New Mexico Special Session to Blunt Federal Cuts

New Mexico lawmakers convened a special legislative session in Santa Fe on Oct. 1, 2025, at Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s request to blunt effects of federal budget cuts in H.R.1 (the “Big Beautiful Bill”) that Democrats say gut healthcare, SNAP and other supports. Democratic leaders proposed a focused package including roughly $32 million to preserve SNAP benefits and food banks, $6 million for public broadcasting including tribal stations, an additional $50 million to expand the rural health care delivery fund, and about $17 million plus expanded premium assistance for the BeWell New Mexico program. Officials warned of immediate harm: the Roadrunner Food Bank reported more than 850,000 pounds of missed shipments and estimates 20,000–50,000 New Mexicans could lose SNAP access, while state analysts project up to a $305 million revenue shortfall by FY2027. Republicans argued the session was premature because many federal changes take effect later and pushed to include public-safety and juvenile-justice measures, with House Republicans planning anti-crime proposals and leaving germane decisions to the governor. Legislative leaders said they expect bipartisan cooperation and aim to move quickly, potentially finishing the limited-session agenda in a day or two. Lawmakers negotiated removing an immigration-detention ban from the special-session proclamation so it can be considered during the regular session.