- Agriculture
- Chemical Safety
- Civil Liberties
- Consumer Protection
- Criminal Justice and Police Reform
- Education
- Environment and Conservation
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Foreign Policy
- Health and Wellness
- Immigration
- Indian Country
- Jobs and Small Business
- National Defense
- National Labs
- Reforming Washington
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Veterans
Agriculture
Like so many New Mexicans, farming and ranching are in my blood. My grandmother was born in Luna, New Mexico in 1893 and her family drove cattle through the mountains down to the railroad in Magdalena. Farming and ranching are part of our heritage and serve as a key economic engine in our state, accounting for more than $4 billion in our economy. More than 20,000 farms dot the New Mexico map. I am committed to preserving the important role that the agricultural community plays in our state's identity and economy.
Photo: A celery field in October near Roswell, New Mexico, from the New Mexico Locales Photograph Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Chemical Safety
For nearly four decades, the United States’ chemical safety law had been broken, leaving families in New Mexico and around the country at risk. That’s why I wrote a bill to reform our nation's chemical safety program and finally help protect our children and communities from dangerous chemicals. The president signed Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act into law on June 22, 2016, marking a major step forward in protecting the health of all Americans.
Photo: Industry in the Landscape, Wyoming, from the J.B. Jackson Pictorial Materials Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Civil Liberties
I believe we can and must protect our nation, while upholding the values that make America a beacon of hope to people around the world. America is strong because we are a nation of inherent freedoms and just laws. I will always fight to ensure that our civil liberties remain intact and that all Americans be treated equally under the law.
Photo: Manuel Lujan, Jr. Presented with a Western Hat, from the El Hispano News Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Consumer Protection
Through hearings in the Senate and working with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), I have been leading the call to improve standards for youth football helmets and to look for ways to prevent concussions in youth sports. I have been pushing the FTC to investigate false and misleading claims by youth athletic equipment makers, and have also called on the CPSC to develop new standards for testing the safety of football helmets.
Photo: Senator Udall speaks on consumer protection, from Office of Senator Udall
Criminal Justice and Police Reform
Today, our nation is taking a hard look at itself and our institutions, and Americans are calling for change. I join New Mexico and the entire nation in demanding justice, equality, and an end to systemic racism and violence against Black Americans and other people of color. It’s our job as members of Congress to take action, because Black Lives Matter.
Photo: Jerome Marcus, from the Nancy Wood Photograph Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Education
As Americans, we believe that all children should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. To make this ideal a reality, we need a strong system of public schools with the resources to succeed. We also need to ensure that every student who works hard in high school can go to college or learn a trade to be competitive in the workforce. When I served in the U.S. House of Representatives, I supported the largest increase in college aid since the G.I. Bill and, as a U.S. senator, I continue to fight for these kinds of investments in New Mexico's youth. I am also supporting programs to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are critical to our future economic growth and competitiveness.
Photo: School children in a circle, from the J.B. Jackson Pictorial Material at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Environment and Conservation
A key part of representing New Mexico is protecting the special relationship that New Mexicans have with our unique and remarkable landscapes, environment, and natural resources.
Photo: Abiquiu, from the Historic Preservation Committee Photograph Collection, University of New Mexico Archives
Fiscal Responsibility
Throughout my public service career, I have maintained a commitment to fiscal discipline. I strongly believe that we have to put our fiscal house in order, and also ensure that America remains competitive in the long-term.
I support a balanced approach to deficit reduction that doesn't place the majority of the burden on the most vulnerable Americans, including seniors and children. Further, we must address the national debt in a smart, responsible way that protects the middle class. Three elements are essential: responsible spending restraint, a fairer tax system with fewer loopholes, and smart investments that spur future economic growth and jobs.
Photo: Bank (Las Vegas, NM), from the Eduardo Fuss Photograph Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Foreign Policy
The United States is the world's pre-eminent economic and military power and a beacon of democracy. As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I'm closely involved in the important role of congressional oversight on what we're doing beyond our borders to keep America safe, improve relations with the global community, and promote American values and sustainable development overseas.
Photo: AAF's Crossroads Boss with his staff, from the New Mexico Locales Photograph Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Health and Wellness
We are strongest when we are healthy. That means individuals, families, schools, workplaces and communities - along with our health care industry - all have important roles in helping us stay healthy and productive.
To provide every American with quality health care, control skyrocketing costs, and ensure that patients have choices, we need to improve our health care system. The Affordable Care Act represented critical progress in ensuring the American people have the care they need. We need to continue working to ensure health care is a right for all -- not a privilege for the few. That's why I've proudly co-sponsored a number of bills to get us to universal health care.
Photo: Group portrait of the Albuquerque Relief Corps, from the Cobb Memorial Photography Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Immigration
The United States of America is a nation built by immigrants. And New Mexico owes so much of our strength to our proud immigrant heritage. I'm fighting in the Senate to make sure we have immigration policies that match our values and needs as a state and a nation, and to ensure that we treat those who come to our borders with dignity, respect, and humanity.
Photo: "Trabajadores Nordestinos" in Sao Paolo, Brazil, from the T. Lynn Smith Pictorial Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Indian Country
Throughout my career in public service, I have worked with New Mexico’s 23 federally-recognized Pueblos and Tribes and Native leaders across the country to uphold federal trust and treaty obligations to Indian Country.
Photo: Student Publications - Kiva Club, from the University of New Mexico Student Publications Board Records, University of New Mexico Archives
Jobs and Small Business
For too long, middle class Americans have watched their incomes stagnate, even as worker productivity has skyrocketed. In other words, Americans have been working harder, working smarter and still struggle. We must make our economy work for all of us. To that end, I am working with my colleagues in the Senate to make investments that will create jobs today and build a stronger, fairer economy for years to come.
Photo: Peace Corps -- wilderness survival training -- trainees with map, from the University of New Mexico Archives
National Defense
I am proud of the role that New Mexico's military installations play in our national defense and of the men and women who bravely serve our country and call New Mexico home. New Mexico's military bases are at the forefront of efforts to keep America safe and I am working in Congress to make sure that the men and women stationed at each have the equipment and infrastructure they need to succeed.
Photo: 1970 student strike -- National Guardsman and ambulance, from the University of New Mexico Archives
National Labs
Throughout my career I have fought to protect Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories because of their critical role ensuring American security and the vital economic foundation they provide for New Mexico. As we look to the future, it is important that our labs are prepared to face the changing national security threats now facing our country. I believe the labs’ work should grow in the areas of nuclear nonproliferation, homeland security, counterterrorism, intelligence analysis and expanded energy research.
Photo: Sandia National Laboratories, from the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Reforming Washington
The American people are fed up with the way that business is conducted in Washington. I'm frustrated too and that's why I am working with my colleagues to improve the way the government and Congress work for you, not the special interests. The federal government and Congress need to be transparent and accountable; campaigns need to highlight candidates with the best and biggest ideas, not the candidates with the best and biggest checkbooks; and the U.S. Senate needs to be an institution of deliberation and action, not a graveyard for good ideas. We need to take a good look at how we do business in Washington and regain the confidence of the American people.
Photo: New Mexico Potters at the White House, from the Lee Marmon Pictorial Collection at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico Archives
Telecommunications
From Internet access to new smart phones, modern telecommunications continue to transform the way we live. I support policies that encourage innovation and help make new technologies available to all.
Photo: Power lines next to strip mining on Black Mesa, Arizona, from the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Transportation
A safe and efficient transportation system supports our day-to-day lives and guarantees our future prosperity. That’s why we need a transportation strategy that addresses our immediate infrastructure needs while providing a foundation for sustainable growth for decades to come. Focusing on more fuel efficient methods of transportation powered by clean and renewable energy will also be a key factor in reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
Photo: Air-traffic Control Tower, Las Vegas, NV, from the J.B. Jackson Pictorial Materials at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
Veterans
The men and women of America's armed forces make great sacrifices for our freedom and security. As befits a great nation, America makes a strong commitment to care for these veterans when they are wounded in the course of their service. In Congress, I have always advocated for the necessary funding to meet this commitment, and I will continue to do so, even in times of great pressure on the budget.
Photo: Monument near Fall River, MA, from the J.B. Jackson Pictorial Materials at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico
