Luján, Leger Fernández Demand Accountability at Meeting with New Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office Leadership

Santa Fe, N.M. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after meeting with FEMA and Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office leadership:

"As the sponsors of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, we fought to establish the Claims Office and secure $5.45 billion to help New Mexicans rebuild. Since the fire, we have consistently pressed FEMA to speed up relief and answer for the unacceptable delays families continue to face.

"Yesterday, we met with the new leadership at the Claims Office to get answers. The Director committed to sharing regular reports with Congress and the public detailing how the office will speed up the claims process and deliver payments without further delay. We made clear that New Mexicans deserve transparency.

"We learned that $3.44 billion has been paid out in claims, and we have requested a report on the number of claims still pending and an estimated timeframe for their resolution. The new leadership also committed to providing more timely communication and prioritizing total loss and burn scar claims.

"We are hopeful that the new leadership will move this process forward faster and with the respect that our communities deserve. We will continue our advocacy until New Mexicans who lost everything get the relief they deserve."

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