Legislation would help strengthen economic development efforts, modernize infrastructure, and improve quality of life in southern border communities in New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced the Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, legislation to reauthorize and fully fund the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC). The SBRC is one of eight authorized federal regional commissions and authorities, which are congressionally-chartered, federal-state partnerships created to promote economic development in their respective regions. 

The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.).

“For years, I have fought to deliver federal investments to support economic development and modernize our infrastructure across southern New Mexico. As part of that work, I have pushed to make sure Congress fully funds the Southwest Border Regional Commission to grow our thriving southern border communities in New Mexico and our neighboring states of Arizona, California, and Texas,” said Heinrich. 

Heinrich continued, “Now, I am proud to introduce legislation to reauthorize the Commission and increase its annual funding to further boost this region’s economic progress, connect New Mexicans to the careers they can build their families around, and provide the next generation with the opportunities they need to thrive in their communities.” 

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to reauthorize and fully fund the Southwest Border Regional Commission – helping boost economic development opportunities in southern New Mexico,” said Luján. “With robust funding, this Commission can continue their work to create more job opportunities, expand broadband access, and address health care shortages which will improve the well-being of New Mexico families."

“The Southwest Border Regional Commission is poised to accelerate much-needed economic development in Arizona by improving water infrastructure, investing in hospitals, and supporting small business,” said Kelly. “That’s why I’ve worked to stand up and fund this commission, and with this legislation, we’ll bring investment and development to communities throughout the southwestern United States.” 

“The Southwest Border Regional Commission is an important opportunity for investment in the economic development and basic infrastructure needs of border communities,” said Padilla. “The reauthorization and full funding of this commission will increase job opportunities in border communities, including through helping address severe water sector workforce shortages and inadequate wastewater infrastructure in the region. Crucially, this bill would also waive burdensome matching requirements for Colonias and Tribes in border communities receiving federal assistance through the commission.”

“Right now, small and rural communities along Arizona’s southern border are managing a crisis they did not create. Reauthorizing the Southwest Border Regional Commission will expand economic opportunities as we work to craft lasting solutions to the security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border,” said Sinema.

Congress first authorized the establishment of the SBRC in 2008 to promote economic development in the southern border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas. 

The Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act would:

• Fully fund SBRC:
  • Greatly increase federal grants to New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas, authorizing $100 million in funding for Fiscal Years 2023 – 2027 (FY23-FY27), and $200 million for Fiscal Years 2028 to 2032 (FY28-FY32). Currently, the SBRC is authorized at $33 million in funding for Fiscal Years 2019 – 2023 (FY19-23).
• Expand SBRC’s jurisdiction to include the following counties:
  • Bernalillo, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, Torrance, Lea, and Valencia, as well as Guadalupe County, TX. 
• Establish new capacity building grant program for projects such as business expansion and retention, job creation, workforce development, high-speed broadband, and more. 
• Establish new planning grants to address health care shortages in border communities.  

According to a recent report published by Heinrich, the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, existing regional commissions show that a fully funded and active SBRC would support vital economic development goals, grow and diversify New Mexico’s economy, and create high-quality jobs. 

Since its creation, Heinrich has fought to successfully stand up the SBRC and give colonias and other border communities equitable access to federal investments that make them competitive and help them thrive.

In 2020, Heinrich, along with former Senator Tom Udall, helped secure $250,000 for the SBRC to jump-start and expand its operations.

In August 2021, Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure $1 million for the SBRC in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 

In 2022, Heinrich applauded President Biden’s nomination of Juan Eduardo Sanchez to be the Federal Co-Chairman of the SBRC, and voted to confirm Sanchez to the SBRC later that year.

 In June 2023, Heinrich led efforts to secure $8 million in funding (including $3 million in the FY24 Agricultural Appropriations Bill) for the SBRC.