Today at the Roundhouse, Feb. 19
Feb. 19—The 60-day session is almost at its halfway point, as Thursday marks the final day to introduce bills for this year's session. Here are a few things to watch out for on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Paid family leave: A hotly debated proposal to allow New Mexico employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid parental or medical leave is scheduled for a key hearing in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. A similar proposal to this year's House Bill 11 was defeated on the House floor last year by a two-vote margin.
Crime bills in the spotlight: A House-approved crime package gets its first — and only — Senate committee hearing. The six-bill package passed the House on a 48-20 vote on Saturday and could face scrutiny in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Behavioral health package hits House: A trio of behavioral health bills approved last week by the Senate are starting their journey through the House of Representatives. One of those measures, Senate Bill 3, is up for debate in the House Health and Human Services Committee, while the other two bills will be discussed by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
Honoring veterans: It's Military and Veterans Day at the Legislature, and representatives from the New Mexico National Guard and the Department of Veterans Services will be at the Roundhouse.
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13 minutes ago
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Why are more Americans filing for Social Security benefits?
(NewsNation) — More older Americans are claiming their Social Security benefits earlier, a potentially alarming trend that could significantly reduce the income many rely on in their golden years. As of May, individual retirement claims are up 13% in the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, an increase of nearly 320,000 claims, according to the latest Social Security data. To put the recent surge in perspective: From 2012 to 2024, retirement claims rose by an average of just 3% per year, according to an analysis by the Urban Institute, a research group. Plan to garnish Social Security checks for student loan debt paused Part of the recent uptick is due to more retirees claiming Social Security benefits earlier, a choice that permanently reduces their monthly checks if done before full retirement age. Jack Smalligan, a senior policy fellow at the Urban Institute, described the increase in earlier claims as 'disconcerting' because it can impact people's 'long-term retirement security.' 'For most individuals, delaying the time that they claim Social Security is a smart retirement decision,' Smalligan said. While demographic factors, such as an aging population, have contributed to the rise, increased concern over the Trump administration's handling of the system may also help explain the surge. Social Security data shows the spike in monthly claims was especially pronounced in November and January — the month Trump was elected and the month he took office. Polling shows public concern about Social Security is now at a 15-year high, an uptick that coincides with the Trump administration's plans to slash the agency's workforce. The president and advisers, like Elon Musk, have made unfounded claims about rampant fraud within the system, while website outages have also caused confusion. Smalligan pointed to the recent surge in calls to Social Security and the rise in field office visits as further signs of growing anxiety. At the same time, top Democrats, including former President Joe Biden, have amplified those fears with misleading claims that give the impression Americans' monthly retirement checks may not arrive. Democrats sound alarm on Social Security as Biden returns to stage Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has warned that Trump and Musk are coming for people's benefits and hiding behind bogus fraud claims to justify stealing people's checks. The political rhetoric appears to be resonating, but it's also fueling the broader uncertainty, potentially causing real harm. During a meeting in March, Social Security officials said that 'fearmongering has driven people to claim benefits earlier,' The Wall Street Journal reported. Overall, 52% of Americans say they worry a 'great deal' about the Social Security system, up from 43% in 2024, according to Gallup. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, that figure rises to 65% — a 30-point increase from the previous year. 'No one's scheming right now to privatize Social Security or dismantle it … that type of fearmongering is not helpful,' said Charles Blahous, a researcher at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University who specializes in Social Security. While Social Security does face long-term financial challenges, the system isn't going away, and future policy uncertainty isn't a good reason to claim benefits early today, Blahous said. Trump has repeatedly promised not to cut Social Security benefits, while Democrats argue that staffing reductions will make it harder for retirees to access services, undermining the system in a different way. Other factors, unrelated to political rhetoric, could also be driving the rise in retirement claims. There are three key reasons for the uptick, according to a Social Security official: The start of the peak 65 baby boom, a massive surge of Americans turning 65 years old Implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which increased benefits for certain workers receiving pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security Improved outreach notifying spouses of Social Security beneficiaries that they may be eligible for a higher benefit Blahous acknowledged that the three factors are real but thinks 'the jury's still out' on how much of the recent rise is due to anxiety about the program's future. Another possibility is that stock market volatility, partly driven by Trump's ever-changing trade policies, temporarily lowered the balances of millions of retirement accounts and prompted some older Americans to claim their more reliable Social Security benefits earlier than planned. Americans can start collecting Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but that doesn't mean they should. Claiming before full retirement age permanently reduces monthly benefits, which is why waiting often makes more financial sense. It's even more concerning when that decision is driven by fear about the program's future rather than a careful assessment of personal circumstances. 'It's basically an irrevocable decision, which is all the more reason why people should be very cautious about when they make it,' Blahous said. When is the best age to take Social Security? Someone who turns 62 in 2025 would see their monthly benefit lowered by about 30% versus what it would be at their full retirement age of 67. On the other hand, those who delay claiming until after their full retirement age receive an 8% increase for each year they wait, up to age 70. That can amount to thousands of dollars. In 2025, the maximum Social Security benefit is $2,831 for someone retiring at 62, but it rises to $5,108 for those retiring at 70. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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New Jersey's field for governor is set. It will be a test of Trump's appeal
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Only one other state, Virginia, has a gubernatorial election this year, so both states' outcomes in November will also be read for clues into next year's midterms. Ciattarelli thanked Trump for his support in his victory speech, but then turned his attention to Sherrill. "If this campaign were a drinking game and you took a shot every time Mikie Sherill says Trump, you'd be drunk off your ass every day between now and November 4th," he said. Sherrill called Ciattarelli a "Trump lackey" in her victory speech. "'I'm ready to shake up the status quo and Jack is the status quo. He's not change, he's a re-run. He's a ghost of elections past.' The results show New Jersey's traditional political party machines were still able to perform without the 'county line' — a structure used for decades by party leaders that gave the candidates they endorsed favorable placement on the primary ballot. 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Ciattarelli had in 2015 called Trump a 'charlatan' and, while he gradually warmed to him, largely sought to avoid association with him in his 2021 campaign. But Ciattarelli recently expressed unbridled support for Trump, while his allies dug through thousands of hours of Spadea's programs to find Trump criticism. They also highlighted fundraising and poll results that showed Ciattarelli way ahead. It culminated with an ebullient Ciattarelli getting a photo op sit down with Trump at his golf club in Bedminster. Not to be outdone, Spadea showed up the next day and met with Trump in the golf club's hallway, but did not post a photo of the encounter. It paid off for Ciattarelli with a Trump endorsement, writing on Truth Social that 'Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!)' Spadea sought to reassure disappointed supporters by saying Trump 'endorsed a poll, not a plan' in Ciattarelli. But most political observers counted that as the end of the Republican primary, and subsequent events showed it. Spadea has struggled in fundraising, earning only about half of the matching funds he was eligible for from the state. New Jersey's off-year general election in November — along with Virginia — will be read as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms. While Democrats have an 800,000 registered voter advantage over Republicans, New Jersey voters have often been willing to elect Republicans as governor. And the GOP in recent years has gained more than 100,000 voters, while Trump's relatively close loss in the state in 2024 has given Republicans hope of taking the governorship. Daniel Han and Dustin Racioppi contributed to this article.
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13 minutes ago
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Most GOP lawmakers plan to skip Trump's big parade
President Donald Trump is celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary — and his own 79th birthday — with a massive, multimillion-dollar military parade Saturday in Washington. But one group of otherwise devoted Trump allies largely won't be there to celebrate: congressional Republicans. Among the 50 GOP lawmakers surveyed by POLITICO, only seven said they planned to stay in Washington this weekend for the festivities. Those begging off include members of the Republican leadership in both chambers. The chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, the top congressional officials overseeing the military, are skipping Trump's pageantry, which includes a flyover of vintage and contemporary warplanes. Instead, they'll attend a different air show — the annual defense industry confab in Paris. Among those attending will be some of Trump's most devoted House supporters, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. 'Yes, of course,' she said Tuesday. 'I'm going to be there for the 250th anniversary of the Army.' MAGA stalwarts Byron Donalds of Florida, Elise Stefanik of New York and Cory Mills of Florida also said they would attend, along with Reps. Rich McCormick of Georgia, John McGuire of Virginia and Lisa McClain of Michigan. But many more said they would beg off — choosing, as most members do, to stay away from Washington for the weekend. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Majority Whip John Barrasso are skipping, as is House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he'll be back in Alabama campaigning for governor. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin said it's his anniversary, and 'I choose to be married.' Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee said the event conflicts with his daughter's 18th birthday. West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice said he's a no but added that doesn't 'mean that I'm against it.' 'It's great celebrating President Trump's birthday, and I think it's great celebrating the military,' Justice told reporters Tuesday. 'We haven't done that in a long time.' Among those skipping are several military veterans and members of the two Armed Services panels. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a former Air Force reservist, said Tuesday he's not planning to attend, though he left open the possibility. Other senators who have served in the military and are planning to sit out the celebration include Sens. Todd Young of Indiana, Rick Scott of Florida and Tim Sheehy of Montana. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast of Florida, another veteran, said Tuesday he's unsure whether he'll attend. Other prominent House Republicans are also skipping. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris said he won't attend, though his home is less than a two-hour drive from D.C. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole said he's heading home. 'It's celebrating the birthday of the Army and I think it's a good thing to do,' Cole said. 'I just didn't get to go home last week and I'd like to get to go this week.' Asked if he was attending, Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker of Mississippi said, 'I'll be at the air show' — an apparent reference to next week's Paris Air Show, where defense contractors peddle their latest wares. House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers of Alabama confirmed that's where he'll be. Speaker Mike Johnson's office did not respond to a request for comment on his plans. The White House is shrugging off the absences. An official granted anonymity to describe plans for the event said senior military leaders and at least 15 Cabinet members, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, are expected to attend. 'President Trump looks forward to a historic crowd at the Army Birthday Parade, where he will be joined by top military leaders, administration officials, congressional representatives, and most importantly, thousands of patriotic Americans to celebrate 250 years of honor, courage, and sacrifice by our United States military,' White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. Many Hill Republicans have shrugged off the parade's hefty price tag. But a few have raised concerns. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said in an Army budget hearing last week that the costs could range from $25 million to $40 million. He said he could not provide an exact estimate because the Army could not predict how much damage its tanks would do to the District's streets, potentially necessitating costly repairs. 'I don't want to take anything away from celebrating the anniversary of our armed forces if it helps with recruiting and patriotism,' Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington said in a brief interview. 'But it depends on what that number is. If it's $100 million, it causes one to pause.' Military leaders have defended the parade as a vital recruiting tool. But Democrats have railed against the administration for prioritizing pageantry over service members and their families. The parade, set to run along the north side of the National Mall, begins near the Pentagon — in the Virginia district represented by Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, who sees the event as a waste of money. 'Like his deployment of the military in L.A., it's a shocking waste of money at a time they are closing Social Security offices 'to save money,'' Beyer said in a statement. 'They're shutting down our regional transportation including the airport for this, and people I hear from in the military don't even want it, the whole thing is just to boost Trump's fragile ego.' Trump warned Tuesday that protesters who show up to the Saturday parade will be met with 'very big force.' Demonstrations to counter the parade are planned for other cities. Beyer said Trump's threat only added to 'the trappings of authoritarianism' the parade already carried. Roughly 6,600 troops are expected in Washington. The Army plans to roll 25 M1 Abrams main battle tanks and 150 vehicles down Constitution Avenue. A World War II-vintage B-25 bomber and P-1 fighter will join the parade, along with Vietnam-era Huey helicopters. Soldiers marching in the parade will wear uniforms from every conflict the U.S. has fought, from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Jordain Carney, Ben Jacobs and Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated how many of the 50 surveyed members said they would not attend the parade. It is seven.
