Republican lawmakers in Washington have not reached an agreement on a federal budget, leading to another government shutdown during President Trump’s administration. As a result, New Mexico is among the states affected by the impasse.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham addressed the consequences of the shutdown for residents. She stated, “Let’s be clear what’s at stake: If the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits are not extended, 27,000 New Mexicans could lose health coverage, and premiums across the marketplace are projected to rise by an average of 91 percent. Because my administration saw this coming, New Mexico in August identified $72 million in state funding to cover families earning under 400% of the federal poverty level, or $128,600 for a family of four.”
She also highlighted that more than 20,000 federal employees in New Mexico will miss paychecks as long as the shutdown continues. Some workers will face furloughs while others may see their roles paused altogether. The governor added that critical services such as small business loan processing and Social Security card issuance will be disrupted.
“Political dysfunction in Washington causes real-life pain for New Mexican families trying to access the services they depend on and deserve,” said Governor Lujan Grisham.
“New Mexicans deserve better than leaders who play games with people’s healthcare and livelihoods,” she concluded.
The state government has allocated $72 million from its own funds to help families most at risk if federal support lapses. This measure aims to provide some stability for those earning less than four times the federal poverty level—a threshold set at $128,600 annually for a family of four.
