ALBUQUERQUE, FEBRUARY 28—Today, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Senator Ben Ray Luján held a virtual press conference to spread the false claim that the Republican budget resolution would hurt Medicaid recipients in New Mexico. The Republican Party of New Mexico sets the record straight that the Trump administration is not cutting Medicaid benefits but is targeting waste, fraud, and abuse within the program to save taxpayers billions while protecting the over 706,000 New Mexicans who rely on the program. Additionally, by voting against the budget resolution, our Democrat Representatives in Congress would deprive the hard-working families in our state of some of the most substantial tax relief ever seen, including no tax on tips, Social Security, and overtime.
“Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández and Senator Ben Ray Luján’s press conference today is nothing but fearmongering to keep depriving New Mexicans of accountability and tax relief,” said Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico.“President Trump and Republicans are not cutting Medicaid benefits, but they are going after the $450 to $900 billion in waste and fraud that’s been bleeding the system dry for years. That’s money that should be helping New Mexico families, not lining the pockets of unknown entities.”
The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res.14), passed by the House on February 25, 2025, with a 217-215 vote and zero Democrat support, instructs the House Energy and Commerce committee to find $880 billion in savings over 10 years. The savings line up with the statistical estimates of around $45–90 billion in improper Medicaid payments being made per year. The President promises to safeguard benefits for vulnerable New Mexicans, including our children, seniors, and rural communities.
“President Trump and Republicans are delivering for New Mexico—securing our borders, strengthening our economy, and protecting programs like Medicaid by making them more efficient,” Barela concluded. “Democrats like Leger Fernández and Luján continue to defend the failed Biden policies that left our families struggling and without any accountability for their hard-earned tax dollars.”
