NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – She’s one of the top lawmakers tasked with making sure the new Department of Government Efficiency is doing what it’s supposed to. New Mexico Rep. Melanie Stansbury said there’s cause for alarm.
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The New Mexico Democrat said if Elon Musk and DOGE dismantle the Department of Education, the effects could be severe for New Mexico.
Representative Stansbury is worried New Mexico could lose important federal funding. She said she and her colleagues are fighting back to make sure to protect those funds. “These indiscriminate cuts to federal programs, the firing of federal employees, the gutting of these programs is going to affect every aspect of life for New Mexicans,” said Stansbury.
Stansbury said she’s worried the Department of Education will soon lose major federal funding after Elon Musk and DOGE announced they plan to make cuts within the department.
“Our schools are already struggling to meet the needs of our kids and if you gut funding for these schools, where are our kids going to go? Fighting back to make sure that we’re protecting that funding is essential right now,” said Stansbury.
She said those cuts would have major consequences to public schools and tribal education. That’s not her only concern; she’s also worried about federal employee firings. “They set into motion a series of federal funding freezes that caused absolute chaos for the state of New Mexico. Countless nonprofits, the state Medicaid system, clinics, were all shut down. Our universities are still reporting that they’re locked out of their grant systems,” said Stansbury.
Her concern is also with the state’s national labs and military bases. “It’s threatening the security of our families and national security,” Stansbury said.
As ranking member of the DOGE subcommittee, Stansbury said she’ll fight back against any funding cuts and federal firings. “Our strategy is really 3 parts. One is take it to court. A lot of these executive orders and actions directly violate the law,” said Stansbury.
President Donald Trump created DOGE, with Musk at its helm, with the directive to shrink the federal government by firing workers, cutting programs, and slashing federal programs. All part of his “Save America” agenda.
The New Mexico Public Education Department said in a statement to KRQE:
New Mexico remains committed to ensuring our students, educators, and schools have the resources they need to succeed, regardless of changes at the federal level. My staff is closely monitoring policy shifts and working with state and local leaders to adapt our programs and funding strategies accordingly. We will continue advocating for New Mexico’s fair share of federal education support while leveraging state resources to maintain and expand critical programs for our students and communities.
Mariana D. Padilla, Secretary-Designate of Public Education.