or Medicaid.

An overall decrease in premium costs also is consistent with the experience in Massachusetts where there has been an enormous reduction in the cost of non-group insurance in the state after they enacted similar reform to what we are considering now in the Senate.  After reform the average individual premium in Massachusetts fell from $8537 at the end of 2006 to $5143 in mid-2009, a 40% reduction while the rest of the nation was seeing a 14% increase.

Finally, much of the debate on health care reform has focused on insurance coverage but it is important to recognize that as we expand coverage to include more Americans, the demand for health care services will also increase.  A strong health care workforce is therefore essential for successful health reform.  Within the United States, approximately 25% of counties are designated Health Professions Shortage Areas—a measure indicating that there is insufficient medical staff to properly serve that geographic area.  The problem is even more apparent in rural states such as New Mexico.  For example, 32 out of 33 counties in my state has this shortage designation.  As a result, New Mexico ranks last compared to all other states with regard to both access to health care and utilization of preventative medicine.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act we are debating contains key provisions to improve access and delivery of health care services throughout the nation.  These provisions include increasing the supply of physicians, nurses, and other health care providers; enhancing workforce education and training; and providing support to the existing workforce.

I applaud Senators Reid, Baucus, Dodd, Harkin, and many other colleagues who have worked so hard on this bill.  This legislation represents true healthcare reform.  It's time for the Senate to put partisanship aside and enact this critical and long overdue legislation. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the National Park Service is providing $200,000 to help preserve a historic building in Santa Fe.

Funding will be used to make repairs to the 300-year old San Miguel Chapel.  Water damage has put the building's structure at risk.  The grant will support the repair of the roof supports and the drainage system.

"The San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe belongs to one of the country's oldest neighborhoods.  This funding will help ensure that it is around for years to come," Bingaman said. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Herb Kohl (D-WI) today introduced legislation to help Americans ensure they do not outlive their retirement savings.

With the shift to 401(k) plans, American workers have become increasingly responsible for saving for and managing their retirement investments. However, many Americans are not saving enough, and they are unsure how quickly to draw down their savings in their retirement years.

The Senators' Lifetime Income Disclosure Act (S. 2832) would require 401(k) plan sponsors to inform participating workers of the projected monthly income they could expect at retirement based on their current account balance. The measure is patterned on the Social Security Administration's annual statements, which are mailed annually to working Americans to inform them of estimated monthly benefits based on their current earnings.  Congress mandated annual Social Security statements in 1989, and they have proven to be very useful to workers in preparing for retirement.

By providing similar information for 401(k) plans, the Lifetime Income Disclosure Act would give American workers a more complete snapshot of their projected income in retirement.

"It is estimated that half of American households will lack sufficient retirement income to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living. Yet many Americans are unaware of their financial vulnerability. Our bill is a common-sense approach to empowering Americans, and helping them determine whether they are on a path to a secure retirement," said Bingaman, a long-time Senate leader on retirement issues.

"Defined contribution plans such as 401(k)s are the retirement plans of the present and future," Isakson said. "This bill will enable participants to receive additional, helpful information so they can better plan for their retirement."

"In our 401(k) system, it is not enough that participants make the choice to save. Then they have to decide how much to save, where to invest their savings, and how to make the best use of it when they retire. This bill will help millions of Americans make the best choices for a secure retirement," said Kohl, Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging.

Leading retirement policy advocates agree that this approach will strengthen Americans' retirement preparedness. "Preparing for retirement can be a daunting process," said Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President at AARP. "AARP believes the Lifetime Income Disclosure Act will improve an individual's understanding of the retirement income produced from their 401(k) accounts, leading to more informed decision making about retirement needs. AARP commends the bipartisan leadership on this critical initiative."

"We applaud Senators Bingaman, Isakson, and Kohl for addressing the most significant risk women face in retirement – that they will run out of money," said Cindy Hounsell, President of the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement. "Planning for the long-term and recognizing the importance of income for life is key for all women. The sooner women can take steps to prepare for their income needs in retirement, the better off they will be."

Said David John, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation and Principal of the Retirement Security Project: "Sometimes a simple common sense change has the biggest effect. Including a disclosure of how much monthly income a worker can expect from 401(k) savings will encourage younger workers to save more for retirement, and older ones to convert their savings into annuity-like products so that they won't outlive their savings.  The Act will build greater retirement security for everyone at virtually no cost to the taxpayers, employers, or workers."

Specifically, under the Act, defined contribution plans subject to ERISA – including 401(k) plans – would be required annually to inform participants of how the account balance would translate into guaranteed monthly payments – a "retirement paycheck for life" – based on age at retirement and other factors.

To ensure there is no material burden or potential liability on employers who voluntarily sponsor 401 (k) plans, the legislation directs the Department of Labor issue tables that employers may use in calculating an annuity equivalent, as well as a model disclosure. Employers and service providers using the model disclosure and following the prescribed assumptions and DOL rules would be insulated from liability.

Bingaman and Isakson are senior members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which has jurisdiction over 401(k) plan disclosures; Kohl is chairman of the Senate Aging Committee.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio reporters about the health care reform bill being debated on the Senate floor. Bingaman also commented on President Obama's speech last night on his plans to commit 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about health care reform legislation currently being debated on the Senate floor.

02:58 – Bingaman says he is urging the Department of Homeland Security to provide New Mexicans with assurances that their travel plans early in the new year will not be disrupted by a federal law governing drivers' licenses.

06:36 – Bingaman comments on President Obama's plans to commit 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan.

11:15 – Bingaman says he has written to the Department of Veterans Affairs to ask that they act quickly to approve the relocation of several VA health clinics in the state that are no longer able to adequately serve New Mexico veterans.

13:56 – Bingaman comments on President's Obama's address to the nation last night.

16:45 – Bingaman says he does not support increasing taxes at a time when the country's economy is struggling. 

This year has been a very busy one in the Senate.  In my December newsletter, I highlight some of the major accomplishments of the 111th Congress before the first session ends.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today asked the Department of Homeland Security to provide New Mexicans with assurances that their travel plans early in the new year will not be disrupted by a federal law governing drivers' licenses.

In 2005, Congress passed legislation -- called the REAL ID Act -- requiring states to tighten requirements related the issuance of drivers' licenses because they are used as a standard form of identification for a variety of federal purposes, including air travel.  While the senators support strengthening the standards governing IDs, they are concerned about a National Governors Association estimate that as many as 36 states – including New Mexico – will not be able to meet the Dec. 31, 2009 deadline to comply with the law.

In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the senators said enforcing the Dec. 31 deadline would cause a significant disruption in air travel.  They also pointed out that New Mexico has asked for an extension of the deadline.  In their letter, the senators urged DHS to quickly clarify its plans regarding the implementation of the REAL ID Act:

"The Department of Homeland Security has not indicated whether it will grant an extension, despite the fact that a majority of states are unlikely to be in compliance with the REAL ID Act. This is causing a great deal of anxiety for our constituents, who are seeing news reports that they will need a passport in order to fly on a commercial airline after the first of the year. Without assurances from your Department that a passport will not be necessary, many people may alter or cancel their travel plans. This uncertainty may also have a significant economic impact if the residents of non-compliant states decide not to fly or are unable to do so," Bingaman and Udall wrote.

President Obama has indicated his desire to modify the REAL ID Act through new legislation, called the PASS ID Act, but that proposal has not yet been passed into law.

"While we understand the Administration's desire to enact the PASS ID Act in lieu of granting an additional extension, the uncertainty surrounding the steps the Department may or may not take if the legislation is not signed into law is creating confusion and raising serious concerns in the many states that are not currently in full compliance with existing law," Bingaman and Udall wrote.

Full text of letter to DHS Secretary Napolitano:

November 30, 2009

The Honorable Janet Napolitano
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington D.C. 20528

Dear Secretary Napolitano:

We are writing to respectfully request that the Department of Homeland Security provide an extension for states to become materially compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005.  As you know, more than thirty states, including New Mexico, are unlikely to meet the December 31, 2009 deadline.  While we understand the Administration's desire to enact the PASS ID Act in lieu of granting an additional extension, the uncertainty surrounding the steps the Department may or may not take if the legislation is not signed into law is creating confusion and raising serious concerns in the many states that are not currently in full compliance with existing law.

The Department of Homeland Security has not indicated whether it will grant an extension, despite the fact that a majority of states are unlikely to be in compliance with the REAL ID Act.  This is causing a great deal of anxiety for our constituents, who are seeing news reports that they will need a passport in order to fly on a commercial airline after the first of the year.  Without assurances from your Department that a passport will not be necessary, many people may alter or cancel their travel plans.  This uncertainty may also have a significant economic impact if the residents of non-compliant states decide not to fly or are unable to do so.

The Director of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division sent you a request on November 25 to grant the state an extension of the December 31 deadline.  We support this request; however, we also ask that if the Department does not intend to provide such an extension, that you issue a public statement as soon as possible to reassure the traveling public that you will work to mitigate the adverse impact of REAL ID.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your ongoing efforts to strengthen homeland security.

Sincerely,

_________________                                                                    _________________ Jeff Bingaman                                                                                 Tom Udall
U.S. Senator                                                                                  U.S. Senator

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to act quickly to approve the relocation of several VA health clinics in the state that are no longer able to adequately serve New Mexico veterans.

In a letter, Bingaman asked VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to streamline the contracting process that has prevented the VA from leasing larger clinic facilities.  He told Shinseki that of the 13 Community Based Outpatient Clinics already in the state, at least five -- Raton, Silver City, Santa Fe, Gallup and Artesia -- are too small.  Additionally, because of delays in the contracting process, a clinic announced for Rio Rancho in 2008 has yet to open.

"New Mexico is the 5th largest state in the union with one VA Health Care System based in Albuquerque," Bingaman wrote to Shinseki.  "To receive care in Albuquerque, many veterans around the state must travel approximately five hours round trip".

"With such long distances for residents of rural areas, Community Based Outpatient Clinics play a critical role in meeting the needs of our veterans community.  With this in mind, I request your assistance to provide me with information regarding why this backlog has occurred and how the VA plans to move forward quickly to finalize lease agreements for new clinic facilities across the state," Bingaman added.

Bingaman has been informed that the process for signing a new lease can take years.  For example, the New Mexico VA Health Care System office identified in 2006 that the Raton clinic was inadequate and that it needed to be relocated to a larger facility. Yet to date no progress has been made.  In the meantime, the waiting room is too small to accommodate those waiting for their appointments, so some patients have resorted to waiting outside – an untenable situation in the fall and winter months.

"On behalf of New Mexico's veterans for which I serve, I thank you for your help to resolve this urgent matter," Bingaman wrote to Shinseki.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voted to bring up key health insurance reform legislation in the Senate for debate and amendment. Today's vote (60-39) is the first procedural vote in the process to allow the Senate to consider The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The bill takes several key steps that would both contain skyrocketing health care costs and extend health insurance to the 46 million Americans who currently do not have it.

"New Mexico families are paying increasingly higher insurance premiums, and under the status quo premiums will continue to rise at an unsustainable rate. At the same time, our state has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country," said Bingaman, who for months has been helping write the health insurance reform proposal. "It's clear that our health care system is broken, and I am very glad that we are finally focused on fixing it."

Bingaman has said New Mexicans with insurance stand to benefit tremendously from this legislation because it seeks to contain costs. In 2000, the average New Mexico family spent $6,000 on insurance premiums. By 2006, that number rose to $11,000, and it is expected to rise to $28,000 by 2016.

The bill also extends coverage to uninsured New Mexicans by creating "exchanges" where insurance can be purchased and by helping defray the cost of premiums.

If the bill, as written, were to be signed into law, within the first year it would do the following:

Provide access to Affordable Coverage for the Uninsured with Pre-existing Conditions

• Will provide $5 billion in immediate federal support for a new program to provide affordable coverage to uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions
• Coverage under this program will continue until new health insurance exchanges are operational
• Will provide $5 billion in immediate federal support for a new program to provide affordable coverage to uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions
• Coverage under this program will continue until new health insurance exchanges are operational

Re-insurance for Retiree Health Benefits Plans

• Will create immediate access to re-insurance for employer health plans providing coverage for early retirees.
• This re-insurance will help protect coverage while reducing premiums for employers and retirees

Closing the Coverage Gap in the Medicare (Part D) Drug Benefit

• Will reduce the size of the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap or "donut hole" by raising the ceiling on the initial coverage period by $500 in 2010.
• Will also guarantee 50 percent price discounts on brand-name drugs and biologics purchased by low and middle-income beneficiaries in the coverage gap.

Small Business Tax Credits

• Will offer tax credits to small businesses of 25 or fewer full time workers to make employee coverage more affordable.
• Tax credits of up to 50 percent of premiums will be available to firms that choose to offer coverage.

Extension of Dependent Coverage for Young Adults

• Will require insurers to allow parents to opt to maintain family coverage for young adults up to 26 years of age.

Free Prevention Benefits

• Will require coverage of prevention and wellness benefits and exempt these benefits from deductibles and other cost-sharing requirements in public and private insurance options.

No Arbitrary Limits on Coverage

• Will prohibit insurers from imposing lifetime limits on benefits and will restrict the use of annual limits.

Protection from Rescissions of Existing Coverage

• Will stop insurers from rescinding insurance when claims are filed, except in cases of fraud or intentional misrepresentation of material fact.

Prohibits Discrimination Based on Salary

• Will Prohibit group health plans from establishing any eligibility rules for health care coverage that have the effect of discriminating in favor of higher wage employees.

Ensuring Value for Premium Payments

• Establishes standards for insurance overhead to ensure that premiums are spent on health benefits.
• Also, requires public disclosure of overhead and benefit spending and require premium rebates for insurers that exceed established standards for overhead expenses.

Public Access to Comparable Information on Insurance Options

• Enables the creation of a new website to provide information on and facilitate informed consumer choice of insurance options

Health Insurance Consumer Information

• Provides assistance to States in establishing offices of health insurance consumer assistance or health insurance ombudsman programs to assist individuals with the filing of complaints and appeals and enrolling in a health plan.

Clear Summaries, Without the Fine Print

• Requires insurance companies to outline coverage options using a simple and standard format that enables consumers to make an apples-to-apples comparison when they are choosing their health insurance plans.

Appeals Process

• All plans will implement an effective appeals process for appeals of coverage determinations and claims.

Administrative Simplifications

• All health plans will adopt uniform descriptions of plan benefits and appeals procedures and will use uniform forms and claims processes to reduce costs.

Video of speech

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today pointed to the many provisions in the health insurance reform legislation that would benefit New Mexicans.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Bingaman said the measure that merged the work of two Senate committees would help make health care more affordable for families and small businesses, and extend coverage to uninsured New Mexicans – and it is done in a fiscally responsible manner that actually reduces the deficit by more than $130 billion over the next 10 years. 

“Among other things, this bill would create a system that helps to prevent illness and disease instead of just treating it when it's too late and when the cost is excessive. This proposal will reduce health care fraud and waste and abuse and overpayment to insurance companies. It's estimated by most experts in the range of $60 billion per year under the current arrangements we have, the current health care delivery system,” Bingaman said. 

“Additionally, this legislation would eliminate most of the cost of uncompensated care. This is a very substantial part of the premium that people with health insurance are required to pay. They are not only paying for their own health care when they pay their premium, they are paying for the uncompensated care that the hospitals and the physicians and others are providing to people who don't have insurance,” he added. 

Bingaman also said this legislation would no longer allow health insurance companies to discriminate against Americans with pre-existing medical conditions.

New Mexicans are experiencing rapid growth in their insurance premiums, and Bingaman pointed out in his speech that the legislation aims to address that serious problem.

“Let me talk a little about the impact of this legislation on my state. I represent New Mexico and, frankly, this legislation is critically important to my state. Without health care reform my state is expected to experience the largest increase in health insurance premiums of any state in the union. For example, the average employer-sponsored insurance premium for a family in New Mexico today, or in 2000, the year 2000, was $6,000. By 2006, that had almost doubled to $11,000 for a family of four. By 2016, the expected increase goes to an astonishing $28,000,” Bingaman said.

“In addition, the health insurance premiums and the percentage that those premiums represent of the income of the average New Mexico family is higher in my state, unfortunately, than in any other state in the union. Today 31 percent of a family's income is going to pay for health care. That is for the folks who have coverage today in New Mexico. That's expected to grow to an astounding 56 percent -- over 56 percent of a family's income is expected to be consumed just paying premiums for health care by 2016. That's totally unsustainable and unaffordable,” he added. 

The health reform proposal before the Senate intends to slow the growth of health care costs around the nation. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) forecasts that the legislation would not add to the federal deficit. In fact, CBO would reduce the deficit by $130 billion by 2019 and by much more than -- by more than $400 billion by 2029. Most experts believe these reductions also will drive down cost in the private health insurance market. Thus, this legislation is critically important to New Mexico because it will help to curb costs for all residents.

Bingaman said there will be time to improve the legislation further, but he looks forward to a debate on this extremely important piece of legislation.

“I compliment Majority Leader for putting together a very credible proposal that will move this country very far toward meeting the health care needs of all Americans, and I hope that by the end of this year we are able to enact that legislation or pass it through the Senate and go to conference with the House of Representatives,” Bingaman said.

 I wanted to speak for a few minutes about the health care legislation that has now been proposed by the majority leader and that we will be hopefully proceeding to for serious discussion and deliberation and opportunity for amendment.  

Let me talk first about where we are today without health care legislation. What are the circumstances faced by the average American family without health care legislation enacted?   The cost of medical care is rising. In fact, it is unaffordable for many individuals. It is unaffordable for many businesses.  

In addition, there are 46 million who are uninsured in the country, and that number continues to grow. I have been here in the Senate and continued to watch that number grow for the last decade at least. Those most in need of health insurance often are denied coverage. Many others worry about whether they are one diagnosis away from financial ruin because of their lack of adequate coverage and their lack of ability to afford adequate coverage.  

So we are working here in the Senate to craft a national health reform proposal that would remedy this situation, and would do so by reducing the growth in the cost of health care. And let me be clear. We are not saying that the cost of health care is going down substantially. We're talking about the growth in the cost of health care. And that is what we are trying to moderate as part of this legislation.  

We are also, as part of this legislation, providing insurance to nearly everyone in the country, regardless of their health status and their medical conditions.  This health reform proposal is designed to lower health care costs, lower them from what they otherwise will be in the future.  Health reform caps what insurance companies can force patients to pay in their out-of-pocket expenses and in their deductibles.    

The legislation we're considering would let small businesses and join purchasing pools and give them the lower cost  for the benefit -- that benefit larger groups today. I have heard from many hundreds of small business owners in my state over the years who have complained that the cost of health care to them and their employees is so much higher than the cost of health care to large employers and their employees. So we would solve that.  

We would create a system that helps to prevent illness and disease instead of just treating it when it's too late and when the cost is excessive. This health reform proposal will reduce health care fraud and waste and abuse and overpayment to insurance companies. It's estimated by most experts in the range of $60 billion per year under the current arrangements we have, the current health care delivery system.    

This legislation would eliminate most of the cost of uncompensated care. This is a very substantial part of the premium that people with health insurance are required to pay. They are not only paying for their own health care when they pay their premium, they are paying for the uncompensated care that the hospitals and the physicians and others are providing to people who don't have insurance. That's that 46 million uninsured figure that I mentioned before. This legislation reduces the growth in the cost of public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid and helps to rein in the federal deficit.    

Let me just say we have the unusual circumstance here that many of the individuals who opposed the establishment of Medicare and claimed it was socialized medicine are now resisting any effort to put it on a sounder financial footing and doing so purportedly in the name of defending the beneficiaries of Medicare.  So we need to speak the truth to the American people and say Medicare and Medicaid are going to continue. There are going to have to be reductions in the growth of those programs the future, the growth of the cost of those programs. And some of those changes are incorporated in this legislation. And that is a good thing for Medicare beneficiaries. That is a good thing for people who are going to be dependent upon Medicare in the future.  They will know that Medicare is there. They will know that Medicare is solvent and will benefit accordingly.              

Health reform will also ensure that Americans -- all Americans -- have access to quality and affordable insurance.  It will prevent insurance companies from the current practices that they're engaged in.  And one of the worst of those practices is this practice of denying health insurance, or health coverage for preexisting medical conditions.  If you find that someone with a preexisting medical condition is able to buy a policy perhaps, but the policy in its own language will exclude them from getting medical treatment that might result from that preexisting medical condition.  This legislation would end that.  It would end the discrimination that charges that currently exist where the charge for health care is based on your health status.  

During the course of this year, and in the last few years while we've been health care and the health care delivery system, I've come to a new understanding of the meaning of the word underwriting. I used to think I knew what the word underwriting meant in insurance. What I found is that underwriting means the screening out of people who might actually need the insurance that is being sold so that much of the effort of the health insurance industry today is not focused on assisting the patient or the policyholder. It is focused on screening out those individuals who might in fact wind up sick and might need health care. So we try to end that in this legislation, and we do so effectively.  

The legislation provides tax credits to middle-class families to make sure that they can afford quality coverage. And there are many middle-class families in my state who, frankly, cannot afford adequate coverage and quality coverage for themselves and their children. This legislation strengthens employer-based health care by offering small businesses a tax credit so that employers can offer competitive affordable rates to their employees if they choose to do so.  

It creates incentives that reward doctors for healthy outcomes, not just for more and more procedures. We have the unfortunate circumstance today which this Congress and this administration and previous Congresses and previous administrations are responsible for, and that is we've set up a system of payment Medicare, in particular, where the amount that the health care provider receives depends on how many procedures they perform, not on whether or not the patient gets better, not on whether or not they have done the right thing to assist that patient. And we are trying to begin changing that in this legislation. This will result in better health care for all Americans.  

This health care reform bill is also designed to improve the choices that people have when they go out to obtain coverage or to obtain health care itself. Most Americans get their insurance through an employer. Many are very satisfied with the plans they currently have. They're very satisfied with the physician or the doctor that they currently have. And it's very clear in the legislation we are considering that this legislation does not require them to change that.  This legislation says they can keep that policy.  They can renew that policy.  They can add family members to that policy if they choose to do so.  But the health reform also provides security that ensures that families always will have guaranteed choices of quality, affordable health care.

And that's even when a person loses their job, when a person switches jobs, when a person gets sick or a person decides to move from one community to another, this legislation will ensure that they have access to health care even in those circumstances.  

It creates a health insurance exchange, and this exchange would be a place where families and businesses could easily compare insurance plans and prices and make a judgment based on that comparison. This puts families, rather than insurance companies or government bureaucrats, in charge of their own health care. It helps people to decide which quality, affordable insurance option is right for them and for their family.  

It keeps government and insurance bureaucrats -- both because there are bureaucrats working for insurance companies just like there are bureaucrats working for the government -- it keeps both from coming between each individual and his or her doctor by simplifying insurance paperwork, by cutting out the pages of fine print, by eliminating all of the gotcha clauses that people discover once they get sick. They find out that they were not covered for whatever it is that afflicts them. And by promoting computerized medical records, this legislation will dramatically improve efficiency in our health care system and through that effort also reduce costs.  

Let me talk a little about the impact of this legislation on my state. I represent New Mexico and, frankly, this legislation is critically important to my state. Without health care reform my state is expected to experience the largest increase in health insurance premiums of any state in the union. For example, the average employer-sponsored insurance premium for a family in New Mexico today, or in 2000, the year 2000, was $6,000. By 2006, that had almost doubled to $11,000 for a family of four.  By 2016, the expected increase goes to an astonishing $28,000.  

In addition, the health insurance premiums and the percentage that those premiums represent of the income of the average New Mexico family is higher in my state, unfortunately, than in any other state in the union. Today 31 percent of a family's income is going to pay for health care. That is for the folks who have coverage today in New Mexico. That's expected to grow to an astounding 56 percent -- over 56 percent of a family's income is expected to be consumed just paying premiums for health care by 2016. That's totally unsustainable and unaffordable.  

The health reform proposal that has been developed by the majority leader based on the work of the Finance Committee, based on the work of the HELP committee, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, intends to slow the growth of health care costs around the nation. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecasts that the legislation would not add to the federal deficit. In fact, that it would reduce the deficit by $130 billion by 2019, and by much more than -- by more than $400 billion by 2029.  

Most experts believe these reductions also will drive down cost in the private health insurance market. Thus, this legislation is critically important to my state because it will help to curb costs for all New Mexicans.  

In 1999-2000, there were two states that had more than 23 percent of this population uninsured, and those two states were Texas and New Mexico. The only state in the union that has a higher uninsured rate than we do in New Mexico is Texas, and that was the case then in 1999-2000. It is still the case today, I would point out. Many other states, particularly across the south, in California, many other states have joined the ranks of states that have over 23 percent of their population uninsured – their 18-64 population uninsured.  

My state has the lowest rate of employer-sponsored insurance in the nation. We also have the highest rate of uninsured among employed individuals in the nation.  

You generally think of the American public as having a lot of -- most people have private health insurance coverage. In New Mexico, 38 percent of our population has private health insurance coverage, so it's not a majority. It's 38 percent. We have 14 percent that are covered by Medicare. We have 22 percent that are covered by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  We have 4 percent that are undocumented immigrants in our state - estimated at about 80,000 individuals.  And they do not have coverage today and they will not have coverage once this legislation becomes law if we are able to pass this legislation and the president is able to sign it. And then this large red area down here at the bottom, it's 22 percent, so you have the undocumented immigrants 4 percent, and then you have 22 percent without coverage. These are folks who are legally here. Most of them are citizens. They do not have coverage. And this gets back to the point I was making before about people's premiums today are covering not only the costs of their own health care needs but they're covering the cost of care, the uncompensated care that is provided to the uninsured. So it's a serious problem that needs -- needs attention.  

New Mexico will benefit from this legislation in very important ways. The legislation will provide new federal tax credits for private insurance, and it will also expand the Medicaid program for individuals with incomes of up to 133 percent of poverty. Now, this is a -- this is a very important provision for my state.   

It's projected that insurance market reform and federal tax credits may reduce the costs of coverage on the individual private market for the average family in my state by as much as 40 percent. 

What would likely occur by 2019, ten years from now, if, in fact, we are able to enact this legislation? We will have more people covered by Medicaid and CHIP. We would have 29 percent rather than the 22 percent we had before. And it shows that we will have many more people covered by private insurance. We will have for the first time, I believe in the history of our state, we will have for the first time over 50 percent of our population. Exactly 53 percent is what is estimated that will be covered by private insurance and have an insurance policy that they can depend upon.  

So this would still leave undocumented immigrants, which is still 4 percent of the population estimated to be without any guaranteed source of coverage. But you would have about 124,000 New Mexicans newly eligible for Medicaid coverage and covered by Medicaid, we would hope, and you would have an additional 238,000 New Mexicans who would be eligible for private coverage through the exchange or from their employers if their employers chose to provide that coverage.  

We will have a lot of opportunity over the next few weeks to debate particular parts of this legislation. I look forward to that debate. I think the more that the American people understand what's in this legislation, the more support they -- the more wholeheartedly they will support us moving ahead and enacting there legislation.  

This has been a long time in coming. In the 27 years I have been in the Senate, we have not gotten to this point previously where we -- we were beginning a serious debate that might actually result in the passage of legislation, major comprehensive reform legislation. But I think we are to that point.  

This is legislation that is currently available for anyone to review on the Internet, and I encourage people to do that. I encourage people to study the issue and follow the debate, and as I say, the more people do study the issue and follow the debate, the more people will conclude that this is worth doing, this is important to do. So I very much urge my colleagues to rally around this effort. I hope, frankly, we will get some republican support for this.  

I think it is very unfortunate that we are going into this debate with reports that all Republicans are agreeing to oppose health care reform. That is not the way to move our country forward. If there are amendments that they would like to offer, obviously they will have every opportunity to offer those. Some of them may prevail. That certainly was the case in the Finance Committee when we marked up the legislation there. That certainly was the case in the HELP Committee when we marked up the legislation there.  

Amendments were offered from Republican members and some were adopted, but to just say no, to just say we are opposed to reform is not a good option, and I think the American people deserve better than that, and I hope we will have a serious, substantive discussion about what the elements of health care reform should be.  

I compliment the majority leader for putting together a very credible proposal that will move this country very far toward meeting the health care needs of all Americans, and I hope that by the end of this year we are able to enact that legislation or pass it through the Senate and go to conference with the House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is renewing New Mexico Airlines' (Pacific Wings) contract to provide commercial air service to the Alamogordo-Holloman Air Force Base area.

Under the agreement, New Mexico Airlines will continue to provide two round trips each weekday and three over each weekend to Albuquerque International Sunport under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program for an annual subsidy rate of $1.16 million.  The contract is for two years beginning on January 1, 2010.

"Commercial air service is important to Alamogordo's economy and an important asset to Holloman Air Force Base.  I am pleased New Mexico Airlines will continue to provide this important service," Bingaman said.

Congress established the Essential Air Service Program in 1978 to ensure that communities that had commercial air service before deregulation continue to receive scheduled service.   Without EAS, many rural communities would have no commercial air service at all.  New Mexico has a total of 4 EAS communities: Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Clovis, and Silver City. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is anxious to begin full Senate debate on health insurance reform legislation.

Bingaman has been a key negotiator of the legislation, which is aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of care while also lowering the costs in both the private and public sectors.  He is on both Senate committees that approved reform legislation; Majority Leader Harry Reid today unveiled legislation that incorporates provisions from both bills.

"After decades of discussion, the full Senate is on the verge of debating health insurance reform legislation that will affect the lives of nearly all Americans.  Our goal is to control escalating costs, improve quality and extend coverage to those who do not have it now," Bingaman said.  "And we do this in a fiscally responsible way that will actually reduce our deficit by more than $100 billion over ten years."

New Mexico stands to gain a lot from health insurance reform legislation.  It is the second most uninsured state in the country, and has the highest rate of uninsured workers.  Without health reform New Mexicans who do have insurance are projected to experience the greatest increase in premiums in the nation.  In 2000, an average family of four spent $6,000 on premiums.  By 2006, that amount jumped to $11,000.  In five years that figure is projected to rise to $28,000.

The full Senate debate is expected to begin this week.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today remember the life of the late Bruce King in a speech on the Senate floor. The text follows:

This week New Mexicans of all political persuasions have been recalling the life of a legendary figure in our state, Bruce King, who served as governor during three different decades and who taught by example that public service is an honorable calling. Governor King died last Friday at the age of 85.

Bruce used to tell the story about a former governor who was the speaker at his high school graduation who looked at the very small class of teenagers and said, "One of you could grow up to be governor of this state." Bruce looked around at his other classmates and figured that the governor had to be speaking to him. Sure enough, in the course of time, and after service in the Santa Fe County Commission, state legislature, and speaker of the House in New Mexico, he was elected governor.

He served as governor of our sate for 12 years, longer than anyone else in the history of New Mexico. In all of those years he never failed to make the people of New Mexico his first priority. With him at every step of the way from their family ranch in Stanley to Santa Fe and back again was the remarkable Alice Martin King, his wife. She was a great force in her own right. She was a champion for children in our state; she died last December.

My own history with Bruce King began when I was just out of law school. I was serving then as an assistant attorney general in New Mexico and I was assigned the job of counsel to the Constitutional Convention, which our state had in 1969. Bruce, who was then the speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, was elected president of that convention. I learned a great deal about the legislative process, about New Mexico history, and about our state in general as a result of the effort to work with Bruce in that important capacity. His management of the process and the people involved with the convention was masterful. He was always inclusive. He was always listening. And he was always working to get the best result. In short, he was the model of a legislative manager.

I also recall being privileged to serve as attorney general during Bruce's second term as governor from 1979-1982. We worked closely together on a number of issues and I was impressed all over again at his knowledge of New Mexico and his genuine love for its citizens.

He was gregarious and kind. He never knew a stranger. He shook every hand in our state, whether there was a voter attached to it or not. People were delighted to see Bruce coming and to hear his famous reply when asked "How are you doing, governor?" He would rely, "Mighty fine" regardless of the circumstances that the state and he were facing.

Our friendship extended for 40-plus years. And along with my fellow New Mexicans, I will miss him greatly. His sons Bill and Gary, his brothers Don and Sam, and the entire King family have lost tremendously. Every New Mexican feels this loss and joins his family in honoring his life.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today remember the life of the late Bruce King in a speech on the Senate floor. The text follows:

This week New Mexicans of all political persuasions have been recalling the life of a legendary figure in our state, Bruce King, who served as governor during three different decades and who taught by example that public service is an honorable calling. Governor King died last Friday at the age of 85.

Bruce used to tell the story about a former governor who was the speaker at his high school graduation who looked at the very small class of teenagers and said, "One of you could grow up to be governor of this state." Bruce looked around at his other classmates and figured that the governor had to be speaking to him. Sure enough, in the course of time, and after service in the Santa Fe County Commission, state legislature, and speaker of the House in New Mexico, he was elected governor.

He served as governor of our sate for 12 years, longer than anyone else in the history of New Mexico. In all of those years he never failed to make the people of New Mexico his first priority. With him at every step of the way from their family ranch in Stanley to Santa Fe and back again was the remarkable Alice Martin King, his wife. She was a great force in her own right. She was a champion for children in our state; she died last December.

My own history with Bruce King began when I was just out of law school. I was serving then as an assistant attorney general in New Mexico and I was assigned the job of counsel to the Constitutional Convention, which our state had in 1969. Bruce, who was then the speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, was elected president of that convention. I learned a great deal about the legislative process, about New Mexico history, and about our state in general as a result of the effort to work with Bruce in that important capacity. His management of the process and the people involved with the convention was masterful. He was always inclusive. He was always listening. And he was always working to get the best result. In short, he was the model of a legislative manager.

I also recall being privileged to serve as attorney general during Bruce's second term as governor from 1979-1982. We worked closely together on a number of issues and I was impressed all over again at his knowledge of New Mexico and his genuine love for its citizens.

He was gregarious and kind. He never knew a stranger. He shook every hand in our state, whether there was a voter attached to it or not. People were delighted to see Bruce coming and to hear his famous reply when asked "How are you doing, governor?" He would rely, "Mighty fine" regardless of the circumstances that the state and he were facing.

Our friendship extended for 40-plus years. And along with my fellow New Mexicans, I will miss him greatly. His sons Bill and Gary, his brothers Don and Sam, and the entire King family have lost tremendously. Every New Mexican feels this loss and joins his family in honoring his life.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solution has been awarded a $1.25 million "green jobs" grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Funding was made available through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

Funding was awarded through DOL's State Labor Market Information (LMI) Improvement grants. The funding can be used for the analysis of labor market data to assess economic activity in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries to identify occupations and skill requirements within those industries, and to develop strategies to ensure that workers trained for green jobs are made aware of available positions.

"This grant will help provide the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions with the information they need to build the foundation for developing green collar jobs," Bingaman said.

"Clean energy has been one of the fastest growing sectors of New Mexico's job market and is critical to getting our economy back on track," said Udall. "This grant will help job seekers in New Mexico better identify new job opportunities in the energy efficiency and renewable energy fields."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall reported that the Senate has approved legislation to fund key construction projects at New Mexico's military installations.

The fiscal year 2010 Military Construction and Department of Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Act sets aside a total of $172 million for Cannon, Kirtland and Holloman Air Force Bases, as well as the National Guard facility in Santa Fe.

"This bill invests millions of dollars in New Mexico's military installations and ensures that our Air Force and National Guard facilities remain in top shape," Bingaman said.  "It is another way to support the men and women of our armed forces."

"This appropriations measure is one of the most important bills Congress passes each year," Udall said. "It provides important funding for New Mexico's military installations and ensures that our nation will fulfill its obligation to our veterans, including the almost 200,000 in our state."

The legislation contains the following:

National Guard
$39.0 million for an Army aviation support facility at Santa Fe

Cannon Air Force Base
$15.0 million for a consolidated communications facility
$41.27 million for C-130 maintenance hangar facility
$11.59 million modification to hangers to support CV-22s
$6.0 million for a C-130 ammunition loading ramp

Kirtland Air Force Base
$16.7 million for two simulator facilities to train pilots on C-130J aircraft

Holloman Air Force Base
$5.5 million for a consolidated munitions maintenance facility for the F-22 Raptor

Bingaman wrote an amendment, which Udall cosponsored, that sets aside $37.5 million Facilities for upgrades to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Training Wing at Holloman.  The amendment would fund alteration/additions to the operations and maintenance facilities to accommodate the UAV training wing, which will continue to ramp up as these improvements are made.

"When these upgrades are complete, Holloman will be training more than 600 airmen and women on UAVs – technology that is becoming increasingly important to the Air Force," Bingaman said.

"The new UAV training mission at Holloman is quickly becoming a robust program that provides enormous benefits to the U.S. Air Force, and I'm proud that we were able to secure funding for these facilities," said Udall. 

The legislation also included an amendment from Udall, Bingaman and Sen. Kit Bond, (R-MO) to provide additional transitional housing services for our nation's homeless veterans. Click HERE for more information.

The spending bill passed today must be reconciled with the version passed by the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio reporters about the passing of former governor Bruce King. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about the passing of former governor Bruce King.

02:29 – Bingaman comments on a proposed solar energy project at Jemez Pueblo.

03:49 – Bingaman talks about the health care bills being debated in Congress.

07:00 – Bingaman comments on undocumented immigrants having access to emergency room services.

08:16 – Bingaman comments on criticism regarding a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fundraiser.

11:16 – Bingaman says he plans to attending Bruce King's funeral service this weekend.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today issued the following remembrance of the life of former Governor Bruce King:

"Bruce King was as dedicated and successful a public servant as New Mexico has ever seen.  I first got to know him when he was president of New Mexico's constitutional convention, and I was assigned by the New Mexico attorney general's office to work with him.  My respect for him was firmly established at that time and only grew in subsequent years, particularly during the time of his second term as governor when I was serving as attorney general.  Anne and I became close friends with Bruce and Alice and remained so for decades.

"Bruce was a public servant whose integrity was never questioned and who always did the right thing for New Mexico.  As a result of his love for our state and the people who live here, he was great friends with many thousands of New Mexicans, and he will be missed by all of us."

I would like to thank New Mexico's veterans for their service on this Veterans Day.  We are grateful to the men and women of the U.S. armed services every day, but today we reflect on their sacrifices and service.  I highlight some of the different ways we are helping to honor them in my November newsletter.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today issued the following statement in advance of Veterans Day:

"Each Veterans Day is a solemn occasion when we, as a nation, reflect and show gratitude to those who have served or are currently serving in our military.  But today is an especially difficult Veterans Day, as we honor the men and women who were killed or wounded last week at Ft. Hood Army Base in Texas.  I extend my condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives or were hurt in this terrible act of violence.  We must take every precaution to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

"On this Veterans Day, I'd especially like to thank New Mexico's veterans for their commitment to protect our country and its interests.  New Mexico has a long and proud history of military service, and we are honored to have some of you among us today, who now serve as living testaments to American bravery.

"This bravery has been exhibited by those who fought for the Union in the Civil War at Glorieta Pass, by the National Guardsmen who were captured at Bataan, and the Navajo codetalkers who safeguarded our military secrets.  New Mexicans have displayed their courage defending our country on the frozen steppes of Korea, in the jungles of Vietnam, and the desert sands of the first Gulf War.  And today, this tradition lives on, in Afghanistan and Iraq and in countless other countries where our sons and daughters are currently deployed.

"While the needs may be different, America's solemn obligation to our veterans holds true regardless of whether one served in WWII, Vietnam, or has only recently returned from a tour of duty.  All veterans deserve accessible and affordable healthcare, full payment of benefits, and the opportunity to receive a quality education.   To ensure these promises are met, President Obama has made a bold commitment to our nation's veterans: to increase the VA budget by $25 billion over the next five years.  This funding will expand health services, provide better care for post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, and help reduce and prevent homelessness in our veterans community.  I am proud that the Congress is set to meet and exceed the President's goals.

"In addition, as the veterans of our greatest generation know well, the GI Bill gave many of our service members returning from WWII access to the tools necessary to lead a successful life and help bring the nation out of the Great Depression.  With the passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, 2.4 million veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will receive educational benefits on par with those provided at the end of World War II.   As we once again look to our veterans to help lift our nation out of economic hardship through their leadership in business and industry, it is my sincere hope that our returning men and women will accept this challenge and take full advantage of these educational opportunities.

"For every American, as we honor the service of all our veterans today, let us not limit the celebration of their sacrifice to one day a year.  Their service was not limited to one 24-hour period; nor should we limit our respect and gratitude to this day alone.  To this end, I pledge to continue my work in the Senate to ensure our veterans receive the benefits that they fully deserve.  And in closing, I again extend my sincere thanks to our veterans and their families for all the sacrifices they have made.  I stand ready to assist you in any way that I can."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today issued the following statement in advance of Veterans Day:

"Each Veterans Day is a solemn occasion when we, as a nation, reflect and show gratitude to those who have served or are currently serving in our military.  But today is an especially difficult Veterans Day, as we honor the men and women who were killed or wounded last week at Ft. Hood Army Base in Texas.  I extend my condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives or were hurt in this terrible act of violence.  We must take every precaution to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

"On this Veterans Day, I'd especially like to thank New Mexico's veterans for their commitment to protect our country and its interests.  New Mexico has a long and proud history of military service, and we are honored to have some of you among us today, who now serve as living testaments to American bravery.

"This bravery has been exhibited by those who fought for the Union in the Civil War at Glorieta Pass, by the National Guardsmen who were captured at Bataan, and the Navajo codetalkers who safeguarded our military secrets.  New Mexicans have displayed their courage defending our country on the frozen steppes of Korea, in the jungles of Vietnam, and the desert sands of the first Gulf War.  And today, this tradition lives on, in Afghanistan and Iraq and in countless other countries where our sons and daughters are currently deployed.

"While the needs may be different, America's solemn obligation to our veterans holds true regardless of whether one served in WWII, Vietnam, or has only recently returned from a tour of duty.  All veterans deserve accessible and affordable healthcare, full payment of benefits, and the opportunity to receive a quality education.   To ensure these promises are met, President Obama has made a bold commitment to our nation's veterans: to increase the VA budget by $25 billion over the next five years.  This funding will expand health services, provide better care for post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, and help reduce and prevent homelessness in our veterans community.  I am proud that the Congress is set to meet and exceed the President's goals.

"In addition, as the veterans of our greatest generation know well, the GI Bill gave many of our service members returning from WWII access to the tools necessary to lead a successful life and help bring the nation out of the Great Depression.  With the passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, 2.4 million veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will receive educational benefits on par with those provided at the end of World War II.   As we once again look to our veterans to help lift our nation out of economic hardship through their leadership in business and industry, it is my sincere hope that our returning men and women will accept this challenge and take full advantage of these educational opportunities.

"For every American, as we honor the service of all our veterans today, let us not limit the celebration of their sacrifice to one day a year.  Their service was not limited to one 24-hour period; nor should we limit our respect and gratitude to this day alone.  To this end, I pledge to continue my work in the Senate to ensure our veterans receive the benefits that they fully deserve.  And in closing, I again extend my sincere thanks to our veterans and their families for all the sacrifices they have made.  I stand ready to assist you in any way that I can."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today joined in introducing legislation aimed at helping ensuring America's food supply continues to be safe.

The National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program Act builds on an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture program and aims to provide outreach, training and technical assistance to the country's small farmers and small-scale food processors to help assure a safe supply of fruits and vegetables.

"This legislation in an important step in helping small, local farms, organic producers and other food processors with the resources they need to produce food safely," Bingaman said.

The bill authorizes $50 million per year in competitive grants to help eligible organizations carry out education and training activities on food safety.  Activities could include: good agricultural practices, good handling practices, good manufacturing practices, produce safety standards, risk analysis and preventive control mechanisms, sanitation standards, safe packaging and storage systems, recordkeeping for product sourcing and sales, traceability, food safety audits and certification, and other activities determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

The following entities would be eligible to apply for funding: state cooperative extension services; federal, state, local, or tribal agencies; community based non-profits; universities; agricultural organizations (trade associations, etc); and collaborations and multi-state partnerships

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $91,903 grant to help Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo continue a water pollution control program.

The funding awarded today will be used for water sampling to assess surface water quality on pueblo lands and to continue compiling data to determine if a more thorough watershed management program is needed to develop water quality standards.

"This grant will make it possible for Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo to help ensure that water quality needs are being met," Bingaman said.  

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio reporters about health care reform legislation that cleared the House of Representatives this weekend.  Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill currently being debated on the Senate floor and about an amendment he join Senator Tom Udall in cosponsoring to increase funding to provide transitional housing for homeless veterans.

01:38 – Bingaman talks about President Obama's call for eliminating veterans' homelessness in five years.

02:49 – Bingaman comments on the passage of landmark health care legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

04:51 – Bingaman talks about the redesigning of the payment process for private insurance providers such as Medicare Advantage.

07:07 – Bingaman talks about the health care reform bills being debated in Congress seek to extend health care coverage to Americans who are currently uninsured.

10:45 – Bingaman talks about the Obama Administration's commitment to increase funding for the Veterans Administration.  

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today introduced legislation to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – a law that provides funding to protect sensitive landscapes and grants to states to develop recreation areas and facilities.

Right now, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is subject to the annual appropriations process.  And Congress has rarely appropriated the $900 million that is authorized annually.  As a result, the levels of funding for both federal and state agencies have fluctuated wildly.

Over the years, the program has protected more than 5 million acres of land and water across the country, including portions of Chaco Canyon, Gila National Forest, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, and Petroglyphs National Monument, among many others, in New Mexico.

Bingaman believes the LWCF needs consistent and predictable funding to allow the program to continue to be effective.  The Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act of 2009, which was introduced today, seeks to do just that.

"Protecting special places and landscapes for the common good has always been a great American idea that we have exported to the rest of the world.  By protecting natural systems, we're protecting human health as well as the economy by providing clean water, clean air, livable coastal areas and the quality of life that is so important to all Americans," Bingaman said.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is pleased the Senate has approved legislation to extend unemployment benefits to thousands of New Mexicans who have been unable to find a job in this difficult economic climate.

The bill would extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers in all states and up to 20 weeks in hard-hit states with unemployment levels at or above 8.5 percent.  New Mexico's unemployment rate as of September was 7.7 percent, up from 4.3 percent a year ago.

"Like the rest of the country, New Mexico is feeling the effects of the current economic situation," Bingaman said.  "While it is not a permanent solution, unemployment benefits provide many families with temporary relief as they continue to look for work.  I am pleased it has cleared another hurdle."

The bill does the following:

• Extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers who exhaust their benefits by Dec. 31; and
• Extend benefits for an six additional weeks for workers who exhaust their unemployment benefits by Dec. 31, in states with unemployment levels over 8.5 percent.

The bill does the following to encourage new home-buying:

• Extend through April 30, 2010 the tax credit for first-time homebuyers (up to $8,000 or up to 10 percent of the purchase price of the residence), allowing 60 days to close (July 1, 2010), provided that the homes are under a binding contract by April 30;
• Provide homebuyer tax credit of up to $6,500 to owners who have been in the same principal residence for five consecutive years during the previous eight years;
• Increase the income limitations to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for joint filers;
• Phase out the credit for individuals with incomes above $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for joint filers at the same rate as current law (over the next $20,000);
• Limit the credit to purchases of principal residences equal to or less than $800,000;
• Eliminate the 36-month recapture requirement for military personnel, including members of the Foreign Service and intelligence community, forced to sell as a result of an official extended duty of service; and
• Extend the tax credit for one year for military personnel serving outside the United States for at least 90 days in 2009 or 2010.

The bill must now be approved by the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today urged Congress to swiftly take up and pass energy legislation aimed at creating "green collar" jobs.

"The economy has lost 7.2 million jobs during this recession -- one out of every 20 jobs in the country.  In percentage terms, that is the biggest job loss since the recession in 1948 and 1949," Bingaman said, in a speech on the Senate floor.

"Congress needs to take steps to ensure this recovery is different from the jobless recoveries in our nation's recent past.  The tax cuts enacted during the Bush administration were meant to stimulate job growth but it is apparent now that they failed to do so.  Those tax cuts were too blunt an instrument to do the job, not focused enough on creating jobs, and the $4 trillion hole they dug in the federal budget has made it harder to recover from this recession," Bingaman added.

One way to create jobs is to enact clean energy policies that encourage the use of renewable energy.  Bingaman is the lead author of the American Clean Energy Leadership Act – legislation that creates a national Renewable Electricity Standard, a policy that would require electricity companies to get 15 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2021.  This would spur job growth because it would require new electricity production from wind, solar and other renewable resources.

The American Clean Energy Leadership Act also sets up a revolving loan fund that would provide the financing needed to create the new power plants that produce renewable energy or factories that make wind turbines and other components.

And the Bingaman legislation, among other things, would provide federal grants to defray the costs of retrofitting homes and businesses to reduce energy consumption.

Combined, adopting the American Clean Energy Leadership Act could create more than 500,000.

"Adopting this forward-thinking energy bill will put us on a path toward creating good jobs in the energy sector, help keep our nation competitive and put Americans back to work," Bingaman said.

In recent weeks, Bingaman has delivered other floor speeches on the economy.  He has urged Congress to quickly pass legislation to extend unemployment insurance by at least 14 weeks.  And he has outlined four other steps Congress can immediately pass to create jobs:

• Job Creation Tax Credit worth 10 to 15 percent of the cost of creating new jobs.  The proposal could create 2.8 million new jobs in 2010 and 2.3 million jobs in 2011.
• Enhance the investment tax credit for manufacturing.  Such a credit would subsidize the cost of building new factory space or purchasing new machinery.  Manufacturing jobs are critical to the long-term health of our economy, and additional policies are needed to create them.
• Additional aid to states, in the form of education funds, health care funds, or other direct grants.  Without additional help, states will have to cut services and raise taxes, making the recession worse and slowing down job creation even more.  Enacting additional aid to states could have immediate benefits by curtailing plans to cut state programs.
• Providing emergency bridge loans to families to help them stay in their homes.  The amount of the loan would be equal to up to two years of mortgage payments and could be repaid over 10 or 15 years.  These bridge loans would complement the Job Creation Tax Credit and Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit by preventing a fall-off in the demand for consumer goods and services.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today confirmed that the counties of Lea, Curry, Quay and Roosevelt have been declared eligible for disaster assistance due to their proximity to Texas counties, which were declared disaster areas due drought and other disasters that occurred earlier this year.

As a result of the declaration, farmers and ranchers in Lea, Curry, Quay and Roosevelt counties are now eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"I am pleased the USDA is lending a helping hand to the farmers and ranchers in Lea, Curry, Quay and Roosevelt Counties who have been economically affected due to severe weather in the area this year," Bingaman said.

For more information or to determine eligibility for a low interest loan contact the local USDA Farm Service Center.

Lea County Farm Service Agency
401 E Tatum Highway Lovington, NM 88260
(575) 396-5857
(575) 396-5768 Fax

Curry County Farm Service Agency
918 Parkland Dr Clovis, NM 88101-4432
(575) 762-4769
(575) 763-0034 Fax

Quay County Farm Service Agency
706 S 1st St Tucumcari, NM 88401-2715
(575) 461-0793
(575) 461-0285 Fax

Roosevelt County Farm Service Agency
050 Hwy 467 Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-6629
(575) 356-6210 Fax

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio reporters about climate change and a variety of other issues being debated in Congress. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about a bill he has introduced with Senator Tom Udall aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change on resources like forests, clean water, and fish and wildlife habitat and the communities and economies that depend on these resources.

01:25 – Bingaman talks about a bill he is cosponsoring, which authorizes the government to research whether small-scale nuclear power plants are a feasible source of energy supply.

04:16 – Bingaman says the Congress needs address the economic issues facing the country, including job creation and financial reform.

06:18 – Bingaman talks about efforts to address nuclear waste disposal.

08:01– Bingaman says he supports Senator Reid's decision to include a public option, which would allow individual states to opt out, as part of a health care bill.

10:24 – Bingaman says he supports energy efficiency standards for television screens.

12:10 – Bingaman talks about where the health care reform debate stands in Congress.

13:40 – Bingaman talks about climate change legislation being debated in the Senate.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has released over $10 million for four New Mexico projects aimed at exploring and developing new geothermal fields and research into advanced geothermal technologies. Funding comes from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

“Geothermal energy can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly form of energy production.  This funding will help New Mexico take advantage of the current technology, and make investments in advancing this important technology, as well,” Bingaman said.  

“Advanced geothermal technology holds immense potential as a carbon free energy source and economic stimulator,” said Udall. “Much of our state is a known or potential geothermal resource, so we are in the perfect position develop another source of energy and create jobs in the process,” Udall said. 

The following projects will receive funding:

·         $4.99 million - Pueblo of Jemez:  The pueblo’s project involves utilizing different technologies to image and locate geothermal reservoirs in Jemez Pueblo.

·         $3 million Simbol Mining Corp. (Pleasanton, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Sacramento, CA; Calipatria, CA): This project will develop technologies that extract valuable metals and compounds from geothermal fluids.

·         $1.99 million - New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology: New Mexico Tech New will construct a district heating system at the NM Tech Campus.

·         $50,000 Arthur Mansure of Albuquerque: Mansure is a life cycle expert who will determine and document sustainability of geothermal development.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall voted for final approval of a spending measure that funds important public lands initiatives in New Mexico.

The FY10 Interior Appropriations Bill will now be sent to the White House for signature.

The fiscal year 2010 Interior Appropriations Bill contains an amendment Bingaman wrote and Udall cosponsored aimed at ensuring there that is adequate federal funding available to help fight wildfires. The measure, known as the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement (FLAME) Act, creates a separate account to pay for fighting large, complex wildland fires. This move would prevent the Forest Service from raiding other accounts to pay for such expensive fires, preventing shortfalls in other Forest Service programs.

"Our wildfire funding practices have been broken for a decade, and that has had a negative impact on the Forest Service, communities, businesses, and natural resources," said Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "The success of this legislation ultimately depends on the support of the White House and Congress, but we have charted a new and clear course to that success, and that is a significantly accomplishment."

"With more severe drought conditions in New Mexico and increasing catastrophic wildfire danger, we have a responsibility to take the necessary precautions," said Udall. "With our amendment, we are helping ensure that New Mexico is prepared for these threats."

The bill also provides $10 million for the Forest Landscape Restoration Act, a program authored by Bingaman and supported by Udall to select and fund landscape-scale forest restoration projects.

The legislation also contains funding the senators sought for the following lands projects:

The bill contains funding the senators sought for the following lands projects:

• $3.5 million -Valles Caldera National Preserve for operations
• $3 million -- Land Acquisition of riparian areas in the Gila National Forest
• $3 million -- Land Acquisition for La Cienega Area of Critical Environmental Concern (Santa Fe County)
• $1.5 million - Lesser Prairie Chicken Area of Critical Environmental Concern (Chaves County)
• $500,000 - Land Acquisition within Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (Socorro County)
• $2.2 million - Navajo Technical College for operations
• $1 million – Land Acquisition for Petroglyph National Monument

The spending bill also funds other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey, and sets aside funding the following projects:

• $300,000 – City of Portales for wastewater treatment plant improvements
• $300,000 – City of Carlsbad for a water reuse project
• $1 million – for the U.S. Geological Survey to continue implementation of the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act that is characterizing, mapping, and modeling groundwater resources along the border.
• $1 million – Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP) based out of NMSU

"New Mexicans will benefit from the investments this bill makes in water, public lands and education initiatives," Bingaman said.

"In this legislation, we are making significant and necessary investments for responsible land and water usage, as well as education in our state," said Udall. "I am pleased it is one step closer to being signed into law."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today outlined four steps Congress can take to help create jobs in this economic downturn.

"We find ourselves in an economic situation that is worse than almost anyone predicted.  And while I believe the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is helping, it wasn't intended to tackle an economic problem this size," Bingaman said.  "It's my belief that we need to do more to create good jobs."

In a speech on the Senate floor, Bingaman said there is no danger of doing too much to create jobs.

"We should learn from Japan's Lost Decade.  Japan was plagued by weak economic growth and lackluster job creation all through the 1990s.  Its Lost Decade was caused by the bursting of an asset price bubble, similar to what triggered the financial crisis last year.  A primary lesson from Japan's Lost Decade is that intermittent stimulus policies are ineffective.  We need to take sustained and overwhelming action to reenergize our economy," Bingaman said.

In addition to passing an extension of unemployment insurance, which the Senate is now debating, Bingaman said we should do the following:

• A Job Creation Tax Credit worth 10 to 15 percent of the cost of creating new jobs.  The proposal could create 2.8 million new jobs in 2010 and 2.3 million jobs in 2011.
• Enhance the investment tax credit for manufacturing.  Such a credit would subsidize the cost of building new factory space or purchasing new machinery.  Manufacturing jobs are critical to the long-term health of our economy, and additional policies are needed to create them.
• Additional aid to states, in the form of education funds, health care funds, or other direct grants.  Without additional help, states will have to cut services and raise taxes, making the recession worse and slowing down job creation even more.  Enacting additional aid to states could have immediate benefits by curtailing plans to cut state programs.
• Providing emergency bridge loans to families to help them stay in their homes.  The amount of the loan would be equal to up to two years of mortgage payments and could be repaid over 10 or 15 years.  These bridge loans would complement the Job Creation Tax Credit and Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit by preventing a fall-off in the demand for consumer goods and services.

"The four proposals I have outlined today are just some of the ideas that could create jobs in the short and medium term.  Congress should hold hearings on these and other job creation proposals, and quickly enact the best of them.  If we do nothing, unemployment is projected to climb past 10 percent next year, more families will lose their homes, and our economy will grow weaker, making it more difficult for the United States to compete in the global market," Bingaman said.

"Even as Congress continues working on other strategic challenges like health care, energy, and climate change, we must give renewed priority to job creation to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the United States and the prosperity of the American people," he added.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that President Obama has signed into law a key spending bill that supports New Mexico's two national laboratories, the Waste Isolation Pilot Project and a variety of key water-related projects.

"When we started this process several months ago, LANL was facing deep cuts to a key research center.  The measure that has been signed into law not only prevents those cuts it provides strong support to the range of R&D initiatives performed at both laboratories, as well as the operation of WIPP," Bingaman said.  "New Mexico fared very well in this important piece of legislation."

"Saving the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center at LANL has been a top priority, and today's signing by the president means LANSCE will continue to play a critical role in preserving our national security and providing solid scientific research," Udall said.

The 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill contains $20 million for upgrades to the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) – the only machine in the country that can do a series of diagnostic tests to ensure our nuclear stockpile is safe and secure.  The White House had recommended zeroing out funding for these necessary upgrades.  But the New Mexico senators fought for the funding, arguing that the one-of-a-kind facility was still needed.

The bill also contains $6.38 billion in stockpile stewardship for the National Nuclear Security Administration, much of which will be directed to Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories.

OTHER LAB RELATED FUNDING

LOS ALAMOS

• $196 million for environmental cleanup
• $97 million for Chemistry and Metallurgy Facility Replacement Project
• $10 million for radiological facilities to conduct nuclear energy research 

SANDIA

• Inertial confinement fusion ignition: $458 million, including $16.5 million above the request for operation of the Z-Machine and the Omega facility, returning them to FY09 funding levels

MISC.

• $750,000 Microgrid research initiative at New Mexico State University
• $1.75 million Navajo electrification
• $750, 000 for the Center of Excellence and Hazardous Waste Materials at Carlsbad for advance biofuels research

WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PROJECT

• $230.34 million for WIPP

"This law funds water projects large and small -- from the Navajo-Gallup pipeline to acequia rehabilitation," Bingaman said. "In an arid state like ours where every drop of water counts, these investments are extremely important."

"This new law will allow us to make significant investments at WIPP in Carlsbad to make sure we have a safe facility, more needed environmental cleanup and job security for employees working there," Udall said.

WATER FUNDING

Albuquerque Title XVI Reuse Project - $250,000 for continued support of the City's water reuse and recycling project.
Animas-La Plata Project - $49,608,000 to continue progress on the project components that benefit New Mexico, including the Navajo Nation.
Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program –$160,000 for continued data collection relating to ecological health in the Middle Río Grande.
Carlsbad Project - $3,541,000 – for continued operation of the Carlsbad irrigation project in the Pecos River Basin.
Chimayo Mutual Domestic Water Association - $233,000 to construct storage tanks, develop additional groundwater supplies, and extend water lines for the regional water system.
Eastern New Mexico Investigations Program - $47,000 for planning associated with improved water management in the Pecos and Canadian River basins in Colfax, Mora, Harding, San Miguel, Quay, Guadalupe and DeBaca counties.
Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System - $1 million for design and construction of intake structure at Ute Reservoir for the Ute pipeline project.
Jicarilla Apache Rural Water Project - $3 million to continue to repair and replace the drinking water delivery and wastewater system on the Jicarilla Reservation.
Middle Rio Grande Project $22,684,000 to continue work on project operations relating to water delivery and continued participation in the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Act Collaborative Program.
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project - $3 million for planning, design, and construction of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, including the Cutter Lateral Regional System and the Gallup Regional System.
Navajo Nation Investigations Program - $190,000 to support water supply planning efforts within the Navajo Nation in cooperation with other agencies.
Pecos River Basin Water Salvage Project - $201,000 for continued removal of invasive plants and for an analysis of the effects of such removal.
Rio Grande Project - $4,791,000 for the ongoing operations of the Rio Grande Project which benefits the Elephant Butte Irrigation District in New Mexico.
Southern New Mexico/West Texas Inv. Program - $142,000 to analyze water supply options for irrigation and municipal uses in the Las Cruces, El Paso and Juarez areas.
Tucumcari Project - $39,000 for expenses associated with operation of Conchas Dam and Reservoir northwest of Tucumcari.
Upper Colorado River Operations Program - $237,000 to support the ongoing activities relating to management of the Colorado River system which benefits the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and the San Juan – Chama Project which serves water users such as the City of Albuquerque and Santa Fe and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.
Upper Rio Grande Basin Investigations - $71,000  to support investigations involving the Rio Grande water supplies in coordination with the States of Colorado and New Mexico and other water users.

Corps of Engineers

Abiquiu Dam - $3,141,000 – for continued management activities at Abiquiu Dam and Reservoir.
Acequias Irrigation System - $2.4 million to continue construction and rehabilitation work for acequias throughout the State.
Alamogordo - $2.9 million to construct and repair diversion channels and prevent flood damage.
Cochiti Lake - $6.5 million for continued management activities at Cochiti Lake.
Conchas Lake - $1.7 million for continued management activities at Conchas Lake.
Espanola Valley Investigations - $224,000 to evaluate water supply options.
Galisteo Dam - $562,000 to operate and maintain Galisteo Dam.
Jemez Canyon Dam - $718,000 to operate and maintain Jemez Canyon Dam.
Middle Rio Grande ESA Collaborative Program - $2,994 for continued compliance with the Biological Opinion and participation in the collaborative program.
Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection, Bernalillo to Belen - $756,000 to repair and replace existing levees and create wetlands.
Rio Grande Basin, NM, CO & TX – $103,000 to improve water conveyance efficiencies and address ecosystem degradation and flooding throughout the Rio Grande Basin which includes over 160,000 square miles from Colorado, through New Mexico to Texas.
Rio Grande Floodway, San Acacia To Bosque Del Apache - $754,000 for maintenance and restoration of the Rio Grande floodway.
Santa Fe - $134,000 to conduct a watershed study to analyze flood damage potential and ecosystem restoration potential for the Santa Fe area.
Santa Rosa Dam and Lake - $1.044 million for operation and maintenance of Santa Rosa Dam and Lake.
Southwest Valley Albuquerque - $2.810 million to repair drains and prevent flooding in the South Valley of Albuquerque.
Two Rivers Dam - $384,000 for repairs and maintenance of the Two Rivers Dam in the Roswell area.
Upper Rio Grande Water Operations Model Study - $2.05 million to continue work developing and utilizing the model to assist with Rio Grande operations.   

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announce that a bill that supports several of New Mexico's national security initiatives has been signed into law.

The Senators said the fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that was enacted contains $20 million Bingaman and Udall requested for the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories.  The program models every conceivable disaster and other simulations for disaster preparedness purposes.

The bill also contains $23 million the Senators secured for New Mexico Tech's National Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center.  New Mexico Tech is a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which provides natural disaster preparedness training.

"Our state's federal laboratories and research centers play a valuable role in helping develop and test emergency preparedness models that will benefit the country as a whole, and this legislation strongly supports their activities," Bingaman said.  "The measure also provides key funding to FLETC, which trains law enforcement agents that protect our nation's borders."

"With ever increasing violence across our border, New Mexico plays has an integral role in maintaining security for our country and safety for our citizens," said Udall. "The funding for border patrol initiatives and institutions like FLETC and New Mexico Tech included in this bill will help ensure New Mexico's role in keeping our nation safe and secure. I am pleased President Obama has signed it into law."

The spending bill also contains $282.8 million for personnel and construction for the nation's Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers.  Artesia is home to one of the centers.  It also contains $600,000 for an emergency ops initiative in Lea County and $400,000 for San Miguel County's predisaster mitigation project.

Finally, the measure contains funding for a variety of border security-related activities.  New Mexico will receive funding from the following initiatives:

• Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology: $800 million for Southwest Border investments.  Through a mix of fencing, technology, and Border Patrol agents on the ground CBP now has nearly 700 miles of Southwest border under effective control, compared to 241 miles in FY 2005.
• Border Patrol: $3.587 billion to fully support 20,163 Border Patrol agents – an increase of 6,000 (or more than 50 percent) since 2006.
• Southwest Border Counterdrug Initiatives: $72.6 million, including $20 million for additional scanning systems for southbound lanes and checkpoints, and $26 million for 50 additional CBP officers, 100 Border Patrol agents, and 33 support personnel and equipment to stop the outbound flow of weapons and currency used in the drug trade.
• Southwest Border Violence: $100 million to combat international trade in illicit drugs, weapons smuggling and crimes associated with violence along the Southwest Border. This is part of an overall $99 million increase over 2009 for ICE investigations. Funding includes:
• • $70 million to expand operations related to Southwest border violence by initiating more ICE investigations, intelligence activities, and international programs;
  • $10 million for investigations of transnational gangs;
  • $10 million for expansion of Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BESTs); and
  • $10 million for counter-proliferation investigation, including bulk cash and weapons smuggling investigations.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is pleased the Senate has voted to move forward with legislation to extend unemployment benefits to thousands of New Mexicans who have been unable to find a job in this difficult economic climate.

The bill would extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers in all states and up to 20 weeks in hard-hit states with unemployment levels at or above 8.5 percent.  New Mexico's unemployment rate as of September was 7.7 percent, up from 4.3 percent a year ago.

"This legislation will help many New Mexican families who are struggling because of the economic downturn.  I am pleased the Senate is making this issue a priority," Bingaman said.

The Senate is expected to vote on final passage later this week.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today introduced a bill aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change on resources like forests, clean water, and fish and wildlife habitat and the communities and economies that depend on these resources.

Reports from the last several seasons indicate that increasing temperatures associated with climate change are resulting in less snowpack in many regions of the country, thus changing the timing of snow-melt runoff.   In New Mexico, an already arid state, this trend could be devastating.

"From increased drought to a rise in sea level, our country's natural resources are at risk from the effects of climate change.  As we work to reduce carbon emissions, we must also find ways to protect the things so important to New Mexicans like clean water and our fish and wildlife habitat," Bingaman said.

"Climate change doesn't just threaten our economy and security, it threatens our way of life. Scientists predict that global warming could give New Mexico the same climate as the Sonoran Desert in Chihuahua, Mexico – doing irreversible harm to the natural resources that our communities and economies depend on," Udall said. "This legislation will help protect these special New Mexico places for generations to come."

The Natural Resource Adaptation Act would:

• Require all federal agencies, including the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation, to work together to prepare a national strategy and individual agency plans to reduce the negative impact of climate change on natural resources.
• Establish a fund to help federal, state and tribal programs carry out work related to climate change adaptation, including restoring watersheds to ensure abundant clean water supplies, managing forest health and restoring wetlands to protect coastal communities.

"We often forget that healthy ecosystems are essential to human, as well as wildlife, needs.  They are necessary to provide us with a clean and abundant drinking water supply, clean air, and habitat for a diversity of fish, wildlife and plant species," Bingaman said.

"New Mexico is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, all of which depend on a healthy ecosystem," Udall said. "As we continue working to combat global warming and create the clean energy economy of the future, we must ensure that our efforts include the protection of these natural resources."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today applauded news that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid intends to include a public option in the health insurance reform bill that the Senate will debate in the coming weeks. A public insurance option is a non-profit health care plan that would be run by the federal government and financed with premiums.

Bingaman helped craft the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee’s public plan proposal, and voted for both unsuccessful measures to include a public plan in the Senate Finance Committee’s bill. 

Reid is currently working to meld the different bills passed in the HELP and Finance committees.  He is expected to include a public plan similar to the one in the HELP legislation, but that allows states to opt out of participating in it.

“It has always been my strong preference that we include a public insurance option.  I believe it will be a very useful tool for containing health care costs,” said Bingaman, who added that the public plan should follow the same rules as private plans for defining benefits, protecting consumers, and setting premiums that are fair and based on local costs.

“I applaud Senator Reid for working hard to gain Senate support for a public plan proposal,” he said.

Bingaman pointed out that the health reform legislation would take many other important changes to the law, including a proposal that prevents healthcare companies from denying insurance to Americans with pre-existing conditions. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio reporters about health care reform legislation being debated in Congress. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about a bill he introduced and was passed in Congress that recognize Stewart Udall for his contributions as U.S. Interior Secretary and for advancing the important work of the Morris K. Udall Foundation.

01:17 – Bingaman talks about where health care reform legislation stands in Congress.

02:35 – Bingaman talks about the chances of getting a public option included as part of health care reform legislation.

03:35– Bingaman talks about a proposal being discussed in the Senate to included a public option but would allow individual states to opt out of the plan.

07:37 – Bingaman says health care reform legislation being debated in the Senate will help extend health care coverage to those who are currently uninsured.

10:15 – Bingaman says the Congress is following the same eligibility guidelines for the H1N1 vaccination as most of the country.

11:10 – Bingaman talks about where climate change legislation stands in the Senate.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today reported that the Senate has approved key defense legislation that gives strong support to New Mexico’s military installations and the state’s two national laboratories.

The bill, called the fiscal year 2010 Defense Authorization Bill, passed the Senate 68-29.  The House of Representatives passed it earlier this month, so it can now be sent to the president for signature.  Defense spending must be authorized through this bill before funding can be released; the spending bills that fund the activities authorized in this measure move through Congress separately.   

“This important legislation outlines where and how our defense dollars will be spent, which is why it is so important to New Mexico.  I believe this measure does a very good job supporting our national laboratories and our defense installations,” Bingaman said.

The bill contains the following:

Cannon Air Force Base

$15.0 million for a consolidated communications facility

$41.27 million for C-130 maintenance hangar facility

$11.59 million modification to hangers to support CV-22s

$6.0 million for a C-130 ammunition loading ramp

At Bingaman’s urging the Senate adopted an amendment have the Air Force and the U.S. Special Operations Command begin the process of evaluating the life of the existing AC-130 gunships and plan for their replacement.  Eight of these gunships are in the 16 Special Operations Squadron now at Cannon, some of which are 40 years old dating back to Vietnam. The gunships are the airplane of choice by ground troops in Afghanistan and Iraq for close air support operations.

Kirtland Air Force Base

$16.7 million for two simulator facilities to train pilots on C-130J aircraft

$5.8 million for facility space at the Space Test and Development Wing

The bill keeps the budget of the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Program Office at $112 million the same as the President’s request.  That program was “stood up” at Kirtland two years ago and will provide a game changing ability to quickly field satellites for urgent needs.

White Sands Missile Range

The bill authorizes additional $6 million increase for the High Energy Laser Test Facility at WSMR, to begin testing the next generation solid-state laser, putting the facility on a new track to test next generation battlefield laser systems.  In addition $3 million is authorized to develop software to integrate the large airspace surrounding White Sands Missile Range, which handles training by Holloman Air Force Base, White Sands Test Range and Fort Bliss.

Holloman Air Force Base

$5.5 million for a consolidated munitions maintenance facility for the F-22 Raptor

$5 million for continued development of the High Speed Test Track, which when completed will be the world’s fastest magnetic levitation test track.

$10.4 million Fire / Rescue Station

$37.5 million Facilities for UAV Training Wing

National Guard

$39.0 million for an Army aviation support facility at Santa Fe

$30 million to support Army Guard Counterdrug efforts of which $3 million is for New Mexico

In addition the bill asks the Secretary of Defense to develop a transition plan for the Air Guard from F-16 and F-15 fighter aircraft to F-35 and F-22 aircraft.

Other Department of Defense issues relevant to New Mexico, and authorized under the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA):

$6.43 billion for maintaining the stockpile

$2.18 billion for stemming the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

$55 million for the Chemistry and Metallurgy Replacement Facility construction at LANL

$24 million for upgrades to the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center as part of the overhaul of the complex so it can provide stockpile science in the 21^st century to ensure we do not have to test.

$189.0 million for clean up funding at LANL, to avoid missing milestones in the clean up consent agreement between the Department and the State

$220.34 million for WIPP

In addition at Bingaman’s urging the committee asked the Administrator of the NNSA and the Undersecretary for Science at the DOE to develop a long-term roadmap so that major facilities at NNSA sites such as the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center can be used for other DOE research program whether fundamental or the applied energy sciences.  Bingaman feels it is critical that the weapons laboratory begin to diversify their research portfolio as we draw down the stockpile, this roadmap will help with that diversification.

And the bill contains a Bingaman amendment aimed at improving the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICPA).  EEOICPA, which Bingaman helped create in 2000, compensates Department of Energy employees for illnesses they developed because of their service.  In the amendment adopted in this bill, the Office of the Ombudsman is expanded to assist employees applying for compensation under Part B of EEOICPA.  Currently, the ombudsman can only assist employees applying under Part E. 

Finally, bill contains a separate measure that Bingaman has long supported that prevents discrimination.  The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act strengthens the ability of federal, state, local, and tribal governments to address hate crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.  The legislation will enable the Justice Department to assist state, local, and tribal authorities with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.  Nothing in the legislation impacts the ability of individuals to exercise their First Amendment rights.

WASHINGTON – The Senate has given final passage to legislation U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman wrote to recognize Stewart Udall for his contributions as U.S. Interior Secretary and for advancing the important work of the Morris K. Udall Foundation. The House of Representatives had previously approved the measure, so it can now be sent to the White House for signature.

The Morris K. Udall Foundation was established by Congress in 1992 to provide federal-funded scholarships to student seeking to pursue a career in environmental studies and to identify and educate new generations of leaders in Indian Country.

Bingaman's bill provides additional resources for the foundation as well as rename it the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, in recognition of the historic Interior Secretary's contributions.

"New Mexicans know the important role Stewart Udall has played over his lifetime to protect our environment and public lands. For that reason, I believe he should be recognized alongside his brother Morris. I am very glad we have won support of this legislation in the Senate and the House of Representatives, and that the bill can now be signed by the president," said Bingaman from New Mexico, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The Morris K. Udall Foundation provides $5,000 scholarships for students interested in environmental and Native American issues. Currently, the foundation awarded 80 scholarships a year. Bingaman's bill would make it possible for them to provide more.

Programs of the Udall Foundation include:

• U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. This institute has played a quiet leading role to find common ground on issues as diverse as Everglades Restoration to the joint tribal-federal management of the National Bison Range Complex.
• The Native Nations Institute (NNI) a graduate educator and policy center for Indian Country. NNI teaches a new way of governance on the reservations which embraces tribal identity as a core principle and smart business practices as a way to assist Indian nations rebuild their economies. In the last 5 years, more than 2,000 Native American leaders have benefitted from its courses. New leaders emerging from the Foundation's education programs are beginning to take their places in Tribal governance.
• Parks in Focus aims to connect underserved youth to nature through the art of photography.

Stewart Udall was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona in 1954. He served with distinction in the House for 3 terms on the Interior and Education and Labor committees. In 1960, President Kennedy appointed Stewart Udall Secretary of Interior. In this role, he oversaw the addition of four parks, 6 national monuments, 8 seashores and lakeshores, 9 recreation areas, 20 historic sites and 56 wildlife refuges to the National Park system. During his tenure as the Interior Secretary, President Johnson signed into law the Wilderness Act, the Water Quality Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and National Trails Bill.

Stewart currently resides in Santa Fe and will turn 90 years old in the coming year.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said Congress should quickly take up and pass legislation to extend unemployment benefits to thousands of New Mexicans who have been unable to find a job in this difficult economic climate.

The bill would extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers in all states and up to 20 weeks in hard-hit states with unemployment levels at or above 8.5 percent. New Mexico's unemployment rate as of August was 7.5 percent, up from 4.3 percent a year ago.

[Listen to the full floor speech online]

"The pain of unemployment is being felt across the country. More than 5 million Americans have been unemployed for 6 months or more and 2 million of those workers face the end of their unemployment benefits before the end of the year. Up to 4,000 New Mexicans will exhaust their current unemployment benefits by the end of December," Bingaman said.

"The total number of unemployed and underemployed, including those who are working two or three part-time jobs to try and make ends meet and those who have given up looking for work, is approaching 17 percent. These aren't just numbers, these are real people who face each day with the dread of not knowing how they are going to pay for this week's groceries or make the coming mortgage or rent payment," he said.

A vote on whether to take up the bill for debate is scheduled for Friday, but Bingaman said he hopes the Senate can come to an agreement that allows the bill to be finalized today. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is disappointed that a bill to prevent cuts in payments to physicians serving Medicare patients has failed, but hopes that Congress will act before the end of the year to ensure that the cuts do not go into effect.

Despite Bingaman's support, the Senate today voted 47-53 on The Medicare Physician Fairness Act, defeating legislation that would have prevented a 20 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians next year. The cuts were called for in the Balanced Budget Amendment of 1997. In total, the cuts are projected to reduce payments to New Mexican physicians serving seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries by $50 million in 2010. Because TRICARE physician payments are linked to Medicare payments, TRICARE is also facing deep cuts.            

"Obviously we cannot let stand deep cuts to doctors in New Mexico and across the country.  We must act soon to avert this crisis," Bingaman said. "I hope we can find a way to not only prevent these deep cuts, but to do so in a way that does not add to the deficit."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is releasing $294,000 he secured for Las Cumbres Community Services Facility in Española.

The nonprofit will use the funding, which Bingaman secured in a fiscal year 2008 spending bill, for the construction of a new facility to house child and family services, adult services, respite care, and the Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute.  The facility will also include meeting rooms that will be open to the public.

"Las Cumbres Community Services provided vital support assistance to residents of Northern New Mexico.  The funding released today will help it expand and reach out to more people," Bingaman said.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is releasing funding he secured to help provide homes to Navajo families in need. Bingaman secured the funding in a fiscal year 2009 spending bill.

The Southwest Indian Foundation will receive $950,000 for its Operation Footprint Program, which constructs and places new homes for Navajo families. Funding will help provide building materials, equipment maintenance and cover administrative costs associated with the program.

"Operation Footprint brings together military personnel, students, and community volunteers to help give Navajo families a place to call home. This funding will go a long way in helping them continue this important program," Bingaman said.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today applauded the passage of a bill that supports several of New Mexico's national security initiatives.

The Senate approved the fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill; this measure can now be sent to the White House for signature.

The bill includes $20 million Bingaman and Udall requested for the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories.  The program models every conceivable disaster and other simulations for disaster preparedness purposes.

The bill also contains $23 million the Senators secured for New Mexico Tech's National Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center.  New Mexico Tech is a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which provides natural disaster preparedness training.

"Our state is engaged in important disaster preparedness work, which is funded by this spending bill," Bingaman said.  "The entire country is benefiting from the research and training done at our national labs, New Mexico Tech and FLETC."

"With ever increasing violence across our border, New Mexico plays has an integral role in maintaining security for our country and safety for our citizens. The funding for border patrol initiatives and institutions like FLET-C and New Mexico Tech included in this bill will help ensure New Mexico's role in keeping our nation safe and secure," Udall said.

The spending bill also contains $282.8 million for personnel and construction for the nation's Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers.  Artesia is home to one of the centers.  It also contains $600,000 for an emergency ops initiative in Lea County and $400,000 for San Miguel County's predisaster mitigation project.

Finally, the measure contains funding for a variety of border security-related activities.  New Mexico will receive funding from the following initiatives:

• Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology: $800 million for Southwest Border investments.  Through a mix of fencing, technology, and Border Patrol agents on the ground CBP now has nearly 700 miles of Southwest border under effective control, compared to 241 miles in FY 2005.
• Border Patrol: $3.587 billion to fully support 20,163 Border Patrol agents – an increase of 6,000 (or more than 50 percent) since 2006.
• Southwest Border Counterdrug Initiatives: $72.6 million, including $20 million for additional scanning systems for southbound lanes and checkpoints, and $26 million for 50 additional CBP officers, 100 Border Patrol agents, and 33 support personnel and equipment to stop the outbound flow of weapons and currency used in the drug trade.
• Southwest Border Violence: $100 million to combat international trade in illicit drugs, weapons smuggling and crimes associated with violence along the Southwest Border. This is part of an overall $99 million increase over 2009 for ICE investigations. Funding includes:
• • $70 million to expand operations related to Southwest border violence by initiating more ICE investigations, intelligence activities, and international programs;
  • $10 million for investigations of transnational gangs;
  • $10 million for expansion of Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BESTs); and
  • $10 million for counter-proliferation investigation, including bulk cash and weapons smuggling investigations.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio about a variety of issues. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about funding contained in a key spending bill for Los Alamos National Laboratories.

01:55 – Bingaman talks about the legislation he introduced aimed at settling a decades old water dispute over water rights claims in the Rio Pojoaque.

04:40 – Bingaman says the Congress has showed its continued commitment to funding New Mexico's national Laboratories.

05:57 – Bingaman comments on the White House's dilemma over whether to increase troop strengthen in Afghanistan.

08:08 – Bingaman talks about attending the signing ceremony to make official the environmental impact statement for the Navajo-Gallup Pipeline Project.

09:35 – Bingaman talks about the hearings he is holding as chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on energy and related economic effects of global climate change legislation.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman meets with Rice University student Roque Sanchez of Tome, NM on a tour of the team's solar-powered house during the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Oct. 15. Bingaman chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is a national leader in pressing for a shift from a fossil-based economy to a renewable economy.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall voted (80-17) to give final passage to a key spending bill that supports New Mexico’s two national laboratories, the Waste Isolation Pilot Project and a variety of key water-related projects.

 

The 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill is now ready to be sent to the White House for signature. 

 

The measure contains $20 million for upgrades to the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) – the only machine in the country that can do a series of diagnostic tests to ensure our nuclear stockpile is safe and secure. The White House had recommended zeroing out funding for these necessary upgrades. But the New Mexico senators fought for the funding, arguing that the one-of-a-kind facility was still needed.

 

“I’m very glad we were successful in our efforts to prove that LANSCE is too important to the country to shut it down. With this funding, LANL can continue to use LANSCE to perform a key component of its stockpile stewardship mission,” Bingaman said. “In general, this bill does a very good job funding our national laboratories, WIPP and key water initiatives in our state.”

 

“We faced an uphill battle to save the LANSCE facility at LANL, but I am proud to say that when the president signs this bill, we will have done just that,” said Udall. “With this legislation, we have made sure Congress recognizes the critical role LANSCE plays in preserving our national security and providing solid scientific research. In addition, we are making significant investments at WIPP in Carlsbad to make sure we have a safe facility, more needed environmental cleanup and job security for employees working there.”

 

The bill also contains $6.38 billion in stockpile stewardship for the National Nuclear Security Administration, much of which will be directed to Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories. 

OTHER LAB RELATED FUNDING

LOS ALAMOS

 

·         $196 million for environmental cleanup

·         $97 million for Chemistry and Metallurgy Facility Replacement Project

• $10 million for radiological facilities to conduct nuclear energy research

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the Environmental Protection agency has awarded a two New Mexico Pueblos grants to continue water pollution control programs.

The following Pueblos were awarded grants:

Funding will be used to continue surface water sampling on Pueblo lands and to continue compiling data to determine if a more thorough watershed management program is needed to develop water quality standards.

"These grants will make it possible for the Acoma and Laguna Pueblos to help ensure that water quality needs are being met in their communities," Bingaman said.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio about a health care reform bill that was approved by the Senate Finance Committee yesterday. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman says he is pleased the health care reform bill the Finance committee passed yesterday will help extend health care coverage to Americans who are currently uninsured.

02:45 – Bingaman says he expects the health care reform bill to come to the Senate floor under regular order.

04:45 – Bingaman says the health care bill reported out of the Finance Committee calls on Americans to obtain coverage – if they can afford to do so – by 2014.

06:56– Bingaman says a "public option" would be an alternative to purchasing private insurance.

10:08 – Bingaman talks about how the national health care exchange would work under the Senate Finance Committee bill.

12:26 – Bingaman talks about an Energy and Natural Resources hearing he chaired today on energy and related economic effects of global climate change legislation.

14:06 – Bingaman talks about how a health care cooperative would work under legislation approved by the Finance Committee.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voted to approve legislation he helped write to better protect New Mexicans who have health insurance, contain increasing health care costs and extend health care coverage to those who are currently uninsured.

The Senate Finance Committee today approved (14-9) the "America's Healthy Future Act."  The measure can now be merged with a bill approved earlier this year by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and debated on the Senate floor.  As the only Democrat who serves on both the HELP and Finance Committees, Bingaman was in a unique position to influence both pieces of legislation.

"We have been talking about health insurance reform for decades.  With this vote, we're finally on a path to enacting it," Bingaman said.  "This bill reduces the growth in health care costs, which is important to all American families but particularly important to New Mexican families, who are expected to experience the highest growth in premiums in the nation if reform is not enacted.

"The bill also prevents insurance companies from denying health insurance to Americans because they have pre-existing conditions.  It also prevents insurance companies from capping coverage at an annual or lifetime level.  And if Americans like the coverage they have, they can keep it Bingaman said. In short, it is a very good bill for Americans and, in particular New Mexicans, who already have insurance."

Bingaman also said the bill will provide health care coverage to millions of Americans who do not currently have it.  Such reform is critical to New Mexico, the second most uninsured state in the nation.  It will do so by creating a "exchange" – a marketplace -- where individuals can purchase insurance, and by creating new tax credits to help defray the cost.

Bingaman is a strong supporter of the public option -- a health care plan available to all Americans receiving coverage in newly formed health insurance "exchanges" that focuses exclusively on providing care, not turning a profit.  The Finance Committee bill does not contain a public option, but Bingaman is hopeful that the final bill sent to the president contains a public option or another plan that would provide an affordable health care plan for all Americans to choose from.

"This bill is a very good start, but we've still got work to do," Bingaman said.  "I will continue working to make this the strongest bill possible."

Bingaman wrote or co-wrote several key provisions in the America's Healthy Future Act.  As a member of a bipartisan group that helped shape the first draft of the bill, Bingaman was influential in improving the level of tax credits available to lower- and middle-income Americans to help pay for coverage.

One of the provisions of the bill extends Medicaid to millions of Americans who currently do not qualify.  To ensure New Mexico could pay for the expansion, Bingaman worked to ensure that the state will get the maximum amount of federal dollars available.  As a result, between 2014 and 2019, the federal government will pick up 95 percent of the cost of New Mexico's Medicaid expansion.

Bingaman also worked to help make health insurance more affordable for seniors.  Specifically, he worked to eliminate or reduce cost-sharing for seniors enrolled in the prescription drugs plan to help them get through the current gap in coverage known as the "doughnut hole" so that they may receive catastrophic coverage at which point the federal government covers more of their costs.

To improve health care delivery in rural parts of the state, Bingaman incorporated a proposal that allows primary care physicians to do the majority of their residencies in community health centers, rather than hospitals.  He also wrote a provision that will create a new Medicare payment system for community health centers, which currently lose tens-of -millions of dollars every year treating Medicare patients. Community health centers are typically in rural communities.

Bingaman also is a strong supporter of bonus payments for primary care physicians and wrote a proposal that guarantees that 50 percent of new physician training slots reimbursed by the Medicare program are placed in rural and underserved communities; both of these provisions are in the bill approved today.

"To meet New Mexicans' health care needs, we not only need to improve health insurance, we also need to improve the delivery system," Bingaman said.  "This bill will help ensure that rural states like ours can attract and retain medical professionals as well as significantly improve the quality and efficiency of our healthcare system."

Bingaman also wrote a key provision that will transform the way healthcare is delivered to allow for "bundled payments," which will incentivize higher quality care in the Medicare program as well as reductions in payments when Medicare beneficiaries do not receive appropriate care and are readmitted to hospitals.

Once provisions from both the HELP and Finance committees are made into a single bill, it will be brought to the Senate floor for a vote.  

WASHINGTON – At a Senate hearing today, the Obama administration endorsed legislation written by U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall to protect the scenic landscape of the Organ Mountains in Doña Ana County.

The bill, called the Organ Mountains –Desert Peaks Wilderness Act, creates wilderness and conservation areas that would provide for continued public use while protecting the granite peaks of the Organ Mountains and the volcanic cinder cones of the Potrillo Mountains, among other public lands in the County.

"This bill already had strong local support, and now we have the backing of the Obama administration," said Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.  "The Organ Mountains provide one of the most stunning views in New Mexico, and we are now on our way to preserving them for future enjoyment."

"I want to thank Chairman Bingaman for allowing me to participate in the hearing for this important legislation," said Udall. "The Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks Wilderness Act will protect thousands of acres of desert prairie and rugged mountain. From the jagged basalt lava flows of the Cinder Cone Wilderness, to the roaming hawks and scrambling javelinas of the Robledo Mountains, this unique piece of southern New Mexico has abundant natural and economic value, and deserves protection for generations to come."

At a hearing of the Senate Energy Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands, a high-level Obama administration official agreed the Organ Mountains are special enough to warrant protection.

"Passage of this legislation will ensure that generations of New Mexicans and all Americans will be able to witness a golden eagle soar over the Sierra de las Uvas, hike the landmark Organ Mountains, or hunt in the volcanic outcroppings of the Potrillo Mountains," said Marcilynn A. Burke, Deputy Director for the Bureau of Land Management. "We welcome this opportunity to enhance protection for some of America's treasured landscapes."

The legislation creates 259,000 acres of wilderness and 100,000 acres of National Conservation Area (NCA).  These areas would be managed in ways that protect the landscape from development while preserving current uses – such as hunting and grazing.

The bill also releases 16,350 acres along the southern border that had previously been designated as so-called "Wilderness Study Area."  This will provide increased flexibility for border law enforcement.

The Las Cruces City Council, the Doña Ana County Commission and Town of Mesilla have passed resolutions in support of the Organ Mountains –Desert Peaks Wilderness Act.  Governor Bill Richardson also has written a letter of support.

Oscar Butler, vice chairman of the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners, and Jerry Schickedanz, chairman of People for Preserving Our Western Heritage, were invited to testify at the hearing.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today said they are pleased a key spending bill that contains funding for key New Mexico agricultural-related projects has cleared a final hurdle and is now on its way to the president to be signed into law.

The 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Bill contains $350,000 the senators secured for the Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium. The funding is for New Mexico State University's Agriculture Science Center in Clovis to continue its work to support of the state's dairy industry. The consortium will enhance the dairy industry's competitiveness and its impact on the economy, and will also focus on the environmental impact of dairy production, including converting biomass waste to energy.

"This bill invests in a variety of initiatives that benefit our state's agricultural base and small communities – which are the foundation of New Mexico's economy," Bingaman said.

"This bill will help support economic growth and rural development in New Mexico," said Udall. "The funding included will benefit our farmers, invest in rural housing and help provide nutritious food for hungry New Mexico children."

The bill also contains funding for the following projects:

• $350 million in aid for dairy farmers, who face the lowest price for milk in three decades. USDA will decide how to apportion $290 million in aid directly to farmers. The remaining $60 million will buy surplus cheese and other dairy products for donation to food banks.
• $200,000 to restore and maintain riparian areas along the Rio Grande, Pecos and Canadian Rivers where the state is working to treat and kill the noxious salt cedar. The funding would be used to restore native vegetation to riparian areas in order to stabilize soils; to maintain replanted areas; and for management to prevent invasive species from returning to treated areas.
• $25 million for Water and Wastewater Projects in Colonias along the U.S.-Mexico border: New Mexico is expected to get about $7.9 million of this funding.
• $800,000 for USDA to contract with the Albuquerque-based National Tribal Environmental Council to continue a Native American circuit rider program to provide technical assistance for rural water systems.
• $404,000 for NMSU and the State Department of Agriculture to continue work on an Internet-based system for early detection and reporting of outbreaks of infectious diseases in food animals. The system is known as the Rapid Syndrome Validation Program for Animals. This is the sixth year funds have been earmarked for this effort.
• $24 million to continue a Bingaman-created grant program that supports community development projects in Native American Communities. The funds are set aside for basic drinking water and wastewater systems, tribal colleges, and business promotion in Indian country.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today voted to approve a spending bill that contains more than $45 million dollars to support national defense efforts, including work at White Sands Missile Range and various New Mexico universities.

The Senate passed the fiscal year 2010 Defense Spending Bill (93-07); the measure must now be reconciled with the bill passed by the House of Representatives.

"This spending bill funds projects in our state that are critical to our nation's defense. I'm especially pleased that we are providing $6 million to support the National Guard's effective counter-drug activities along the border," Bingaman said.

"This funding will provide for vital national defense projects along the border, at White Sands, and at NMSU," said Udall. "I am proud we are one step closer to having it signed into law."

Bingaman and Udall report that the measure contains the following for New Mexico:

$6 million for the New Mexico National Guard Counterdrug Support Program. This funding will support the Guard's ability to conduct counterdrug activities in conjunction with by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement. With the ongoing drug-related violence in Mexico and the need to increase resources aimed at interdicting the flow of drugs, weapons, and bulk currency being smuggled over the border, the Guard's counterdrug assistance is more important than ever. The Guard's current counterdrug duties include camera surveillance of high traffic border areas, mobile vehicle inspection and dismantlement, vehicle barrier construction, and at-risk school counterdrug education programs.

$5 million for Kirtland Air Force Base to fund further field evaluation of the Advanced Tactical Laser before it is retired and to perform an analysis on the most suitable aircraft for future electric laser systems.

$2 million for Define Renewable Energy Sources at White Sands Missile Range. This funding will be used to develop plans for the environmental, site and other assessments needed to pursue alternative energy generation (such as wind, solar and geothermal) and storage options at White Sands Missile Range.

$6 million for the High Energy Laser System Test Facility at White Sands Missiles Range. This funding would be used to refurbish the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) subsystem to accommodate a solid state laser, for a test qualification live-fire, and would ensure that other users with late-emerging high energy laser test and evaluation needs vital to national security will be able to utilize the facility. Areas of research include rocket, artillery and mortar as well as unmanned aerial vehicle threats.

$4.7 million for the Regional Partnership at White Sands Missile Range. This funding, directed toward White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Ft. Bliss and Holloman Air Force Base (HAFB), will help more effectively and efficiently manage the regions land, air and frequency domains. and coordinate real-time test and training missions.

$3 million for Algal Biofuels for Aviation at New Mexico State University. This project targets biofuels production from algal biomass as an alternative source of fuel for aviation. Between 2.5 and 3 percent of the Department of Defense (DOD) budget is spent on fuels, with more than 60 percent of the fuels used for aviation. Moving toward an alternative source of fuel for aviation would address sustainability, environmental impacts, economic dependence and energy security related to our military and our national security.

$7 million for Holloman Air Force Base's High Speed Test Track.  The funding would be used to advance technology development that allows for the implementation of a levitated, vibration-free test on the ground at a significantly reduced cost.

$4 million for Playas Training and Research Center at New Mexico Tech. This funding would establish Playas Training and Research Center as a Joint National Training and Experimentation Site for the National Guard Bureau to be used for mission training areas of joint operations between services as well as intergovernmental agencies, irregular warfare, new and emerging missions, emergency management and civil affairs and peacekeeping missions.

$2.9 million for UAV Systems and Operations Validation Program at New Mexico State University.  This project will address a major shortfall of the existing Department of Defense knowledge base of the expertise and technology focused on small- to mid-sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The recent proliferation of small to medium UAVs within the various DOD services and commands emphasizes the need for systematic and consistent data sets to support decision makers. Critical needs for small- to mid-sized UAVs to be addressed by this project include reliability, standards, interoperability, airspace integration, communication links, maintenance standards, training, operator certification, and multiple airworthiness issues.

$2.4 million for the University Strategic Partnership at the University of New Mexico. This funding would be used in cooperation with divisions throughout the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to research biotechnology, materials sciences, situational awareness, infectious diseases, radiation detection, and medical sciences.

$5 million for the Smart Instrument Development at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory (New Mexico Tech).  This project is a unique teaming arrangement to build a state-of-the-art observatory with a 2.4 meter telescope and a multi-telescope interferometer that will make it a test bed for numerous astronomical and Department of Defense projects and will enhance the capabilities of the existing observatory, particularly in the area of Space Situational Awareness. The existing facility is currently being used to support the DOD in applications including sensor development and testing, space weather monitoring and the rapid tracking of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) objects and debris. This project will result in the most comprehensive images of astronomical and man-made objects yet available.

The bill also boosts the Air Force Test and Evaluation budget by $19.3 million to hire more federal scientists and engineers helping the 46th Test Group's activities at Holloman Air Force Base.

A separate bill working its way through the Senate contains funding for construction projects at New Mexico's installations. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that Mesilla Valley Community of Hope (MVCH) has been awarded $180,750 to help provide transitional housing for homeless veterans.

MVCH will use the funding to renovate and add rooms to its Oak Street Apartments/ Veterans Transitional Housing Program and to purchase a handicapped accessible van.  The program is run by MVCH through a partnership with the Mesilla Valley Housing Authority and provides transitional housing for homeless veterans for up to 24 months.

"I had the opportunity to tour the Oak Street housing project a while back to learn more about this important program," Bingaman said.  "This funding will be put to good use assisting at-risk veterans in the southern part of our state."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio about health care reform legislation currently being considered before the Finance Committee. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:

00:00 – Bingaman talks about health care reform legislation being written in the Senate.

01:11 – Bingaman says he supports a health care bill being written in the Finance Committee.

03:02 – Bingaman talks about getting a public option included in a health care bill that will be considered by the entire Senate.

05:02 – Bingaman talks about the timeline for getting health care reform done in Congress.

06:18 – Bingaman says it's important that Americans be able to purchase adequate health care coverage.

09:25 – Bingaman talks about the redesigning of the payment process for private insurance providers such as Medicare Advantage.

12:35 – Bingaman says the Finance Committee bill exempts employers with 50 or fewer employees from having to provide health care coverage.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, along with Representative Ben Ray Lujan, today celebrated the latest milestones in implementing the Navajo-Gallup Pipeline Project.

The New Mexico lawmakers joined Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor at a Capitol Hill signing ceremony making official the environmental impact statement for the project. Signing the Record of Decision was necessary to allow the project to move forward. The Navajo-Gallup project is a major component of the water rights settlement that provides certainty to the Navajo Nation and other New Mexico residents who rely on San Juan Basin water.

The signing ceremony, which took place in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, coincided with a House-Senate panel's decision to set aside $3 million for the Navajo-Gallup Pipeline Project.

 "We are now officially on track toward getting this pipeline built -- thus providing water to thousands of Navajos who are currently not served and bringing water certainty to Gallup. I want to thank the Obama Administration for making this project a priority," said Bingaman, who sponsored the legislation to settle the Navajo Nation's water rights claims in the San Juan River Basin. Bingaman chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

"There aren't many issues more important than having access to drinkable water in homes. It is intolerable that, in 2009 in the United States of America, many Navajos in New Mexico still must travel miles and miles to bring back water for their families to drink, to bathe and to cook with every day. Today's signing by Secretary Salazar is the next critical step in remedying this unsustainable situation," Udall said.

"Water availability is a critical issue in New Mexico. Many tribal communities on the Navajo Nation do not have access to a relievable water supply, and the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project will provide many of these communities with stable and reliable access to water. I am encouraged that this project has taken a significant step toward becoming a reality," Lujan said.

Also attending today's ceremony were Stanley Pollack, an attorney representing the Navajo Nation, and Gallup City Councilor John Azua.

October's e-newsletter, Saving Jobs and Rebuilding Our Economy, revisits the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to focus on its impact on New Mexico to date.

Many New Mexicans are still feeling the pain of job loss or a reduction in pay or hours, and are continuing to struggle to make ends meet. There is some good news, though, and this month's e-newsletter highlights some signs that our economy is beginning to pull out of one of the worst downturns in nearly 50 years.

You can also view a distribution map of ARRA funding that has reached our state. There are also distribution maps for five regions of New Mexico: Northwestern, Southwestern, Southeastern, Northeastern, and Albuquerque Metro.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has released over $3 million to help New Mexico combat violent crimes against women.  The funds come from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women.

"The funds awarded today to New Mexico will enhance efforts to combat this serious problem," Bingaman said. 

Funding was awarded to the following:

New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission - $1.13 million: Funding will help the commission implement a variety of activities aimed at strengthening the justice system's response to violent crimes committed against women.   

New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. - $818,950: Funding, which was awarded through two separate grants, will be used to implement support programs and other projects aimed at providing victim services, preventing domestic violence, and assisting rape crisis centers throughout the state.

Enlace Comunitario - $300,000: Funding will be used to develop and enhance innovative strategies to increase services and resources to help the nonprofit organization provide direct services to Spanish-speaking victims of domestic violence.

New Mexico State University - $350,000:  Funding will be used to implement support programs and other projects aimed at addressing and preventing domestic violence in rural parts of the state.

New Mexico Highlands University - $283,947: Funding will be used to help the university establish or continue programs aimed at combating violent crimes against women on campus.

City of Santa Fe - $200,000:  Funding will be used, in collaboration with the Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families and the Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center, to implement a project to improve the response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.  

National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence - $125,000: Funding will be used develop Hispanic-centered, multi-topic curriculum on domestic violence.

New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence - $84,821: Funding will be used to support efforts to coordinate victim services in rural parts of the state and to improve the response to violence against women.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voted for two amendments that would have created a public insurance option in the health insurance reform legislation being written by Senate Finance Committee. Neither amendment passed.

"If we're going to drive down health care costs for the long term, we need to have adequate competition in the marketplace. I strongly believe we should create a non-profit entity to compete with insurance companies to offer the best care at the lowest cost," Bingaman said. "While neither public option amendment considered today was approved, we still have an opportunity to write a bill that encourages healthy competition."

An amendment offered by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) would have created an insurance plan run by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department that tied payment rates to Medicare payments for two years. After that, the plan would have negotiated its own payment rates. The proposal failed 8-15.

A separate amendment offered by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) would have set up a plan run by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department that would have negotiated its payment rates immediately. The amendment failed 10-13.

Both plans would have required federal dollars up front that would have been paid back within months, and the plans would have had to be self-sufficient after that. But neither would have required Americans to enroll.

Bingaman voted for both proposals, but preferred the Schumer proposal because it did not tie costs to Medicare.

The Finance Committee is continuing its work on health insurance reform legislation that aims to both contain skyrocketing costs and extend coverage to the uninsured. The bill can be found on the Finance Committee website.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall reported today that the thirteen special shape balloons being held by a Chinese company are at the airport and bound for the U.S. just in time for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Bingaman and Udall have both asked the Chinese Embassy in Washington to intervene.

"This is terrific news for the thousands of New Mexicans and visitors to our state who are looking forward to Balloon Fiesta this year," Bingaman said."I appreciate the Chinese Embassy's willingness to help resolve this problem."

"New Mexicans and tourists from hundreds and thousands of miles away come to Albuquerque to watch the special shapes balloons light up the night skies and cruise by the Sandia Mountains during our crisp October mornings," said Udall. "I'm happy this year will be no exception."

According to news reports ten of the 13 special shapes balloons that have been held up in China were scheduled to take place in the Balloon Fiesta's Special Shapes Rodeos on Oct. 8 and 9.

The balloons had traveled to China's Inner Mongolia region for a mid-August balloon festival.

The balloons now making their way back to the U.S. include Darth Vader, Sunny Boy, Nelly-B the pink elephant, the World's Biggest Shopping Bag, Burnie the Little Devil, Woodrow Greenleaf, the Air Ball, the Golf Ball, Coco the Clown, the Snowman, and the Orange.

Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez contacted the senators to help assist in the effort.

Health care reform is complex, and many New Mexicans who contact me are not sure why reform is necessary, or what it would do for them.

Health insurance reform would lower costs, improve choices, and ensure that all Americans have access to meaningful, quality, and affordable insurance.  Legislation is making its way through Congress that would ensure that those who are currently insured satisfied with their coverage will be able to keep their current plan.  A few of the other provisions in health care reform discussions are limiting what insurance companies can force patients to pay out-of-pocket and tax incentives for families and small businesses to help afford quality coverage.

Health insurance reform would greatly help New Mexicans, 26% of whom are currently uninsured.  While residents of every other state in the nation tend to receive insurance through their employers, only 42% of New Mexicans do, forcing the majority of our residents to buy insurance on their own, without any tax incentives to do so—in a state with one of the highest family health insurance premiums.

Health insurance reform would help curb growing health care costs, stop unfair insurance practices, and decrease the number of New Mexicans without insurance.    The cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans in New Mexico for a family of four will more than double in the next seven years without reform—from $11,279 in 2006 to $28,533 in 2016.  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that without health care reform, our nation’s health care spending will rise from 16% in 2007 to 25% in 2025 and a whopping 50% in 2082.  Talk about passing debt onto our children.

You can find more information in my policy summaries on a Health Reform Overview, The Cost of Doing Nothing, and the Current State of Health Insurance Coverage in New Mexico.

If you are interested in reading the Senate Finance Committee’s original draft of the health care reform bill, it is available on its website.

The online version is updated regularly, and as of this posting includes all amendments offered as of Tuesday, September 22.  The original draft (or, the “Chairman’s mark”) is titled America’s Healthy Future Act, and the Finance Committee’s website has made amendments filed through Tuesday, September 22 available as well.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the Senate has approved a spending bill that funds important public lands initiatives in New Mexico.

The fiscal year 2010 Interior Appropriations Bill contains an amendment Bingaman wrote and Udall cosponsored aimed at ensuring there that is adequate federal funding available to help fight wildfires.  The measure creates a separate account to pay for fighting large, complex wildland fires. This move would prevent the Forest Service from raiding other accounts to pay for such expensive fires, preventing shortfalls in other Forest Service programs.

"Funding wildfire fighting has become almost as difficult as fighting the fires themselves.  Today we took a significant step toward solving many of the recurring problems associated with expenses at the Forest service and Interior Department," said Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

"With more severe drought conditions in New Mexico and increasing catastrophic wildfire danger, we have a responsibility to take the necessary precautions," said Udall. "With our amendment, we are helping ensure that New Mexico is prepared for these threats."

The bill, which will now be the subject of a Senate-House of Representatives conference panel, contains funding the senators sought for the following lands projects:

• $3.5 million -Valles Caldera National Preserve for operations
• $3 million -- Land Acquisition of riparian areas in the Gila National Forest
• $3 million -- Land Acquisition for La Cienega Area of Critical Environmental Concern (Santa Fe County)
• $1.5 million - Lesser Prairie Chicken Area of Critical Environmental Concern (Chaves County)
• $500,000 - Land Acquisition within Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (Socorro County)
• $1.6 million – "Forest Legacy" Conservation Easement for the Vallecitos High Country (Río Arriba County)
• $2.2 million - Navajo Technical College for operations

The spending bill also funds other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey, and sets aside funding the following projects:

• $300,000 – City of Portales for wastewater treatment plant improvements
• $300,000 – City of Carlsbad for a water reuse project
• $500,000 – for the U.S. Geological Survey to continue implementation of the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act that is characterizing, mapping, and modeling groundwater resources along the border.

"From protecting our state's public lands to helping communities fund water projects, this bill makes a great investment in our state," Bingaman said.

"In this legislation, we are making significant and necessary investments for responsible land and water usage, as well as education in our state," said Udall. "I am glad it's one step closer to being signed into law."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the Albuquerque Police Department will receive $826,422 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help fight drug-related crime.

Through a Bingaman initiative – supported by Udall -- the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contained $30 million in grant funding nationwide aimed at fighting drug-related criminal activity.  The funding awarded to Albuquerque came from that border grant program.  It will be used to fill five vacancies within the police department to address narcotics issues and to make technology upgrades.

"Drug-related crime isn't confined only to New Mexico communities that border Mexico, it's happening across the state," Bingaman said.  "This funding will bolster the Albuquerque Police Department's efforts to fight drug trafficking."

"Drug-related crimes are an ongoing challenge for law enforcement across the state, and Albuquerque is no exception," said Udall, a member of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. "This funding will give the Albuquerque Police Department additional manpower and tools to ramp up the fight against drug crimes and keep Albuquerque residents safe."   

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman reported today that the Pueblo of Jemez has been awarded a $521,016 grant for affordable housing activities. Funds were provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

"This investment will allow Jemez Pueblo to expand affordable housing opportunities to residents," Bingaman said.

Funds were awarded through HUD's Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) Indian Housing Block Grant Program. The pueblo can use the funds to implement a number of affordable housing activities. These activities may include operating assistance, development of affordable housing that may include new construction, acquisition, modernization, or rehabilitation of rental or owner-occupied housing; housing services, housing management for low-income housing; crime prevention safety or model activities as described in the recipients Indian Housing Plan.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the Mind Research Network (MRN) in Albuquerque has been awarded an $11.09 million grant from the federal government.

Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy and will be used to advance MRN's mission of prevention, diagnosis, and treating of mental illnesses and other brain disorders.

"The Mind Research Network is doing exceptional research that is essential to both understanding the causes of mental illness and developing effective treatments," Bingaman said.  "This grant will support the very important work being done there."

MRN was established in 1998 by then-Senator Pete Domenici.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is releasing $2.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the construction of a new fire station in Sandoval County.

Funding will be used to construct a fire and emergency rescue station.  The station will be staffed 24 hour, 365 days a year by professional firefighters and paramedics.  Additionally, the station will house the Sandoval County's Fire Residency Program.  The station will serve southern Sandoval County, including the Pueblos of Santa Ana, San Felipe and Zia, the town of Bernalillo, the Tamaya Hyatt Resort and Santa Ana Star Casino and will be the first responders to accidents in the nearby 550/528 and I-25 corridor.

"This new fire and rescue station will be a great benefit to the county and the communities it will serve.  It will be particularly well positioned to respond to traffic emergencies on the heavily used roads surrounding it," Bingaman said.

"This funding will provide essential support for fire station construction in Sandoval County," Udall said. "By improving the county's emergency response capabilities, we're ensuring our firefighters have the tools they need to protect area residents from the dangers of fire and other hazards."

Funding was awarded through DHS's Fire Station Construction Grant Program (SCG), which helps local fire departments build new or modify existing fire stations to enhance response capabilities and protect communities from fire-related hazards. Funding can be used to replace unsafe or uninhabitable structures and expand fire protection coverage in compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today introduced comprehensive legislation aimed at improving high school graduation rates and turning around struggling high schools. The measure is cosponsored by Harry Reid (D-NV), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Al Franken (D-MN).

The Graduation Promise Act (GPA) would provide federal funds to improve high schools in which a high percentage of students do not graduate on time.

About one-third of the students who enter 9th grade will not graduate from high school in four years, if at all. In New Mexico, only 54 percent of students statewide will graduate in four years. Outcomes for African American, Hispanic and Native American students in the state are even worse: approximately 50 percent Hispanic students, 45 percent of Native American students and 52 percents of African American students graduate on time. Students from low-income families drop out of school at a rate six times higher than their more affluent peers.

"We cannot afford to let underperforming high schools continue to push students off the path to prosperity. We must ensure our nation's economic competitiveness by promising each high school student a chance to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue his or her dreams and succeed in college or the workplace. The Graduation Promise Act will help to make that possible," Bingaman said.

GPA (S.1698) would invest up to $2.5 billion each year in struggling high schools. Specifically, GPA would authorize for the first time a $2.44 billion competitive grant program called the High School Improvement and Dropout Reduction Fund, which would support states and local school districts in their efforts to identify and turn around high schools with low graduation and student achievement rates.  Funding would be awarded on a competitive basis to allow schools to develop partnerships with local communities, education experts, businesses, and parents to implement dropout prevention initiatives such as mentorship and apprenticeship programs, and "early college high schools."

GPA also authorizes $60 million in competitive grants annually for the development and implementation of successful school models geared toward students who are struggling in conventional education settings. Schools receiving these grants might implement project-based instructional programs tied to state academic standards, use education technology in innovative ways, or extend or revise school schedules in order to reach underserved student populations.

"The Graduation Promise Act is an investment in our nation's future. No longer can we, as a nation, afford to stand by while millions of our youth fail to earn high school diplomas," Bingaman said.  

WASHINGTON – The Senate Finance Committee today began crafting health insurance reform legislation. U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman is a member of that panel.

Bingaman said the time has come to pass health insurance reform legislation to both contain skyrocketing costs and extend coverage to the uninsured.  

"The average premium for a family of four in New Mexico was about $6,000 in 2000. By 2006, this rate had almost doubled to over $11,000. By 2016 this amount is expected to rise to an astonishing $28,000," Bingaman said. "Unchecked, New Mexico is expected to experience the greatest increase in health insurance premiums in the nation. The legislation we are considering today will address this very serious problem."

Bingaman also pointed out that New Mexico continues to have one of the highest uninsured rates in the country, and that he hopes to adopt a public option that will introduce more competition into the insurance market.

Finally, Bingaman said the bill before the Finance Committee will benefit the country's long-term financial stability. 

"According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, not only does this proposal not add to deficit but it actually cuts health care costs in the long run, reducing the suffocating burden of health care costs on our economy projected for the future," Bingaman said. 

You can watch Bingaman's statement online.

Recent studies indicate that about 73% of Americans with health insurance are happy with their coverage.  I have heard concerns from many of these insured New Mexicans that health care reform would only affect the uninsured, is too expensive, or is unnecessary.

The financial necessity of accomplishing meaningful health care reform cannot be overstated.  As of 2005, annual insurance premiums cost each family an extra $1,000 to cover care for the uninsured.  Between 2000 and 2007, premiums increased more than four times as median wages for New Mexicans.  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that without reform, total health care spending will nearly double in the next 20 years and will be half our national gross domestic product (GDP) by 2082.  We can’t afford not to reform our health care system.

Health care reform will protect consumers—those already with insurance coverage and those seeking coverage—by instituting insurance market reforms that guarantee all policies to be stable, secure, and meaningful.  I addressed some other concerns about health care reform in my July newsletter, and below I’ve used examples of how the reform we are crafting in the Senate would affect New Mexicans:

•  Health reform would remove caps on annual and lifetime coverage. Santa Fe resident Mary and her family pay for their own health insurance, and put aside savings for unforeseen medical expenses.  But when their insurance didn’t cover tens of thousands of dollars for her teenage son’s necessary treatment, Mary and her husband had to use all their savings for the lifesaving surgery.  Mary was shortly thereafter diagnosed with cancer and her husband then lost his job, sending the family in a financial tailspin with no way out, no way to pay their medical bills, and worried about what one more diagnosis would do.

Health care reform bills making their way through Congress all include provisions that would forbid the sorts of arbitrary limits that forced Mary and her family to pay tens of thousands of dollars for necessary medical expenses.  Mary and her family paid into the system when they were healthy with the expectation that insurance would pay for them if they needed it; that expectation should be honored.

 

As a small business owner, I would like to offer health insurance to my employees but it’s too expensive.  Will this bill help me extend coverage to my employees? 

•  Reform would help small businesses provide health insurance to their employees.  Dan is a New Mexican small business owner who has tried to provide health care benefits for his employees but has been unable to find an affordable plan.  A healthy 57 year-old, his premium has increased twice in three years, and he worries about the devastating effect of an unforeseen medical emergency for him or his employees.

The proposed health plan would help small businesses by providing tax incentives for those who offer employee health insurance.  For Dan and his employees, this would mean that either the business or its employees would have a tax break to help make coverage affordable.  The plan also would set up a health insurance exchange – a marketplace where individuals can shop around for health care.

 

I cannot get affordable insurance because I have a chronic disease.  How will health insurance reform help me?

• Reform would forbid insurance companies from excluding people based on pre-existing conditions.  New Mexican Elise S.was diagnosed with lupus in 1985, when she was insured through her family’s small business.  But she lost that coverage when the company was sold in 2002.  After searching exhaustively and being repeatedly denied health insurance from multiple companies because of her lupus—what insurers call a pre-existing condition—Elise finally found a plan, underwritten by the state of New Mexico, that would accept her.  Unfortunately, that plan has still refused to cover various necessary surgeries and treatments.

I believe every American should be able to have at least some choice in attainingaffordablehealth insurance for themselves and their families.  People with pre-existing conditions, like Elise, are no different and should be able to choose their insurance company just like the healthiest among us.  Under proposed health care reform legislation in Congress, they would be.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio about health care reform legislation currently being considered before the Finance Committee. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed accordingly:

00:23 – Bingaman says the Senate Finance Committee this week will begin consideration health care reform legislation.

00:51 – Bingaman says he continues to support a public option as part of health care reform legislation.

01:24 – Bingaman talks about the health care reform bill introduced by Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), which contains the major elements of reform.

06:07 – Bingaman talks about health care reform.

08:36 – Bingaman says he continues to hear from New Mexican on both sides of the health care debate.

10:18 – Bingaman talks about defining a strategy for Afghanistan.

13:19 – Bingaman talks about legislation he cosponsored that would reform the Patriot Act and other surveillance laws.

16:07 – Bingaman the Finance Committee's meetings this week to consider a health care reform bill.

WASHINGTON – In a letter sent this week to the chairman of the General Electric Company, the New Mexico Congressional Delegation urged the company to reverse its decision to close GE’s Albuquerque aviation plant next year, and offered to partner with local, state, and company officials in developing creative ways to retain its 400-member workforce – including possible expansion into green energy manufacturing.

The letter, mailed Thursday to GE Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt, was signed by all five members of New Mexico’s delegation: Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, and Congressmen Martin Heinrich (NM-1), Ben Ray Luján (NM-3) and Harry Teague (NM-2).

“New Mexico and our congressional delegation are prepared to partner with you to retain the current workforce in Albuquerque and work with you to grow these numbers through diversifying the product lines manufactured in New Mexico,” the letter stated.

General Electric announced earlier this summer plans to close its Albuquerque plant, which has manufactured equipment for jet engines since the late 1960s, by the third quarter of 2010. At the time, the company cited the weak economy and reduced product demand as reasons for the closure.

In their letter to GE, the New Mexico delegation acknowledged reports that retaining the plant’s operation would require significant facility upgrades, and urged GE to give the potential investment serious consideration in consultation with all vested stakeholders.

The delegation also encouraged GE to expand its vision for the Albuquerque plant to include the company’s green energy manufacturing business – noting that New Mexico is continuing to experience growth in the renewable energy sector of its economy, particularly with solar and bio-fuel companies.

“Having a plant in the Albuquerque area that produces a renewable energy product would create high skill jobs and reinforce your commitment to rebuilding our nation’s industrial base,” the letter stated.

The delegation also urged the fair treatment of current GE plant employees, particularly regarding wages and benefits.

“These employees have been asked to make draconian sacrifices in both wages and benefits, seemingly putting them at levels far below workers at GE plans elsewhere in the country. This does not seem reasonable,” the letter stated. “We urge GE to be creative in looking at ways to keep the plant open, and to be fair to current employees who have been loyal to the company and productive members of GE’s manufacturing team.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today introduced legislation that will protect the scenic landscapes of the Organ Mountains in Doña Ana County.

The bill, called the Organ Mountains –Desert Peaks Wilderness Act, creates wilderness and conservation areas that would provide for continued public use while protecting the granite peaks of the Organ Mountains and the volcanic cinder cones of the Potrillo Mountains, among other public lands in the County.

[Read a fact sheet on the bill]


Photograph by Jorge Silva-Banuelos

"The Organ Mountains are the backdrop for one of the most breathtaking scenic views in our state. Doña Ana County residents have been working for years to develop plans that would ensure these views are protected. I'm very glad that we now have a bill that will do just that even while ensuring the public continues to have access to this extraordinary space," Bingaman said.

"This legislation will celebrate and preserve a portion of the spectacular landscapes that make southern New Mexico unique," Udall said. "I am proud to join with Senator Bingaman in introducing a bill that protects this precious land for future generations to hunt, fish, hike or just enjoy our state's incomparable natural environment."

Specifically, the legislation creates 259,000 acres of wilderness and 100,000 acres of National Conservation Area (NCA). These areas would be managed in ways that protect the landscape from development while preserving current uses – such as hunting and grazing.

The bill also releases 16,350 acres along the southern border that had previously been designated as so-called "Wilderness Study Area". This will provide increased flexibility for border law enforcement.

Photograph by Jorge Silva-Banuelos

"The areas we're trying to protect through this legislation boast caves, limestone cliffs and winding canyons that draw visitors to Doña Ana County. To that end, it is my hope that it will also help promote tourism and economic development in the region," Bingaman said.

"Preserving New Mexico's environmental heritage through these wilderness areas is the right thing to do – environmentally and economically," Udall said. "Thanks to the cooperation of a wide range of individuals and groups in developing this legislation, I believe we strike the right balance between preservation and progress in a way that will benefit southern New Mexico for generations to come."

The Organ Mountains –Desert Peaks Wilderness Act has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which Bingaman chairs. Bingaman plans to schedule a hearing on the bill this fall.

Clink on the link to view an overview of the areas included in the proposed legislation in Doña Ana County. Or you may look at a map of the Desert Peaks National Conservation Area, the Organ Mountain National Conservation Area, the Potrillo Mountains Complex, or the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today congratulated Sandia National Laboratories on 60 years of science and technology innovation.

During an event commemorating this milestone at the Capitol Visitor Center, Bingaman lauded Sandians for their contributions to the nation.

"Sandia's mission has broadened from ensuring our nuclear stockpile is safe and secure to pioneering new energy technologies such a concentrating solar, light emitting diodes and nuclear energy. Sandia will continue to serve the country by pioneering new fields of nanoscience, biofuels, smart grid and even health care modeling using supercomputers. I congratulate Sandia on this milestone and I am proud to have this great laboratory in New Mexico," Bingaman said.

Bingaman chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Energy. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman issued the following statement in response to the health insurance reform proposal released today by Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus:

"I am glad that we are taking another big step forward toward ensuring health care for all Americans.  While this is not a bipartisan proposal at this point, I think this bill meets many of the goals on which there is general agreement.

"For example, it allows people to keep the coverage they have, but with more stability and security in part because insurance companies would no longer be allowed to deny coverage to Americans for pre-existing medical conditions.  It expands coverage to those who do not have it, and it reduces the costs of health insurance for families and businesses.  And not only doesn't this bill add to the deficit, it also cuts health care costs in the long run, reducing the suffocating burden of health care costs on our economy projected for the future.

"That is not to say this bill is perfect.  For example, I believe it should have a public option, and I will support its inclusion when we vote on this bill in committee.  I also believe that we should make coverage even more affordable for working families.  On balance, though, the proposal moves the process ahead significantly, and I congratulate the chairman for his hard work and for his proposal."

Bingaman is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which both have jurisdiction over health insurance reform.  He has been playing a major role in crafting health insurance reform legislation.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that New Mexico State University – Doña Ana Community College has been awarded $600,000 through the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) grant program to help bring educational opportunities to the residents of Las Cruces' Mesquite neighborhood.

Funding will make it possible for NMSU-DACC, in partnership with the Mesquite Neighborhood Learning Center, to provide workforce and life skills training, as well as social services, to those who otherwise might not have access to them.

"Education and vocational training are key to finding a good job, especially in today's economy," Bingaman said. "This federal grant will help expand educational opportunities to more Las Cruces residents."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the Albuquerque District Attorney's Office will receive a $893,750 economic recovery grant to fight violent drug crimes in New Mexico.

Through a Bingaman initiative – supported by Udall -- the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contained $30 million in grant funding nationwide aimed at fighting drug-related criminal activity.  The funding awarded to Albuquerque came from that border grant program.  It will be used to hire new prosecutors, to assess the prevalence of drug-related violence and to generally increase the efficiency of prosecutions of drug-related violent crimes.

"Violent drug crime in Mexico seems to be getting worse, and it's important for New Mexico to do what it can to fight criminal networks on our side of the border.  This funding recognizes that law enforcement in states like ours need additional help," Bingaman said. "I'm very glad that the Albuquerque District Attorney's office is able to tap into this federal grant to prosecute drug-related crime."

"New Mexico is on the front lines of the increasingly violent drug war just over our border in Mexico. This funding will give the Albuquerque District Attorney's Office the resources it needs to protect New Mexico residents, ensure the security of our state, and provide valuable jobs for the region," Udall said.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator today said he is pleased the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has released funding he secured for a juvenile justice project in Doña Ana County.

Bingaman secured $180,000 in a FY 2009 spending bill for a jail diversion program in the Doña Anna County Detention Center.  Funding will enhance the existing jail diversion project by assisting misdemeanor offenders who are found to be mentally ill in obtaining services to help them with their rehabilitation and recovery.

"Juvenile detention centers too often are not prepared or equipped to deal with mental illnesses. This funding will provide law enforcement officials with the training they need to address mental health situations," Bingaman said.

Additionally, Bingaman say the Crisis Center of Northern New Mexico will receive $500,000 to help reduce domestic violence.  Funding will be used for an education and outreach campaign to help end domestic violence in Northern New Mexico.

The following communities were also awarded funding through the DOJ's Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, which provides grants to states, tribes, and local governments to help implement crime prevention and crime control policies in their communities.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio about health care reform legislation currently being debated in the Senate. Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved online and followed accordingly:

00:23 – Bingaman talks about the President's address to Congress last week.

03:16 – Bingaman talks about some of the requirements for using the "reconciliation" process to pass health care reform legislation in the Senate.

04:27 – Bingaman says the health care proposal being discussed in the Finance Committee could contain a provision to penalize those who can afford health care coverage but do not enroll in a program.

07:23 – Bingaman talks about funding being provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and how it is benefiting New Mexico, specifically for projects relating to clean energy.

09:51 – Bingaman says that meeting with constituents last month has reinforced his believe that health care reform is needed in this country.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that a key spending bill working its way through Congress contains more than $40 million dollars to support national defense efforts, including work at White Sands Missile Range and various New Mexico universities.

The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2010 Defense Spending Bill, clearing the way for full Senate debate.

"This bill invests more than $40 million in key national defense initiatives in New Mexico.  It not only supports essential national security projects, it supports good jobs in our state," Bingaman said.

"I am proud that we won support for these important projects which reaffirm New Mexico's key role in maintaining our national security," said Udall.  "With these strong investments we are committing to ensure the future stability of New Mexico's universities, military installations and border security."

Bingaman and Udall report that the measure contains the following for New Mexico:

$6 million for the New Mexico National Guard Counterdrug Support Program.  This funding will support the Guard's ability to conduct counterdrug activities in conjunction with by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement.  With the ongoing drug-related violence in Mexico and the need to increase resources aimed at interdicting the flow of drugs, weapons, and bulk currency being smuggled over the border, the Guard's counterdrug assistance is more important than ever.  The Guard's current counterdrug duties include camera surveillance of high traffic border areas, mobile vehicle inspection and dismantlement, vehicle barrier construction, and at-risk school counterdrug education programs.

$2 million for Define Renewable Energy Sources at White Sands Missile Range.  This funding will be used to develop plans for the environmental, site and other assessments needed to pursue alternative energy generation (such as wind, solar and geothermal) and storage options at White Sands Missile Range.

$6 million for the High Energy Laser System Test Facility at White Sands Missiles Range.  This funding would be used to refurbish the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) subsystem to accommodate a solid state laser, for a test qualification live-fire, and would ensure that other users with late-emerging high energy laser test and evaluation needs vital to national security will be able to utilize the facility.  Areas of research include rocket, artillery and mortar as well as unmanned aerial vehicle threats.

$4.7 million for the Regional Partnership at White Sands Missile Range.  This funding, directed toward White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Ft. Bliss and Holloman Air Force Base (HAFB), will help more effectively and efficiently manage the regions land, air and frequency domains.  and coordinate real-time test and training missions.

$3 million for Algal Biofuels for Aviation at New Mexico State University.  This project targets biofuels production from algal biomass as an alternative source of fuel for aviation.  Between 2.5 and 3 percent of the Department of Defense (DOD) budget is spent on fuels, with more than 60 percent of the fuels used for aviation.  Moving toward an alternative source of fuel for aviation would address sustainability, environmental impacts, economic dependence and energy security related to our military and our national security.

$7 million for Holloman Air Force Base's High Speed Test Track.  The funding would be used to advance technology development that allows for the implementation of a levitated, vibration-free test on the ground at a significantly reduced cost.

$4 million for Playas Training and Research Center at New Mexico Tech. This funding would establish Playas Training and Research Center as a Joint National Training and Experimentation Site for the National Guard Bureau to be used for mission training areas of joint operations between services as well as intergovernmental agencies, irregular warfare, new and emerging missions, emergency management and civil affairs and peacekeeping missions.

$2.9 million for UAV Systems and Operations Validation Program at New Mexico State University.  This project will address a major shortfall of the existing Department of Defense knowledge base of the expertise and technology focused on small- to mid-sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).  The recent proliferation of small to medium UAVs within the various DOD services and commands emphasizes the need for systematic and consistent data sets to support decision makers.  Critical needs for small- to mid-sized UAVs to be addressed by this project include reliability, standards, interoperability, airspace integration, communication links, maintenance standards, training, operator certification, and multiple airworthiness issues.

$2.4 million for the University Strategic Partnership at the University of New Mexico.  This funding would be used in cooperation with divisions throughout the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to research biotechnology, materials sciences, situational awareness, infectious diseases, radiation detection, and medical sciences.

$5 million for the Smart Instrument Development at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory (New Mexico Tech).  This project is a unique teaming arrangement to build a state-of-the-art observatory with a 2.4 meter telescope and a multi-telescope interferometer that will make it a test bed for numerous astronomical and Department of Defense projects and will enhance the capabilities of the existing observatory, particularly in the area of Space Situational Awareness.  The existing facility is currently being used to support the DOD in applications including sensor development and testing, space weather monitoring and the rapid tracking of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) objects and debris.  This project will result in the most comprehensive images of astronomical and man-made objects yet available.

The bill also boosts the Air Force Test and Evaluation budget by $19.3 million to hire more federal scientists and engineers helping the 46th Test Group's activities at Holloman Air Force Base.

A separate bill working its way through the Senate contains funding for construction projects at New Mexico's installations.