Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The skull, part of the full skeletal remains of the first baby Pentaceratops dinosaur ever discovered and the skull of an adult Pentaceratops were airlifted from the Bisti Wilderness/Ah-shi-sle-pah Wilderness Study Area in the Four Corners region of New Mexico today by two New Mexico National Guard Black Hawk helicopters.
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after voting in favor of the bipartisan budget agreement: “While it’s not perfect, this two-year bipartisan budget agreement provides a reasonable blueprint for investing in America’s future. The agreement reaffirms the fact that America always pays its bills. It also stops devastating sequestration cuts and gives families and businesses the certainty they need to spend and invest in ways that will help boost the economy.”
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce issued this statement following the election of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) to be the next Speaker of the House: “As I’ve said often, every American deserves a government that is effective, efficient and accountable. Today’s election marks a transition. My hope is that it will be a turning point toward transparency and away from brinkmanship. “I supported the nomination of Mr. Webster (R-Fla.) in yesterday’s Conference vote. Today, 34 of the 43 who voted for Mr. Webster yesterday, including myself, joined in supporting Mr. Ryan on the House Floor. “With his experience as a committee chairman, I am confident that Speaker Ryan can kick-start the legislative process and restore effectiveness. I congratulate him and his family and look forward to working together to create a healthy economy and rebuild our nation one step at a time.”
U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined in a letter led by U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter outlining their concerns over reports of significant harm to the finances and credit of active servicemembers while deployed. The senators are requesting specific information and feedback to help ensure all servicemembers have the tools they need to safeguard their financial security.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced a commitment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize $5.6 billion over the next two years within USDA programs and services that serve new and beginning farmers and ranchers. Deputy Secretary Harden also announced a new, tailored web tool designed to connect burgeoning farm entrepreneurs with programs and resources available to help them get started.
