Melanie Stansbury: “I stand before you today to defend the very survival of New Mexicans; families like my own, working families, who work…”

“I stand before you today to defend the very survival of New Mexicans; families like my own, working families, who work hard every single day and still struggle to make ends meet, who still struggle to put food on the table, and who still struggle to put a roof over their head. These are families who depend on vital services and programs like mine that enabled me not only to survive but to go to school and to stand here today as your Congresswoman. These programs save lives, and yet the GOP is attempting to hold the entire country, New Mexico, our families, and our economy hostage if we do not gut these vital, lifesaving programs or they will tank the economy to achieve their political ends. In return for upholding the full faith and credit of the United States and paying our bills as a Nation, right now Republicans are demanding that we cut funding for food, for housing, for Tribal programs, for education, and for countless other lifesaving programs that our families depend on. I am here today with my colleagues from the Progressive Caucus to say that we will stand and we will defend these programs because our families' lives are not bargaining chips in this crusade to cut government programs and services. Their lives and dignity matter. Just 2 weeks ago, I was home in our community and stood with members of our community at the Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless memorial wall.…”