WASHINGTON
- At just after noon (ET) today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall was sworn in for his second term in the U.S. Senate. He issued the following statement:
"Public service is a true honor, and I'm humbled to be able to work on behalf of New Mexicans for another term in the U.S. Senate. I look forward to continuing to fight for our state's priorities - for funding for our national labs, military bases and other federal installations, for our veterans and for working families.
"We face many challenges as a state and a nation, and too many New Mexico families are still struggling in the wake of the economic recession. Helping New Mexico's economy grow is one of the most important things I can do as senator. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to ensure New Mexico's federal installations have stable funding, while also helping build a strong private sector economy that sustains new, good-paying jobs.
"Technology transfer - helping researchers at Los Alamos and Sandia national labs develop startup businesses - is still one important way we can build a high-tech sector in New Mexico. We made some progress last year, and I'm going to keep pushing for the Department of Energy to make tech transfer a priority.
"I'm excited to join the Commerce Committee this year, which gives me a new platform to push several important priorities for New Mexico, including expanding broadband Internet. This is crucial for education, health, and business - especially in our rural communities. Everyone should have equal access the Internet no matter where they live.
"We must keep up the push for a ‘do it all, do it right' energy policy, including a national Renewable Electricity Standard, which will require utilities to produce 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Not only will it help us fight climate change, it will create thousands of jobs in New Mexico and across the country.
"Finally, I've been championing reform of the Senate rules to fix the dysfunction that is paralyzing the Senate. And I'm fighting for a constitutional amendment to rein in out-of-control spending in political campaigns. New Mexicans - like all Americans - want a government that works for them, and I will fight until we put in place the reforms that will truly make a difference."
