Reps. Stansbury, Vasquez, Leger Fernández Celebrate Committee Passage of Two Major Bills for New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) celebrated the passage of two major bills out of the House Natural Resources Committee: the Albuquerque Indian School Act and the Downwinder Commemoration Act, marking a major bipartisan step forward in supporting Tribal sovereignty and community development, and long-overdue recognition for Downwinders in the Tularosa Basin who were impacted by the nuclear testing at White Sands National Monument 80 years ago. 

The Albuquerque Indian School Act will transfer nearly 10 acres (9.89 acres) of federally managed land in Albuquerque—part of the former Albuquerque Indian School—into a trust for the benefit of New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos. The legislation puts this land back into the stewardship of New Mexico's Pueblos and IPCC to support the continued transformation of this land for educational, cultural, health, and economic purposes. Find the bill text here.

The Downwinder Commemoration Act, led by Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), formally recognizes the communities harmed by radiation exposure following the 1945 Trinity Test at White Sands Missile Range which was the first atomic bomb ever tested. The bill directs the Departments of Defense and Interior to install monuments at White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and White Sands National Park, ensuring that the suffering and legacy of the Tularosa Downwinders are remembered and preserved for future generations. Find the bill text here.

“This is big news for New Mexico,” Rep. Stansbury said. “With the passage of these two bills out of committee—we are not only returning land to its rightful stewards and advancing Tribal self-determination—we are honoring the resilience and sacrifice of communities who have waited generations for justice. These victories are about justice, healing, and building a better future for New Mexicans and we are so grateful for the bipartisan support for our communities.” 

“New Mexico’s Downwinder community has been denied the recognition it is owed for far too long,” Rep. Vasquez said. “Theunanimous passage of the Downwinder Commemoration Act out of the House Natural Resources Committee is a major step toward securing a permanent monument at White Sands National Park, a site visited by over 700,000 people each year located just miles from the Trinity Test. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I fought hard to successfully pass a law requiring monuments at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base, and this win is another major step in the right direction. If we fail to remember our history, we are doomed to repeat it. I call on the full House to pass this legislation into law." 

“These two bills by Reps. Vasquez and Stansbury are big for New Mexico,” Rep. Leger Fernández said. “For too long, New Mexicans were left to carry the burden of Trinity in silence. The Downwinder Commemoration Act makes sure that when people stand in awe at that site, they also understand who paid the price. Alongside our expansion of RECA—with $100,000 payments and a long-overdue apology—we are finally recognizing the harm this government caused. And with the Albuquerque Indian School Act, we are transferring land formerly used for an Indian boarding school land to the 19 Pueblos—turning a painful history into a future built on cultural sovereignty, opportunity, and respect.” 

“The advancement of H.R. 6162 is a meaningful step toward restoring the former Albuquerque Indian School lands to the 19 Pueblos and honoring our enduring cultural legacy,” Monique Fragua, President and CEO of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center said. “We are thankful for the leadership of Congresswoman Stansbury and the entire New Mexico delegation for their bipartisan work on getting this done on behalf of New Mexico's 19 Pueblos. For the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, this bill strengthens our ability to steward this historic site in a way that centers Pueblo voices, supports cultural education and economic development, and ensures the land continues to serve future generations.” 

Together, the passing of these bills represents a meaningful moment for New Mexico’s communities—grounded in respect for history, commitment to equity, and a vision for sustainable, community-driven development. The bills passed the House Natural Resources Committee with Unanimous Consent on a bipartisan basis on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and are now headed to the House floor.   

Watch a recording of the local press call here.

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