Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement after voting against advancing the Republican Farm Bill in committee:

"The Farm Bill must meet the needs of families and farmers in New Mexico and across America. This Republican bill fails to do so. We need a Farm Bill that addresses devastating cuts to SNAP and delays the cost shift to states while delivering the support families, farmers, and ranchers deserve.

"Unfortunately, during today's markup, my Republican colleagues rejected efforts to strengthen the Farm Bill, including my CHILE Act to strengthen emergency assistance and provide much-needed aid to New Mexico's chile, pecan, and other specialty crop growers.

"Farmers, ranchers, and families across the country are hurting. This is our opportunity to support families, strengthen rural America, and ensure our producers have the tools they need to succeed. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to advance a bipartisan Farm Bill that delivers for New Mexico and communities across the country."

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