Dick,

Congressional approval is required according to the terms of the Enabling Act of 1910.

The Federal Government has generally provided a series of benefits to new States as part of the admissions process. In 

the case of 30 States, those benefits included the grant of 
lands. New Mexico received slightly over 3 million acres for a 
variety of purposes, including, among other purposes, 
retirement of the Territorial debt and maintenance of hospitals 
and schools. In addition, New Mexico received 5 percent of the 
proceeds of the sale of public lands for the support of public 
schools.
    Section 2 of the Enabling Act required New Mexico to agree 
to all the limitations that accompanied the various grants and 
prohibited any Constitutional amendment without the consent of 
Congress. Among the limitations are restrictions on investments 
and requirements to disburse the income from the permanent 
funds. 

Barbara