Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Call on Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office Director to Resign, FEMA to Conduct Independent Review

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) issued the following joint statement:

"Jay Mitchell has lost the trust of Northern New Mexico. He must resign.

"As authors of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, we have been clear that the Claims Office must prioritize working with local communities to restore trust, communicate effectively, and get money out the door as soon as possible to those who suffered most.

"Under the Trump Administration, there has been a clear failure of leadership from the Claims Office marked by a lack of transparency and urgency. The Claims Office has failed to adequately communicate with the New Mexico Congressional Delegation or with the communities it is meant to serve.

"Our offices have repeatedly urged the Claims Office to prioritize total loss and burn scar claims, yet we continue to hear from constituents who are facing unnecessary delays and roadblocks.

"As such, we are calling on Director Mitchell to resign and for FEMA to take immediate steps to restore trust, accountability, and communication. As Members of Congress, we take our oversight responsibilities seriously and will continue pressing for answers and progress on behalf of constituents. There must now be an independent review of the Claims Office's administrative management of the funding.

"Northern New Mexicans deserve total transparency, accountability, and a Director of the Claims Office that works for them - not against them."

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