WASHINGTON - Today, on a conference call with New Mexico reporters, U.S. Senator Tom Udall highlighted the Saving Our Next Generation (SONG) Act, a bill he recently introduced aimed at improving the health and education of New Mexico children by increasing access to federal education and anti-poverty programs. Udall underscored the critical need to improve child well-being and break the cycle of poverty in New Mexico, which currently ranks last in overall child well-being. Last week, he called on the New Mexico Legislature to make child well-being a priority, and he endorsed a proposal to ask voters to amend the state constitution and dedicate a portion of New Mexico's permanent fund to pay for the most effective early childhood programs. Udall emphasized that these initiatives will only succeed if federal, state and local officials work in partnership. Udall's SONG Act was developed in consultation with experts across New Mexico to strengthen the most effective anti-poverty programs.
Udall also discussed Republican threats to shut down the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over their opposition to the president's immigration policies. Congress must approve a new DHS funding bill before Friday when funding for the agency runs out. Udall explained the serious economic and safety consequences a DHS shutdown would have on New Mexico, including that thousands of employees would be forced to work without pay, border trade could be disrupted, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Artesia would be closed. Udall announced he is cosponsoring a bill to ensure that workers at FLETC, Border Patrol and other DHS agencies receive paychecks in the event of a shutdown.
Click here to listen to the full audio online.
Click here to download the audio.
Below are highlights from Udall's remarks:
0:00 - Udall thanks everyone for joining the call.
0:05 - "I want to begin today by talking about one of the most devastating and difficult problems we face in New Mexico - child well-being."
0:59 - "Children are our future workforce. We must break the vicious cycle of poverty. The first step is to invest in child well-being, and that's why last week I called on the New Mexico Legislature to make it a priority."
1:35 - "I've worked with experts across New Mexico to develop legislation to strengthen the most effective anti-poverty programs. The SONG Act - which stands for Saving our Next Generation - will help do just that. It will invest in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Head Start, universal pre-K education and housing assistance. My bill will help ensure New Mexico children have the resources they need to grow up healthy, do well in school and escape the cycle of poverty."
2:29 - "Next, I want to briefly say a few words about the possibility that Republicans in Congress will force a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Shutting down DHS would have serious safety and economic consequences for New Mexico. First it would be an astronomical waste of money that would put our nation and our state at risk."
2:51 - "A shutdown would almost certainly force thousands of workers to go without pay. It could leave our communities unprotected, disrupt border trade, and shut down the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia. Each week that FLETC remains closed, a projected average of roughly 450 officers and agents per week will be affected in New Mexico alone."
3:39 - "Deporting these children and families is not a realistic option. The Senate should choose a different route: put a clean bill on the floor, allow an open amendment debate and enact a bill the President can sign before any shutdown occurs."
3:52 - "If DHS shuts down, it's not fair to punish employees and their families by forcing them to go without pay, so I am cosponsoring a bill that would ensure workers at FLETC, Border Patrol and other DHS agencies get paid in the event of a shutdown."
4:15 - Udall answers questions from reporters on topics including the SONG Act, the impact of a potential DHS shutdown and net neutrality.