<ul class="summary-list"><li>Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján's office announced Tuesday he had suffered a stroke. </li><li>His absence means that Democrats' razor-thin Senate majority is gone.</li></ul>News that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sen-ben-ray-lujn-suffers-stroke-expected-to-make-recovery-2022-2">Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico had suffered a stroke</a> shocked Congress Tuesday, with colleagues expressing concern for his welfare and relief when his office announced he was expected to make a full recovery. But with the duration of his recovery time unknown, his absence also exposed the fragility of the <keyword id="12134721" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="democratic-party" source="Orion">Democratic Party</keyword>'s control of the Senate.Currently, the Senate is divided 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris holding a tie-breaker vote, the narrowest possible way for a party to have control of the chamber.The filibuster rule, requiring at least 60 votes for many measures, already put many actions beyond the reach of Democrats with Republican help.But there were other steps, including so-called reconciliation bills devoted to finance and approving nominees to the <keyword id="11893011" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword>, which could be done with 50 votes and the tie-breaker.Without Luján, that can only be done with help from at least one Republican senator.Justice Stephen Breyer <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-black-woman-supreme-court-affirmative-action-Biden-childs-2022-1?r=US&amp;IR=T">announcement last week that he was retiring from the Supreme Court, meant that President Joe Biden will be able</a> to make the first Supreme Court pick of his presidency. It was a much-needed boost for Democrats after a string of legislative setbacks, and bad news on issues ranging from the Ukraine crisis to inflation badly dented Biden's poll ratings. Also on the cards was passing some form of Biden's signature Build Back better bill, a sweeping climate social care and climate change package that has stalled amid the the opposition of Democratic moderate Sen. Joe Manchin.Democrats had discussed breaking up th<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cap-skinny-build-back-better-biden-child-tax-credit-2022-2?r=US&amp;IR=T">e bill and passing key parts of the package that Manchin had signaled he could back. </a>Luján's absence casts doubt over the ability of Democrats to deliver. <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/02/politics/senate-democrats-supreme-court-ben-ray-lujan/index.html">CNN projected</a> that if Biden moved according to the timetable he has mapped out, and nominates a new justice by the end of the month, the Senate could still proceed as planned even with Luján out of action for two months.Having lost his majority for the time being, Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will only be able to press ahead with bills likely to gather some Republican backing, which could perhaps be found on measures such as extra sanctions for Russia.Former President Donald Trump may further complicate matters. Trump has attacked Senate Republicans for any compromises with Democrats, and could perceive Luján's absence as another area where he will push the party to obstruct Biden's party at all costs.

With Sen. Luján in the hospital after a stroke, Democrats have no Senate majority and can't pass anything without GOP help

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Sen. Ben Ray Luján of <keyword id="11996224" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="new-mexico" source="Orion">New Mexico</keyword>, a 49-year-old Democrat, suffered a <keyword id="11910033" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="stroke" source="Orion">stroke</keyword> last week and is recovering.</li><li>"Senator Luján looks forward to getting back to work for the people of New Mexico," his chief of staff said.</li></ul>Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico suffered a stroke last Thursday and is currently recovering in an Albuquerque hospital, his office announced on Tuesday.Luján, 49, checked himself into a hospital in Santa Fe after "experiencing dizziness and fatigue," according to a statement from Carlos Sanchez, the senator's chief of staff. He was later transferred to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque."Senator Luján was found to have suffered a stroke in the cerebellum, affecting his balance," his office said. "As part of his treatment plan, he subsequently underwent decompressive surgery to ease swelling."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Senator Ben Ray Luján (@SenatorLujan) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1488618483017523205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2022</a></blockquote>Luján's office says he remains in the hospital but is expected to make a full recovery, and his office remains open for constituent services."The Senator and his family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and staff at both UNM Hospital and Christus St. Vincent Regional Hospital for their excellent care during this time," his office said in the statement. "Senator Luján looks forward to getting back to work for the people of New Mexico."Luján's absence from Washington leaves the Senate Democratic Caucus down 1 vote for as long as he's recovering. Given the chamber's 50-50 partisan split — which has required Vice President Kamala Harris to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/584990-harris-sets-record-for-most-tie-breaking-votes-in-recent-history">break ties in the Senate 15 different times</a> — his absence may make it difficult for the chamber to confirm judicial nominees or pass contentious legislation.Recently, a <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/589617-schatz-tests-positive-for-covid-19">COVID-19 diagnosis from Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii</a> upended <keyword id="12012766" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="senate-democrats" source="Orion">Senate Democrats</keyword>' schedule amid a push on voting rights. <a href="https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1488633031053168640?s=20&amp;t=9txmjTQcJrFpeo8GZ8vggA">Asked about Luján's absence by Politico reporter Burgess Everett</a>, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin said, "oh my god. I didn't know that." He wasn't sure if the absence would affect the schedule.Several senators and New Mexico politicians wished Luján well, with Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (no relation) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMLG/status/1488626823286116354">calling him</a> a "tough norteño," while predicting he'll be "back on the Senate floor fighting for New Mexico families in no time."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1488626823286116354">February 1, 2022</a></blockquote>Luján's fellow New Mexico senator, Martin Heinrich, <a href="https://twitter.com/MartinHeinrich/status/1488632588214444033?s=20">said</a> he was sending his "best wishes" to his colleague, as well as his staff and family. Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez <a href="https://twitter.com/RepTeresaLF/status/1488620122122108930?s=20&amp;t=9txmjTQcJrFpeo8GZ8vggA">said</a> she was "lighting a candle and sending both our prayers and our love" to Luján, while Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury <a href="https://twitter.com/Rep_Stansbury/status/1488623272082259976?s=20&amp;t=qlAJBLth5TDAso1h70p69g">said</a> New Mexico "needs you and your love for our state back in Washington, D.C."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (@RepTeresaLF) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1488620122122108930">February 1, 2022</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Rep. Melanie Stansbury (@Rep_Stansbury) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1488623272082259976">February 1, 2022</a></blockquote>And Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell said Luján was in her prayers.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Rep. Yvette Herrell (@RepHerrell) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1488623768922693633">February 1, 2022</a></blockquote>

Sen. Ben Ray Luján suffered a stroke and underwent surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery, his office announces

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Two Democratic senators introduced a bill called The Health <keyword id="535763" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Misinformation">Misinformation</keyword> Act on Thursday.</li><li>It would make social-media firms liable when algorithms promote misinformation during health emergencies.</li><li>The Biden administration has argued with <keyword id="6354576" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="facebook">Facebook</keyword> over its role in vaccine hesitancy.</li></ul>Sen. <keyword id="911099" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Amy-Klobuchar">Amy Klobuchar</keyword> and Sen. Ben Ray Luján introduced a <a href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22733658/EHF21778.pdf">bill</a> on Thursday that, if passed into law, would make <keyword id="6354632" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="social-media">social media</keyword> companies like Facebook and Twitter liable for any misinformation on their platforms if it is promoted by their algorithms during a health emergency.The Health Misinformation Act calls for companies to be treated as publishers during public-health emergencies such as the <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> pandemic.The bill wouldn't penalise companies for simply allowing misinformation to appear on a user's feed - it excludes misinformation promoted "through a neutral mechanism, such as through the use of chronological functionality."The bill would amend <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-section-230-internet-law-communications-decency-act-explained-2020-5">Section 230</a>, a part of US law that protects social media companies from legal liability for user-posted content. <keyword id="2742716" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="section-230">Section 230</keyword> also enshrines their right to moderate their platforms as they see fit.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-officials-google-facebook-amazon-antitrust-tech-2021-7">These 7 powerful people are behind Biden's bid to break up Big Tech</a>Klobuchar and Luján's bill comes after the Biden administration clashed with Facebook over whether it was responsible for vaccine hesitancy in the US.President Joe Biden said on June 16 that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/joe-biden-facebook-socia-media-platforms-killing-people-vaccine-misinformation-2021-7">social media companies were "killing people"</a> by allowing anti-vaccine misinformation to circulate. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-walks-back-comments-facebook-is-killing-people-2021-7">Biden rowed back on Monday</a>, saying the spreaders of misinformation on social media, not the platforms, were killing people.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-white-house-looking-for-scapegoat-for-missing-vaccine-goal-2021-7">Facebook said the Biden administration was looking for a scapegoat</a> to blame for its missed target of vaccinating 70% of the adult population by July 4. At time of writing, 56% of adults in America have <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations">received at least one vaccine dose</a>.<div type="image" title="Mark Zuckerberg" height="1904" width="2538" msid="84677914" hostid="261"></div>Facebook VP of public policy Kevin Martin said in a statement to Insider: "We believe clarification on the difficult and urgent questions about health related misinformation would be helpful and look forward to working with Congress and the industry as we consider options for reform."He added Facebook has "long supported" reform to Section 230.Twitter declined to comment when contacted by Insider.Facebook CEO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zuckerberg-dorsey-section-230-could-harm-internet-free-speech-2020-10?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">Mark Zuckerberg told a Senate hearing in October 2020</a> that while he supported updates to Section 230, stripping back the protections it gives to social media companies would hurt freedom of speech.

2 Democrat Senators want to make Big Tech companies liable when their algorithms promote health misinformation

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial race. </li><li>The state voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election cycle since 1992, excluding 2004. </li></ul>Democratic incumbent Michelle Lujan Grisham defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial election. Polls closed in the state at 7 p.m. local time, or 9 p.m. EST.<iframe id="embed-6489cf5e-c9c3-4eea-8ef8-89f3ef703ea0" src="https://embeds.ddhq.io/app/v2/client/1.0/index.html?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" frameborder="0" width="100%"></iframe><h2>New Mexico's gubernatorial candidates</h2>Grisham is the 32nd governor of New Mexico. <a href="https://www.governor.state.nm.us/our-leadership/governor/">Prior to being elected governor</a>, she represented the 1st Congressional District in the US House for three terms and chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus during the 115th Congress. Before joining Congress, Grisham was a member of the Bernalillo County Commission and also served as head of New Mexico's State Department of Health from 2004 to 2007 under Gov. Bill Richardson. Grisham was elected to the governorship in 2018, becoming the first Democratic Latina to be elected governor in the country's history. <a href="https://markronchetti.com/meet-mark/">Ronchetti</a>, Grisham's challenger, is a certified meteorologist and worked as the chief meteorologist for Albuquerque's CBS and FOX affiliates. He was the Republican nominee for US Senate in 2020, and was defeated by Sen. Ben Ray Luján, then-incumbent representative for New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. <h2>New Mexico's voting history </h2>President Joe Biden had a 10 percentage point margin of victory in 2020, and the <a href="https://www.270towin.com/states/New_Mexico">state voted for the Democratic candidate in seven of the last eight elections</a> — in 2004, George W. Bush won the state by a slim margin of less than 1% of the vote. <h2>The money race</h2>According to the <a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/2539602/ronchetti-outraises-lujan-grisham-as-election-day-nears.html">Albuquerque Journal</a>, Grisham raised in excess of $11.1 million, as of October 3. Her opponent, Ronchetti, raised more than $7.8 million, as of October 3. <h2>What experts say</h2>The race between Grisham and Ronchetti was rated as "lean Democratic" by <a href="https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor">Inside Elections</a>, "lean Democratic" by <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings">The Cook Political Report</a>, and "leans Democratic" by <a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2022-governor/">Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics</a>.

Results: Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham defeats Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial election

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is running against Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial race. </li><li>The state voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election cycle since 1992, excluding 2004. </li></ul>Democratic incumbent Michelle Lujan Grisham faces off against Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial election. <h2>New Mexico's gubernatorial candidates</h2>Grisham is the 32nd governor of New Mexico. <a href="https://www.governor.state.nm.us/our-leadership/governor/">Prior to being elected governor</a>, she represented the 1st Congressional District in the US House for three terms and chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus during the 115th Congress. Before joining Congress, Grisham was a member of the Bernalillo County Commission and also served as head of New Mexico's State Department of Health from 2004 to 2007 under Gov. Bill Richardson. Grisham was elected to the governorship in 2018, becoming the first Democratic Latina to be elected governor in the country's history. <a href="https://markronchetti.com/meet-mark/">Ronchetti</a>, Grisham's challenger, is a certified meteorologist and worked as the chief meteorologist for Albuquerque's CBS and FOX affiliates. He was the Republican nominee for US Senate in 2020, and was defeated by Sen. Ben Ray Luján, then-incumbent representative for New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. <h2>New Mexico's voting history </h2>President Joe Biden had an 11 percentage point margin of victory in 2020, and the <a href="https://www.270towin.com/states/New_Mexico">state voted for the Democratic candidate in seven of the last eight elections</a> — in 2004, George W. Bush won the state by a slim margin of less than 1% of the vote. <h2>The money race</h2>According to the <a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/2539602/ronchetti-outraises-lujan-grisham-as-election-day-nears.html">Albuquerque Journal</a>, Grisham has so far raised in excess of $11.1 million, as of October 3. Her opponent, Ronchetti, has raised more than $7.8 million, as of October 3. <h2>What experts say</h2>The race between Grisham and Ronchetti is rated as "lean Democratic" by <a href="https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor">Inside Elections</a>, "lean Democratic" by <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings">The Cook Political Report</a>, and "leans Democratic" by <a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2022-governor/">Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics</a>.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham faces off against Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial election

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Rep. <keyword id="4705693" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="ruben-gallego">Ruben Gallego</keyword> urged <keyword id="163030" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="new-mexico">New Mexico</keyword> Gov. <keyword id="6598558" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Michelle-Lujan-Grisham">Michelle Lujan Grisham</keyword> to draw districts "amplifying Hispanic voices."</li><li>New Mexico is one of a handful of states where Democrats control the <keyword id="1741585" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Redistricting">redistricting</keyword> process.</li><li>Gallego also said Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a newly-elected congresswoman, did not represent the "great diversity" of the state.</li></ul>On May 6th, Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona sent a letter addressed to New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and NM House Speaker Brian Egolf that urged the two top Democrats to redraw the state's congressional districts with the goal of "amplifying Hispanic voices."He also said that Melanie Stansbury, a white congresswoman who recently won a special election in New Mexico's 1st district, did not reflect the state's "great diversity."The letter -- obtained by Insider through a public records request -- was written under the auspices of BOLD PAC, a political committee tied to the <keyword id="1470511" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Congressional-Hispanic-Caucus">Congressional Hispanic Caucus</keyword>. As the US Census Bureau prepares to release data for redistricting, Democrats in blue states are likely to face pressure to shore up their numbers where they can, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/next-redistricting-republican-advantage-over-democrats-2022-midterms-2021-2">given fears that they could lose seats amid Republican-led redistricting in other states.</a>"Redistricting has been partisan forever," said Wendy Underhill, director of the elections and redistricting team at the National Conference of State Legislatures. She also said it was normal for particular communities to communicate their interests to lawmakers during redistricting periods."It is absolutely well within the right of any citizen, any group to make their interests known to those who will do redistricting. Very common," she said."Given CHC BOLD PAC's commitment to amplifying diverse voices by electing Latino and Hispanic candidates to Congress, we hope the state takes the redistricting process as an opportunity to ensure that the large Hispanic population, especially in southern New Mexico, is well reflected in the state's congressional delegation," the BOLD PAC letter read.Egolf, the state house speaker, previously drew criticism for suggesting that the state's southern congressional district would be redrawn after a Democrat lost her re-election battle there in 2020. "So this is the last election for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District with a map that looks like it looks now," <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-redistricting-steve-pearce-elections-house-elections-86a3113b29a38a622ac3b5216e818a06">Egolf told the AP</a>. "So next time it'll be a different district and we'll have to see what that means for Republican chances to hold it."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1413514369061715969">July 9, 2021</a></blockquote>Egolf <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-primary-elections-elections-redistricting-1665e17b822fa2d38e602a1c25363db8">walked back the comments within days</a>, but political observers in the state continue to wonder whether state Democrats will overrule the state's new citizen redistricting committee, which plays merely an advisory role. Egolf himself was previously opposed to the commission, arguing it "puts at tremendous peril all of the progressive causes that we care about."New Mexico is one of just a handful of states where <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-census-delays-are-upending-the-redistricting-process-explainer-2021-2">Democrats have full control over the process and could theoretically gain new Democratic-leaning seats through redistricting.</a><iframe title="Who controls redistricting in each state" id="datawrapper-chart-haJjO" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/haJjO/3/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% ; border: none;" height="535"></iframe>"It's a new commission, well considered by the legislature," Underhill said of the redistricting committee. "It wasn't a willy-nilly kind of approach to this at all, they took some time to think this through. And the proof will be in the pudding."Nora Sackett, a spokeswoman for the governor, told Insider, "We don't have any comment on the specifics of redistricting at this stage as that is the prerogative of the Legislature - beyond stating the governor's expectation is that fair and representative maps be drawn."<h2>Gallego calls out Rep. Stansbury's identity</h2>"Much like the state as a whole, the majority of those who call the 1st district home are people of color, including half who are Hispanic," Gallegos also wrote in the letter. "Yet the Democratic nominee to fill this vacant seat does not reflect this great diversity." Nonetheless, <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?data_type=processed&amp;committee_id=C00765099&amp;contributor_name=C00365536&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2022&amp;line_number=F3-11Cne_number=F3-11C">BOLD PAC contributed $5,000 to Stansbury's campaign</a> 12 days later.A spokeswoman for Stansbury did not respond specifically to Gallego's remarks about the congresswoman's identity. "Having grown up in Albuquerque in a working family, the congresswoman has dedicated her career to fighting for all New Mexicans and knows that our tight-knit, multicultural communities bind our state together," said Julia Friedmann, Stansbury's communications director.Reached for comment, the other Democratic members of the state's congressional delegation defended Stansbury."As a born and raised New Mexican, Congresswoman Stansbury has been immersed in the community throughout her life and career in public service," said Adan Serna, a spokesman for Sen. Ben Ray Lujan. "Congresswoman Stansbury is a strong representative for New Mexico's first Congressional district," said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez.Both Lujan and Leger Fernandez are members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Lujan Grisham, who previously chaired the caucus while serving in congress, said through her spokeswoman that Stansbury is "a terrific New Mexican public servant."Rep. Gallego, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and BOLD PAC did not respond to requests for comment.

Hispanic Caucus PAC chair urged NM Democrats redraw congressional districts while "amplifying Hispanic voices," teeing up redistricting fights ahead

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Polls have closed in the race between Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Luján and Republican Mark Ronchetti, who are facing off for US Senate in <keyword id="163030" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="new-mexico">New Mexico</keyword>.</li><li>Luján is the projected winner, according to Decision Desk HQ.</li><li>Luján has represented New Mexico's 3rd District since 2009, and has served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and House Assistant Democratic Leader.</li><li>Luján outraised Ronchetti by a nearly five-to-one ratio.</li><li>See the live coverage and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/2020-senate-election-results">full results from the U.S. Senate elections</a></li></ul>Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Luján is the projected winner in the race against Republican Mark Ronchetti for US Senate in New Mexico. <h2>The candidates</h2>Luján has represented New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District, which includes the northern part of the state and the state's capital of Santa Fe, for over a decade since 2009. He previously served on New Mexico's Public Regulation Commission. In the House, Luján took on leadership positions as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Democrats' campaign arm, from 2015 to 2019. He currently serves as the House Assistant Democratic Leader, making him currently the highest-ranking Hispanic member of the House. Luján announced his candidacy for US Senate in 2019 shortly after current Sen. Mark Udall announced his retirement, and quickly cleared the field to secure the Democratic nomination. His <a href="https://benraylujan.com/priorities/">campaign platform emphasized</a> investing in New Mexico families and improving opportunities and outcomes for children, strengthening New Mexico's economy, especially at New Mexico's bases and national labs, and protecting New Mexico's natural resources and public lands. Ronchetti, the Republican candidate, is a former TV news reporter and meteorologist in Albuquerque. <a href="https://www.markronchetti.com/issues">His campaign platform</a> emphasizes lowering taxes and bringing more economic development to New Mexico, protecting 2nd Amendment rights, and bolstering security along the US' southern border. Lujan outraised Ronchetti by a nearly five-to-one-ratio, <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2020&amp;id=NMS2NMS2">according to the Center for Responsive Politics.</a> Lujan brought in $6.1 million and has over $3.3 million cash on hand. Ronchetti raised $1.38 million and has $570,000 in cash on hand. Polls showed Lujan leading Ronchetti, and experts like the <a href="https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings">Cook Political Report</a> and <a href="https://insideelections.com/ratings/senate">Inside Elections</a> rated the race between Smith and Lewis as "safe Democratic" while <a href="http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2020-senate/">Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics</a> rated it "likely Democratic."

Ben Ray Luján is the projected winner over Mark Ronchetti in the US Senate race in New Mexico

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Sen. Bernie Sanders forced a floor vote on a resolution on Israel and Gaza.</li><li>It would've required the State Department to say whether Israel is violating human rights.</li></ul>Just 11 senators on Tuesday evening supported advancing a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/HLA2314621.pdf">resolution</a> from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sanders-urges-biden-revoke-financial-support-israel-netanyahu-gaza-palestinians-2024-1">Sen. Bernie Sanders</a> that would have significantly escalated congressional oversight of US military aid to Israel.Seventy-two senators, including nearly all Republicans, voted to table a motion to advance the resolution; 17 senators missed the vote.The vote comes as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 24,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel has waged a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-indicated-concluded-most-fighting-northern-gaza-2024-1">brutal military campaign</a> in the densely populated territory since the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7.The issue <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-divide-democrats-ukraine-republicans-hamas-gaza-2023-10">continues to split Democrats</a>, with some progressive lawmakers calling for a cease-fire as others, particularly Sanders, push to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/conditions-us-aid-israel-blank-check-bernie-sanders-2023-11">place restrictions on the billions of dollars in military aid</a> that the US provides to the Jewish state each year.Under a relatively obscure provision within US law, the resolution would have forced the State Department to provide Congress with a report on human rights violations by Israel."We will be voting on a very simple question: do you support asking the State Department whether human rights violations may have occurred using US equipment or assistance in this war?" Sanders said during a floor speech last week. "I hope it is not controversial to ask how US weapons are being used."But Republicans were nearly unanimous in their opposition — Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only one to support the resolution."The resolution brought forward by Sen. Sanders is little more than performative left-wing politics," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a floor speech earlier on Tuesday. "Israel deserves America's firm support as it roots out terrorist killers and restores its security."And even most Democrats — including those who say they're concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza — did not vote to advance the resolution.Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement that he would vote against the resolution because he doesn't support "risking the suspension of all US assistance or publicly rebuking Israel in a way that could embolden its enemies."<h2>'It allows for meaningful conversations to start'</h2>Under Section 502B(c) of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-1071/pdf/COMPS-1071.pdf">Foreign Assistance Act</a>, either the House or the Senate can request a State Department report on human rights practices by any country that receives aid from the US.Tuesday was the first time ever that senators had taken a floor vote on that provision.If the State Department failed to provide a report within 30 days, then US aid to Israel would be halted — a possibility that Sen. Coons alluded to in his statement opposing the resolution.However, it would be highly unusual for the State Department to fail to respond to an oversight request from Congress."To not provide a report in response to a request of a majority of senators would be a pretty significant break with norms," said John Ramming Chappell, an advocacy and legal fellow at the Center for Civilians in Conflict.Despite the vote's failure, it offers the clearest view yet of where Democrats, in particular, stand on the issue — and human rights advocates also hope it marks the beginning of a broader conversation on not just Israel but congressional oversight of US aid more broadly."Having members on the record on this issue for the first time since October 7 is very important," said Chappell. "It allows for meaningful conversations to start, and it's a prerequisite to oversight."In the coming weeks and months, US military aid to Israel is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/conditions-us-aid-israel-blank-check-bernie-sanders-2023-11">only likely to face more scrutiny.</a>Sanders's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/HLA2314621.pdf">resolution</a> notes several ways that the US is implicated in the ongoing situation in Gaza, including by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-sends-israel-2-000-pound-bunker-buster-bombs-for-gaza-war-82898638">providing</a> at least 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells to the country as it wages a war that has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.Beyond the existing $3.8 billion in military aid that the US provides each year, Congress is considering an additional $14 billion in aid to Israel as part of a broader national security bill that would also provide aid to more Ukraine.Democratic senators have introduced two different amendments related to Israel aid, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-to-file-amendment-to-maintain-congressional-oversight-of-foreign-military-assistance">one</a> from Sen. Tim Kaine from Virginia and another from Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-durbin-kaine-schatz-and-colleagues-announce-amendment-requiring-that-use-of-us-supplemental-aid-comply-with-us-international-law">requiring</a> that weapons transfers comply with international law."This should be the beginning of a broader human rights oversight process," said Chappell. "It's never been more urgent than it is today to examine US arms transfers to Israel."Here are the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00008.htm">11 senators</a> who backed Sanders's resolution:<ul><li>Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky</li><li>Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico</li><li>Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon</li><li>Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont</li><li>Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland</li><li>Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts</li><li>Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler of California</li><li>Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico</li><li>Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii</li><li>Democratic Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont</li><li>Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts</li></ul>

These 11 senators supported Bernie Sanders's resolution to force a State Department report on Israeli human rights violations in Gaza

<ul class="summary-list"><li>New Mexico's governor temporarily suspended the right to carry guns in public in Albuquerque.</li><li>Most lawmakers from the state, all Democrats, carefully sought to distance themselves from the order.</li></ul>Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has <a href="https://www.insider.com/new-mexico-governor-grisham-suspends-gun-rights-second-amendment-violence-2023-9?_gl=1*9log9w*_ga*MTQ5MzU1MzU2NS4xNjcyMzM4MjM4*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY5NDU2NTAzOS45MzMuMS4xNjk0NTY1MDQ0LjU1LjAuMA..">banned most people from publicly carrying guns</a> in Albuquerque for 30 days — a decision that apparently caught New Mexico's federal lawmakers off guard."I think it's safe to say that a lot of people were taken by surprise," said US Sen. Martin Heinrich, currently the state's longest-serving member of Congress.Heinrich, along with Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Gabe Vasquez confirmed to Insider that they were not notified about what the governor would do before she <a href="https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/09/08/governor-announces-statewide-enforcement-plan-for-gun-violence-fentanyl-reduction-plan-includes-30-day-suspension-of-concealed-open-carry-in-albuquerque-and-bernalillo-county/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued a public health order</a> declaring gun violence a "public health emergency."And most of the state's delegation, all of whom are Democrats, offered careful criticism of the governor's decision — noting that they take the issue of gun violence seriously, but that issuing an executive order may not be the best approach."What we should be doing is working with law enforcement in ways that they clearly feel like they can implement," said Heinrich, who suggested in a statement that the order is <a href="https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-statement-on-new-state-order-on-gun-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unconstitutional and too difficult to enforce.</a>Leger Fernandez, who represents broad swaths of rural New Mexico in the northern and eastern parts of the state, indicated that she preferred a legislative solution to gun violence. "I think that's the most appropriate time to do this kind of work," she said.Vasquez, a more vulnerable Democrat who represents rural southern New Mexico, also issued a statement calling for <a href="https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-vasquez-statement-gun-violence-new-mexico">solutions to gun violence</a> that "protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.""We have to find all the legal pathways that we possibly can to curb gun violence in our communities," Vasquez told Insider. "And so I will support the pathways that are constitutional."Lujan Grisham's order forbids anyone besides a police officer or licensed security officer from carrying a firearm in public in "cities or counties averaging 1,000 or more violent crimes per 100,000 resident per year since 2021."In practice, the order applies only to Albuquerque — the state's largest city — and the county surrounding it.<div type="image" title="From left: New Mexico Reps. Melanie Stansbury, Gabe Vasquez, and Teresa Ledger Fernandez." height="1000" width="2000" msid="103620940" hostid="261"></div>Lujan Grisham issued the order after an 11-year-old boy, Froylan Villegas, <a href="https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/were-just-against-shootings-in-general-family-of-froylan-villegas-hopes-for-arrest-soon/">was fatally shot on Wednesday night</a> after a baseball game in Albuquerque. "The time for standard measures has passed," the governor said on Friday. "When New Mexicans are afraid to be in crowds, to take their kids to school, to leave a baseball game – when their very right to exist is threatened by the prospect of violence at every turn – something is very wrong."Rep. Melanie Stansbury, whose district includes most of Albuquerque, was the lone lawmaker to express some level of support for the order. "We must look at and discuss all possible solutions to make our communities safe," Stansbury told Insider in a statement. "The governor is taking action and starting a conversation about addressing the epidemic of gun violence in our communities. I agree that we must have these conversations."US Sen. Ben Ray Luján declined to endorse or criticize the order when repeatedly pressed by reporters on Tuesday, instead touting his own support for federal gun control legislation while emphasizing the difference between federal and state-level policymaking."I'm not the governor of the state of New Mexico, I'm a US senator," said Luján.A spokeswoman for Lujan Grisham did not respond to Insider's request for comment.The order has drawn national media attention, with even some Democrats and gun control activists criticizing Lujan Grisham's efforts as unconstitutional. Two Republican state lawmakers have <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-mexico-republican-legislators-call-dem-gov-grishams-impeachment-gun-order-rogue">called for the governor's impeachment</a>, an effort that's dead on arrival in the Democratic-controlled legislature.But the governor has held firm in the days since she issued the order, including telling Rep. Ted Lieu of California — one of the Democrats who criticized the order — to <a href="https://x.com/GovMLG/status/1700985675552903328?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">take a police academy class in the state.</a> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="undefined"> —Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1700985675552903328">September 10, 2023</a> </blockquote>

New Mexico lawmakers were 'taken by surprise' by their governor's temporary gun-carrying ban in Albuquerque

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Senate Democrats are feeling hopeful after a string of wins thanks in part to Chuck Schumer.</li><li>The weekend's passage of a reconciliation deal caps weeks of maneuvering by Schumer as majority leader.</li></ul>Guiding the Democrats' sweeping reconciliation bill through the 50-50 chamber is a major win for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer following a year-and-a-half of intense negotiations, mounting frustration, and armchair quarterbacking by those who feared he didn't have it in him to muscle things through. Schumer called the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/senate-democrats-pass-climate-healthcare-bill-manchin-biden-schumer-2022-8">hard-fought reconciliation deal</a>, which passed August 7 with the help of Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote, "one of the defining legislative feats of the 21st century.""To Americans who've lost faith that Congress can do big things. This bill is for you. To seniors, who face the indignity of rationing medications, or skipping them altogether. This bill is for you," Schumer said on the Senate floor after Sunday's marathon voting session. "And to the tens of millions of young Americans who have spent years marching rallying, demanding that Congress act on climate change. This bill is for you."The package would cut prescription drug costs, provide tax credits to bolster renewable energy production, and raise taxes on profitable corporations to offset the costs. It now awaits a vote in the Democrat-controlled House where it's expected to pass.Wrapping up the $700 billion package caps a legislative burst that includes the microchip production-boosting CHIPS bill, the veterans' health-related PACT Act, and a NATO expansion vote prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Schumer watchers see his summer maneuvering through a sharply-divided Congress, Republican blockade — and with President Joe Biden mired in low approval ratings — as important steps to cementing his legacy.He even got a nod from an unlikely lawmaker; Sen. Josh Hawley, a staunch conservative considered a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chris-christie-2024-presidential-election-trump-versus-party-of-us-2022-8">likely 2024 GOP presidential contender.</a> The Missouri lawmaker <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1556679189784395777">wrote</a> that Republicans "better be willing to fight" if they retake control of Congress this fall after getting rolled by Democrats who "came to do something." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1556679189784395777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2022</a></blockquote>The wins are not just for Schumer, but also for Biden, whose legislative agenda has largely hinged on Democratic congressional leaders managing their slim majorities."We'll never be able to repay the debt we owe to those who have worn the uniform, but today, Congress delivered on a promise to our veterans and their families," Biden <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1554631639585669121">wrote</a> on Twitter, adding, "The PACT Act will be the biggest expansion of VA health care in decades. We should all take pride in this moment."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1554631639585669121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2022</a></blockquote>Even though all 50 Senate Republicans voted against the bill, former President Donald Trump chastised Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for failing to stop it, accusing the Kentucky Republican of getting "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-attacks-mcconnell-after-senate-passes-climate-healthcare-package-2022-8">played like a fiddle</a>" by Schumer and Democrats.<div type="image" title="Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer points to the image on Rosie Torres's cell phone while she video calls her husband, veteran Le Roy Torres who suffers from illnesses related to his exposure to burn pits in Iraq, after the Senate passed the PACT Act at the U.S. Capitol August 2, 2022 in Washington, DC." height="1333" width="2000" msid="93439401" hostid="261"></div><h2>Coming at the right time</h2>Multiple Democrats said the rolling winning streak is happening at just the right time — three months before voters decide control of the next Congress. "This has certainly been the most productive period of legislating that I've seen. Other than in periods of complete collapse, like during the Great Recession or during COVID," said Sen. Michael Bennet a Democrat of Colorado, who is on the ballot this fall.Others gave Schumer credit for pulling off the pre-recess momentum shift with Biden still underwater in the polls. "It would be a mistake to say any of these things could have happened organically," Rodell Mollineau, a former aide to then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said of Schumer's contribution to the recent flurry of activity. Mollineau added that just because Schumer's not out there twisting arms to bring Democratic swing voters, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, into line doesn't mean he isn't hustling behind the scenes. "Sometimes he's leading from the front. Sometimes he is in the back," Mollineau, a co-founder of political consulting firm Rokk Solutions, told Insider. "But he's still making sure that his imprimatur is on these achievements."<h2>Competing priorities</h2>Some critics say Schumer wasted time earlier in the session trying to stave off <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/us/politics/chuck-schumer.html">potential progressive primary challengers</a> rather than focusing on ways to beat McConnell's legislative blockades."As far as I'm concerned, he spent the last year-and-a-half more concerned about his primary campaign than he was running the Senate, despite the fact that he never had a credible primary challenger," one Democratic strategist told Insider.Shoring up his left flank proved distracting during a critical stretch of time, the strategist added. "I saw a lot more focus on the Green New Deal and legalizing weed, for instance, instead of focusing on the nitty-gritty of handling the Senate," the strategist said, adding, "He spent all this time running back to the state every chance he could, focusing on issues that weren't going anywhere in the Senate at a time when the Senate was struggling to get anything done."Part of that struggle involved keeping conservative Democrats Manchin and Sinema on the same page as progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Michael Fraioli, a Democratic fundraiser and founder of campaign consulting firm Fraioli &amp; Associates, said of Schumer's daily grind. "I think Schumer's doing a great job," Fraioli told Insider, heaping praise on the four-term lawmaker for taking the chaos of the often bitterly divided chamber in stride. He said recycling pieces of the previous reconciliation bills Manchin and Sinema rejected sooner rather than later would have been nice, but added that Schumer helped put <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/senate-confirms-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-supreme-court-2022-3">Biden-backed nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on the Supreme Court</a>."That is a legacy which will last decades," Fraioli said. Back in New York, Park Slope retiree Marvin Ciporen, 78, gave Schumer props for battling on, even in the face of adversity. "Don't forget that Schumer held a Democratic caucus together when they were in the minority, and if he hadn't been that effective, the Republicans would've gutted the Affordable Care Act," Ciporen told Insider. "So he deserves that kind of credit for unifying the caucus."<div type="image" title="Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, surrounded by Democratic colleagues (from L to R) Sens. Maria Cantwell of Washington, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Patty Murray of Washington, speaks to reporters during a Capitol Hill press conference in Washington, DC." height="1333" width="2000" msid="93439404" hostid="261"></div><h2>'We've really done a lot, haven't we?'</h2>Schumer's Democratic colleagues, including some of those on the ballot this fall, spoke highly of his stick-to-itiveness. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who is running for a third term, praised Schumer for plugging away on difficult issues even under dire circumstances. "He's certainly doing the best he can given an evenly divided Senate and the challenges of COVID," Blumenthal told Insider. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat of Ohio, said even incremental wins can be consequential in today's hyperpartisan Senate. "Republicans give tax cuts to rich people and appoint judges that take away civil rights and human rights. We move forward on things that really affect people's lives in a positive way," Brown told Insider at the US Capitol. Democrat Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado said he never doubted Schumer could sew it all up. "This whole project to get the most significant climate rescue bill in history done was always in the cards. It was just too important," Hickenlooper told Insider between Senate votes. "It's been an incredible period, no question about it," Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland said of the recent spate of policy wins. The reason everything came together the way it did, according to Sen. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, was because of Schumer's collaborative nature. "What I appreciate is that the leader is listening to members; he's bringing people together," Lujan told Insider at the US Capitol. "And everyone that would ask me, leading up to this, if the deal was dead, I would say, 'No, there's always time.' As long as you have time, you can always find something that you can agree upon in the Senate."Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii beamed a bit when Insider asked her how Schumer was handling the workload."We've really done a lot, haven't we?" Hirono said in the Senate subway. She added, however, that Democrats need to keep at it when they return from recess, listing voting rights, gun reform, and abortion rights as top priorities. "These are issues that will not go away," Hirono said.

Chuck Schumer's summer winning streak boosts Democrats' midterm hopes as Republicans worry about a momentum shift

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5ace53ed146e711b008b45c0-2400/gettyimages-931953282.jpg" border="0" alt="Cory Booker" data-mce-source="Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images" />Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesNJ Sen. Cory Booker</div></div></div><ul><li>Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sheryl Sandberg have donated to some of the lawmakers questioning Zuckerberg during his <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerberg-testifies-us-congress-cambridge-analytica-russia-bias-2018-4">Congressional testimony this week</a>.</li><li>Facebook has given the most to Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).</li></ul><hr />Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg doesn't have a strong presence in Washington - but he, Sheryl Sandberg, and Facebook Inc have donated tens of thousands of dollars to several of the same lawmakers that questioned him this week in high-profile Congressional hearings. Congress grilled Zuckerberg over the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal in which the personal data of 87 million users was obtained by the Trump-linked political research firm Cambridge Analytica. In his first day of testimony, Zuckerberg also answered questions about the spread of fake news, Russian manipulation of the social network, and free speech.Since 2014, Facebook has donated a total of $1.8 million to members of Congress, according to data from the Center for Responsive <keyword id="6358883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="politics">Politics</keyword>. And personally, Zuckerberg has given to two of the senators - both in 2013 - who questioned him yesterday: $5,200 to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and $7,800 to Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5ace9c55146e7123008b4624-389/zuckbooker.png" border="0" alt="Mark Zuckerberg Cory Book" data-mce-source="Oprah.com" />Oprah.comFlashback to 2010 when Zuckerberg and Sen. Booker appeared on the Oprah show</div></div></div>Zuckerberg and Sen. Booker have some history. In 2010, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-donation/facebooks-zuckerberg-gives-100-million-to-newark-idUSTRE68N54E20100924">Zuckerberg appeared on the Oprah Winfrey television show </a>with then Newark, NJ Mayor Booker and then NJ Gov. Chris Christie to announce a $100 million gift to "fix" New Jersey's school system with charter schools and other reforms (the initiative has since been <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/we-now-know-more-about-how-newark-schools-partially-squandered-mark-zuckerburgs-100-million-donation-2015-10">criticized for being a well-intentioned but poorly conceived plan </a>that caused a lot of upheaval to local residents and students).Sheryl Sandberg, Zuckerberg's second-in-command, has donated to the following legislators during their time in office:<ul><li>Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) - $7,900</li><li>Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - $5,400</li><li>Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) - $2,700</li><li> Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) - $17,700</li><li> Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) - $7,900</li><li> Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) - $5,200</li><li> Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) - $5,200</li></ul>It's not unusual for corporations to donate to politicians on both sides of the aisle, of course. But it's worth keeping this financial relationship in mind while watching Zuckerberg's exchanges with lawmakers. Here is a list of every lawmaker on the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce that Facebook has contributed to in the past four years, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.<ul><li>Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) - $44,025</li><li>Kamala D Harris (D-CA) - $30,990</li><li>Greg Walden (R-OR) - $20,000</li><li>Steve Scalise (R-LA) - $19,500</li><li>Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - $16,400</li><li>Cory Gardner (R-CO) - $16,000</li><li>Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) - $15,900</li><li>Orrin G Hatch (R-UT) - $15,200</li><li>Dean Heller (R-NV) - $14,400</li><li>Roy Blunt (R-MO) - $14,100</li><li>Fred Upton (R-MI) - $14,000</li><li>John M Shimkus (R-IL) - $14,000</li><li>Mike Lee (R-UT) - $13,500</li><li>Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) - $13,200</li><li>Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) - $11,000</li><li>John Thune (R-SD) - $10,000</li><li>Bill Nelson (D-FL) - $10,000</li><li>Jon Tester (D-MT) - $10,000</li><li>Deb Fischer (R-NE) - $10,000</li><li>Roger Wicker (R-MS) - $10,000</li><li>John Cornyn (R-TX) - $10,000</li><li>Maria Cantwell (D) - $9,100</li><li>Diana DeGette (D-CO) - $9,000</li><li>Brett Guthrie (R-KY) - $9,000</li><li>Peter Welch (D-VT) - $8,500</li><li>Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) -$8,500</li><li>Doris O Matsui (D-CA) - $8,000</li><li>Jeff Flake (R-AZ) - $7,500</li><li>Jerry Moran (R-KS) - $7,500</li><li>Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) - $7,500</li><li>Mimi Walters (R-CA) - $7,500</li><li>Thom Tillis (R-NC) - $7,500</li><li>Chris Coons (D-DE) - $7,500</li><li>Pete Olsen (R-TX) - $6,500</li><li>Michael Burgess (R-TX) - $6,000</li><li>Frank Pallone (D-NJ) - $6,000</li><li>Ben Lujan (D-NM) - $6,000</li><li>Ron Johnson (R-WI) - $6,000</li><li>G K Butterfield (D-NC) - $5,500</li><li>Gary Peters (D-MI) - $5,000</li><li>Ben Sasse (R-NE) - $5,000</li><li>Robert E Latta (R-OH) - $5,000</li><li>Chuck Grassley (R-IA) - $5,000</li><li>Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) - $4,500</li><li>Yvette D Clarke (D-NY) - $4,000</li><li>Tony Cárdenas (D-CA)- $4,000</li><li>Richard Hudson (R-NC) - $4,000</li><li>Joseph Kennedy (D-MA) - $4,000</li><li>Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) - $3,900</li><li>Raul Ruiz (D-CA) - $3,750</li><li>Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) - $3,535</li><li>Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - $3,500</li><li>Kevin Cramer (R-ND) - $3,000</li><li>Bill Johnson (R-OH) - $3,000</li><li>Jerry Mcnerney (D-CA) - $3,000</li><li>Kurt Schrader (D-OR) - $3,000</li><li>Bobby L Rush (D-IL) -$3,000</li><li>Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) - $3,000</li><li>Rep. Billy Long (R-MO) - $3,000</li><li>Ryan Costello (R-PA) - $2,750</li><li>Dan Sullivan (R-AL) - $2,500</li><li>Mike Crapo (R-ID)- $2,500</li><li>Todd Young (R-IN) - $2,500</li><li>Chris Collins (R-NY) - $2,500</li><li>Scott Peters (D-CA) - $2,500</li><li>Brooks, Susan (R-IN) - $2,000 </li><li>Bucshon, Larry (R-IN) - $2,000</li><li>Mike Doyle (D-PA) - $2,000</li><li>Morgan Griffith (R-VA) - $2,000</li><li>Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) - $2,000</li><li>Mullin, Markwayne (R-OK) - $1,500</li><li>Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) - $1,000</li><li>Bilirakis, Gus (R-FL) -$1,000 </li><li>Carter, Buddy (R-GA) -$1,000</li><li>Dingell, Debbie (D-MI) -$1,000</li><li>Duncan, Jeff (R-SC) - $1,000</li><li>Flores, Bill (R-TX) - $1,000</li><li>Green, Gene (D-TX) -$1,000</li><li>Harper, Gregg (R-MS) - $1,000 </li><li>Sarbanes, John (D-MD) - $1,000</li></ul> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/top-10-games-coming-2018-nintendo-playstation-xbox-sony-call-of-duty-2018-3">The top 10 games coming in 2018</a></h3> <div> <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/WCOrZo3C-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script> </div> </div>

Here's how much Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sheryl Sandberg have donated to the lawmakers that questioned Zuckerberg

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Today, nine states and the District of Columbia are holding presidential, congressional, or other down-ballot primaries.</li><li>Indiana, DC, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Dakota are holding presidential primaries.</li><li>Iowa and Idaho, which already had their presidential primaries, are holding primaries for congressional races.</li><li>Follow along here for live updates as results come in tonight and over the next few days.</li></ul><h2>What's at stake:</h2>Sen. Bernie Sanders officially dropped out of the presidential primary on April 8, making former Vice President Joe Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee.Though Sanders will stay on the ballot in upcoming primaries and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sanders-will-continue-gathering-delegates-to-influence-dnc-platform-2020-4">earn delegates from those contests</a> for his representatives to have a seat on important Democratic National Convention committees that determine the convention rules and party platform going forward, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bernie-sanders-endorses-joe-biden-2020-election-2020-4">Sanders formally endorsed Biden on April 13.</a>There are 479 pledged delegates up for grabs in the eight presidential nominating contests taking place today. Biden currently needs 465 more to formally earn the 1,991 delegates required to clinch the nomination, meaning he is unlikely to meet the threshold today. Here's where Biden and Sanders currently stand in the delegate race, according to Decision Desk HQ and the University of Virginia Center for <keyword id="6358883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="politics">Politics</keyword>: <iframe src="https://embeds.ddhq.io/2020demdelegatetracker/delegate-tracker-business-insider/dist/index.html" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" scrolling="no"></iframe>In addition to presidential primaries, there are also several important congressional and other down-ballot primaries taking place today, including Democratic primaries for the US Senate in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montana-congressional-dem-primary-kathleen-williams-matt-rosendale-live-results-2020-6">Montana</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iowa-senate-dem-primary-theresa-greenfield-mike-franken-live-results-2020-6">Iowa</a> — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-pandemic-could-cost-trump-and-the-gop-senate-control-2020-5">two competitive seats Democrats are hoping to flip this cycle. </a>In the House of Representatives, the most highly-watched primary today <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-king-vs-randy-feenstra-primary-in-iowa-4th-district-live-results-2020-6">is the GOP primary challenge to embattled Rep. Steve King in Iowa's fourth congressional district</a>, a safe Republican seat.After being rebuked by his own party and losing his committee assignments over racist comments he made to The New York Times, King is facing a tough primary challenge from GOP State Senator Randy Feenstra, who has outraised King and been backed by a number of GOP groups including the US Chamber of Commerce, the political arm of the Republican Main Street Partnership, and the Republican Jewish Council. In New Mexico, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/valerie-plame-teresa-leger-fernandez-new-mexico-primary-live-results-2020-6">there is also a competitive Democratic primary in the state's third congressional district</a>, a safe blue seat which current Rep. Ben Ray Lujan is vacating to run for US Senate. Former CIA analyst Valerie Plame is competing against Teresa Fernandez Leger, an attorney, lobbyist, and long-time local community activist.New Mexico's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-mexico-2nd-district-yvette-herrell-vs-claire-chase-live-results-2020-6">second congressional district</a>, located in the southern portion of the state, is a highly competitive swing district that Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres-Small won back in the 2018 midterms. Former state representative and 2018 GOP nominee Yvette Herrell is running again for the nomination again against energy executive and businesswoman Claire Chase. There are competitive Democratic and Republican primaries <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/indiana-congressional-primaries-live-results-vote-counts-2020-6">in two open Indiana congressional districts</a>: the state's solidly blue first district, where Democratic Rep. Peter Visclosky is retiring, and the fifth district, where Republican Rep. Susan Brooks is retiring. Republican State Senator Victoria Spartz and Democratic State Representative Christina Hale won their respective primaries to advance to the general election in the fifth district, a competitive contest for both parties. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-congressional-primaries-live-updates-results-2020-6">In Pennsylvania,</a> there are notable Democratic primaries in the state's Republican-held 1st and 10th congressional districts, both of which are set to be competitive this fall, and a crowded Republican primary in the state's Democratic-controlled eighth congressional district. Pennsylvania, which allows absentee voting without an excuse, will likely not report results from the first and tenth congressional district primaries, in addition to numerous other races, until next week.After widespread reports of voters in highly populated counties not receiving their ballots in time, Governor Tom Wolf <a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200601-EO-Deadline-Extention.pdf">issued an executive order</a> extending the deadline for voters in six counties — Philadelphia, Allegheny, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, and Montgomery — to have their ballots counted. In those places, ballots will be accepted if they are postmarked by June 2 and arrive by 5 p.m. on June 9. Maryland is holding primaries <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/maryland-congressional-dem-primary-kathleen-williams-matt-rosendale-live-results-2020-6">in its seven congressional districts</a>, in addition to a crowded and highly-watched <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-won-baltimore-mayors-race-primary-2020-6">Democratic primary in the Baltimore mayoral election</a>, where incumbent Mayor Bernard "Jack" Young is fighting to be re-elected. <div type="image" title="Pennsylvania elections" height="1000" width="2000" msid="76160042" hostid="261"></div><h2>What time the polls close in every state:</h2>Many of the states holding elections today have made modifications to their election procedures to make it easier for voters to cast absentee and mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has heightened the risks of voting in-person. Due to the pandemic and states encouraging voters to cast ballots from home, the percentage of voters voting absentee or by mail is expected to increase this year, including in today's primaries. Since many states still accept absentee ballots until a certain date after election day and, in some cases, cannot start processing ballots until election day, some closer races may not be decided until after election night. <ul><li>Polls closed in most of Indiana at 6 p.m. E.T., but polls in some counties located in the Central Time Zone close at 6 p.m. C.T. and 7 p.m. E.T. Indiana has also relaxed their absentee ballot rules to allow anyone to vote absentee without an excuse. </li><li>Voters in the District of Columbia, which doesn't require an excuse to vote by mail, are being "strongly encouraged" to cast and send in mail-in ballots, with the city offering limited in-person voting options. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.</li><li>Maryland sent out a mail-in ballot to every registered voter and is also offering scaled-back in-person voting. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.</li><li>Polls close in Pennsylvania, which allows absentee voting without an excuse, at 8 p.m. ET. In Philadelphia and five other counties, however, absentee ballots postmarked by June 2 will be accepted if they arrive by 5 p.m. on June 9. </li><li>Polls close in South Dakota at 7 p.m. Mountain Time and 9.m. ET. All voters were sent absentee ballot applications in the mail for today's primary. </li><li>In New Mexico, which allows absentee voting without an excuse, polls close at 7 p.m. Mountain Time and 9.m. Eastern Time. </li><li>In Montana, which allows mail-in voting without an excuse, counties are authorized to send out mail-in ballots directly to voters. Polls close at 8 p.m. Mountain Time and 10 p.m. E.T. </li><li>In Iowa, which sent every registered voter an absentee ballot application for today's election, polls close at 9 p.m. Central Time and 10 p.m. E.T. </li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/june-2-presidential-congressional-primaries-live-results-vote-counts-2020-6">Business Insider</a>

LIVE UPDATES: See the full results of the June 2 presidential and congressional primaries

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5aa8a44f3be59f2b008b4568-2014/gettyimages-931374282.jpg" alt="Donald Trump" data-mce-source="Mark Wilson/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="Donald Trump." />Mark Wilson/Getty ImagesDonald Trump.</div></div></div><ul><li>Republicans are increasingly concerned about the 2018 landscape after Democrat Conor Lamb appeared to pull off an unlikely win in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District.</li><li>The race was officially still too close to call, but Lamb declared victory over Republican Rick Saccone.</li><li>It came in a district where President Donald Trump won by about 20 points in 2016.</li><li>"No suburban district is safe and every candidate better be ready for the most difficult cycle of their career," one Republican strategist close to the race told Business Insider.</li></ul><hr /> Republicans are panicked after Democrat Conor Lamb closed in on a victory over Republican Rick Saccone in a Pennsylvania congressional district that went for President Donald Trump by 20 points in 2016.That Lamb could <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-special-election-18-results-rick-saccone-conor-lamb-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">perform so well</a> in a district that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-18-special-election-conor-lamb-rick-saccone-trump-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overwhelmingly</a> supported <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-special-election-results-rick-saccone-trump-allies-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump</a> and had sent a Republican to Congress without much contention for the better part of two decades signaled major challenges for the party as it seeks to maintain its congressional majorities in this year's midterm elections.<h2>'No suburban district is safe and every candidate better be ready for the most difficult cycle of their career'</h2>"It's really hard to see how anyone looks at the factors Republicans are facing at this time, and the environment Republicans are in, and conclude anything other than that we are heading for a very difficult cycle," a Republican strategist close to the race told Business Insider."The narrow margin in a district the president won handily should be a serious wake up call for Republican incumbents across the map," the person added late Tuesday night. "No suburban district is safe and every candidate better be ready for the most difficult cycle of their career."There are roughly 120 House seats currently controlled by Republicans in districts that are not as solidly Republican as Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District.Lamb's results came on the heels of Democratic Sen. Doug Jones' shocking win in Alabama and big wins for the party in New Jersey and Virginia late last year. As of 12:30 a.m. on the East Coast, Lamb led Saccone by a slim margin of just more than 500 votes with only some absentee ballots outstanding. Lamb declared victory, and Democratic campaign groups followed suit.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5aa6b8233be59f21008b4646-814/gettyimages-929920886.jpg" alt="Conor Lamb" data-mce-source="Drew Angerer/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="Conor Lamb." />Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesConor Lamb.</div></div></div>Needing a huge boost from those ballots to leapfrog Lamb, Saccone told supporters he was going to "fight" until the very end. But many Democrats already proclaimed Lamb the victor. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico said <a href="https://twitter.com/JoePerticone/status/973765118357098496" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the results</a> "should terrify Republicans."<h2>'Wake-up call'</h2><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-special-election-results-18-rick-saccone-blasted-conor-lamb-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lamb</a>, a former Marine and federal prosecutor, ran a more centrist campaign, splitting with party leadership at times. He was, however, vehemently opposed to the Republican tax bill, supported the Affordable Care Act, and spoke out against cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Saccone, meanwhile, pitched himself as "Trump before Trump" and sought to tie himself closely to the president and his agenda, which remain decently popular in the district.The election was big for a couple of major Trump policies. It was the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-18-special-election-trump-tax-plan-test-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first big election</a> since Republicans passed <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-18-special-election-trump-tax-plan-test-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">their major tax overhaul.</a> Democrats took the election results as a victory in their battle against the legislation.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img style="color: #222222;" src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5aa7ed993be59f25008b4588-1868/rts1na5m.jpg" alt="Rick Saccone" data-mce-source="Brendan McDermid/Reuters" data-mce-caption="Republican congressional candidate Rick Saccone speaks during a campaign event at the Blaine Hill Volunteer Fire dept. in Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. March 12, 2018." />Brendan McDermid/ReutersRick Saccone.</div></div></div>"In this overwhelmingly Trump district, Republicans put all their eggs in the basket of Trump's tax plan," Jesse Ferguson, a former spokesperson for 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, told Business Insider. "And the basket broke. If you can't hold onto a district that is this Republican after spending $10 million promoting your tax plan, it's not just that the tax plan failed to sell, it's that it backfired."At the same time, Trump reportedly <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariffs-steel-aluminum-pennsylvania-18-lamb-saccone-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pitched his steel and aluminum tariffs</a> with an eye on the race, hoping they could help prop up Saccone. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-18-special-election-conor-lamb-rick-saccone-trump-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">But polling showed</a> the tariffs did little to swing votes.<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-18-special-election-conor-lamb-rick-saccone-trump-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Republicans were additionally concerned that Lamb</a> provided a blue print for Democrats in a number of competitive races heading into the 2018 midterms, which increasingly look as if they will be a challenging landscape for GOP House and Senate candidates. Traditionally, the first midterm elections under a new president go for the party out of the White House."It should serve as a wake-up call to everybody," one Republican strategist said of the race. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-will-arming-teachers-guns-help-stop-school-shootings-2018-2">Henry Blodget: Will arming teachers with guns help stop school shootings?</a></h3> <div> <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/961QzhBb-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script> </div> </div>

You Searched For "sen ben lujan" and got 13 results

With Sen. Luján in the hospital after a stroke, Democrats have no Senate majority and can't pass anything without GOP help

Tom Porter

Sen. Ben Ray Luján suffered a stroke and underwent surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery, his office announces

Bryan Metzger

2 Democrat Senators want to make Big Tech companies liable when their algorithms promote health misinformation

Isobel Asher Hamilton

Results: Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham defeats Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial election

Hanna Kang

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham faces off against Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial election

Hanna Kang

Hispanic Caucus PAC chair urged NM Democrats redraw congressional districts while "amplifying Hispanic voices," teeing up redistricting fights ahead

Bryan Metzger

Ben Ray Luján is the projected winner over Mark Ronchetti in the US Senate race in New Mexico

Grace Panetta

These 11 senators supported Bernie Sanders's resolution to force a State Department report on Israeli human rights violations in Gaza

Bryan Metzger

New Mexico lawmakers were 'taken by surprise' by their governor's temporary gun-carrying ban in Albuquerque

Bryan Metzger

Chuck Schumer's summer winning streak boosts Democrats' midterm hopes as Republicans worry about a momentum shift

Warren Rojas,Jake Lahut

Here's how much Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sheryl Sandberg have donated to the lawmakers that questioned Zuckerberg

Rachel Sandler

LIVE UPDATES: See the full results of the June 2 presidential and congressional primaries

Grace Panetta

Republicans are panicking after a Democrat just cleaned up in a deep-red district - and the results should 'terrify' them

Allan Smith