Few NM town halls on debt, economy

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The New Mexico congressional delegation has been getting an earful from constituents about the debt ceiling debate and the nation's economic turmoil.

The last time people were this riled up was a couple of years ago when lawmakers faced all those angry town hall meetings about health care reform.

But don't look for much of that in New Mexico this time around.

Two years later people are just as angry as the country is riddled with debt and Congress cannot seem to agree on anything.

In 2011 most of the New Mexico congressional delegation is opting out of town halls.

Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Udall said his constituents have the economy on their mind.

"We're hearing from a lot of people," he said.

Since the start of the month Udall's office has received more than 1,000 e-mails about the debt dilemma.

Even with that Udall said his focus has not been on town halls.

"For my time in New Mexico in August, what I'm spending it on is jobs," he said.  "It's the most important thing we can be doing right now."

Democratic U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich's office said the price for security at face-to-face town halls can cost too much.

Instead they are holding telephonic town halls, saying Heinrich can reach more people that way.

Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Luján is making the rounds this month to hear what is on people's mind, but they are not calling those trips town halls.

Republican Rep. Steve Pearce is holding face-to-face meetings with New Mexicans this week to specifically address the debt doubts people have.

Pearce has a town hall meeting scheduled Thursday night in Grants.