Rep. Stansbury Statement on State of the Union and Ukraine

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) released the following statement after voting to pass a resolution in the House of Representatives in support Ukraine and after President Biden’s State of the Union address last night: 

“During President Biden’s State of the Union address, the President delivered a clear message: the United States stands with Ukraine and with our NATO allies in defending Ukrainian sovereignty and democracy. Today, I was proud to cast my vote to pass a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives expressing Congressional solidarity with the Ukrainian government and people and a commitment to multilateral actions to bring an end to this conflict.

“In addition to Ukraine, President Biden’s focus on national unity, putting an end to the pandemic, rebuilding our economy, and investing in our communities, was front and center in the State of the Union. New Mexicans have demonstrated incredible resilience in the face of the pandemic, and like Americans across the country, are ready to rebuild, reopen, and get back to work. Investments from the American Rescue Plan have helped our families and small businesses get by. Now, it’s time to put funding from the American Infrastructure and Jobs Act to work for New Mexico and rebuild our roads and bridges, broadband, water systems, and electric grid to get our economy going.   

“Nowhere are investments in our communities more important than in our kids and schools. That’s why I was proud to highlight New Mexico’s teachers and school workers as my Hometown Heroes and special guests for the State of the Union. In celebrating our teachers, we were joined virtually last night by three Albuquerque Public School teachers including Loyola Cortinas of Tierra Antigua Elementary, Sarah Hager of Cleveland Middle School, and Sean Thomas of Eldorado High School. Our teachers and school workers have been on the front lines throughout the pandemic, educating and caring for our students. Last night, they reminded us that—while the American Rescue Plan put a down payment on getting our schools back to in-person learning—we now must double down on our investments in our kids, teachers, support staff, and schools to enable our students thrive.

“As someone who attended Albuquerque Public Schools and grew up in a working family, I know how important public education and our schools are—and that teachers can change lives. President Biden’s plan to restore our economy and create opportunity and jobs is vital to addressing the needs of our communities and families. In Congress, we are working to pass the America COMPETES Act, which includes my bill to grow our science and technology economy, which is especially important for New Mexico. The President also highlighted the ways in which the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill are already creating historic economic growth and recovery—and have helped cut child poverty in half with programs like the Child Tax Credit.

“There is still work ahead. We must invest in our education system, public safety, expand access to health care, address drought and climate change, and create good-paying jobs for every New Mexican. I look forward to working with our President, communities, and my colleagues in Congress to help make it happen.”