Santa Fe, NM - Today, Senate Boss Michael Sanchez effectively killed three bipartisan House bills that would protect New Mexico's children by referring them to three committees each. One bill, sponsored by Reps. Sarah Maestas Barnes, Randal Crowder and Democrat Javier Martinez and supported by Democrat Attorney General Hector Balderas, would close a dangerous child pornography loophole and two bills, sponsored by Rep. Conrad James, would toughen New Mexico's child abuse laws.

"It's reprehensible that Michael Sanchez would assign this bipartisan bill that will protect vulnerable children to three committees," Rep. Alonzo Baldonado, House Majority Whip, said. "This cynical procedural move is him killing the legislation. He is standing up for child predators and not for New Mexico's children."

"I am extremely disappointed," James said. "Our children need the protections in these laws to keep them safe. The Legislature needs to look out for our children - not the dangerous people looking to hurt them."

Similar legislation was proposed last year which passed the House Floor with overwhelming bipartisan support. Legislation to close the porn loophole passed the House unanimously and legislation to strengthen penalties for child abuse passed the House by a 50-10 vote.

This year, House Bill 65 would close the dangerous child pornography loophole passed the House Floor on a 60-2 vote and House Bills 68 and 69 would toughen child abuse laws passed by votes of 61-1 and unanimously, respectively.

Sanchez has a hardened record of killing legislation that would protect New Mexico children