State of New Mexico secondary Archives: on Homeland Security
Allen Weh:
Oxymoron to cut military spending while al-Qaeda is growing
Allen Weh says he "absolutely expects another BRAC" and communities in eastern New Mexico need to prepare for it if they intend on keeping Cannon Air Force Base. Weh made his remarks during a campaign swing through the High Plains with several stops in
Clovis and Portales. BRAC is a reference to a Base Realignment and Closure Commission, a periodic congressional call to re-evaluate all military bases and recommend closures.Weh said he considered Cannon with its special operations mission essential
to the economy of eastern New Mexico and the security of the U.S. He said he expects a BRAC in 2015 because many in Washington want to cut defense spending even further by shutting down bases. "Frankly," said Weh, a
Marine combat veteran, "our military spending is at one of its lowest points ever. We're cutting armed forces as al-Qaida is growing in strength. To me, that's an oxymoron."
Source: Clovis News Journal on New Mexico Senate race
Feb 14, 2014
Allen Weh:
AdWatch: ISIL terrorist is face of evil that threatens us
Allen Weh released a campaign ad that features an image of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighter who beheaded American journalist James Foley.Weh's advertisement, unveiled on Monday, includes images of war, Pres. Obama playing golf,
and Weh's opponent, Sen. Tom Udall, giving interviews as chaotic images of conflict flash across the screen. Foley is not shown in the ad, but it does briefly show an image of his killer, dressed in black and wielding a knife.
"To change Washington,
you must change your Senator," the ad reads.
"Using James Foley's horrific and tragic death for shock value is offensive to Mr. Foley's family, New Mexico voters and the rest of our country," Udall's campaign manager said.
"Out of respect for the
Foley family, no picture of James Foley was used," Weh's campaign manager said. "Tom Udall feigns outrage over the inclusion of a now familiar image of this Jihadi terrorist, who is clearly the face of the evil that threatens our nation."
Source: Politico.com AdWatch on 2014 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2014
Ben Ray Lujan:
Key mission to fight for veterans access to health care
Protecting health care, supporting quality and safe housing needs, and creating programs to help veterans secure meaningful work are all critical to uplifting veterans. I have made it a key mission to fight for access to health care for our veterans.
I have held the Albuquerque VA accountable for failing to provide our veterans with timely and high-quality care. I have worked with the Trump administration to make the VA Choice program work better for all of our rural veterans.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com
Jul 8, 2020
Ben Ray Lujan:
Reverse past & present LGBTQ discrimination in military
I support the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, which would mandate reviews of the status of any former United States Armed Service members who were discharged because of their sexual orientation. When the Trump administration sought to
ban transgender individuals from serving in the United States Armed Forces, I joined with colleagues to demand a reversal of this bigoted and hateful policy that put our national security at risk.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com
Jul 8, 2020
Bob Walsh:
Don't expand the military
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Expand the military"?
A: Strongly oppose
Source: OnTheIssues interview for 2020 New Mexico race
May 1, 2020
Bob Walsh:
Threat from terrorism is government trampling on our rights
Q: What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?A: One threat of terrorism is that the government may use the threat to justify trampling on our individual rights. As to the threats of violence, whether
foreign or domestic, the events of 9/11 reminded us that the people are the ultimate defense of our lives and liberty. The professional military muddled in an intelligence vacuum and sent the only two available fighters out over the
Atlantic to protect against an imagined attack. Meanwhile, the unarmed passengers on the fourth plane used their hand-held devices to gather information from personal and public sources and pooled their resources to bring down the plane.
The obvious conclusions are to bring the military home to guard our country, to make intelligence summaries available to the public, to keep our citizens well-armed, and to stop infringing on individual rights in the name of security.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
John Kerry:
No new generation of nuclear weapons
[Bush has failed] to understand the world today: the problems of North Korea before they're a crisis, where you need to negotiate; Africa and AIDS before it's a crisis, not a matter of a political stop; the issue of proliferation.
This president wants to build a new generation of nuclear weapons. I don't want another generation of usable nuclear weapons. And we need the president to say no.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
John Kerry:
Automatic citizenship to immigrants who serves in army
We have about 37,000 people served in the armed forces of the United States who are legal residents. They should automatically become American citizens for having served their country in that way.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Mark Ronchetti:
Increased defense spending brings jobs to state
The federal government has increased defense spending and brought thousands of jobs to New Mexico, and Mark will fight to continue investing in the state. Mark supports a strong national defense and understands the important role our labs
and bases play in New Mexico. Mark supports increasing pay for those who serve in the military, because he wants to put those who defend America first.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
Mark Ronchetti:
Protect veterans benefits, wider array of services
Mark will fight to protect the benefits our veterans have earned and create an environment where it is easier for veterans to get access to the care that they need.
Veterans should have access to a wider array of services to guarantee their needs are met and that they are able to receive the care they deserve.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
It is time that we build a new veterans home
On the same note, it is time that we build a new veterans home--a state-of-the-art independent assisted-living facility for those who sacrificed to protect our freedoms. The original building on the campus in T or C was built in 1936. I think it's time
for an upgrade. So I am calling for 60 million dollars, which we will leverage with an additional $60 million from the federal government, to build the kind of modern facility our veterans, and their families, deserve. We're going to get it done.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 18, 2022
Mick Rich:
Strong military is essential for our protection
Protecting America and Americans from foreign threats and terrorists is our federal government's top priority. Mick will ensure that New Mexico's military bases and national laboratories continue to play a vital role in keeping America safe.
The men and women who protect our country--our military and first responders--will be the best trained and equipped in the world. And we will provide our veterans the best medical care possible.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
Mick Rich:
Military & 1st responders deserve best training & equipment
Protecting America and Americans from foreign threats and terrorists is our federal government's top priority. Mick will ensure that New Mexico's military bases and national laboratories continue to play a vital role in keeping America safe.
The men and women who protect our country--our military and first responders--will be the best trained and equipped in the world. And we will provide our veterans the best medical care possible.
Source: 2018 New Mexico campaign website MickRichForSenate.com
Jan 18, 2018
Mick Rich:
Department of Veteran Affairs is a shameful failure
Mick is committed to giving our veterans the care and dignity they deserve.
As currently run, the Department of Veteran Affairs proves that government-run healthcare doesn't work. Our wounded warriors deserve the best medical care possible.
Source: 2018 New Mexico campaign website MickRichForSenate.com
Jan 18, 2018
Steve Pearce:
Our military must be second to none
The United States' armed forces have been the guardian of freedom throughout the world for decades.
The rise of radical Islam in recent years has brought a new threat to America. We must maintain a strong military that continues to be second to none.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial website pearce.house.gov
Aug 22, 2017
Susana Martinez:
$1,000 tax credit for hiring returning veterans
For the ultimate heroes among us, I'm proposing a $1,000 tax credit for employers who hire veterans returning home from deployment. These men and women should not fight for our freedoms abroad only to be stuck on the unemployment line when they return
home. We are so grateful for what our veterans have done and continue to do for us. And I am proposing that we allow retiring veterans to exempt 25 percent of their pension income from state taxes. They have earned it.
Source: 2012 New Mexico State of the State Address
Jan 17, 2012
Susana Martinez:
Provide more jobs & build more cemeteries for veterans
[New Mexico has a program in which a] crew of veterans who had recently returned from combat to serve as firefighters. They became well-trained and battled summer blazes, showing tremendous skill and unparalleled work ethic. I propose that we make the
Returning Heroes firefighting program permanent.As we continue to provide free mental health services to returning veterans and their families, we must never forget that honoring veterans who are no longer with us is one of the most sacred
responsibilities society shares. It's time to start building local veterans cemeteries throughout New Mexico, of the highest standard. For $600,000, we can build 3 or 4 new cemeteries in areas that have large populations of unserved veterans.
We'd be the first state to adopt this unique approach to a long-standing problem. It is the least we can do, given all they have done for us.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 21, 2014
Tom Udall:
Co-wrote 21st Century G.I. Bill to help returning veterans
The first amendment Tom passed as a U.S. Senator was to expand tax incentives for employers who hire veterans who recently returned home from Iraq or Afghanistan.
Tom co-wrote the 21st Century G.I. Bill, which has helped thousands of returning veterans continue their education, earn a college degree and build new career opportunities.
Source: 2021 New Mexico Senate campaign website TomUdall.com
Jul 28, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023