Ben Ray Luján
The Public Record
Ben Ray Luján is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since January 3, 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 to 2021. Luján has focused on various issues during his tenure, including economic development, healthcare, and tribal food security, advocating for policies that support New Mexico's diverse communities.
I also was proud to work with colleagues and secure congressionally directed spending in Fiscal Year 2022 for the City of Gallup to drill a new well.
Intervene on behalf of their citizens regarding the actions of the Bureau of Land Management on the leasing of certain parcels of public lands for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
We must also safeguard the places that have unmatched cultural significance to our Indigenous communities that are managed by the Federal Government.
In the last 2 years, we have authorized billions of dollars for Indian Country and Navajo for investments in roads, water, electricity, and broadband.
Our future revenue loss could be as much as $200 million, although we do not know the exact number because it depends on the oil prices and the quality of the wells.
Our job is to listen to the experts because we don't know, we are not there, we are not Navajo, we are not Pueblo, we are not Zuni.
H.R. 4374 would correct a wrong--PLO 7923--that puts many of our mineral rights off limits and stops a much-needed source of income to feed, shelter, clothe and protect our families.
Continued unchecked oil and gas development has already deeply impacted the Navajo people and their heritage.





