KOAT: $202M in federal funds secured for 2026 NM projects

For Sens. Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich, delivering the money wasn't easy
WASHINGTON —
Both houses of Congress and the executive branch of government may be in the hands of the Grand Old Party, but despite that, more than $200 million in federal funds are coming to New Mexico for 2026 projects, thanks to Democratic Sens. Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich.
Somehow, Lujan and Heinrich were able to secure $202,188,000 in congressionally directed spending from two Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills that were signed into law.
Most of it — $195,250,000 — came from the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for improvements at New Mexico's three Air Force bases. Notably was $3,200,000 for a child development center at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque.
The balance — $6,938,000 — came from the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, with $2,250,000 going for fire and emergency response agencies in northern New Mexico in Rio Arriba County, Truchas, and San Juan County. Community infrastructure needs in central and southern New Mexico were addressed with $1,513,000 for Estancia to renovate its town hall and community center, and $1,000,000 for Mesilla to renovate its town hall complex. Early childhood education in Luna County will benefit with $1,575,000 going to HELP New Mexico, Inc. to expand its campus.
Lujan said it was far from easy for him and Heinrich to get this money to New Mexico in the current political climate.
"While I'm grateful to have secured these funds, the process by which these bills passed was deeply frustrating," Lujan said. "With costs so high, we must do more to ensure that life remains affordable for New Mexico families.