Ben Ray (Ben Ray) Luján, Jr. (D)

US Senator Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray (Ben Ray) Luján, Jr. (D)
Web Site - Twitter

Capitol: 202.224.6621
FAX: 202.224.3370
District: 575.252.6188
Senator
Room 498 RSOB- Russell Senate Office Building 2 Constitution Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20510-3105
120 South Federal Place
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Residence:Nambe, NM

Committee Assignments

ChairmanSenate Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
ChairmanJoint Economic Committee
ChairmanCongressional Sportsmen's Caucus
Co-ChairSenate Outdoor Recreation Caucus
ChairmanSenate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus
Co-ChairSenate Space Force Caucus
Co-ChairElectrification Caucus
FC MemberSenate Defense Communities Caucus
FC MemberSenate National Laboratory Caucus
MemberSenate Subcommittee on Energy
MemberSenate Select Committee on Intelligence
MemberSenate Subcommittee on National Parks
MemberSenate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
FC MemberCongressional Boating Caucus
FC MemberSenate Taiwan Caucus
FC MemberSenate Aerospace Caucus
MemberSenate Subcommittee on Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
MemberSenate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
MemberSenate Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
FC MemberSenate Democratic Hispanic Task Force (HTF)
MemberSenate Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteran Affairs, and Related Agencies
FC MemberSenate National Service Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Directed Energy Caucus
FC MemberAir Force Caucus (Senate)
MemberSenate Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
MemberSenate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
FC MemberSenate Cultural Caucus
FC MemberSenate Small Brewers Caucus
FC MemberSenate National Guard Caucus
Co-ChairCongressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (CDSC)
MemberSenate Committee on Appropriations
FC MemberCongressional Chemistry Caucus
FC MemberDefense Communities Congressional Caucus
FC MemberRenewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Wine Caucus
Co-ChairInternational Conservation Caucus (ICC)
FC MemberUSO Caucus

Bio

Ben Ray Lujan has represented New Mexico in the United States Senate since January 2021. He previously served as U.S. Representative for New Mexico's Third Congressional District and House Assistant Speaker in the 116th Congress. Senator Lujan sits on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; the Committee on Indian Affairs; and the Committee on the Budget. Senator Lujan grew up in Nambe, a small farming community north of Santa Fe, bordered by the Nambe and Pojoaque Pueblos. It was there that he learned New Mexico values, including hard work, dedication, and perseverance, from his family and community. Since being elected to Congress in 2008, Senator Lujan has championed efforts to create good-paying jobs in New Mexico, expand quality health care and protect patients with pre-existing conditions, preserve our natural resources and sacred sites, build a clean energy economy, and uplift the middle-class. Senator Lujan has focused on spurring local economic growth through a number of legislative initiatives. His bill to make it easier for local entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to the marketplace was signed into law, and he has written legislation that would leverage New Mexico's labs to drive job creation while addressing tomorrow's energy challenges. Recognizing that action on the climate crisis cannot wait another generation, Senator Lujan has been a leading voice in the fight against climate change. He has developed bold, comprehensive legislation to put the United States on a path to net-zero carbon emissions to combat the climate crisis and grow the economy. This visionary plan has earned praise from climate experts, environmental advocates, and labor groups. He has also been a fierce advocate for environmental protection in New Mexico. Lujan helped lead an effort during the Obama administration to establish national monument designations for the Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area and the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, preserving some of New Mexico's greatest treasures and tourism drivers. In addition, he helped lead the House effort to protect the greater Chaco Canyon region from harmful oil and gas drilling and dangerous methane emissions. Lujan is a long-time advocate for New Mexico's acequias and traditional lands. He continually works to ensure funding for these cultural assets. He also supports rural farming and ranching by advancing legislation to help food-producing communities advance entrepreneurship. Throughout his time in Congress, Lujan has fought to increase New Mexicans' access to quality health care, no matter where they live or how much money they make. He has had legislation signed into law to bolster the Children's Health Insurance Program and strengthen Medicaid and Medicare. Senator Lujan has also worked in a bipartisan manner to secure millions in funding to combat the opioid crisis in New Mexico and increase access to treatment and recovery services. Senator Lujan has been a champion for New Mexico working families. He's fought to raise the minimum wage, close the gender pay gap, and bridge the digital divide for rural communities. He has been an unwavering supporter of women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and continues to advance causes important to New Mexico families. Before his election to Congress, Senator Lujan served as the Chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. As a Commissioner, he worked with his colleagues to develop a renewable portfolio standard to increase clean energy production by New Mexico utilities. He also advocated for first responders, working to overhaul the New Mexico Fire Fund so that all distributions from the fund would go to improving fire services in New Mexico. Prior to his service on the Public Regulation Commission, Lujan was the New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department's director of administrative services and chief financial officer. Senator Lujan earned his Bachelor's degree from New Mexico Highlands University in Business Administration.

Election / Personal Info

First Elected: 2020    Next Election: 2026
DOB: 6/7/1972