Rep. Stansbury Urges Legislators to Seize the Moment for New Mexico During State Legislature Address

SANTA FE, N.M. – Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) addressed a Joint Session of the New Mexico State Legislature at the Roundhouse.

During her address, Rep. Stansbury outlined her vision for a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for New Mexico and highlighted her work to deliver for New Mexico’s priorities in Congress through the passage of historic legislation and her efforts to bring federal dollars back to New Mexico’s First Congressional District.

Rep. Stansbury emphasized the historic moment of opportunity facing public servants across New Mexico and the nation. “As a people, we are full of grit, determination, and heart – this is our moment to seize our destiny, to take the lessons of our ancestors and this beloved place we call home, and to defend our rights, our democracy, and the values we as New Mexicans hold dear,” said Rep. Stansbury.

During her remarks, Rep. Stansbury highlighted her work to address New Mexico’s biggest challenges and invest in the well-being of our communities. “We have worked across our federal delegation to deliver over a billion dollars in federal funding and millions to help address the opioid and fentanyl crisis, to address housing and food insecurity, and invest in economic and youth opportunities.

“So, now is our moment – to fight for those who have been left behind, to change the system, and to do everything we can to change the future and trajectory of our state. Because we are New Mexicans. We are strong. We are united. And we are resilient,” Rep. Stansbury concluded.

Rep. Stansbury’s remarks as prepared for delivery can be found below:

Good morning, New Mexico!

Lieutenant Governor Morales, Senator Pro Temp Stewart, Majority Leader Wirth, Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, and distinguished members of the New Mexico Legislature: It is an honor to be here with you today!

And it’s good to be home! Not only in our state, but here in the legislature—in the People’s House, where I was honored to serve alongside so many of you.

In what is one the most diverse, female, and progressive legislatures, not only in the country—but in New Mexico’s history.

Made up of New Mexicans from every walk of life, from every corner of the state, who come here—because you, like me are called to serve and believe in our state and our people—and are here to fight for our communities.

Because we are New Mexicans! We are strong. We are united. And we are resilient.

As a people, we are full of grit, determination, and heart—and this is our moment. To seize our destiny; to take the lessons of our ancestors and this beloved place we call home; and to defend our rights and democracy, the values we as New Mexicans hold dear.

Because this is our moment to change the systems that have left so many of our communities behind. To invest in our children and their future; to fight for justice and opportunity; to protect our lands and waters; and to ensure the resilience of our communities for generations to come.

This is our charge as public servants and New Mexicans—to care for one another and lift each other up. And, to ensure that those who come behind us have more opportunity than those who came before.

As a native New Mexican, born in Farmington and raised in Albuquerque, the call to service is personal, because like so many families I know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet.

As the daughter of working people and a single mom, I grew up bussing tables and digging trenches. I know what it’s like to not know how you’re going to put food on the table, or see a doctor, or make it to the end of the month.

But I also know that as New Mexicans, we are resilient. And I am standing here today as your Congresswoman because of the countless friends, neighbors, and yes, public school teachers who lifted me up along the way.

Because that is who we are and that is what we do. And that is the work I wake up every single morning to do in Congress for our communities.

And it is because of this commitment to our communities that we have been able to bring home so many significant wins.

From the largest bipartisan infrastructure bill in generations, to one of the most significant economic recovery and innovation bills in decades, to the largest investment in climate action ever in our nation’s history, and the greatest expansion of Veterans benefits since the GI bill with the PACT Act to ensure the veterans who’ve proudly served our country can get the care they deserve.

It’s why my office has held over 700 community meetings across our District. 

And worked across our federal delegation to deliver over a billion dollars in federal funding and millions to help address the opioid and fentanyl crisis, to address housing and food insecurity, and invest in economic and youth opportunities.

It’s why our guests here with us today—are from every corner of our District, our rural and Tribal communities, mayors and firefighters, health care providers, veterans, farmers and ranchers, teachers and students, and the union-strong workers who are working to rebuild this state.

It’s why we fought like hell until the final moments of the last Congress to get the Early Childhood Education authorization passed in December — to ensure that you all could make a generational investment in our children in this Chamber.

It’s why I partnered with Senator Luján to pass my first ever bill in Congress to foster innovation and invest in our STEM economy and empower our students and communities to build the clean energy economy of the future.

And it’s why I fought every day, from the moment I was elected, to help get funding for the To’Hajiilee Community School of the Navajo Nation.

Because our communities are depending on us.

I knew the moment that I saw and heard the stories of elders, teachers, and parents of how this once-government built boarding school had been transformed into a thriving community school—where Diné language, culture, and history are celebrated, but where parents have to drive long distances to work and haul water and teachers have evacuate school buildings when it rains — that we were going to have to fight like to hell secure funding for a new school.

And fight we did—until those that moments in December—when we secured over $90 million to rebuild that school and invest in To’Hajiilee for generations to come.

Because we are New Mexicans. And we are strong. We are united. And we are resilient. And, when we fight, we win. 

But our work is not yet done. And you all have only 25 days left to complete your work this session.  

Together, we have to finish the job and fight to protect our rights—including the right to control our own bodies—to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act in Congress and safeguard abortion and gender-affirming care here in our state.

We must defend our democracy and Voting Rights. We must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act in Congress—and stand against the election lies and conspiracy theories that continue to undermine our democracy. And here in New Mexico, pass the New Mexico Voting Rights Act to ensure these protections in law.

We must tackle drought and climate change by putting federal infrastructure and climate dollars to work, making good on the Governor’s promise to codify one of the most progressive climate standards in the country, pass legislation to modernize our water laws in Congress and here in New Mexico—really we need to do this, and ensure our communities can recover and rebuild from the devastating wildfires by getting billions of dollars we fought for at the federal level to families on the ground and be implementing your legislation to get it there faster.

We must care for and lift up our communities—just as we have through historic recovery bills at the federal level, honor our trust and treaty responsibilities to our Pueblo and Tribal Nations, honor our Land Grants and historic communities, and invest in the well-being of our communities.

You are proposing to do this by expanding rural health care, caring for our elders, protecting Social Security and Medicare, addressing childhood hunger and homelessness, making the largest investment in early childhood education ever in the history of our state, and ensuring our children and communities are safe by banning assault weapons and investing in our mental and behavioral health care systems.

New Mexico is already leading the nation. Thanks to you and our Governor, we are leading in early childhood, extension of the Child Tax Credit, school meals, and free college tuition for every New Mexican.

Because our work is not yet done. And our communities are depending on us.  

And you all have been elected to make it happen. So, now is our moment to fight for those who’ve been left behind, to change the system, and do everything we can to change the future and trajectory of our state.

Because we are New Mexicans. We are strong. We are united. And we are resilient.

Now it’s time to finish the job and get to back to work!