Leger Fernández Stands With Downwinders Today — After Voting No When They Needed Her Most

SANTA FE, N.M. — On Friday Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández joined New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard and downwinder advocates at a press conference announcing a new ban on uranium leasing on state lands.

But it doesn’t erase her real record.

In 2025, Congress passed the largest expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in its history — delivering compensation, for the first time ever, to New Mexico downwinders and expanded uranium workers. It was the culmination of decades of advocacy by the very communities Leger Fernández decided to stand beside in her convenient election-time photo op.

When the bill reached the House floor, Leger Fernández voted no — not once, but twice. She voted against final passage on May 22, 2025, and again on July 3, 2025, when the House sent the bill to the President’s desk.

Leger Fernández even admitted the RECA provision “was the right thing to do.” She voted against it anyway.

“New Mexico’s downwinders waited decades for justice,” said Martin Zamora. “When it finally arrived, Teresa Leger turned her back on them to toe the party line. Now she wants to stand next to them for a photo. New Mexicans deserve a representative who shows up when it counts — not just when the cameras are rolling.”

Zamora has committed to standing with New Mexico’s downwinder and uranium worker communities regardless of political convenience.

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