“The expansion of commercial space exploration holds huge promise and benefits for our country. It will help support government-backed research and programs, provide a platform to conduct cutting edge research, and lend inspiration to the next generation of engineers, scientists, artists and mathematicians.”

American politician

Ben Ray Luján is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since 2021. A progressive Democrat, he previously represented New Mexico’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 to 2021. He also served as assistant speaker from 2019 to 2021. His public record is rooted in elected office, first in the House and then in the Senate, with his political identity described as progressive within the Democratic Party.