Ben Ray Luján
Democrat · Senator for New Mexico
88 sponsored · 510 cosponsored
In the Senate since 2021, in Congress since 2009
Age 54
Contact their office: (202) 224-6621 · 498 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 · Official website
In the 119th Congress (2025–2026)
- Sponsored 88 bills.The typical senator sponsored 61. Bills they wrote, not ones they signed on to.
- 3 bills they backed became law.They cosponsored them.
- 20 passed the Senate and wait on the House.The House has to pass the same text before it can become law.
- Missed 12 of 915 recorded votes (1.3%).The typical senator missed 2.2%. The record doesn’t say why.
- Works most on health and education.91 and 56 of the 598 bills they wrote or backed.
What they got done
Most bills never get a vote. These are the ones they wrote or backed that got somewhere.
Became law (3)
This bill amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. This bill aims to remove barriers for agricultural producers trying to access funds for emergency conservation measures.
Became law · 119-S-629
- Yes: Would farmers be better off under this?The bill expands the types of eligible wildfire damage and allows producers to access up to 75 percent of costs upfront. +6
Its primary purpose is to reauthorize the Congressional Award Act. The bill extends the termination date of the program from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2028.
Became law · 119-S-284
- Yes: Would children be better off under this?The extension of the Congressional Award Program ensures continued recognition and opportunities for young people. +3
This bill amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996. It serves to reauthorize the sale of aircraft and parts from the Department of Defense for wildfire suppression.
Became law · 119-S-160
- Yes: Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?The bill enhances firefighting capabilities by expanding the types of materials aircraft can drop to aid in wildfire suppression. +5
Passed one chamber, waiting on the other (20)
Halfway: the other chamber has to pass the same text before it can go to the President.
- Their billNew Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination ActSep 23, 2026
This bill is about improving how the Federal Government works together with the governing bodies and community users of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-1363
- Yes: Would people in rural areas be better off under this?The bill directly benefits rural communities in New Mexico by protecting traditional land uses and infrastructure. +6
- Their billTechnical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement ActDec 11, 2025
This Act makes several technical corrections to existing laws regarding water development funds.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-640
- Yes: Would Native Americans be better off under this?The bill directly increases funding for water development trust funds for the Navajo Nation, Taos Pueblo, and Aamodt Settlement Pueblos. +7
This bill orders the transfer of specific federal land in New Mexico into trust for the benefit of 19 specific Indian Pueblos. The land totals about 9.89 acres and was historically part of the Albuquerque Indian School.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-3219
- Yes: Would Native Americans be better off under this?The bill transfers approximately 9.89 acres of land into trust for the direct benefit of 19 specific New Mexico Pueblos. +7
And 17 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.
Still waiting, of the 88 bills they wrote: 86 are in committee. Committee is where most bills end, whoever writes them — silence there, not a vote, is the usual way a bill dies.
What their bills would do
Every bill is scored against plain yes-or-no questions. These count their bills — the ones they wrote and the ones they cosponsored — by how each question was answered: yes, or the opposite. Open one to see those bills, where each stands, and why it was scored that way. Scores are made by AI ().
Who their bills would affect
What else they would change
How they voted lately
Their latest votes that decided something, and what each measure would do.
This bill sets national rules for student athlete name, image, and likeness rights. It creates protections for academic progress, medical coverage, and health and safety standards.
The vote on whether to pass the bill — Bill Passed
- Yes: Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?Significantly expands earning potential through NIL rights and provides medical and academic protections for college athletes. +9
- No: Does this leave more decisions to the states?Prevents states from enforcing their own NIL compensation and transfer laws that conflict with the federal framework. -5
119-S-4668 · roll call 250
What the Amendment Does As folks looking out for the good of the people and holding our officials accountable, we need to know what our leaders are trying to change. This amendment, submitted by Mr. Booker and Mr.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6835 · roll call 249
- YeaTo increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.Sep 29, 2026
What the Amendment Does Mr. Booker, along with Mr. Blumenthal, submitted this amendment to change how a specific fund or program is paid for in the bill.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6805 · roll call 248
On the President’s nominees
The President chooses federal judges, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and military officers, and the Senate decides whether each one gets the job. Most are confirmed by voice vote, which records no one’s position; in the 119th Congress (2025–2026) the Senate put 223 confirmations to a recorded vote, and confirmed every one.
They voted to confirm 7 and against 210, and did not vote on 6. Those votes covered 587 nominees, because the Senate sometimes confirms many in a single vote.
The 5 most recent they voted against
Keith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of Labor, vice Lori Chavez-DeRemer, resigned.
Nomination Confirmed 47–41 · Sep 30, 2026
Angela Veronica Colmenero, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, vice Lee H. Rosenthal, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 50–47 · Sep 23, 2026
Kasdin Miller Mitchell, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, vice Barbara M. Lynn, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 49–45 · Sep 17, 2026
Matthew R. Byrne, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio, vice Michael H. Watson, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 52–45 · Sep 15, 2026
Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General, vice Pamela Bondi.
Nomination Confirmed 50–49 · Aug 8, 2026
How busy they have been
How many bills they have put their name to over time — volume, not results: most bills never get a vote.