She sat on four commissions and two committees, including Radio, Television and Film; Gender and Equity; and Special for Tracking of Investigations Related to Femicides in Mexico.

In her last meeting with Enrique Peña Nieto, the PRI's 2012 presidential candidate, told her, "María Elena, we have a commitment with the Green Party.

"[3] Undeterred by the PRI's decision, a newly independent Orantes López ran under a coalition of the left, formed by the PRD, PT and Movimiento Ciudadano.

She presides over the Civil Protection Commission and serves on three others: Finances and Public Credit, Indigenous Matters, and Bicameral for Dialogue and Reconciliation in Chiapas.

[1] María Elena's brother, Hernán Orantes López, is also a legislator, currently serving in the LXIII Legislature and representing the PRI.