Melanie A. Stansbury

Rep. Stansbury Statement on SCOTUS Decision on Voting Rights

Position: Rep. Stansbury opposes the Supreme Court's decision in State of Louisiana v. Callais, which weakened enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. She calls for passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore voting protections and combat gerrymandering.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01)issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s 6-3 Decision in the State of Louisiana V. Callais, impacting the Voting Rights Act and the passage of new congressional maps in Florida: “The right to vote is sacred—and the very foundation of our democracy and the American promise,” said Rep. Stansbury. “Today’s 6-3 decision by the Supreme Court in the Callais case is a devastating setback in the long fight for justice, equality, and fair representation. In gutting the enforcement of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the Court has weakened the right of every American to have their voice heard at the ballot box and turns back the clock on generations of hard-fought progress. At a time when so many Americans are already deeply concerned about free and fair elections—it is more critical than ever that we organize and mobilize to ensure Americans’ voices are heard. At the same time, states with long histories of discrimination—which the Voting Rights Act was designed to combat—are moving quickly to gerrymander their districts. Hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, the Florida legislature passed deeply gerrymandered and likely unconstitutional maps under state law. Now, Mississippi is saying it will follow suit. As Justice Elena Kagan penned in her dissent, this decision has “laid the groundwork” for the largest reduction in representation since Reconstruction by eviscerating the law “born of the literal blood of Union soldiers and civil rights marchers.” As the VRA has helped usher in “awe-inspiring change” in “bringing this Nation closer to fulfilling the ideals of democracy and racial equality. Today’s decision reminds us that this is a generational fight—that the arc of history is long and we must continue to bend it towards justice. That means fighting to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, securing our elections, getting big money out of politics, and ensuring that we continue to organize and mobilize and show up to exercise our rights, now more than ever.” If you would like to talk to the Congresswoman about these decisions, please email RepStansburyPress@mail.house.gov ###

Reps. Stansbury, Vasquez, Leger Fernández Celebrate Committee Passage of Two Major Bills for New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) celebrated the passage of two major bills out of the House Natural Resources Committee: the Albuquerque Indian School Act and the Downwinder Commemoration Act, marking a major bipartisan step forward in supporting Tribal sovereignty and community development, and long-overdue recognition for Downwinders in the Tularosa Basin who were impacted by the nuclear testing at White Sands National Monument 80 years ago. The Albuquerque Indian School Act will transfer nearly 10 acres (9.89 acres) of federally managed land in Albuquerque—part of the former Albuquerque Indian School—into a trust for the benefit of New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos. The legislation puts this land back into the stewardship of New Mexico's Pueblos and IPCC to support the continued transformation of this land for educational, cultural, health, and economic purposes. Find the bill text here. The Downwinder Commemoration Act, led by Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), formally recognizes the communities harmed by radiation exposure following the 1945 Trinity Test at White Sands Missile Range which was the first atomic bomb ever tested. The bill directs the Departments of Defense and Interior to install monuments at White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and White Sands National Park, ensuring that the suffering and legacy of the Tularosa Downwinders are remembered and preserved for future generations. Find the bill text here. “This is big news for New Mexico,” Rep. Stansbury said. “With the passage of these two bills out of committee—we are not only returning land to its rightful stewards and advancing Tribal self-determination—we are honoring the resilience and sacrifice of communities who have waited generations for justice. These victories are about justice, healing, and building a better future for New Mexicans and we are so grateful for the bipartisan support for our communities.” “New Mexico’s Downwinder community has been denied the recognition it is owed for far too long,” Rep. Vasquez said. “Theunanimous passage of the Downwinder Commemoration Act out of the House Natural Resources Committee is a major step toward securing a permanent monument at White Sands National Park, a site visited by over 700,000 people each year located just miles from the Trinity Test. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I fought hard to successfully pass a law requiring monuments at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base, and this win is another major step in the right direction. If we fail to remember our history, we are doomed to repeat it. I call on the full House to pass this legislation into law." “These two bills by Reps. Vasquez and Stansbury are big for New Mexico,” Rep. Leger Fernández said. “For too long, New Mexicans were left to carry the burden of Trinity in silence. The Downwinder Commemoration Act makes sure that when people stand in awe at that site, they also understand who paid the price. Alongside our expansion of RECA—with $100,000 payments and a long-overdue apology—we are finally recognizing the harm this government caused. And with the Albuquerque Indian School Act, we are transferring land formerly used for an Indian boarding school land to the 19 Pueblos—turning a painful history into a future built on cultural sovereignty, opportunity, and respect.” “The advancement of H.R. 6162 is a meaningful step toward restoring the former Albuquerque Indian School lands to the 19 Pueblos and honoring our enduring cultural legacy,” Monique Fragua, President and CEO of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center said. “We are thankful for the leadership of Congresswoman Stansbury and the entire New Mexico delegation for their bipartisan work on getting this done on behalf of New Mexico's 19 Pueblos. For the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, this bill strengthens our ability to steward this historic site in a way that centers Pueblo voices, supports cultural education and economic development, and ensures the land continues to serve future generations.” Together, the passing of these bills represents a meaningful moment for New Mexico’s communities—grounded in respect for history, commitment to equity, and a vision for sustainable, community-driven development. The bills passed the House Natural Resources Committee with Unanimous Consent on a bipartisan basis on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and are now headed to the House floor. Watch a recording of the local press call here. ###