EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — New Mexico’s two U.S. senators said they are opposed to a “deal” brokered by centrist Democrats to end the government shutdown.
Both Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, said they voted “no” on a procedural vote Sunday night, Nov. 9 that would move forward with ending the shutdown, which is now in its 40th day.
They said they opposed the deal because it did not include an extension of tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare.
Here is their joint statement:
“Every day in the United States Senate, we work to deliver for the people of New Mexico. And we refuse to let Donald Trump bully us into choosing between a mother in Roswell feeding her kids, a couple in Española affording their health care premiums, or a VA employee in Albuquerque making their next rent payment.
“We voted ‘no’ today because this ‘deal’ is one that many New Mexicans literally cannot afford — and we will keep working to rein in the affordability crisis that is hurting families in New Mexico and across the country.
“We know without a doubt that – because of Democrats’ fight over the past several weeks – we have substantially moved our cause forward. Meanwhile, House Republicans refused to show up to work. Senate Republicans refused to negotiate. President Trump refused to feed hungry Americans. And they all refused to lower health care costs.
“We cannot and will not accept their cruelty. That’s why we will keep fighting back against Donald Trump, the Republicans enabling him, and the affordability crisis he is inflicting on the American people.
“We need to permanently extend the ACA tax credits, we need to bring down health care costs, and we need to put an end to President Trump’s tariff taxes that are driving up costs on everything from groceries to housing.”
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