N.M. Congressional Democrats Secure Language To Unlock Major Investments In Early Childhood And K-12 Education In Omnibus

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) secured language to unlock major investments in early childhood and K-12 education in New Mexico in the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for Fiscal Year 2023, which was released today.

“This effort to provide a long-term, stable funding stream for quality early childhood education is years in the making—backed overwhelmingly by New Mexico voters, the state legislature, and an incredible coalition of advocates. Investing in our children at the level they have long deserved will help change the trajectory of our state. New Mexico families will soon benefit from universal early childhood education and care, programs to help students most in need, and invest in our invaluable teachers and students in our K-12 schools. Despite the continued opposition of Congresswoman Herrell, we will continue to do everything in our power to get this legislation over the finish line and follow the will of the people of New Mexico. The future of our state will be brighter because of it,” said Heinrich, Luján, Stansbury, and Leger Fernández.

Heinrich and Stansbury introduced the New Mexico Education Enhancement Act in December 2021 to provide congressional approval for the State of New Mexico’s new law to invest Land Grant Permanent Fund dollars into early childhood education. The bill is cosponsored by Luján and Leger Fernández.

Heinrich passed the New Mexico Education Enhancement Act unanimously out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in July with bipartisan support.

Congress is expected to vote on the Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for Fiscal Year 2023 this week.