Both of New Mexico’s senators Senator TOM S. UDALL and Senator JEFF BINGAMAN have voted consistently in favor of our veterans:

• On July 20, 2011, both senators voted for HR 2055 that appropriates $58.6 billion for veterans-related spending such as disability compensation, heath support, and pensions, and theGU Bill.
• The two senators introduced legislation that would improve access to specialist medical care for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).as a result of their combat experiences; treatment has often been inadequate or difficult to access.
• Both senators supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 100 percent in 2010.
• In 2009-2010, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave both senators a grade of B.
• In 2007-2008, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave both senators a grade of A.

Representative MARTIN HEINRICH (Representing New Mexico’s First Congressional District)

• He wrote and made available a very useful  resource guide for veterans and their families.
• Last April, he sent a letter to the President saying, “It's time we start bringing our troops home.”
• He voted for the Veterans’ Benefits bill on July 19, which, although defeated, was to protect veterans’ benefits from the $5.8 trillion in ten-year spending cuts required by an earlier bill.
• He introduced theJobs for Veterans Act of 2011.
• In June, 2010, he visited the troops in Afghanistan “to talk with the brave service members and civilians from New Mexico who are serving in Afghanistan.”
• On October 8, 2010, he announced a grant of $185,250 to the YWCA Middle Rio Grande to provide transitional housing for homeless women veterans and their children.
• In 2009, he supported the interests of the Fleet Reserve Association 100 percent, as well as those of the Military Officers Association of America 100 percent in 2009.
• He received an A from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in 2010.
• He supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans100 percent in 2009.

Representative BEN LUJAN, JR. (Representing New Mexico’s Third Congressional District)

• He voted for the Veterans’ Benefits bill on July 19, which, although defeated, was to protect veterans’ benefits from the $5.8 trillion in ten-year spending cuts required by an earlier bill.
• He helped the Veterans Call Center to Help Veterans readjust to civilian life get off the ground.
• On September 8, 2010, he hosted a forum on PTSD  (along with TBI, one of the “invisible wounds of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars) in Rio Rancho.
• On July 29, 2010, he voted to improve veterans’ services.
• In 2009, he supported the interests of the Fleet Reserve Association 100 percent, as well as those of the Military Officers Association of America 100 percent in 2009.
• He received an A from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in 2010.
• He supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans-100 percent in 2009.

In June, 2010, U.S. Representative Senator Martin Heinrich (NM-1) travelled to Afghanistan to visit troops. “A highlight of the trip was getting to talk with the brave service members and civilians from New Mexico serving in Afghanistan,” he said.

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