Latest news with #TeresaLegerFernandez
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
More lawmakers fall asleep during early morning vote
By Published: Updated: Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are still having trouble staying awake through their overnight sessions negotiating President Donald Trump 's 'big beautiful bill.' In the middle of a session that spanned into the early hours of Wednesday morning, it was 71-year-old Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) who was caught on camera dozing off this time. The 1:00 a.m. vote on the multi-trillion-dollar bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, but is widely criticized by Democrats for gutting social programs like Medicaid and food assistance. Critics claim that Republicans are being bullied by Trump into holding the vote that's forced members of Congress to stay in session overnight on more than one occasion. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) tore into Norman in an X post exposing him for falling asleep around 2:15 a.m. during the consequential session. 'Rep. Ralph Norman is ripping health care away from 13 million Americans not exciting enough to stay awake?' the 65-year-old congresswoman posted along with a clip of Norman slipping into sleep. Some on social media pointed to Norman's age as the problem, claiming there needs to be limitations on how old a serving member of Congress can be. 'We need mandatory retirement for ALL politicians in addition to term limits,' one user responded to the footage. 'It's the only way to ensure relevant leadership at the top. The federal Congress and Senate shouldn't be in the Nursing Home business.' But just a week prior during another overnight session, three other members were caught sleeping on the job – one who is relatively young compared to the average age of those serving in Congress. Utah Republican Rep. Blake Moore, 44, was among those who was taped dozing off during the bill markup overnight from May 13 to 14. A clip shows the lawmaker being gently shaken awake by a colleague after he missed a question during his nap. Other clips emerged that night showing 71-year-old Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and 80-year-old Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) asleep on Capitol Hill. The Wednesday morning snooze-fest sparked outrage online – as did the latest mid-session nap from Norman. It's not clear what other lawmakers were sleeping but not caught on camera, but the late night sessions are clearly weighing on several members – Democrat and Republican alike. 'As a former lobbyist, I can tell you that sleeping on the job is one of the few things that Democrats and Republicans have in common,' one X user wrote when the latest clip emerged on Wednesday morning.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Democratic rep. records GOP colleague falling asleep during Trump's ‘big, beautiful bill' hearing
A Democratic lawmaker recorded her Republican colleague appearing to fall asleep in an early morning hearing on Trump 's ' One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.' New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández posted a video to X of South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman nodding off during an overnight voting session. The bill would slash taxes and increase spending on oil drilling, the military, and immigration. It is also expected to make cuts to Medicaid benefits and SNAP food assistance. '@RepRalphNorman is ripping health care away from 13 million Americans not exciting enough to stay awake?' Fernandez captioned her post.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Fury as more lawmakers fall asleep during early morning vote on Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are still having trouble staying awake through their overnight sessions negotiating President Donald Trump 's 'big beautiful bill.' In the middle of a session that spanned into the early hours of Wednesday morning, it was 71-year-old Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) who was caught on camera dozing off this time. The 1:00 a.m. vote on the multi-trillion-dollar bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, but is widely criticized by Democrats for gutting social programs like Medicaid and food assistance. Critics claim that Republicans are being bullied by Trump into holding the vote that's forced members of Congress to stay in session overnight on more than one occasion. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) tore into Norman in an X post exposing him for falling asleep around 2:15 a.m. during the consequential session. Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) was also seen rubbing his eyes as he got sleeping during the latest overnight session from May 20-21 'Rep. Ralph Norman is ripping health care away from 13 million Americans not exciting enough to stay awake?' the 65-year-old congresswoman posted along with a video of Norman slipping into sleep. Some on social media pointed to Norman's age as the problem, claiming there needs to be limitations on how old a serving member of Congress can be. 'We need mandatory retirement for ALL politicians in addition to term limits,' one user responded to the video. 'It's the only way to ensure relevant leadership at the top. The federal Congress and Senate shouldn't be in the Nursing Home business.' But just a week prior during another overnight session, three other members were caught sleeping on the job – one who is relatively young compared to the average age of those serving in Congress. Utah Republican Rep. Blake Moore, 44, was among those who was taped dozing off during the bill markup overnight from May 13 to 14. A clip shows the lawmaker being gently shaken awake by a colleague after he missed a question during his nap. Other videos emerged that night showing 71-year-old Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and 80-year-old Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) asleep on Capitol Hill. Other videos show the hilarious moments Republican Rep. Blake Moore (left) and Democrat Rep. Jan Schakowsky (right) took a snooze in the hearing room The Wednesday morning snooze-fest sparked outrage online – as did the latest mid-session nap from Norman. It's not clear what other lawmakers were sleeping but not caught on camera, but the late night sessions are clearly weighing on several members – Democrat and Republican alike. 'As a former lobbyist, I can tell you that sleeping on the job is one of the few things that Democrats and Republicans have in common,' one X user wrote when the latest video emerged on Wednesday morning.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers look to protect the Pecos Watershed from new mining operations
PECOS, N.M. (KRQE) – The Trump Administration's move to reopen northern New Mexico forest land for mining has the state's federal delegation pushing back. The state leaders worry that mining will threaten the pristine Pecos Watershed. 'We need to remember the headwaters of the Pecos provides life-giving water all the way through the Pecos, down through the village of Villanueva where my family is from, all the way to Texas. These are pristine waters,' said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-Santa Fe, Congressional Dist. 3). The latest fight from New Mexico's congressional delegation aims to protect the Pecos as they reintroduce the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. The federal legislation looks to stop mining around the northern New Mexico river. Middle schoolers invited to hands-on outdoor adventure exploring Bosque wildlife 'They would prevent any destructive activity and not just in the area but also the flow downstream from any damage,' said Rep. Anita Gonzales (D-San Miguel, Torrance Counties). The legislation comes after the Trump Administration's recent decision to reverse the Bureau of Land Management's and the U.S. Forest Service's protections of the Upper Pecos Watershed from new mining operations. The reversal reopens mining opportunities on federal lands. Opponents on Monday said rural communities want to protect the river because farmers, recreationists, and others rely on it. 'The water is important because it is both the source of their drinking water and it is the source of the water that floods their fields in the springtime,' said Rep. Leger Fernandez. Travel + Leisure rates New Mexico spot as most beautiful Lawmakers have been trying to get the act passed since 2020 in each Congress, recalling the 1991 toxic waste spill from a closed mine, which caused a massive fish kill. 'We do not want that contamination again. We have lived through what mining can do to the waters of the Pecos, and we want to prevent that,' added Rep. Leger Fernandez. The Trump Administration hasn't said yet if the feds are working on any new mining agreements near the Pecos. However, a company has shown interest in years past for an exploratory mining project in the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
31-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
New Mexico Republicans appear to blame Democrats following vandalism and arson attack on HQ
New Mexico's Senate Republicans appear to have laid the blame for a weekend arson and vandalism attack on their headquarters in Albuquerque at the feet of the Democrats. 'In the wake of a prominent Democrat official calling for her supporters to be 'agitators,' it appears some unhinged supporters took the message to heart and acted out in a violent manner. Democrats must turn down the rhetoric and restore civility to our political process,' a press release said. The headquarters were targeted by vandals who spraypainted 'ICE = KKK' at the entrance and also set a fire inside. The Republican Party said it is working closely with federal investigators, local law enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Crews arrived at the building just before 6.00 am and contained Sunday's fire within five minutes, Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) said. The GOP claimed the fire was caused by arson. AFR is still investigating the incident. No injuries have yet been reported. 'It's very early in the investigation. I know they are reviewing our camera footage and neighboring camera footage as well,' said party chairwoman Amy Barela. Political leaders across the state shared statements on the alleged arson online. 'Political violence is unacceptable, including the arson attack on New Mexico's GOP (Grand Old Party) headquarters. The perpetrators must be held accountable. Every American should be able to freely and safely participate in our democracy,' Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez posted to X, formerly Twitter. 'At my town hall yesterday, I spoke about love in action – about the importance of showing respect and listening. That is what we need right now.' Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said: 'We do not yet know the full details of the fire early this morning at the Republican Party's headquarters, but let me be clear, arson is a violent and cowardly act that has no place in our city... Politically motivated crimes of any kind are unacceptable.' District councilors also condemned acts of political violence and said they were grateful no one was harmed.
