What Ben Ray Luján said, and what was done

“Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate and extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Most Reverend Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, NM, to celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, along with his upcoming retirement.”

“Mr. President, pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and waiver provisions of applicable budget resolutions, I move to waive all applicable sections of that act and applicable budget points of order for the purpose of the pending measure.”

“Mr. President, I came down to the floor to talk about the SAVE Act, but before I do so, I am reminded that, over the last 10 days, my Republican colleagues have blocked paying TSA agents on at least five occasions.”

“Reclaiming my time, Mr. President. I would ask all my Democratic colleagues and all of my Republican colleagues and all of the men, wherever they are, to come back to Washington, DC, and let's do the work.”

“Mr. President, I was unavailable for rollcall vote No. 21, on Motion to Invoke Cloture on the nomination of David Clay Fowlkes to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to ask my colleagues to pass my Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, which has the backing of the entire Democratic caucus--the Democratic Members of this Senate.”

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I respect the majority leader, the Republican leader. I see some of his staff in the room as well, people that I have worked with.”

“First, I want to begin by thanking our friend, and I say ``our friend'' because he is more than my friend, Senator Merkley. We are friends from across our Nation's Capital and across America--some who are here, listening to you themselves, and others who, I am sure, are tuning in.”

“Now, I like you. I am proud to be a U.S. Senator. I know, the way you speak about Oregon, I am always battling with you on whether it is New Mexico or it is Oregon.”

“There is a story that I just saw coming in, Senator Merkley, about President Trump and that it looks like he is trying to shake down the Department of Justice to get 230 million bucks for himself.”

“Senator Merkley, how are Americans supposed to trust an administration that seems to be so focused on giving things to themselves when Americans are worried they won't be able to afford basic necessities like food and health insurance?”

“Mr. President, I rise today for every American who is scared--scared about losing their health insurance, scared about making ends meet after the passage of the Republican budget betrayal.”

“Mr. President, my motion is simple: Public broadcasting infrastructure funding should not be rescinded if it limits access to emergency alert systems and lifesaving weather updates. Just last week, devastating floods across New Mexico claimed the lives of three people, including two children.”

“Mr. President, a New Mexico broadcaster put it plainly: Without sustained Federal investment, Tribal stations will be devastated and likely forced off. . . . I urge my colleagues to vote yea, and I ask for a voice vote.”

“Mr. President, I want to thank my friend from Illinois Senator Durbin for his leadership and commitment to saving public broadcasting and educational programming for Americans all across our beautiful country.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and share the inspiring story of Alana Nichols, a six-time Paralympic medalist across three sports and one of New Mexico's greatest athletes and advocates.”

“Mr. President, recently, a Republican colleague said regarding this bill's SNAP cuts: If we don't watch out, people are going to get hurt. He is right--people are going to get hurt.”

“Madam President, I heard several of my colleagues speak tonight about what this bill means for Americans all across America. Now, each of us has a responsibility to ask whether this bill meets the needs of the people that we are honored to serve.”

“Now that same Senator went on to say that: Slashing health insurance for the working poor is morally wrong. That is right. I wish more of them spoke with that clarity.”

“Mr. President, I am sure the American people right now are just starting to see what happened to the U.S. Senator from California--the senior Senator from California--Alex Padilla.”

“Madam President, I come to the floor today to raise my voice on behalf of constituents all across New Mexico. Now, this week, all eyes have been on the U.S.”

“Mr. President, the last time we voted on the budget resolution, I introduced an amendment to prevent $1 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. My Republican colleagues said that $1 billion in cuts wouldn't take benefits away from our constituents and that they were targeting ``inefficiencies.'' Well, this time around Republicans are attempting to pass legislation that would cut $230 billion from SNAP.”

“Senator Booker, thank you. I won't be surprised if Mom is watching right now. So you are probably going to get some messages from her. But I want to thank my friend and colleague from the great State of New Jersey.”

“There are food deserts everywhere, but we can do something about that. We have programs in place that recognize the importance of getting someone a meal who needs that meal, supporting our farmers out there to sow those seeds, to help them with their planting.”

“What is not respectful is when the Trump administration gives them a few days' notice and pulls the rug from under them and cancels the program that is going to allow the food bank--their customer--to buy their food.”

“When asked his opinion of Lincoln's performance, former slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass replied: It was a sacred effort. Let me be the first to say this is a sacred effort, Senator Booker, and I am proud to stand alongside you.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and share the inspiring story of native New Mexican Mr. Valdemar DeHerrera, a World War II veteran and prisoner of war, who celebrated his 105th birthday on October 8, 2024.”

“Mr. President, we are experiencing a nationwide shortage of police officers. Police departments are stretched thin, making our communities less safe. In the worst cases, some small departments have disbanded completely.”

“Mr. President, 41.2 million Americans rely on SNAP to put food on the table. I would like to call up my amendment No. 957 and ask it to be reported by number.”

“Mr. President, 41.2 million Americans rely on SNAP to put food on the table, and 40 percent of SNAP recipients are children. The Republican budget resolution before us tonight will dramatically slash nutrition; conservation; other farm programs for our children, families, and farmers--all to pay for the Trump tax scam.”

“Mr. President, over the past week, Elon Musk and Donald Trump have fired thousands of Federal workers, many of them in New Mexico, without warning. The calls that I get to my office from constituents all across New Mexico are expressing concern, surprise, alarm, not knowing what is going to happen next, worried about a project.”

“Mr. President, chaos, corruption, confusion--that is what Russell Vought offers. For the past 2 weeks, my office has received thousands of calls. Worried New Mexicans are taking time out of their busy days to share their stories and plead for help.”

“Madam President, I especially want to start by giving thanks to our colleague from Hawaii for asking us to come together and have a conversation with the American people.”