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Ben Luján

Ben Luján

Senator

New Mexico

On January 3, 2021, Ben Ray Luján was sworn into office as a U.S. Senator representing New Mexico. He previously served as U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s Third Congressional District and House Assistant Speaker in the 116th Congress.

Senator Luján grew up in Nambé, a small farming community north of Santa Fe, bordered by the Nambé and Pojoaque Pueblos. It was there that he learned New Mexico values, including hard work, dedication, and perseverance, from his family and community.

Since being elected to Congress in 2008, Senator Luján has championed efforts to create good-paying jobs in New Mexico, expand quality health care and protect patients with pre-existing conditions, preserve our natural resources and sacred sites, build a clean energy economy, and uplift the middle-class.

Senator Luján has focused on spurring local economic growth through a number of legislative initiatives. His bill to make it easier for local entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to the marketplace was signed into law, and he has written legislation that would leverage New Mexico’s labs to drive job creation while addressing tomorrow’s energy challenges.

Recent Events and Presentations

May 11, 2021

A Foundation for DOE: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

ITIF hosted a discussion of this prospect, embodied in the proposed Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act, which has won bipartisan, bicameral sponsorship.

June 27, 2018

New Ideas for Strengthening Partnerships at DOE National Labs

ITIF hosted an expert discussion how the Department of Energy (DOE) can best foster innovation.

January 11, 2017

Getting More Bang for America’s R&D Buck: 50 Ways the Administration and Congress Can Improve Tech Transfer, Commercialization, and Innovation

Join ITIF and Brookings to discuss how the incoming administration and Congress can bolster technology transfer and commercialization policies to ensure that federal R&D investments yield stronger commercial results, in large part by better coordinating with regional economies.

December 10, 2013

Strengthening National Laboratory Commercialization

This event will evaluate the current technology transfer capabilities of the National Laboratories and the reforms needed to strengthen commercialization.

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