url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-statement-on-president-jimmy-carter,Heinrich Statement on President Jimmy Carter,2024-12-29,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in recognition of the life of former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter. “Jimmy Carter devoted his life to serving others, seeking peace, and improving the world around him. “From creating the Department of Energy to protecting our rivers and wildlands in New Mexico, Alaska, and elsewhere, President Carter’s legacy was forward-looking, thoughtful, and visionary. Above everything, he stood tall for working people, never relenting in the fight for a better economic future for all. “At a time of great polarization and partisan divide in our nation, I hope each of us can draw from President Carter’s constant example of compassion, humility, and decency.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-legislation-to-fully-restore-social-security-benefits-for-law-enforcement-officers-firefighters-and-public-servants-heads-to-presidents-desk-to-be-signed-into-law,"Heinrich, Luján Legislation to Fully Restore Social Security Benefits for Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters & Public Servants Heads to President’s Desk to be Signed into Law",2024-12-21,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) secured Senate passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, legislation they cosponsored to restore full Social Security benefits for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other state and local public servants by repealing two provisions of current law that unfairly reduce the Social Security benefits that public employees receive. The Social Security Fairness Act passed the House in November and, following today’s Senate passage, now heads to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. “Our police officers, firefighters, bus drivers, and teachers deserve to receive the Social Security benefits they’ve earned after a lifetime of hard work,” said Heinrich. “No American should have to worry about affording basic necessities like food or safe housing after paying into Social Security their entire lives. I’m proud to advance this legislation to ensure all Americans get the benefits they are entitled to and can retire with the dignity and peace of mind they were promised.” ""I was proud to help pass the Social Security Fairness Act for the good of thousands of New Mexicans. This important bipartisan legislation will help ensure that New Mexicans are getting the benefits they have earned and deserve,"" said Luján. ""I’m honored to stand with the millions of dedicated public servants — police officers, teachers, firefighters, and other local and state employees — who tirelessly serve our communities, trusting that they will receive the benefits they’ve been promised. I have always fought to protect New Mexicans' Social Security, and I will always continue to do so.” Over 15 ,000 New Mexicans who have dedicated their lives to public service are prevented from receiving the full Social Security benefits they have earned due to two laws from the 1970s and 1980s. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), enacted in 1983, reduces the earned Social Security benefits of a worker receiving their public pension from a job not covered by Social Security. For example, some educators who do not earn Social Security in public schools but who work part-time or during the summer in jobs covered by Social Security have reduced benefits, even though they pay into the system for enough quarters to receive benefits. Likewise, the Government Pension Offset (GPO), enacted in 1977, reduces spousal benefits of people who work as federal, state, or local government employees — including police officers, firefighters, and educators — if the job is not covered by Social Security. The GPO reduces by two-thirds the benefit received by surviving spouses who also collect a government pension — often offsetting benefits entirely. The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal both of these laws, ensuring law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, park rangers, and other public sector workers and their families receive the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned. The legislation is led by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bob Casey, D-Pa.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D- Conn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jon Ossof (D-Ga.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Deb Fisher (R-Neb.), Chuck Schumer, (D-N.Y.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.). In the House, the legislation is led by U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Garret Graves (R-La.). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-boozman-secure-final-passage-of-bipartisan-every-kid-outdoors-extension-act,"Heinrich, Boozman Secure Final Passage of Bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Bill heading to President Biden’s desk extends the wildly successful Every Kid Outdoors Program that Heinrich helped establish in 2019 to provide all American fourth graders and their families free national park access WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) secured the Senate’s passage of their bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act as part of the larger Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, recreation legislation that already passed the House and will now go to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “As a father and a former outdoor educator, I know how much of a difference getting outside can make for our kids,” said Heinrich. “Since we passed my original Every Kid Outdoors Act into law five years ago, thousands of children and their families have been inspired to visit our public lands in New Mexico and all across the country. By keeping this program going, our public lands can continue serving as outdoor classrooms with endless opportunities for children to learn and families to make new memories.” “Our youth deserve the opportunity to learn about and explore our national parks and develop an appreciation for the lands and resources that help define our nation. I am proud to see my colleagues recognize the benefits of facilitating outdoor adventure and education for children and families. I look forward to the extension of this significant program,” said Boozman. Starting in 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. Heinrich led the original bipartisan effort in Congress, alongside then-U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to codify the Every Kid Outdoors program into law. Heinrich and Alexander’s Every Kid Outdoors Act passed in 2019 as part of the larger John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. The authorization under Heinrich’s original legislation is currently scheduled to expire in 2026. Once President Biden signs it into law, Heinrich and Boozman’s Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act will now extend free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth grade students and their families, through 2031. The Every Kid Outdoors program has been wildly successful at encouraging tens of thousands of children and their families to explore America’s public lands, waters, and historic sites, including national parks – more than 2,000 sites in all. In 2023, Every Kid Outdoors vouchers helped create free admission for 11,805 visits to New Mexico public lands, including 879 visits to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 295 visits to Bandelier National Monument, and 396 visits to White Sands National Park. The Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act garnered widespread support, including endorsements from The Wilderness Society, the Sierra Club, and the Outdoor Alliance for Kids. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-capito-celebrate-final-passage-of-bipartisan-simplifying-outdoor-access-for-recreation-act,"Heinrich, Capito Celebrate Final Passage of Bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), celebrated the Senate’s passage of their bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, legislation to improve the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups to access public land. The legislation was included in the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, recreation legislation that already passed in the House and will now go to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “Our public lands are where we go to camp under the stars, chase elk, and fish for trout in mountain streams,” said Heinrich. “As a former guide myself, I know from experience how paperwork and bureaucracy can get in the way of getting outside. I’m proud that we have passed my bipartisan legislation to cut red tape to help small businesses and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy our public lands and continue growing economic development through outdoor recreation. We just made it easier for families, schools, and community groups to get outside and enjoy our public lands.” “Making it easier to explore and enjoy the incredible beauty of our public lands is a key priority, especially at home in West Virginia,” said Capito. “I’m thrilled our SOAR Act has passed as part of the EXPLORE Act and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. Once officially law, it will reduce bureaucratic red tape and make commonsense changes to current permitting requirements that can discourage outfitters from utilizing our public lands and in turn, constrain economic development. These changes to federal public lands regulations will help support the outdoor recreation industry and benefit the local communities and economies that they serve.” The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act streamlines and improves the recreational permitting process for federal agencies: The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act was supported by a wide range of organizations, including the Wilderness Society, American Mountain Guides Association, The Mountaineers, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, and the Outdoor Industry Association. The bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Steven Daines (R-Mont.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-kennedy-bipartisan-legislation-to-restore-wetlands-and-migratory-bird-habitats-passes-senate-and-heads-to-presidents-desk,"Heinrich, Kennedy Bipartisan Legislation to Restore Wetlands and Migratory Bird Habitats Passes Senate and Heads to President’s Desk",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, and U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) announced that their bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) through 2030 has passed the Senate, as part of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “This reauthorization will continue to support our most successful public-private conservation partnership, and I'm proud to see it head to the President’s desk,"" said Heinrich. ""The bipartisan North American Wetlands Conservation Act helps conserve New Mexico’s unique waterfowl and the wetlands they depend on for our future generations while investing in our flourishing outdoor recreation economy. The President should sign this bill immediately.” “Louisiana’s wetlands are a big part of our state’s outdoor sportsman culture and geographical beauty. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is an important step to preserve our wildlife and protect our environment’s natural defense system,” said Kennedy. NAWCA was originally enacted in 1989 to provide federal matching grants—in partnership with funding from state and local governments, private industry, and non-profit organizations—for projects that conserve North America’s wetlands, waterfowl, and wildlife. New Mexico has 14 NAWCA projects either completed or underway, which have conserved 22,632 acres of wildlife habitat. NAWCA funding of more than $5.7 million stimulated partner contributions of over $14 million in the state. About NAWCA: Wetlands secure freshwater supplies, recharge aquifers, and mitigate soil erosion and flooding. In addition, waterfowl, migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife depend on wetlands for habitat, food, and migration stopovers. This wildlife also supports a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy, including fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography. NAWCA funding has been critical to acquiring, restoring, and enhancing wetlands in all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. In total, more than 3,300 NAWCA projects have contributed to the conservation and restoration of more than 32 million acres of wetlands all across North America. NAWCA has provided a great return on investment, generating, on average, two additional dollars for every federal dollar. Over the program’s history, federal grants totaling more than $2.28 billion have spurred $4.53 billion for NAWCA projects through matching funds. NAWCA funds have also supported an average of 7,500 jobs each year and more than $5 billion in annual economic activity. The legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is endorsed by Ducks Unlimited, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Delta Waterfowl, Boone and Crockett, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Audubon, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Outdoor Industry Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Restore America’s Estuaries. A one-page summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill is here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-votes-to-keep-government-open-secures-additional-15-billion-for-hermits-peak/calf-canyon-recovery,"Heinrich Votes to Keep Government Open, Secures Additional $1.5 Billion for Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Recovery",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass a continuing resolution that will keep federal agencies funded through March 14, 2025. In addition to avoiding a disastrous Republican-caused government shutdown, the Continuing Resolution funds critically needed disaster assistance for communities across New Mexico and the country, delivers an additional $1.5 billion for New Mexicans recovering and rebuilding from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, extends the period that victims may start claims with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office, delivers necessary disaster relief for farmers, and extends the 2018 Farm Bill for one more year while Congress continues work to pass a new farm bill that best supports working families, the farmers that produce our food and fiber, and our rural communities. “Despite Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s best efforts, Democrats came together to avert a government shutdown that would’ve devastated our economy, hurt working families, and thrust our government into chaos right before Christmas. “I’m pleased we secured a number of my top priorities, including $1.5 billion aimed at helping New Mexicans recover and rebuild from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. While we got this done on behalf of working families, this was far from a success. “If the last two days proved anything, it’s that Republicans are willing to use working people as pawns, bending to the whims of an unelected billionaire and his puppet — even if it means risking YOUR paycheck, YOUR health care, and YOUR family’s well-being. “My North Star has and continues to be passing serious appropriations bills and delivering for New Mexico and the American people. That’s who I fight for.” Heinrich will continue pressing House and Senate leadership to take up and pass full-year appropriations bills that the Senate Appropriations Committee passed on a bipartisan vote. In total, those bills contain over $300 million for New Mexico and more than $124 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for 138 local projects across the state. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Heinrich helped secure the following in the Continuing Resolution passed today: $1.5 billion for Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Relief Heinrich, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) successfully secured an additional $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The Continuing Resolution also extends the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office to March 14, 2025. The lawmakers are continuing to call for the passage of their Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation they introduced last year to extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office through the end of 2027. The New Mexico Congressional Delegation has now secured a total of $5.45 billion in federal resources to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild since the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire started in April 2022. Last month, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández announced that President Biden’s disaster supplemental request included transfer authority for $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández also sent a letter urging the FEMA Director of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office and the FEMA Director of the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office to address concerns from New Mexicans about the process for receiving compensation from the Claims Office and help families get the relief and compensation needed to recover. Key Public Health Extensions Among other health provisions, Heinrich secured an extension of the special diabetes program for Type I diabetes, including an extension of funding for special diabetes programs for Native Americans. Critical flexibilities for federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics providing telehealth in health shortage areas — including mental health and substance use disorder treatment — will now be extended. This will allow for continued patient care without the hurdle of the Medicare in-person requirements for treatment maintenance. Additionally, there will be a delay to hospital payment cuts in New Mexico for disproportionate share hospitals. These vital hospitals continue to serve predominantly uninsured and underinsured New Mexicans. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-announces-2024-nominees-to-the-united-states-service-academies,Heinrich Announces 2024 Nominees to the United States Service Academies,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced his nominees to the United States Service Academies. A nomination is required to attend the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination. Being nominated is a significant honor. The application process is rigorous, and only the most qualified and meritorious candidates receive a nomination. ""Our nation’s service academies provide exceptional education, training, and experience that prepare students for leadership roles in our armed forces as well as the skills needed to succeed after their military service,"" said Heinrich. ""I'm pleased to announce and congratulate this year's nominees — these students embody the best of New Mexico, and they have shown incredible initiative. I commend them on their commitment to serve our country."" The United States Service Academies offer four-year college educations to qualified students. Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy receive commissions in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marine, or Coast Guard, and are obligated to serve for at least five years after graduation. The following students received nominations through Senator Heinrich's office: United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado Matthew Cao of Albuquerque Jacqueline Cervantes Charlifue of Santa Fe Tanner Colburn of Albuquerque Zachary Fernandez of Albuquerque Jannik Garcia of Albuquerque Eva Love of Albuquerque Emma Martinez of Anthony Matthew Sauceda of Albuquerque Arianna Valenzuela of Rio Rancho Carlos Wendler of Las Cruces United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland Nicholas Angelley of Santa Fe Ivan Belyaev of Albuquerque Luke Brown of Albuquerque Pepper Cayme of Hobbs Hyunoo Kim of Los Alamos Marcel LeFevre of Tijeras Nora McDaniel of Albuquerque Isaiah Ocampo of Socorro Diego Rael of Santa Fe Chloe Shaw of Albuquerque United States Military Academy at West Point, New York Antonio Ali of Rio Rancho Luis Cusicanqui Tarquino of Holloman Air Force Base* Matthew McCargish of Albuquerque Savanah McGhan Barthel of Albuquerque Jonah Pratt of Albuquerque Dominic Quintana of Albuquerque Aidan Rosette of Albuquerque Charles Vause of Rio Rancho Owen Wagner of Albuquerque Adam Walton of Rio Rancho United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York Michael Bane of Los Alamos Luis Cusicanqui Tarquino of Holloman Air Force Base* Evan Kennedy of Roswell Mario Leyba Jr. of Bernalillo Valerie Mendoza of Anthony McKynna Motes of Reserve Sarah Romero of Rio Rancho Carroll Santiago of Los Lunas Jason Shelton Jr. of Edgewood Elizabeth Titus of Albuquerque *Indicates a double nomination. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-announces-jasmine-dimitriou-as-energy-and-natural-resources-committee-staff-director-additional-hires,"Heinrich Announces Jasmine Dimitriou as Energy and Natural Resources Committee Staff Director, Additional Hires",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Incoming Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that Jasmine Dimitriou will serve as the Committee’s Staff Director for the Minority beginning in the 119thCongress. “Taking on the climate trends that are driving unnatural fires, floods, and droughts across our country, protecting our progress in lowering utility bills and delivering clean energy manufacturing jobs for working families, and investing in both the public lands Americans cherish and the energy technologies that will be foundational to America’s continued global leadership: these are my priorities. And I am thrilled to have Jasmine joining my team to help deliver on them as our new Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Staff Director,” said Heinrich. “I take pride in having a team that rolls up their sleeves to get the job done every day, no matter the challenges. With her extensive experience, I know Jasmine is ready to take on the work ahead with the determination it requires.” “I am honored to join incoming Ranking Member Heinrich’s team at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Senator Heinrich has dedicated his career to shaping a better future for America’s families by championing the solutions we need to some of the most consequential challenges of our time, and nowhere is that clearer than in his work on energy and public lands,” said Dimitriou. Dimitriou most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. Dimitriou previously served as Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and as his Senior Policy Advisor working on energy, science, and climate issues before that. Formerly an American Association for the Advancement of Science/American Chemical Society Science Policy Fellow, Dimitriou earned her B.A. in Chemistry and Biochemistry at Washington University in St. Louis and her Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Additionally, Heinrich announced that Anaïs Borja will serve as his Energy Policy Director and Maya Hermann will serve as his Natural Resources Policy Director. Borja, a Senior Policy Advisor for Heinrich, has served as Heinrich’s lead advisor on energy policy for three years, and has nearly 9 years of experience on Capitol Hill. Hermann, a Senior Policy Advisor for Heinrich, was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has served as Heinrich's lead advisor on natural resources policy since 2009. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-leads-bicameral-legislation-to-help-working-families-access-healthy-meals-while-supporting-local-producers,Heinrich Leads Bicameral Legislation to Help Working Families Access Healthy Meals While Supporting Local Producers,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Fueling Optimal Outcomes through Diet (FOOD) for Health Act, legislation to establish and administer grant funding for Food is Medicine pilot programs nationwide. In the House, the legislation is led by U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-Ill.). FOOD for Health aims to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and address food insecurity by supporting the production of nutritious food. “We should be making it easier for working families across New Mexico to put healthy food on the table,” said Heinrich, Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for SNAP, WIC, and other federal nutrition programs. “My Food for Health Act does exactly that by funding programs that connect rural communities to fresh produce and nutritious foods, supporting New Mexicans' health and our local producers at the same time."" “Everyone, no matter where they live, deserves access to healthy foods that fuel their bodies and minds. But like the 40 million Americans who live in food deserts, many of my constituents in urban, suburban, and rural areas live closer to a fast-food restaurant than a grocery store,” said Kelly. “My bill would address these challenges by supporting Food is Medicine programs to help prevent, manage, and treat diet-related diseases. The best medicine is preventative medicine – and that includes food.” Specifically, the FOOD for Health Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, to establish a pilot program that provides grants to Food is Medicine programs around the country while prioritizing local foods and regional diversity. Eligible activities would include providing medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, on-site emergency food assistance, and individual or group-based culinary education. Participants in Food is Medicine programs would be those who struggle with diet-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, obesity, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and other diseases as determined appropriate by the USDA Secretary. The FOOD For Health Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The legislation is endorsed by Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico, Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network, Three Sisters Kitchen, New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Feeding America, Foodsmart, Good Food is Good Medicine, and Wound Pros. “Roadrunner is proud to support the Fueling Optimal Outcomes through Diet (FOOD) for Health Act,” said Katy Anderson, Vice President, Strategy, Partnerships and Advocacy at Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico. “Roadrunner has long recognized that many of our communities across the state, rural and metro, lack proper access to fresh produce and healthy calories. These food inequities have a dire impact on the health and wellbeing of too many New Mexicans including children, expecting mothers, and people over fifty. This bill would support our ongoing efforts to provide nutritious meals, expand collaborations with medical providers, and ensure that more people suffering from chronic disease have the foods they need to ensure better health outcomes. We thank Senator Martin Heinrich for bringing forth this legislation and continuing to support the work of New Mexico’s food bank network.” “The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association endorses the ‘Fueling Optimal Out-comes through Diet for Health Act of 2024.’ We stand behind your [Heinrich’s] efforts to expand access to produce prescriptions for all New Mexicans and for patients across the country. We know that, together, we can improve health outcomes for patients while supporting local producers and the local food system. Thank you for championing this innovative and important policy. Please continue to push for its passage,” said Denise Miller, Executive Director of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association. ""Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network, a sustainable & regenerative farming organization, and La Cosecha, our equitable food access and nutrition education partner, is in full support of the FOOD for Health Act,” said Helga Garcia Garza, Executive Director, Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network / La Cosecha CSA. “As urban, rural & tribal farming communities in New Mexico, we are committed to providing the healthiest food production possible, grown with climate-smart organic methods and distributed through our food hub maintaining the highest level of food safety standards and certification. Our local production of New Mexico grown fruits & vegetables are distributed at their highest level of nutritional value. Highlighting the mindset of Food is Medicine and providing nutrition related assistance that is evidence and value based in support of healthy environment, food production, and nutrition."" In a statement issued by the Board of Three Sisters Kitchen, members stated, ""At Three Sisters Kitchen, we love helping people feel more connected to where their food comes from, as they take control of their nutritional health and build confidence cooking & eating locally grown food. We also understand the importance of increasing access to healthy food and nutrition and cooking education as key contributors to healthy eating behaviors. The FOOD for Health Act will ensure that our communities have access to good food and cooking education opportunities that lead to healthy lives and celebrate food traditions and the bounty of our local food systems. "" “The Wound Pros applauds and supports the introduction of the FOOD for Health Act,” said Dr. Bill Releford, CEO of The Wound Pros and owner of Bloom Ranch of Acton. “We have witnessed first-hand how essential a healthy diet and access to nutritious food are for a patient’s overall health and well-being. Effective treatment goes beyond medical intervention and must encompass holistic lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, many patients still lack access to or cannot afford healthy food options. We look forward to working with congressional champions to advance the FOOD for Health Act to ensure that more individuals have the opportunity to benefit from nutritious, local food as part of their care.” “With every year that passes, hundreds of billions in healthcare costs and countless avoidable deaths result from chronic conditions related to poor nutrition,” said Dr. Jason Langheier, CEO and co-founder of Foodsmart. “The connection between a proper diet and vastly improved health outcomes is indisputable based on the scientific evidence, and everyone in America should have access to a primary care dietitian who is empowered to tailor a personalized ‘foodcare’ strategy on behalf of their patients. Congresswoman Kelly's FOOD for Health Act is a key step towards helping seniors with any disease to receive the ‘foodcare’ they need, ensuring that key agencies gather the data that they need to make these interventions available more broadly.” A bill summary is here. The text of the bill is here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-legislation-to-clean-up-abandoned-mines-signed-into-law,Heinrich Legislation to Clean Up Abandoned Mines Signed into Law,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced today that his Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden. Co-led with U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), this legislation will make it easier for “Good Samaritans,” such as state agencies, nonprofits, and other groups, to clean up and improve water quality in and around abandoned hardrock mines. Heinrich applauded the passage of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives last week and hailed the Senate’s unanimous passage of the bill in July. The House companion legislation is led by U.S. Representatives Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), and Susie Lee (D-Nev.). “Our Good Samaritan legislation is now the law of the land, after more than 25 years of hard work to get it over the finish line. Good Samaritans will no longer face hurdles preventing them from helping to protect the land, water, fish, and wildlife our communities rely on. This victory belongs to every single person who rolled up their sleeves to fix this longstanding roadblock, and I’d like to thank those who have carried the baton to get us to this point. Now it’s time to get to work to clean up abandoned mines in New Mexico and across the country, making our water cleaner and lands safer,” said Heinrich. “After years of red tape and unnecessary barriers, Good Samaritans willing to clean up long-abandoned mine sites can finally move forward with meaningful remediation. I’m proud to have led the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act with Senator Heinrich and look forward to the positive impacts this law will have on our land and water in Idaho,” said Risch. ""Today, we celebrate Utahns having more freedom,” said Maloy. “With this bill signed into law, Utahns can bypass bureaucratic hurdles and senseless lawsuits to clean up abandoned mines for the benefit of their communities. This achievement is the culmination of decades of bipartisan work, and I want to thank everyone who helped get this commonsense bill across the finish line.” “Abandoned hardrock mines in Nevada and across the country are poisoning our waters, threatening Tribal lands, and their hazardous landscapes have injured and killed Americans. For 25 years, bills like this one to clean up these mines have stalled because of Washington politics. Today, we made history by finally empowering nonprofits and agencies that are willing and able to assist this long overdue clean up,” said Lee. “Because of commonsense bipartisanship, our nation is now on a path to cleaner waters and safer landscapes.” Background The U.S. has hundreds of thousands of abandoned hardrock mine features, of which at least 33,000 pose environmental hazards according to the GAO. Organizations that have no legal or financial responsibility to an abandoned mine – true Good Samaritans – want to volunteer to remediate some of these sites. Unfortunately, liability rules would leave these Good Samaritans legally responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine, even though they had no involvement with the mine prior to cleaning it up. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act creates a pilot permitting program to enable not-for-profit cleanup efforts to move forward, while ensuring Good Samaritans have the skills and resources to comply with federal oversight. This pilot program is designed for lower risk projects that will improve water and soil quality or otherwise protect human health. A one-page summary is here. The text of the bill is here. Heinrich championed a provision in the Infrastructure Law to establish the first-ever abandoned hardrock mine reclamation program in the Department of the Interior. With the passage of the Good Samaritan legislation, public-private partnerships can use this program to jumpstart abandoned mine cleanups. In November, the Biden administration announced its support for the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Brain Schatz (D-Hawaii), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). In the House, the legislation is cosponsored U.S. Representatives John Curtis (R-Utah), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Burgess Owens (R-Utah), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Blake Moore (R-Utah), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Garrett Graves (R-La.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Elijah Crane (R-Ariz.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D- N.M.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio), Vince Fong (R-Calif.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Reuben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), and Glen Thompson (R-Pa.). The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act has garnered widespread support from agencies and organizations: States: Western Governor’s Association, Western States Water Council, Interstate Mining Compact Commission, National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Attorney General of Colorado, Governor of Nevada National conservation organizations: American Rivers, American Sportfishing Association, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Conservation Alliance, Nature Conservancy, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited. Mining industry organizations: National Mining Association, American Exploration and Mining Association. Tribal leaders: National Congress of American Indians. Outdoor Recreation organizations and businesses: American Fly Fishing Trade Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Outdoor Alliance, and dozens of state and local organizations and businesses. Wildlife and sportsmen’s organizations: American Fly Fishing Trade Association, American Sportfishing Association, Angler Action Foundation, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S), Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Boone and Crockett Club, Campfire Club of America, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Fly Fishers International, Houston Safari Club, Izaak Walton League of America, Mule Deer Foundation, National Association of Forest Service Retirees, National Deer Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Wildlife Federation, New York State Conservation Council, North American Grouse Partnership, Orion: The Hunter’s Institute, Pheasants Forever, Pope & Young Club, Property and Environment Research Center, Public Lands Foundation, Quail Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, The Nature Conservancy, The Wildlife Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-named-ranking-member-of-senate-energy-and-natural-resources-committee,Heinrich Named Ranking Member of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has been named Ranking Member for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee for the 119th Congress. The ENR Committee plays a critical role in setting national energy policies and managing our nation’s public lands within the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. The Committee also oversees the U.S. Department of Energy and has jurisdiction over U.S. territories and nuclear waste policy. “I am honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The responsibility to lead our Caucus in driving our energy and natural resources work is one I take very seriously. At the same time, I am clear-eyed about the work we will need to do to defend and protect our communities from the threats we will inevitably face from the incoming administration. “As I take on this role, I want to be clear about who I am working for: the electrician looking for a job in her home community, the family trying to make ends meet by lowering their utility bill, the manufacturer looking to expand but needing a strong electric grid, and those just looking to clear their mind or fill their freezer on public lands nearby. The reality is that all of us will need steadfast leadership to deliver water security for communities and farmers, and to slow and mitigate the effects of climate change as the unnatural disasters it is causing continue to wreak havoc— from New Mexico to North Carolina. I will work every day to deliver that leadership. “Being an AmeriCorps volunteer on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge inspired my career in public service. Building a carbon-fiber solar car in college informed my understanding of the way energy technology could revolutionize the way communities and industries function. And camping in the Gila Wilderness is where I decided to run for public office. My work as Ranking Member won't be philosophical or ideological. It will be grounded in my own love of public lands, my own understanding of energy technologies, and my unwavering commitment to deliver for the people and places of New Mexico.” New Mexico has a storied history of its U.S. Senators taking on leadership of the ENR Committee and its predecessor committees, including former U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Clinton Anderson (D-N.M.), and Carl Hatch (D-N.M.). Background on Heinrich’s Longtime Leadership on Public Lands and Natural Resources: As a former outfitter guide, outdoor educator, lifetime sportsman, and conservationist, Heinrich has dedicated his entire career to protecting New Mexico’s public lands and natural resources. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Heinrich championed the designation of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments, and passed legislation to establish White Sands National Park, the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, and Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Areas. Heinrich helped secure the resources and support for new land acquisitions that opened up new public access to the Sabinoso Wilderness, acquire the Dawson Elk Valley Ranch in northeastern New Mexico, and secure the addition of the historic L Bar Ranch property to western New Mexico’s Marquez Wildlife Area — the single greatest addition to protected public land in New Mexico in a generation. Heinrich also played a leading role in securing strong, bipartisan support for the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act in 2019 and theGreat American Outdoors Act in 2020, two of the most significant pieces of conservation legislation to be signed into law in decades. The Dingell Act established the most protected wilderness in New Mexico in nearly 40 years and also included Heinrich’s Every Kid Outdoors Act, which provides free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth grade students and their families. Heinrich is continuing to lead the effort to pass the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which would provide enhanced protections for the watershed that supports the Gila Wilderness. In this Congress, Heinrich and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) have also introduced legislation to establish Cerro de la Olla Wilderness within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Before he was elected to Congress, Heinrich led the successful community campaign in the mid-2000’s to establish the Ojito Wilderness — on Bureau of Land Management lands about an hour northwest of Albuquerque. The Ojito became the first new protected wilderness area in New Mexico in decades and laid the foundation for future successful community-driven campaigns to protect and designate National Conservation Lands throughout New Mexico. Background on Heinrich’s Longtime Leadership on Energy Policy: With a background in engineering, Heinrich is a climate and clean energy champion in Congress. Throughout his time in Congress, he has successfully passed policies to ensure American energy security and unlock unprecedented economic opportunity for working people by building our nation’s clean energy future. Heinrich is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Electrification Caucus, and the Founder and Chair of the Senate Fusion Caucus. He has long worked to increase our investments in widespread electrification of residential and commercial buildings, transportation, and industrial processes. He is also leading forward-looking investments in fusion and geothermal energy, and the limitless clean energy opportunities they can deliver. In 2022, Heinrich helped author and pass into law the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which has created a manufacturing renaissance throughout the country and established New Mexico at the center of the nation’s clean energy future. Heinrich marked the two-year anniversary of the legislation being signed into law in August, highlighting how its incentives have expanded and spurred a number of new clean energy projects across New Mexico. Heinrich has also long led efforts to improve and expand the capacity of our nation’s transmission infrastructure, which is urgently needed for reliability, affordability, and clean electricity. In May, Heinrich welcomed the announcement that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) heeded his calls to finalize a strong transmission planning and cost allocation rule. Heinrich is also leading major legislation to strengthen electric reliability by improving the way that we permit, plan, and pay for transmission infrastructure — dubbing these bills as the “three Ps of transmission.” In 2023, Heinrich delivered a keynote address at an advanced energy conference in Albuquerque where he laid out his vision to position New Mexico at the center of the nation's clean energy future. He said, “Done right, we will continue to create projects that export clean electrons, while importing capital and creating careers in the skilled trades that New Mexicans can build their families around. We will establish new industries. We will reshape our state’s entire economy.” Heinrich also recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the new SunZia Transmission Line, the largest renewable energy project in America, which he worked for over a decade to advance. When completed, the SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind projects will become the largest renewable energy infrastructure project in U.S. history, transporting up to 3,500 megawatts of energy from New Mexico to markets in Arizona and California. The project is expected to create over 2,000 jobs during construction and support over 100 permanent jobs once online. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-secures-wins-for-nm-military-installations-national-labs-in-fy2025-national-defense-bill,"Heinrich Secures Wins for N.M. Military Installations, National Labs in FY2025 National Defense Bill",2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Final bill passed by the Senate and heading to President Biden’s desk also includes historic pay raise for junior enlisted service members WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) welcomed Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The legislation includes major wins that Heinrich secured, including investments in New Mexico’s service members, military installations, national labs, and job-creating initiatives throughout the state. The House of Representatives passed the FY25 NDAA last week. Now that the Senate has passed the bill, it heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “This is an incredibly important piece of legislation for our active-duty service members and our national security,” said Heinrich. “It’s important for Congress to pass a bipartisan defense bill every year to ensure military readiness and strengthen the national security missions at our military installations and national labs in New Mexico. I’m also proud that we secured important forward-looking policies based on our work in the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group to equip our military to maintain its competitive advantage over our adversaries in emerging technology fields like artificial intelligence, high performance computing, and advanced biotechnology. The investments we are delivering in this year’s defense bill will help our military make our country and the world safer.” The NDAA sets the Department of Defense (DOD) spending levels and policies for the upcoming fiscal year and authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Energy's programs at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, as well as the Department of Energy's environmental cleanup programs including the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Senator Heinrich has long championed provisions that benefit New Mexico’s service members, national laboratories, and defense missions. Senator Heinrich served as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee from 2013 to 2020 and as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee from 2021 to 2022. He is also a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the Senate Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. During his time in Congress, Heinrich has doubled the total budgets for Sandia and Los Alamos, significantly increasing the total employees and local economic impact of both labs. A detailed list of accomplishments that Heinrich has delivered for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) can be found here. A detailed list of accomplishments that Heinrich has delivered for Sandia National Laboratories can be found here. Heinrich has also delivered a total of more than $1.5 billion for military construction projects at defense installations in New Mexico over the course of his career in Congress. Below is a list of many of the programs and provisions that Senator Heinrich advocated for during the bill writing process that were included in the FY25 NDAA bill. Senate Defense Authorization Bill Highlights Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Heinrich, a co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus, successfully supported the authorization of over $521 million for artificial intelligence and autonomy programs in the FY25 NDAA. Heinrich, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) secured a new provision to invest in the Department of Defense’s infrastructure for advanced computing and artificial intelligence, building on the success of the existing High Performance Computing Modernization Program. The FY25 NDAA also includes a provision that requires reporting to Congress on any Department of Defense approval of lethal autonomous weapons systems, mirroring an amendment that Heinrich proposed earlier this year. A separate provision builds on legislation that Heinrich secured in the FY20 NDAA to require the Department of Defense to have a plan for a strong digital engineering workforce, including the appointment of a Chief Digital Engineering Recruitment and Management Officer for the Department of Defense. The new provision reinforces the need for the Department of Defense to implement the original requirement with urgency, and to focus specifically on filling out the artificial intelligence workforce at the Department of Defense. Many programs authorized by the FY25 NDAA reflect priorities that Heinrich included in the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group’s policy roadmap earlier this year, including an investment in infrastructure to understand the implications that artificial intelligence has for advanced biotechnology. Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP) Heinrich successfully included provisions authorizing $5 million for the NALEMP program, extending cooperative agreements between Tribes and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from two to five years, and requiring the Department of Defense to better remediate unexploded ordnance on Tribal lands, which has been a longstanding issue for the Pueblo of Isleta. The purpose of the NALEMP program is to address environmental impacts on Tribal lands from former Department of Defense activities with maximum tribal participation, through government-to-government consultation. Impacts that NALEMP helps address include: hazardous materials, munitions debris, unsafe buildings or structures, lead-based paint or asbestos, and abandoned equipment. Historic Pay Raise for Junior Enlisted Service Members A Heinrich-supported provision authorizes a 14.5 percent pay raise for the most junior-ranking enlisted service members, with the rest of the force receiving a 4.5 percent pay raise. Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories The FY25 NDAA authorizes $1.5 billion for LANL’s ongoing research and development programs. The funding supports personnel, equipment, and other activities at LANL. An additional $48 million is authorized to construct a plutonium mission safety and quality building. Within the FY25 NDAA's overall $25 billion budget for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Sandia National Laboratories will receive funding to support and sustain system integration, engineering, and science programs. Sandia is also receiving $50 million in funding to complete a facilities upgrade of the Power Sources Technology Group, which provides comprehensive capabilities in power source research. Additional Heinrich-led provisions: Direct the National Nuclear Security Administration to brief Congress on outstanding issues regarding the remediation and conveyance of land at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Direct the Administrator for Nuclear Security and Directors of Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and Sandia National Laboratories, along with leaders from other national labs, to evaluate site strategies that can aid the NNSA in making greater use of satellite facilities in areas neighboring existing laboratory and site installations. In addition, a Heinrich-supported provision authorizes over $277 million for environmental cleanup efforts at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) The FY25 NDAA authorizes over $425 million to operate WIPP including $11 million to continue construction of additional ventilation and a new utility shaft. Directed Energy Heinrich successfully included language in the FY25 NDAA that will: Direct the Department of Defense and industry partners to conduct a study on the potential for the development and use of synthetic materials in directed energy weapons systems. This will help to alleviate foreign dependency on directed energy weapons materials. Direct the Department of Defense to assess the directed energy industrial base in order to mitigate supply chain failures. Require the Department of Defense to report to Congress a directed energy roadmap and associated funding requirements for each organization and element with the Department carrying out work related to directed energy capabilities. As the Department’s strategic goals are better articulated, industry and academia can make the investments necessary to secure directed energy supply chains for the future. Space Force Modeling, Simulation & Analysis Hub The FY25 NDAA authorizes $5 million for the ongoing establishment of a U.S. Space Force modeling and simulation hub at Kirtland Air Force Base. Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program The FY25 NDAA authorizes $188 million for the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program. Cannon Air Force Base, Melrose Air Force Range, and White Sands Missile Range utilize the REPI to prevent encroachment and preserve their testing and training missions. The program as a whole is critical to assisting military installations and ranges as they are increasingly impacted by extreme weather, flooding, wildfires, drought, and other threats to resilience. Strengthening Solid Rocket Motor Production Heinrich secured report language directing the Department of Defense to create a strategy for ensuring the United States defense industrial base can meet solid rocket motor (SRM) requirements for current and future defense programs. Industry and universities, specifically New Mexico Tech, are leading the way in bringing us away from using Cold War era technologies, looking at advanced manufacturing of SRMs and scalable affordable processes and unique chemistries to bring the nation and New Mexico as a leader in innovative SRM production capabilities. SRMs are used in everything from commercial, civil and military space propulsion systems, to hypersonics, missiles, missile defense, and more. Advanced Simulation and Computing for Nuclear Stockpile Stewardship The FY25 NDAA authorizes over $879 million in funding for the NNSA’s advanced simulation and computing efforts in the Stockpile Stewardship Program. This program ensures continued reliability of the stockpile and allows realistic simulations on supercomputers to understand how they would behave, without requiring explosive testing. Intelligence Authorization Act The FY25 NDAA includes the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY25, legislation that equips U.S. intelligence agencies with the tools, resources, and personnel they need to protect the American people, while also ensuring congressional oversight over those same agencies. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-welcomes-final-passage-of-water-infrastructure-bill-and-southwest-border-regional-commission-expansion,Heinrich Welcomes Final Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill and Southwest Border Regional Commission Expansion,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is welcoming the Senate’s final passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a bill that authorizes Army Corps of Engineers water projects in New Mexico and nationwide. Within the bill, Heinrich championed provisions to restore the Middle Rio Grande Bosque, to support more collaborative management of the Upper Rio Grande Basin, renew and expand the nationwide Tribal Partnership Program, start feasibility studies for new water projects across New Mexico, increase federal support for acequias, and increase funding for Western drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Heinrich also successfully secured the inclusion of his legislation to reauthorize and expand the scope of the Southwest Border Regional Commission within the underlying WRDA. The House passed WRDA last week, and it will now go to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “As New Mexicans continue to grapple with the strain of less predictable rainfall, reduced water supply, and more frequent extreme flash flood events, these investments in our stormwater management, irrigation infrastructure, and drinking water infrastructure are more important than ever,” said Heinrich. “I’m also proud that we secured the passage of my legislation to expand the impact of the Southwest Border Regional Commission so it can boost economic progress in our southern border communities. For years, I have worked to secure investments to stand up and grow this Commission that bolsters economic development and delivers strategic investments to communities all across New Mexico.” New Mexico Water Infrastructure Priorities in the Water Resources Development Act include: Bosque Wildfire Restoration Project Authorization Amendment Authorizes a wildfire prevention and restoration efforts in the Middle Rio Grande Bosque, including the removal of jetty jacks. National Academy of Sciences Rio Grande Basin Management Study Authorizes a National Academy of Sciences study in collaboration with the Corps of Engineers on the management and operations of dams and reservoirs in the Upper Rio Grande Basin. The Bureau of Reclamation is also expected to participate as a collaborator in the study. Funding Increase for Water Infrastructure Authorizes an additional $100 million for drinking water, wastewater, and storm water projects for seven Western states, including New Mexico. Funding Increase for the Tribal Partnership Program Increases the Tribal Partnership Program authorization by an additional $2.5 million. Acequias Reconnaissance Cost Share Ensures that the federal cost share for reconnaissance studies related to acequias is 100 percent. New Feasibility Studies Authorizes feasibility studies for a water supply project in Doña Ana County, a flood risk management and ecosystem restoration project in the Nambe River Watershed, and a flood risk management project in Otero County. Southwest Border Regional Commission Expansion: The Water Resources Development Act also includes provisions that mirror Heinrich’s Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, including expansion of the New Mexico counties included within the Commission’s reach, and a significant increase in authorized federal funding levels for the Commission. The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is one of eight authorized federal regional commissions and authorities, which are congressionally-chartered, federal-state partnerships created to promote economic development in their respective regions. Congress first authorized the establishment of the SBRC in 2008 to promote economic development in the southern border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas. Last year, Heinrich led the introduction of the Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, legislation to reauthorize and fully fund the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC). The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.). The provisions that Heinrich successfully included: Expand SBRC’s jurisdiction to include the following counties in New Mexico: Bernalillo, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, Torrance, Lea, and Valencia. These are in addition to Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Socorro, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy, Doña Ana, and Chaves Counties in New Mexico, which are already included within the SBRC’s jurisdiction. Greatly increase federal grant authorizations to New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas, increasing to $40 million in annual funding for FY25-FY29. Since its creation, Heinrich has fought to successfully stand up the SBRC and give southern border communities equitable access to federal investments that help them thrive. In 2020, Heinrich, along with former U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), helped secure an initial $250,000 of appropriations for the SBRC to jumpstart and expand its operations. In 2021, Heinrich, as a new member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure $1 million for the SBRC in the FY22 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The total funding that Heinrich secured in the overall FY22 Appropriations Bills for SBRC was $2.5 million. Heinrich also helped to pass the Infrastructure Law, which included $1.25 million for the SBRC. In 2022, Heinrich applauded President Biden’s nomination of Juan Eduardo Sanchez to be the first Federal Co-Chairman of the SBRC and voted to confirm Sanchez to the SBRC later that year. He also helped secure $5 million in funding for the SBRC in the FY23 Appropriations Bills. In 2023, Heinrich led efforts to secure $8 million in FY24 funding for the SBRC, including $3 million in the FY24 Agricultural Appropriations Bill that he authored as Chairman. Earlier this year, Heinrich successfully included $14 million for the SBRC in the Senate Appropriations Committee-passed FY25 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. This comes in addition to the $2 million that Heinrich successfully included in the Committee-passed FY25 Agriculture Appropriations Bill and the $5 million Heinrich successfully included in the Committee-passed FY25 Transportation Appropriations Bill. According to a recent report published by Heinrich, as Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, the proven success of other regional commissions shows that a fully funded and active SBRC would support vital economic development goals, grow and diversify New Mexico’s economy, and create high-quality jobs. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-urges-senate-leadership-to-help-lower-rx-costs-and-save-rural-pharmacies,Heinrich Urges Senate Leadership to Help Lower Rx Costs and Save Rural Pharmacies,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is urging Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to rein in damaging pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that hurt patients and pharmacies. PBMs are intermediaries that negotiate and manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of health insurance companies, self-insured employers, and government programs. Currently, three PBMs control nearly 80 percent of the prescription drug market and operate with little oversight by federal regulators and out of the view of consumers. PBMs influence prescription drug costs, determine which drugs are covered by an insurance plan, and pocket unknown sums of money that might otherwise be passed along as savings to consumers. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for the public and regulators to fully understand how the market drives up costs for consumers. “The need to act is more severe now than ever before. In 2023 there were over 300 independent pharmacy net closures — almost one per day. Unfortunately, that trend has only grown in 2024. Pharmacies across the country have been forced to close their doors because PBMs have continued to reimburse them significantly less than it costs the pharmacy to even purchase the drug. This is unsustainable, especially for small family businesses. The impacts of these closures only hurt already-struggling communities by decreasing the number of quality health care providers and likely increasing costs for seniors,” Heinrich wrote in a letter with his Senate colleagues. Heinrich is a leader on PBM reform in the Senate, cosponsoring bipartisan legislation known as the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act, which bans deceptive unfair pricing schemes, prohibits arbitrary clawbacks of payments made to pharmacies, and requires PBMs to report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) how much money they make through spread pricing and pharmacy fees. In March, Heinrich and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) urged Senate leadership to take immediate action to reform PBMs in an effort to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. The letter was led by U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.). Alongside Heinrich, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Angus King (I-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). The text of the letter is here and below: Dear Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell, We write to encourage you to include critically-needed Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reforms in any legislative vehicle that may be brought up for a vote at the end of the 118th Congress. A number of committees in both the Senate and the House have passed meaningful legislation that would rein in certain PBM practices that harm patients and local pharmacies. In the Senate, the Senate Finance Committee nearly unanimously passed the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act and the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act, the Commerce Committee passed the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act, and the Judiciary Committee passed the Prescription Pricing for the People Act. These proposed policies would increase transparency, realign incentives for PBMs and patients, ensure pharmacies are adequately reimbursed, and ensure that patients benefit from decreased drug costs. To not advance these important policies before the end of this Congress would be a waste of substantial progress made and would deny patients and pharmacists across the country the relief they deserve. In December of last year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wrote to PBMs and plans: ‘We are hearing an increasing number of concerns about certain practices by some plans and [PBMs] that threaten the sustainability of many pharmacies, impede access to care, and put increased burden on health care providers.’ More recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released an interim report which noted that ‘PBMs can often exercise significant control over which drugs are available, at what price, and which pharmacies patients can use to access their prescribed medications,’ and filed a complaint alleging that ‘PBMs have abused their economic power by rigging pharmaceutical supply chain competition in their favor, forcing patients to pay more for life-saving medication.’ The need to act is more severe now than ever before. In 2023 there were over 300 independent pharmacy net closures—almost one per day. Unfortunately, that trend has only grown in 2024. Pharmacies across the country have been forced to close their doors because PBMs have continued to reimburse them significantly less than it costs the pharmacy to even purchase the drug. This is unsustainable, especially for small family businesses. The impacts of these closures only hurt already-struggling communities by decreasing the number of quality health care providers and likely increasing costs for seniors. Should any long-term policy priorities be attached to an end-of- year spending package, PBM reforms should be included in order to end the 118th Congress with success that will help protect pharmacies and decrease costs for patients across the country. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-welcomes-19-million-usda-rural-development-award-for-southwest-border-regional-commission,Heinrich Welcomes $1.9 Million USDA Rural Development Award for Southwest Border Regional Commission,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, welcomed a newly announced $1.9 million funding award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) as part of a new round of investments totaling more than $194 million to support local economic development plans and projects in Rural Partners Network (RPN) communities across the country. “For years, I have worked to secure investments that support economic development and modernize infrastructure across New Mexico. As part of that work, I have pushed to make sure Congress fully funds the Southwest Border Regional Commission so it can boost economic progress in our southern border communities,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to welcome this $1.9 million investment into the Commission to grow local businesses and support workforce development. By continuing to expand the Commission’s reach, we are strategically working to grow and diversify local economies.” This investment will be used to enhance the Southwest Border Regional Commission's work to catalyze regional, collaborative, and transformative community economic development approaches that alleviate economic distress. Funding will target rural businesses, supporting business growth and innovation, workforce development, and technical assistance. The project will be accomplished through collaboration between stakeholders working across the awardee's service area, including targeted regions of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas. Background on the Southwest Border Regional Commission: The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is one of six active federal regional commissions and authorities, which are congressionally chartered, federal-state partnerships created to promote economic development in their respective regions. Congress first authorized the establishment of the SBRC in 2008 to promote economic development in the southern border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas. For years, Heinrich has fought to successfully stand up the SBRC and give southern border communities equitable access to federal investments that help them thrive. Heinrich wrote an op-ed in the Las Cruces Bulletin in January about his long-running work to expand the SBRC’s operations and impact in New Mexico. In 2020, Heinrich, along with former U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), helped secure an initial $250,000 of appropriations for the SBRC to jumpstart its operations. In 2021, Heinrich, as a new member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure $1 million for the SBRC in the FY22 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The total funding that Heinrich secured in the overall FY22 Appropriations Bills for SBRC was $2.5 million. Heinrich also helped to pass the Infrastructure Law, which included $1.25 million for the SBRC. In 2022, Heinrich applauded President Biden’s nomination of Juan Eduardo Sanchez to be the first Federal Co-Chairman of the SBRC and voted to confirm Sanchez to the SBRC later that year. He also helped secure $5 million in funding for the SBRC in the FY23 Appropriations Bills. In 2023, Heinrich led efforts to secure $8 million in FY24 funding for the SBRC, including $3 million in the FY24 Agricultural Appropriations Bill that he authored as Chairman. Earlier this year, Heinrich successfully included $14 million for the SBRC in the Senate Appropriations Committee-passed FY25 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. This comes in addition to the $2 million that Heinrich successfully included in the Committee-passed FY25 Agriculture Appropriations Bill and the $5 million Heinrich successfully included in the Committee-passed FY25 Transportation Appropriations Bill. Last year, Heinrich led the introduction of the Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, legislation to reauthorize and fully fund the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC). The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.). In September, Heinrich announced that he successfully included provisions in the “manager’s package” to the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act that are based on his Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act that would: Expand SBRC’s jurisdiction to include the following counties in New Mexico: Bernalillo, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, Torrance, Lea, and Valencia. These are in addition to Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Socorro, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy, Doña Ana, and Chaves Counties in New Mexico, which are already included within the SBRC’s jurisdiction. Greatly increase federal grants to New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas, authorizing $40 million in annual funding for FY25-FY29. According to a recent report published by Heinrich, as Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, the proven success of other regional commissions shows that a fully funded and active SBRC would support vital economic development goals, grow and diversify New Mexico’s economy, and create high-quality jobs. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-leger-fernandez-welcome-acquisition-of-dawson-elk-valley-ranch-in-northeast-nm,"Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome Acquisition of Dawson Elk Valley Ranch in Northeast N.M.",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Acquisition made possible with funds from the Inflation Reduction Act New Mexico Democrats passed into law WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) are welcoming this week's announcement that the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program — with $50 million of federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and an additional $16.7 million from The Nature Conservancy — is purchasing the Dawson Elk Valley Ranch in northeastern New Mexico near Cimarron to support the proposed Vermejo River Watershed Conservation Project. The lawmakers sent a letter of support to the Forest Service earlier this year urging the completion of this historic acquisition. “The acquisition of this property by The Nature Conservancy means this crown jewel of New Mexico will be managed for conservation and can't be sold off to the highest bidding developer,” said Heinrich. “I look forward to working closely with the New Mexico State Forestry Department, The Nature Conservancy, and Tribes in New Mexico as they work to finalize their stewardship, management, and public access plans for this stunning landscape that’s home to important history, massive herds of mule deer, elk, and pronghorn, migratory birds including bald eagles, and crystal clear trout streams. This is an exciting day for New Mexicans who have not been able to access these lands and waters for generations.” ""I am proud to announce that the U.S. Forest Service has acquired the Dawson Elk Valley Ranch in northeastern New Mexico for $66.7 million to support the Vermejo River Watershed Conservation Project. This crucial investment will help safeguard wildlife, secure drinking water resources, and support local economies through ranching and game management,"" said Luján. ""It will also establish New Mexico’s first Indigenous-led land trust, creating new opportunities for equitable funding while ensuring the long-term preservation of biodiversity and forest ecosystems for future generations."" ""The creation of New Mexico’s first Indigenous-led land trust is a powerful recognition of Tribal stewardship and a commitment to equitable collaboration in conserving our natural treasures,"" said Leger Fernandez. “This acquisition not only protects the Vermejo River Watershed and safeguards drinking water for eastern New Mexico but also supports vibrant local economies through ranching, hunting, and sustainable land management. Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act knowing it could make visionary projects like this one possible to make sure that our forests, wildlife, and cultural heritage endure for generations to come."" Background: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided a historic investment of $700 million over ten years to permanently conserve state and privately-owned forestlands through the Forest Legacy Program. The Forest Service made a portion of those funds available for “Tribal Partnership Projects.” The goal of this funding category is to support meaningful partnerships between States and Tribes to identify, acquire, and co-manage properties with significant Tribal cultural benefits as well as other public benefits. As part of the proposed Vermejo River Watershed Conservation Project, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the State of New Mexico’s Environment, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) plan to use the $50 million of federal funding from the IRA to acquire 32,580 acres which will be co-managed by State Forestry (a division of EMNRD) and Tribally-led land trust. The remaining 17,469 acres will be purchased by The Nature Conservancy with a conservation easement. The historic Dawson Elk Valley Ranch includes 32,580 acres of pristine timberland, including 7.2 miles of the Vermejo River and will conserve a diverse ecological system and the wildlife that live there. Protecting this system will safeguard a crucial drinking water resource for people across the eastern half of New Mexico. The land also houses the remnants of the historic mining community of Dawson, N.M., including a cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Continued management of this land will support local businesses through ongoing ranch management activities and through the active management of game populations, the hunting of which contributes more than $600 million in annual economic spending across New Mexico. This investment of Forest Legacy Funds will directly enable a variety of additional benefits, including the conservation of an additional 17,469 adjacent acres and the creation of New Mexico’s first ever Indigenous-led land trust, which will increase equitable access to funding through the Natural Resource Conservation Service. More information from the U.S. Forest Service on this week’s announcement can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-mullin-legislation-to-promote-tribal-buffalo-management-passes-senate,"Heinrich, Mullin Legislation to Promote Tribal Buffalo Management Passes Senate",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) applauded the Senate passage of their bipartisan Indian Buffalo Management Act, legislation to create a buffalo program at the U.S. Department of the Interior and help promote and develop Tribal capacity to manage buffalo. The Indian Buffalo Management Act provides secure, consistent funding for Tribes and Tribal organizations that have an established buffalo herd and management program, and provides resources for Tribes that would like to establish new herds. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives. ""Bison are a critical part of our culture, and have been for generations, in New Mexico, across the West, and especially in Indian Country,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to have led this legislation to strengthen our federal support for Tribal bison programs and grow this vital economic opportunity for communities deeply connected to bison. I call on the U.S. House of Representatives to quickly take up and pass this legislation.” “I am proud to co-lead this important legislation that will help Tribes reestablish buffalo herds on reservation lands,” said Mullin. “Doing so ensures that Native peoples across the country will continue reconnecting with a keystone of their historic culture and way of life.” The Indian Buffalo Management creates a buffalo restoration and management program within the Department of Interior to: Promote and develop the capacity of Tribes and tribal organizations to manage buffalo and buffalo habitat. Protect and enhance buffalo herds for the maximum benefit of Tribes. Ensure that Tribes are directly involved in the Interior Department decision-making regarding buffalo. The bill has been endorsed by the InterTribal Buffalo Council, the National Bison Association, The Nature Conservancy, and the National Wildlife Federation. A fact sheet is here. In September, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs advanced the Indian Buffalo Management Act, following a key hearing before the committee where Heinrich testified in support of the legislation. Additional Background: The American Plains Bison, also known as the American Buffalo, is deeply connected to many Tribes, and has always held great meaning for Indian peoples. Prior to the systematic destruction of the buffalo in 1800s, there were over 60 million bison roaming freely throughout much of the United States. They provided the Tribes with everything from clothing, to food, to shelter, to utensils, to pouches, to headdresses, to containers, to arrows and much more. It is impossible to overstate their importance to Indian people historically and to this day, culturally. The Department of Interior has provided nominal funds for buffalo management for over 20 years but in a rather piecemeal and arbitrary fashion, depending on Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) leadership any given year. This legislation affirms that commitment and authorizes a buffalo management program that will provide secure, consistent funding for Tribes and Tribal organizations that already have established buffalo herds and management programs and provides the opportunity to expand the program to other interested Tribes. There are now 83 Tribes in 24 states who are members of the InterTribal Buffalo Council. There were 19 tribal members in 1991. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/jec-mass-deportations-would-have-catastrophic-impact-on-economy,JEC: Mass Deportations Would Have Catastrophic Impact on Economy,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— The Joint Economic Committee (JEC) Democrats released a new report today detailing how Trump’s mass deportation plans would cause catastrophic harm to the economy. Depending on how many immigrants are deported, these mass deportations would: Reduce real gross domestic product (GDP) by as much as 7.4% by 2028, Cause labor shortages in key industries, removing 225,000 workers in agriculture and 1.5 million workers in construction, Push prices up to 9.1% higher by 2028, and Cost 44,000 U.S.-born workers their jobs for every half a million immigrants who are removed from the labor force. “As a son of an immigrant, I know how hard immigrants work, how much they believe in this country, and how much they’re willing to give back. They are the backbone of our economy and the driving force behind our nation’s growth and prosperity,” said Chairman Martin Heinrich (D-NM). “Trump’s plan to deport millions of immigrants does absolutely nothing to address the core problems driving our broken immigration system. Instead, all it will do is raise grocery prices, destroy jobs, and shrink the economy. His immigration policy is reckless and would cause irreparable harm to our economy.” Read the full report here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-biden-administration-announcement-on-temporary-protection-from-mining-threats-for-upper-pecos-watershed,N.M. Delegation Welcomes Biden Administration Announcement on Temporary Protection from Mining Threats for Upper Pecos Watershed,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming today’s announcement that the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service have initiated a two-year segregation period to temporarily withdraw approximately 165,000 acres of public lands in the Upper Pecos watershed in northern New Mexico, from new mining claims and the issuance of new federal mineral leases, subject to valid existing rights. This temporary protection gives the public land agencies time to consider longer-term protections without new mining claims being staked during the process. “This temporary protection is a major victory for the Pecos Valley and the farmers, Tribal members, hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists who are united by the expansive watersheds that feed into it,” said Heinrich. “The Upper Pecos Watershed has an unfortunate history of poorly managed mining and development projects that have put New Mexicans and our ways of life and cultures at risk. While we continue pressing our colleagues in Congress to pass our Pecos Watershed Protection Act to ensure permanent protection from harmful mining operations, we urge the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to move forward with longer-term administrative protections. I urge them to schedule the required public meeting on this administrative protection proposal immediately.” “I’m proud that the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management heeded my call and will now take important steps to protect the Upper Pecos Watershed from mining threats,” said Luján. “This two-year protection will safeguard the lands, waters, and way of life in the Pecos. I commend Secretary Haaland for her leadership on this issue, and I remain committed to passing the Pecos Watershed Protection Act to protect the parts Pecos Watershed from all mineral development and ensure future generations can continue to benefit from this critical watershed.” “As the Pecos River flows from high mountain snowmelt, it provides the water needed for life, for the recreational and cultural traditions of the surrounding valley and the communities it traverses for miles. In New Mexico, we know that agua es vida — water is life — and we must protect the Pecos from any new mining toxic waste spills. Secretary Haaland’s initiation of an administrative protection for the Upper Pecos Watershed is a vital step to make sure surrounding communities can rely on the Pecos River. I will also continue to work to pass my Pecos Watershed Protection Act to permanently safeguard the Pecos and make sure dangerous mining accidents do not happen again,” said Leger Fernández. “President Biden and Secretary Haaland’s announcement of temporary protection against mining threats is a significant step forward in safeguarding our precious water resources and protecting the unique ecosystems of the Upper Pecos Watershed,” said Stansbury. “It is a triumph for our communities who rely on clean water and healthy ecosystems. We must continue to prioritize the health of our environment so New Mexicans can not only benefit from these vital natural resources but enjoy them. Together, we will ensure New Mexicans inherit a vibrant and resilient landscape.” ""Today’s action by Secretary Haaland is crucial to protect the Upper Pecos watershed,"" said Vasquez. ""This land is vital for wildlife, water and Indigenous communities, and I will continue fighting for its permanent protection in Congress. We must ensure these lands are preserved for future generations.” Background: The Pecos River is not only an essential source of water for communities throughout New Mexico but also supplies water to traditional acequias and helps support agriculture that sustains families and livelihoods in New Mexico. In 2023, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández introduced the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, legislation to protect portions of the Pecos Watershed in northern New Mexico from new mineral claims. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus endorsed this legislation in October 2024. Earlier this month, the Delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service strongly urging the completion of this initial step of the mineral withdrawal process in the Upper Pecos Watershed. Completing this initial step safeguards the lands, waters, and way of life in the Pecos from the dangers of future mining claims for two years. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service will now initiate a process to propose that the Secretary of the Interior implement a 20-year withdrawal to help secure the region’s water and air quality, cultural resources, critical fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. The withdrawal, for lands in San Miguel and Santa Fe counties, would encompass multiple Pecos River tributaries, including Dalton Canyon, Macho Canyon, Wild Horse Creek, Indian Creek, and Doctor Creek. The BLM will publish this announcement in the Federal Register in the coming days, initiating a 90-day public comment period to gather input on the proposal. During the comment period, the two agencies will host at least one hybrid public meeting. The New Mexico Delegation is urging the agencies to announce the date of this public meeting as soon as possible. ### Follow U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich on X, Instagram, and Facebook:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/jec-mexico-canada-and-china-will-not-pay-for-tariffs-americans-will,"JEC: ""Mexico, Canada, and China will not pay for tariffs. Americans will.”",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that prices measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.3% in November. Data also show that annual prices grew 2.7.% over the last year. “President-Elect Trump’s inflationary policies will erase all of the hard work we’ve put in to get inflation under control. Don’t be fooled. Mexico, Canada, and China will not pay for tariffs. Americans will.” “Imposing new tariffs will hike up prices on food, appliances, and everyday goods. And border states like New Mexico will feel the brunt of it. His policies are bad for the state, our economy, and for Americans across the country.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/mass-deportations-would-deliver-a-catastrophic-blow-to-the-us-economy,Mass Deportations Would Deliver a Catastrophic Blow to the U.S. Economy,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Though the U.S. immigration system remains broken, immigrants are crucial to growing the labor force and supporting economic output. Immigrants have helped expand the labor supply, pay nearly $580 billion a year in taxes, possess a spending power of $1.6 trillion a year, and just last year contributed close to $50 billion each in personal income and consumer spending. Congress must reform and modernize the immigration system while also cementing the immense economic benefits associated with immigration. Time and time again, Democrats have attempted to do so through comprehensive immigration reform but have been blocked by Republicans who continue to use the issue to sow division. The incoming Trump administration plans to conduct mass deportations that would upend entire communities and have severe economic fallout. Mass deportations would reduce economic growth, shrink the labor force, cost U.S.-born workers their jobs, raise costs for nearly all Americans, and risk igniting inflation. Depending on how many immigrants are deported, these mass deportations would: Reduce real gross domestic product (GDP) by as much as 7.4% by 2028, Reduce the supply of workers for key industries, including by up to 225,000 workers in agriculture and 1.5 million workers in construction, Push prices up to 9.1% higher by 2028, and Cost 44,000 U.S.-born workers their jobs for every half a million immigrants who are removed from the labor force. Mass deportation would damage the U.S. economy and hurt U.S.-born workers as well as immigrants On top of the billions of dollars it would cost to undertake the sweeping deportation efforts that President Trump has called for across the country, multiple analyses show that any mass deportation plan would cause massive declines in GDP and overall employment. Estimates from the Peterson Institute for International Economics show that if 8.3 million undocumented immigrants are deported, GDP would be 7.4% lower and employment would be 7.0% lower by 2028. This 7.4% reduction in GDP over four years would likely mean that the U.S. economy would not grow at all during President Trump’s second term. Even if 1.3 million undocumented immigrants are deported, GDP would drop by 1.2% and employment would drop by 1.1% by 2028. The American Immigration Council has estimated that a long-term deportation—deporting one million people each year until there is no undocumented population—could amount to a 4.2% to 6.8% loss in GDP (totaling $1.1 to $1.7 trillion in losses), with the effects felt most acutely in California, Florida, and Texas. To put this in context, the economy shrank by 4.3% during the Great Recession. The researchers also find that this deportation plan would cut $23 billion in funds for Social Security and $6 billion from Medicare each year because these workers would no longer pay into these programs. A 2016 study estimates that mass deportations would reduce GDP by nearly $280 billion in the first year, with the cost growing to roughly $5 trillion after 10 years as businesses shrink their hiring and production in response to the scale of deportations. The effects of mass deportations could be greater if additional documented immigrants or U.S. citizen family members also leave the country. People in mixed-status families who are either U.S.-born children or green card holders may be caught up in deportation sweeps or leave themselves if undocumented members of their family are deported. Evidence also shows that deportations reduce employment for U.S.-born workers. Deportation initiatives from past administrations actually led to net reductions in employment and earnings in the short- and long-term for U.S.-born workers, with the worst impacts falling on the least educated and most vulnerable. An analysis of past deportation operations estimates that for every half a million immigrants removed from the labor force due to enforcement, 44,000 U.S.-born workers lose their jobs. Employers would not simply hire U.S. born workers to fill the vacancies created by undocumented workers who are deported, as there would be too many vacancies, U.S.-born workers would be unlikely to move into these industries, and employer hiring behavior can be variable. Employers may, for example, choose to invest in production processes that require less labor instead. Mass deportations would cause labor shortages in vital industries like agriculture, housing, and health care—raising costs for all Americans Undocumented immigrants make up a relatively small share of the overall labor force—between 4.4% and 5.4% since 2003—but they have outsized roles in industries like construction, agriculture, health care, and hospitality. They grow, pick, and process Americans’ food; build homes in communities across the country; and provide in-home care to seniors and others. Without immigrant labor, these industries would face labor shortages, further exacerbating their need for labor. In addition, the United States would lose workers that were educated here. Over 15% of undocumented workers have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and nearly half a million are currently enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities. Many industries already face labor shortages or are projected to face a shortage of workers in the coming decades. There were 282,000 job openings in construction in September 2024, and one study estimated the construction industry will need an additional 454,000 workers above the normal pace of hiring to meet the demand for labor in 2025. Mass deportations would only exacerbate this shortage as up to a quarter of construction workers are undocumented. This loss in workers would make housing even harder to build, raising its cost. Mass deportations would also reduce the supply of farmworkers who keep Americans fed as well as the supply of home health aides at a time when more Americans are aging and requiring assistance. The American Immigration Council estimates that mass deportations would remove up to 1.5 million workers from the construction industry, 225,000 from agriculture, one million from hospitality, 870,000 from manufacturing, and 461,000 from transportation and warehousing. The labor shortages that result from mass deportations would raise costs for all Americans. With unemployment near a historic low, employers in sectors like agriculture and construction would produce less, resulting in shortages and higher prices. Economists at the Peterson Institute for International Economics estimate that deporting 1.3 million immigrants would raise prices by 1.5% by 2028, while deporting 8.3 million immigrants would raise prices by 9.1%. Additionally, mass deportations would reduce consumer spending, as undocumented workers are not just workers but also consumers. If demand for certain goods and services slows enough, demand for workers in those sectors may also slow, and some businesses may be forced to lay off workers. Immigration is essential for a strong labor force and U.S. economy The massive costs associated with these deportation plans underscore just how vital immigrants are to the U.S. economy. Non-partisan analysis of recent immigration trends by the Hamilton Project shows that in 2023 immigrants contributed $48 billion to overall personal income and $46 billion to consumer spending. An analysis by former Council of Economic Advisers chief economist Ernie Tedeschi suggests that immigration is responsible for at least a fifth of the 8.2% growth in real GDP since the end of 2019. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the recent increase in immigration could add $8.9 trillion to GDP over the next decade while reducing the deficit by $900 billion. Importantly, both immigrant and U.S.-born workers between the ages of 25 and 64 are employed at higher rates now than they were before the pandemic (see graph below), signaling that the strong labor market in recent years has benefitted both immigrants and U.S.-born workers alike. Evidence from the last few decades shows that immigrants do not take jobs from U.S.-born workers or bring down wages for similarly-skilled workers. This is especially true when there are lots of job openings, like there were during the post-pandemic recovery. A recent analysis from the Brookings Institution estimates that U.S.-born and immigrant employment actually increased more than expected in 2023, despite previous data pointing to a decrease in U.S.-born employment. A recent study even showed that immigrants can actually boost wages and employment for U.S.-born workers. Immigrants have a high propensity for entrepreneurship that boosts overall job growth While immigrants make up about 14% of the U.S. population, they represent about a fifth of the self-employed workforce and account for a quarter of start-up founders. Many immigrants find success in their entrepreneurial pursuits: 55% of the companies valued at or above $1 billion in the United States were founded by immigrants and more than 40% of the Fortune 500 companies in 2021 were founded by an immigrant or the child of an immigrant. Immigrants are also more likely to work jobs that have a job-multiplier effect, meaning that their employment facilitates the entry of other workers into the labor force. For example, workers in sectors like education and health services, where immigrants make up about 1 in 5 workers, help parents and caregivers of all backgrounds enter the labor force and grow the economy. This is particularly true for women, who perform a disproportionate share of unpaid care work. Immigrants pay their fair share in taxes and can help secure the future of key government programs Immigrants tend to be younger, and with their high employment rates, they pay taxes into Social Security and Medicare with most not receiving benefits until many years in the future, if they are eligible at all. One study found that each foreign-born person pays on average $1,300 more each year and $237,000 more over their lifetime in taxes than they receive in benefits from federal, state, and local governments. Another showed that between 2012 and 2018, immigrants contributed $166 more per capita, on average, to the Medicare Trust Fund each year than what was spent on their behalf. Conversely, Medicare spent more on U.S.-born Americans than they contributed with an average cost of $51 per capita. Immigration can help preserve Social Security, while reforms to immigration policy could help extend Medicare solvency. Immigrants contribute to many social programs with their taxes, despite many being ineligible to receive most government benefits. In 2022, immigrants had a spending power of $1.6 trillion, and they collectively paid $579 billion in local, state, and federal taxes. Legal avenues for immigration and pathways to citizenship benefit workers and the U.S. economy Providing a pathway to citizenship is good economics. Immigrants are helping meet labor demand while also demonstrating that more legal pathways to working in the United States are needed to meet this demand. Additionally, research shows that expanding legal immigration pathways can reduce irregular border crossings, leading to more secure and regulated borders. This approach is vital for managing increased migration to the United States, especially as more people flee their home countries due to the continued risk of violence, persecution, economic conditions, natural disasters, and climate change. President Trump’s mass deportation proposals would strip the United States of the many contributions of immigrants to the U.S. economy and communities across the country. Deporting immigrants will not only upend their lives, but also harm the U.S. economy through reduced economic growth, a smaller labor force, lost jobs, and higher costs to the detriment of all Americans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-34-million-to-solve-crime-keep-communities-safe-and-support-survivor-services,"N.M. Delegation Welcomes $3.4 Million to Solve Crime, Keep Communities Safe & Support Survivor Services",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $3,392,905 from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to help New Mexico’s law enforcement solve crimes, support survivor services, improve violence prevention, and keep communities safe. The grants all come from the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program and will be distributed from the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP). “To tackle crime and make our communities safer, we need to better equip our law enforcement officers and prosecutors as they work to solve and prevent crimes, while also supporting survivors of violent crime as they grapple with the very real impacts of what they’ve experienced,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to welcome these federal resources that will both support survivors of violent crime and hold dangerous criminals accountable.” “With this $3.4 million in federal funding, New Mexico’s law enforcement agencies will be equipped with the resources needed to keep our communities safe and support victims of crimes,” said Luján.“Across our state, law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and I’m proud to welcome this funding to help them do their jobs. I will continue to fight for federal resources to keep New Mexico communities safe.” ""Across my district, from Clovis, to Hobbs to Farmington, we are delivering $3.4 million in funds to help our law enforcement professionals solve crimes faster, protect themselves as they confront violent criminal encounters, and keep people safe during high-speed chases,” said Leger Fernández. “It’s vital that our communities feel safe and protected,” said Stansbury. “This $3.4 million will help provide law enforcement with the tools to address crime, protect victims, and keep New Mexico safe. Our law enforcement and first responders put their lives on the line to protect New Mexicans, and I’m grateful for this funding.” “This $3.4 million investment is a critical step towards strengthening public safety in our communities,” said Vasquez. “By supporting crime prevention efforts and providing vital resources for survivors, we’re ensuring that justice is within reach. Our law enforcement officers and community organizations work tirelessly to ensure our safety, and I’m committed to fighting for the federal support they need.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-calls-on-haaland-to-designate-caja-del-rio-national-monument,Heinrich Calls on Haaland to Designate Caja del Rio National Monument,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is calling on U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to listen to the broad coalition of New Mexicans who are calling to protect the invaluable cultural and natural resources in the Caja del Rio by designating a new national monument before President Joe Biden’s term ends in January. “Tribes, traditional communities, the County of Santa Fe, sportsmen, hikers, birders, and countless New Mexicans all want to see the Caja protected as a national monument,” said Heinrich. “I join them in calling on Secretary Haaland to make sure this landscape is protected and restored for generations of New Mexicans to come.” The All Pueblo Council of Governors, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber, and the Santa Fe County Commission have passed resolutions and signed letters of support calling on Secretary Haaland and President Joe Biden to use their authorities under the Antiquities Act to designate a new national monument protecting the Caja del Rio. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-legislation-to-clean-up-abandoned-mines-passes-us-house-of-representatives-heads-to-presidents-desk-to-be-signed-into-law,"Heinrich Legislation to Clean Up Abandoned Mines Passes U.S. House of Representatives, Heads to President’s Desk to be Signed into Law",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Bipartisan Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act clears final hurdle in Congress WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) applauded the passage of his Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Co-led with U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), this legislation will make it easier for “Good Samaritans,” such as state agencies, nonprofits, and other groups, to clean up and improve water quality in and around abandoned hardrock mines. Heinrich and Risch hailed the Senate’s unanimous and bipartisan passage of the bill in July. The House companion legislation is led by U.S. Representatives Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), and Susie Lee (D-Nev.). The bill now heads to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. “For more than 25 years, Good Samaritans have tried to clean up abandoned mines but have faced significant hurdles and liability rules that hold them responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine — despite having no involvement with the mines before their cleanup efforts. With today’s passage, we’ve now cleared one of the final hurdles preventing these groups from helping to protect the land, water, fish, and wildlife our communities rely on. This victory belongs to every single person who rolled up their sleeves to fix this longstanding injustice, and I’d like to thank those who have carried the baton to get us to this point. I am grateful for President Biden’s support of the bill, and his signature will allow Good Samaritans to get to work,” said Heinrich. “I introduced the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act with Senator Heinrich to remove unnecessary barriers to clean up long-abandoned mine sites in Idaho and across the United States. This work is long overdue. I am pleased to see our bill pass the House of Representatives with resounding bipartisan support and look forward to its swift signing into law,” said Risch. ""This legislation has been decades in the making,” said Maloy. “I'm grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues and the many stakeholders across the country who helped us achieve this milestone. With my bill in place, state agencies, non-profits, mining companies and other volunteers can clean up abandoned mines without being held liable by the EPA or undergoing extensive permitting requirements. Thanks to this bill, Utahns will have the freedom to make their state a safer and cleaner place."" “Despite having no legal or financial responsibility to do so, state agencies, non-profits, and advocates are eager to contribute to abandoned hardrock mine cleanup efforts. But, right now, over-burdensome permitting requirements bar them from doing so,” said Peltola. “Too often, government red tape prevents good work from getting done — that’s why passing our Good Samaritan bill is huge for mine cleanup throughout Alaska!” “Abandoned hardrock mines in Nevada and across the country are poisoning our waters, threatening tribal lands, and their hazardous landscapes have injured and killed Americans. For 25 years, Good Sam bills — which would clean up these mines — have stalled because of Washington politics. Today, Republicans and Democrats made history by finally empowering Good Samaritan organizations that are willing and able to assist this long overdue clean up,” said Lee. “Because of commonsense bipartisanship, our nation is now on a path to cleaner waters and safer landscapes."" Background The U.S. has hundreds of thousands of abandoned hardrock mine features, of which at least 33,000 pose environmental hazards according to the GAO. Organizations that have no legal or financial responsibility to an abandoned mine – true Good Samaritans – want to volunteer to remediate some of these sites. Unfortunately, liability rules would leave these Good Samaritans legally responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine, even though they had no involvement with the mine prior to cleaning it up. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act creates a pilot permitting program to enable not-for-profit cleanup efforts to move forward, while ensuring Good Samaritans have the skills and resources to comply with federal oversight. This pilot program is designed for lower risk projects that will improve water and soil quality or otherwise protect human health. A one-page summary is here. The text of the bill is here. Heinrich championed a provision in the Infrastructure Law to establish the first-ever abandoned hardrock mine reclamation program in the Department of the Interior. With the passage of the Good Samaritan legislation, public-private partnerships can use this program to jumpstart abandoned mine cleanups. In November, the Biden administration announced its support for the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Brain Schatz (D-Hawaii), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). In the House, the legislation is cosponsored U.S. Representatives John Curtis (R-Utah), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Burgess Owens (R-Utah), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Blake Moore (R-Utah), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Garrett Graves (R-La.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Elijah Crane (R-Ariz.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D- N.M.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio), Vince Fong (R-Calif.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Reuben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), and Glen Thompson (R-Pa.). The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act has garnered widespread support from agencies and organizations: States: Western Governor’s Association, Western States Water Council, Interstate Mining Compact Commission, National Association of Abandoned Mind Land Programs, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Attorney General of Colorado, Governor of Nevada. National conservation organizations: American Rivers, American Sportfishing Association, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Conservation Alliance, Nature Conservancy, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited. Mining industry organizations: National Mining Association, American Exploration and Mining Association. Tribal leaders: National Congress of American Indians. Outdoor Recreation organizations and businesses: American Fly Fishing Trade Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Outdoor Alliance, and dozens of state and local organizations and businesses. Wildlife and sportsmen’s organizations: American Fly Fishing Trade Association, American Sportfishing Association, Angler Action Foundation, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S), Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Boone and Crockett Club, Campfire Club of America, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Fly Fishers International, Houston Safari Club, Izaak Walton League of America, Mule Deer Foundation, National Association of Forest Service Retirees, National Deer Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Wildlife Federation, New York State Conservation Council, North American Grouse Partnership, Orion: The Hunter’s Institute, Pheasants Forever, Pope & Young Club, Property and Environment Research Center, Public Lands Foundation, Quail Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, The Nature Conservancy, The Wildlife Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “This is a victory for common sense. Senators Heinrich and Risch took a bipartisan approach to a non-partisan issue. Clean water is a basic human right,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “This bill will allow organizations such as Trout Unlimited, local communities, and states to pilot new approaches to making our waters cleaner and our communities healthier. Bully for their leadership!” “Today’s passage of bipartisan and bicameral Good Samaritan legislation out of the House of Representatives was the final step in securing a key solution to tackle the long-overdue cleanup of legacy abandoned mine sites. This bill, which passed the Senate unanimously, has been more than a decade in the making and will encourage the involvement of mining companies, conservation groups and local stakeholders in abandoned mine cleanup without fear of incurring additional legal liability. I look forward to the President signing this bipartisan bill into law allowing for responsible, much-needed land and water remediation efforts,” said Rich Nolan, President and CEO of the National Mining Association. “AEMA celebrates today’s passage of the bipartisan Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hard Rock Mines Act, the culmination of nearly three decades of work by a broad range of stakeholders. Our members are proud to collaborate with the conservation community, states, and the federal government to address the cleanup of historic, pre-regulation sites. This pilot project program provides an opportunity to demonstrate that the process can work so we can progress to a broader Good Sam bill in the near future. I’d like to congratulate and thank Senators Risch and Heinrich, and Representatives Maloy and Peltola for their leadership, and all the bipartisan cosponsors for getting this important legislation across the finish line,” said Mark Compton, Executive Director of the American Exploration and Mining Association. “Thanks to the tireless advocacy of Senators Heinrich and Risch, Representatives Maloy and Peltola, and a host of Good Samaritans in nonprofits and industry who have worked for decades to get something done, this bipartisan legislation is a big win for our nation’s waterways. Abandoned hardrock mines have left a legacy of waste and damage for rivers and streams across the country. The bill will provide a much-needed pathway for remediation work that will lead to cleaner water, improved public health and economic development that will enrich frontline communities,” said Tom Cors, Senior Director, Legislative Affairs, The Nature Conservancy. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/jec-trumps-plan-of-vengeance-to-deport-undocumented-workers-and-impose-tariffs-will-not-create-jobs,JEC: Trump’s “plan of vengeance to deport undocumented workers and impose tariffs will not create jobs”,2024-12-06,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 227,000 in November and the unemployment rate increased to 4.2%. The unemployment rate was 6.4% for Black workers, 5.3% for Hispanic workers, 3.8% for white workers, 3.8% for Asian workers, and 8.3% (not seasonally adjusted) for American Indian and Alaska Native workers. “President-Elect Trump and Republicans love to rewrite history. Here are the facts: Trump was the first President since World War II to leave office with fewer jobs than when his administration started. And his disastrous policies will hurt our economy once again.” “Don’t let them fool you. His plan of vengeance to deport millions of undocumented workers and impose tariffs will not create jobs. It will not support our manufacturers, farmers, or small businesses. And it certainly will not grow our economy. It will only create an unmitigated disaster for everyday Americans who will struggle to make ends meet.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-successfully-secure-the-confirmation-of-sarah-davenport-for-us-district-court-for-the-district-of-new-mexico,"Heinrich, Luján Successfully Secure the Confirmation of Sarah Davenport for U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico",2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) secured the confirmation of Sarah Davenport for U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. “Sarah Davenport has built an impressive legal career as a federal prosecutor in New Mexico and has strong roots in her home community of Las Cruces,” said Heinrich and Luján. “We are proud to have secured Ms. Davenport’s confirmation and look forward to her serving the District of New Mexico, delivering justice, and upholding the rule of law.” Sarah Morgan Davenport has served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces, New Mexico, since 2009. In that capacity, her practice focused on prosecuting complex, multi-defendant criminal cases. From 2008 to 2009, Ms. Davenport served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces. And from 2006 to 2008, she served as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Law Clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She received her J.D. from the University of New Mexico in 2006 and her B.M. from the University of New Mexico in 1998. In September, before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Heinrich and Luján introduced Sarah Davenport for consideration to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. The senators strongly recommended Davenport to the Biden Administration and welcomed the announcement of her nomination in August. In June, Heinrich and Luján commended the Honorable William Paul Johnson, who announced his intention to retire from regular active service as a United States District Court Judge effective in January 2025, after 23 years of distinguished service on the federal bench. The seat on the District Court for the District of New Mexico, which Davenport has been confirmed to fill, will be based in Las Cruces, N.M. During the Biden Administration, Heinrich and Luján have worked together to confirm three of the currently sitting federal judges: District Judges Margaret Strickland, David Herrera Urias, and Matthew Garcia. In August, the senators also successfully secured the confirmation of David O. Barnett, Jr. for U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico. During the Trump Administration, Heinrich joined with then-Senator Tom Udall to confirm one additional currently sitting federal judge: District Judge Kea Riggs. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-15-million-in-usda-funding-for-acequias-and-45-million-for-tribal-water-projects,N.M. Delegation Welcomes $15 Million in USDA Funding for Acequias and $45 Million for Tribal Water Projects,2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"New funding initiative will support New Mexico’s farmers and producers while reducing water losses WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Water-Saving Commodities Program to support agricultural production while reducing water losses in communities across the West. This update to the Water Saving Commodities Program initially announced in August follows consistent efforts by the NM Delegation to secure additional resources to help New Mexican agricultural producers address drought. New funding announced by the USDA includes $15 million to support acequias through a partnership with the New Mexico and Colorado State Associations of Conservation Districts and $45 million of funding from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to support the preliminary selection of three Congressionally-authorized Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Irrigation Projects including the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project in New Mexico. ""Growers are feeling the undeniable strain of less predictable rainfall and extended droughts. This means its harder and harder for growers to make ends meet, food at grocery stores gets more expensive, and the agriculture economy and way of life in rural communities take major hits,” said Heinrich, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration. “As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for federal agriculture funding, I am thrilled to see our appropriations helping farmers and producers—investing in water-smart solutions to keep putting healthy food on our tables, bolstering local economies, and protecting New Mexico’s long-term water security.” “As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am committed to bolstering New Mexico’s agriculture production, resources for acequias, and Tribal water projects. As New Mexico and our Western state neighbors address long-term drought, it’s critical that the federal government invests in reducing water loss and supporting our farmers, ranchers, and producers,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome this multi-million dollar investment for acequias and Tribes, including the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project, and I will continue fighting to deliver investments to New Mexico.” “Agua es vida—especially in New Mexico.This critical funding recognizes the deep connection our communities have to our water and agricultural traditions,” said Leger Fernández. “Acequias have guided the life-giving waters of New Mexico’s rivers to nurture our communities and fields for centuries, while Tribal irrigation projects are vital to sovereignty and food security. This $15 million for acequias and $45 million for Tribal irrigation projects will help our farmers and producers adapt to the challenges of drought and climate change while honoring and preserving our water heritage for future generations.” “Our acequias are a lifeline for so many New Mexicans,” said Stansbury. “Our people have been stewards of these waters for generations, and I am grateful that this funding will not only help conserve our precious resources, but upgrade infrastructure to help with the impacts of drought. Water is life!” “Agua es vida. This investment is a critical step towards protecting our vital acequias and will directly benefit our farmers, ranchers and Tribal nations who depend on sustainable water solutions,” said Vasquez. “This funding through the Water Saving Commodity program ensures we can protect our water supply, support economic growth and honor our commitments to environmental stewardship.” Background on Water Saving Commodity Program: In August, USDA announced the preliminary selection of 18 irrigation districts, including the Elephant Butte Irrigation District in New Mexico, for $400 million of new funding to support the production of water-saving commodities. USDA has entered into formal agreements with all 18 districts to implement water-saving strategies across the West. The Elephant Butte Irrigation District will receive up to $15 million in funding from this program. In April, Heinrich, Vasquez and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.) led 26 of their colleagues representing Western states in a letter urging the Biden administration to make further investments to address long-term drought caused by climate change. The lawmakers applaud the administration’s previous and ongoing efforts to combat drought in the American West – including through the Western Water and Working Lands Framework and by opening up Inflation Reduction Act funding for additional climate-smart agriculture practices – and called for further action to address Western drought through investments in upstream watershed-scale projects, water forecasting, water conservation, and watershed restoration. Producers who participate in USDA’s Water Saving Commodity Program will receive payments for voluntarily reducing water consumption while maintaining and expanding water-saving commodity production. This funding will help conserve up to 50,000 acre-feet in water use across 250,000 acres of irrigated land in production, while expanding and creating new, sustainable market opportunities. The new program, coupled with investments from the Western Water Framework, will support innovative measures for water conservation while building resilience for long-term agricultural production in New Mexico and the West. $15 Million for Acequia Partnerships: With this newly announced $15 million of funding, USDA will dedicate resources specifically for Water-Saving Commodities partnerships with both the New Mexico and Colorado State Associations of Conservation Districts to collaborate with community operated irrigation systems known as acequias to produce water-saving commodities. In many New Mexico communities, acequias are the stewards of surface waters that not only flow to their fields but help replenish rivers, wetlands and groundwater. These partnerships will enhance existing cooperative efforts and partnerships between acequias and local conservation districts to provide education, outreach, and technical services needed to keep production up while responsibly utilizing water and other natural resources during drought conditions. Acequias and land grant-mercedes (land grants) are communities that are deeply important to the culture and history of New Mexico. These traditional communities can trace their origin back centuries and are now incorporated into New Mexico’s government as independent political subdivisions. Unlike other subdivisions, such as irrigation and conservation districts, acequias and land grants are unable to levy taxes on users, and thus the cost of upkeep and repairs has historically been placed on individual members of the community. There are hundreds of acequias and dozens of land grants in New Mexico. Last year, Luján and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced bipartisan legislation that ensures acequias are able to access the same USDA disaster assistance programs available to other agricultural systems. The ACEQUIA Act amends the Non-insured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to ensure that Parciantes qualify for drought and other disaster assistance. Additionally, the legislation codifies current agency guidance that Parciantes do not need to obtain a special-use permit to perform routine maintenance or in-kind improvements on federal land. Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) introduced the House companion bill. That legislation built on Senator Luján’s successful effort to ensure the USDA fully compensates Rio Arriba farmers and ranchers for unfair changes made to the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) reimbursement rate by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New Mexico. As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, Heinrich and then-U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) secured a provision to make acequias and land grant-mercedes eligible for grants and technical assistance from conservation and environmental programs through USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to increase agricultural water efficiency and further conservation of soil, water, and other natural resources. $45 Million for Tribal Irrigation Projects: As part of the same announcement, USDA announced that the FSA has dedicated $45 million specifically for Water-Saving Commodities assistance to help Tribal communities with BIA Irrigation Projects. These investments will help the selected projects—including the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project in New Mexico—strengthen their irrigation practices in places experiencing the impacts from drought, reducing water losses, while continuing agricultural commodity production. USDA held a Tribal consultation this summer, engaged with BIA, and applied a similar criteria that was used to select the irrigation projects to target funding within the Tribal set-aside. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-cosponsors-legislation-to-stop-predatory-payday-lending-practices,Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation to Stop Predatory Payday Lending Practices,2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act, legislation that will safeguard consumers from predatory payday lending practices. “Part of building an economy that benefits working people means cracking down on predatory lending practices that put folks into an endless cycle of debt,” said Heinrich. “With an incoming administration hellbent on weakening consumer protections, we need to ensure states have the tools needed to help consumers better protect themselves against abusive lending practices.” Predatory payday lenders have flourished online despite laws passed by many states, including New Mexico, to stop abusive lending. Internet lenders hide behind layers of anonymously registered websites and “lead generators” to evade enforcement and can empty consumers’ bank accounts before they have a chance to assert their rights. Specifically, the SAFE Lending Act would: The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). Alongside Heinrich, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.). In the House, the legislation is led by U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). The SAFE Lending Act is endorsed by the National Consumer Law Center, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Main Street Alliance, U.S. PIRG, UnidosUS, Greenlining Institute, and National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-cosponsors-legislation-to-protect-rural-postal-processing-facilities,Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Rural Postal Processing Facilities,2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the Postal Processing Protection Act, legislation that will require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to fully study the consequences of closing or downsizing rural mail processing facilities before making any final decisions in an effort to protect rural mail processing facilities. “Folks across New Mexico rely on the U.S. Postal Service to receive everything from paychecks to prescription medicine. I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that would force this agency to think twice before taking away an essential service from New Mexicans living in rural communities,” said Heinrich. Currently, the USPS is not required to study or consider the effects of closures or consolidations of rural mail processing facilities on the communities they serve. The Postal Processing Protection Act will require the USPS to consider the impact to rural areas when closing or downsizing processing centers, just as they do with closing post office retail locations. The legislation is led by U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Alongside Heinrich, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). The text of the bill is here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-urges-forest-service-to-complete-mineral-withdrawal-process-at-upper-pecos-watershed-protect-watershed-from-future-mining-threats,"N.M. Delegation Urges Forest Service to Complete Mineral Withdrawal Process at Upper Pecos Watershed, Protect Watershed From Future Mining Threats",2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) called on the U.S. Forest Service to complete the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process in the Upper Pecos Watershed. Completing the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process for the watershed would safeguard the lands, waters, and way of life in the Pecos from the dangers of future mining and ensure future generations can continue to benefit from this critical watershed. “To safeguard the lands, waters, and way of life in the Pecos, we strongly urge the Forest Service to complete, without delay, the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process for the watershed,” wrote the lawmakers. “Any contamination of the watershed from mining would directly harm water quality, threatening local economies, fish and wildlife, and the health of the people living along the Pecos. These rural communities have made it clear: they do not want mining operations that could endanger the environment, their way of life, and the long-term sustainability of the region,” continued the lawmakers. The Pecos River is not only an essential source of water for communities throughout New Mexico but also supplies water to traditional acequias and helps support agriculture that sustains families and livelihoods in New Mexico. In 2023, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández introduced the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, legislation to protect portions of the Pecos Watershed in northern New Mexico from all mineral development. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus endorsed this legislation in October 2024. The lawmakers’ full letter is here and below: Dear Chief Moore, We are writing to follow up on your previous letter from April 11, 2023, in which the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) agreed to begin “evaluating the potential risk of mineral development in the Upper Pecos Watershed and whether…current laws and regulations are adequate for its protection.” The Pecos River irrigates farmland that families rely on for their economic survival in the immediate vicinity of the forest and for hundreds of miles in New Mexico. The communities along the Pecos River cannot afford the risk of another toxic spill. To protect this critical watershed, we request that the Forest Service provide an update on its evaluation and complete the initial steps of the administrative withdrawal process, without delay. The Pecos River is not only an essential source of water for communities throughout New Mexico but is also deeply tied to our state’s cultural heritage. Traditional acequias—community-operated irrigation canals—rely on the river for water, supporting agriculture that sustains families and livelihoods. Pueblos use the land for fishing and hunting as well as ceremonial purposes. Any contamination of the watershed from mining would directly harm water quality, threatening local economies, fish and wildlife, and the health of the people living along the Pecos. These rural communities have made it clear: they do not want mining operations that could endanger the environment, their way of life, and the long-term sustainability of the region. These risks of mining are not hypothetical. In 1991, toxic waste from a closed mine spilled into the Pecos River, killing fish along an 11-mile stretch. The cleanup took decades and cost millions of taxpayer dollars. The spill left scars on the landscape and on the memories of those who depend on the river. It is imperative that we learn from this tragic history and prevent further damage by protecting the Pecos watershed from new mining threats. Earlier this Congress, members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation introduced S.3033/H.R.5943, the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, to safeguard this vital resource for future generations. The legislation would permanently withdraw future mining in sections of federal land in the Upper Pecos Watershed. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted to advance this legislation on December 14, 2023, and we are grateful that the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management both provided written statements in support for the bill. More recently, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus endorsed this legislation in October 2024. While the Pecos Watershed Protection Act continues to progress through Congress, the Forest Service can act now to administratively withdraw the land from mineral development. To safeguard the lands, waters, and way of life in the Pecos, we strongly urge the Forest Service to complete, without delay, the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process for the watershed in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management. In addition, we request a briefing for our staff by no later than December 12, 2024 if the Forest Service believes that the mineral segregation process may not be complete by the end of the year. Communities along the Pecos River are asking for your leadership to protect their water, culture, and health from the dangers of mining, and to ensure future generations can continue to benefit from this critical watershed. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-statement-on-veterans-day,Heinrich Statement on Veterans Day,2024-11-11,2024,2024-11,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 11, 2019) – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day. “I am so proud to recognize the thousands of New Mexicans who have demonstrated great courage in service to our nation. Our state has a rich tradition of answering the call of duty, from the Navajo Code Talkers, Bataan Death March survivors, and Korean and Vietnam War GI’s to more recent veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. That tradition continues today among the brave men and women serving at Cannon, Holloman, and Kirtland Air Force Bases, Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, and all across the world. “We must be unwavering in our commitment to our men and women who have served. They deserve so much more than just words of gratitude for their sacrifice when they return home. Our ability to maintain the strongest and most dedicated military in the world depends on our nation's ability to keep the promises we have made to veterans and their families. We must provide them with the best care, benefits, and opportunities they earned. I will never stop fighting to ensure our veterans and their families, who have sacrificed so much, receive the best education, housing, and health care. “On Veterans Day, and on every day, I join all Americans in honoring those who have served in our military and those who continue to serve our great nation.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-hoeven-senate-passes-bipartisan-resolution-designating-november-2-as-national-bison-day,"Heinrich, Hoeven: Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Designating November 2 as National Bison Day",2024-11-01,2024,2024-11,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) announced that the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution they led to designate November 2, 2024, as National Bison Day. ""Bison represent resiliency and are an enduring symbol of American strength. They have been a critical part of our culture for generations — in New Mexico, across the West, and especially in Indian Country,"" said Heinrich. ""I’m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution with Senator Hoeven to recognize our national mammal and raise awareness for the ongoing efforts to conserve this unique species."" “National Bison Day is an opportunity to commemorate our national mammal and the unique role that bison have played in America,” said Hoeven. “We are fortunate to have the bison as our emblem of the pioneering spirit exemplified by Americans throughout our history.” The full text of the resolution is available here. Heinrich and Hoeven introduced their bipartisan National Bison Legacy Act in 2015, and the legislation was signed into law in 2016. The National Bison Legacy Act recognized the bison’s significance in American history and designated it as the United States’ national mammal. Heinrich and Hoeven are the Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-leger-fernandez-urge-hermits-peak/calf-canyon-claims-office-to-address-concerns-with-the-compensation-process-help-new-mexicans-get-the-relief-and-compensation-needed-to-recover,"Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Urge Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office to Address Concerns with the Compensation Process, Help New Mexicans Get the Relief & Compensation Needed to Recover",2024-11-01,2024,2024-11,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) sent a letter urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office and the FEMA Director of the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office to address concerns from New Mexicans about the process for receiving compensation from the Claims Office. Created by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act in 2022 – legislation championed and passed by N.M. Congressional Democrats – the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office is responsible for processing New Mexicans’ claims that arose from the wildfire. Since the devastating wildfire, the N.M. Delegation has secured a total of $3.95 billion in federal funding for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire recovery. “The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in New Mexico. The fire and subsequent flooding displaced thousands of our constituents for months, wiped away generations of history, and uprooted families from their communities. And yet, over two years later, many New Mexicans continue to wait for the relief and compensation they are owed by the federal government,” the lawmakers wrote to Jay Mitchell, FEMA Director of the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office, and Michael Plostock, FEMA Director of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office. “After a significant delay in getting the Claims Office fully staffed and operational, and after further delays in dispersing funds, improvements to the Claims Office’s processes and best practices are still sorely needed. While we are encouraged by recent changes within the Claims Office, we have continued to hear concerns from our constituents about their experience with the process for receiving compensation from the Claims Office,” the lawmakers continued. “The Claims Office must process claims faster, communicate with claimants on a regular and consistent basis, and pay fair compensation. We also ask that processes and formulas reflect unique aspects of New Mexico such as adobe, historic structures, and subsistence living where large cache of food are kept in freezers,” the lawmakers further continued. To address these concerns and ensure that victims of the fire have all the information and tools they need to get compensation from the Claims Office, the lawmakers requested that Directors Mitchell and Plostock answer the following questions: 1. How is the Claims Office working to more consistently communicate with claimants through proactive communication and responding to claimant inquiries in a timely manner? 2. How is the Claims Office working to speed up the review of total loss claims in a way that ensures these claimants receive full compensation for culturally and structurally unique buildings, such as adobe? 3. How many claimants have total home losses? Of those, how many have been compensated to date (broken down between partial and full compensation)? And of those who lost homes, how many of those are living in a new home or are in the building process? 4. What steps is the Claims Office taking to ensure that claimants who do not possess traditional mortgage documentation or property deeds receive compensation quickly? 5. What are the policies and processes in place to ensure that claimants can retain their assigned navigator if they so choose? 6. When using standard rate calculators and tools from the insurance industry, how is the Claims Office working to make changes and updates to maximize the amount of compensation claimants are awarded? 7. How is the Claims Office working to reduce the amount of tax documentation required from claimants, rather than add to it, particularly in total loss, complex, and small business claims? 8. How is the Claims Office ensuring equity in food loss payments? If changes to Claims Office compensation policy are needed, is the Claims Office committed to updating policy such that claimants are not paid less than they would have previously received, and is the Claims Office committed to updating previously closed claims with the adjusted increased compensation? 9. How is the Claims Office ensuring equity in hourly labor rate reimbursement for repairs? 10. How is the Claims Office working to help claimants understand the review decisions by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)? Does the Claims Office include the SME reports with annotated decisions in Letter of Determination? 11. How is the Claims Office working to reduce the number of separate assessments claimants are required to have on the same property? 12. When will the erosion estimate process be finalized? 13. How is the Claims Office working to ensure that business loss claimants can receive updates and work on their claims from any office location? The text of the letter is here. In September, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández secured an extension to the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office to December 20, 2024. Last year, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández introduced the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation that would extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-delivers-keynote-address-at-veterans-business-summit,Heinrich Delivers Keynote Address at Veterans Business Summit,2024-10-30,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"PHOTOS & VIDEOS ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered a keynote address at the New Mexico Veterans Business Summit highlighting how investments in veteran-owned businesses have grown New Mexico’s economy and created jobs New Mexicans can build their families around. Heinrich secured $50,000 through the Appropriations process for the New Mexico Veterans Business Advocates Expo to provide New Mexico’s veteran-owned businesses an opportunity to interact with potential partners, customers, and employees, supporting their success and growth. Heinrich also highlighted his work to expand veterans’ benefits and access to the health care they’ve earned and deserve. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers a keynote address at the New Mexico Veterans Business Summit, October 30, 2024. “Small, locally-owned businesses — including veteran-owned businesses — are the beating hearts of our communities and backbone of our economy,” said Heinrich. “Our veterans leave their military service with unique skills and experience. I was proud to secure $50,000 in the 2024 Appropriations Bills to support the New Mexico Veterans Business Summit that is providing resources to help veteran-owned small businesses and military veterans looking for new career and entrepreneurial opportunities. I remain committed to supporting our state’s veterans and small business owners, lowering costs, growing our economy, and connecting New Mexicans to high-quality careers they can build their families around.” U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) at the New Mexico Veterans Business Summit, October 30, 2024. Heinrich remains unwavering in his commitment to provide the care and benefits that veterans deserve and have earned. This year, the VA has served more veterans than ever before and provided more care and benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxins during their time in the military because of the successful implementation of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, bipartisan legislation that Heinrich helped lead as then-Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. The PACT Act was signed into law in 2022 and has provided a record expansion of care and benefits for veterans. As a result, more veterans are filing claims and receiving their long overdue earned benefits, including disability compensation and GI Bill benefits. Heinrich also recently passed legislation to protect veterans’ earned benefits and ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is able to continue to pay disability compensation, surviving spouses and dependent compensation, pension, and education benefits to veterans, including nearly 70,000 New Mexicans. Additionally, Heinrich recently announced the Senate Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan, unanimous passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which included $3.2 billion to expand programs providing critical services and housing for veterans and their families. Heinrich also fought to include key language to protect access to abortion for veterans in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk, but the Committee did not ultimately include the provision. In the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, Heinrich successfully advocated for major increases in funding to programs that support veterans in New Mexico and throughout the United States. He also successfully included key language to protect access to health care for veterans in New Mexico and nationally. Specifically, Heinrich secured increased funding to provide access to care for rural and Tribal veterans, transportation for rural veterans, rural health care for veterans, assistance to homeless veterans, construct state extended care facilities, improve veteran access to Suicide Prevention Coordinators, increase research on prosthetics and limb loss, and build on the work of neurology-related Centers of Excellence.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-leger-fernandez-highlight-over-22-million-to-build-a-new-terminal-at-clovis-regional-airport-participate-in-terminal-groundbreaking-ceremony,"Heinrich, Leger Fernández Highlight Over $22 Million to Build a New Terminal at Clovis Regional Airport, Participate in Terminal Groundbreaking Ceremony",2024-10-29,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"PHOTOS/VIDEOS CLOVIS, N.M. — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction on a new 21,000 square foot terminal at Clovis Regional Airport (CVN). The new terminal at Clovis Regional Airport is fully funded by a $15.7 million grant and a $3.5 million grant from the Infrastructure Law — legislation passed by Democrats in the N.M. Congressional Delegation — and a Heinrich-led $3.5 million Congressionally Directed Spending award that is advancing in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in July. These three investments, totaling $22,700,000, are making it possible for Clovis to complete the new terminal. The terminal at Clovis Regional Airport will better connect the community, improve travelers’ experiences, create high-quality jobs, and grow local economies across New Mexico. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction on a new terminal at Clovis Regional Airport (CVN), October 29, 2024. “When we invest in New Mexico’s airports, we invest in the people who rely on these facilities to do business in our state, create jobs, and contribute to our economy,” said Heinrich. “I am proud to have secured funding from the Infrastructure Law to fully construct Clovis Regional Airport’s new terminal and I will keep fighting to secure more investments to improve airports all across New Mexico — improving travelers’ experiences, creating high quality jobs New Mexicans can build their families around, and driving our state’s economic growth for the future.” “Thanks to our work on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this $22 million investment will create good jobs, connect families across the region, and drive economic vitality for communities across eastern New Mexico,"" said Leger Fernández. “Today’s groundbreaking at the Clovis Regional Airport gets us closer to connecting eastern New Mexico to new economic opportunities and supporting the region’s growth. This new terminal isn’t just about creating a strong foundation for the future of Clovis — it’s about creating a strong foundation for the future of eastern New Mexico. I also want to thank Senator Heinrich for his leadership as he champions rural projects like this one in the Senate Appropriations Committee.” U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) participate in a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction on a new terminal at Clovis Regional Airport (CVN), October 29, 2024. The Infrastructure Law is delivering billions of dollars in historic infrastructure investments to New Mexico. The Infrastructure Law is set to invest $4.3 billion in formula funding alone for at least 337 vital projects in New Mexico. Some of the projects and priorities that have already received federal funding from the Infrastructure Law include: $1.8 billion for New Mexico’s roads and bridges. $379 million over five years, based on formula funding, for New Mexico’s public transit. To date, New Mexico has been allocated $147.2 million to improve public transportation options across the state in Fiscal Year 2022. $710 million for clean drinking water in New Mexico. $362.3 million for infrastructure resilience, including $23.4 million through the Army Corps of Engineers for flood mitigation in New Mexico. $160 million, the first installment of funding from the Infrastructure Law, to support the completion of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System pipeline in Eastern New Mexico. Heinrich and Luján participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the next portion of the Eastern N.M. Rural Water System in August. $3 billion across Indian Country to help Tribes deploy broadband infrastructure. $52.4 million for capping orphaned oil and gas wells and reclaiming abandoned mine lands and $20.7 million has been allocated to cleaning up Superfund and Brownfield sites across New Mexico. $38 million over five years, based on formula funding, to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state. $74.9 million for clean energy, energy efficiency, and power in New Mexico. $50 million for airports across New Mexico. $33 million for clean and low emission buses in New Mexico. The Infrastructure Law is also helping 173,000 New Mexico households save on broadband. For eligibility on internet programs, visit GetInternet.gov. For more information, click here to see a map of funding and announced projects in New Mexico through the Infrastructure Law. Find a fact sheet of the investments New Mexico has received through the Infrastructure Law here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-over-4-million-from-the-infrastructure-law-to-enhance-safety-reduce-delays-at-railway-crossings-and-grow-local-economies-in-clovis-and-san-juan-county,"N.M. Delegation Welcomes Over $4 Million From the Infrastructure Law to Enhance Safety, Reduce Delays at Railway Crossings, and Grow Local Economies in Clovis and San Juan County",2024-10-29,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) welcomed a combined $4,570,920 for two projects in New Mexico from the U.S. Department of Transportation to strengthen the nation’s supply chain, reduce costs, and grow New Mexico’s economy. $4,000,000 will help San Juan County and the Navajo Nation complete the planning for a proposed freight rail line connecting Farmington and Gallup. $570,920 will help the City of Clovis enhance safety and reduce traffic delays at two railway crossings. “Thanks to our Infrastructure Law, we’re delivering the funds needed to kick-start planning for a freight rail line from Farmington to Gallup and improve railway crossings in Clovis. Combined, these investments will strengthen our nation’s supply chain, grow local economies, lower transportation costs, create high-quality jobs New Mexicans can build their families around, and improve safety for our communities,” said Heinrich. “I’m pleased to welcome these federal investments, and I remain committed to securing more investments to connect rural communities to the abundant opportunities ahead.” “Across our state, New Mexicans rely daily on our railways for travel and to keep our economy running,” said Luján. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this $4.5+ million in federal funding will deliver much-needed railway safety enhancements in Clovis and help construct a new rail line within the Navajo Nation to expand regional rail service in Northwestern New Mexico. I’m proud to welcome these two grants that will both boost railway service and drive economic development for Clovis, the Navajo Nation, and their surrounding communities. I will continue to fight to bring federal dollars home to New Mexico to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail.” “Every time I go to the Four Corners, local leaders emphasize the importance of connecting the region with rail. The Four Corners area is a major economic center of our state, and the funding we’re announcing today is the beginning of our work to make sure our rail infrastructure is ready to meet that potential across San Juan and McKinley Counties,” said Leger Fernández. “I am happy that this funding also includes improvements to safety and efficiency of freight in Clovis. With the support of the CRISI program, we can begin the critical work needed to build stronger connections and drive growth in rural New Mexico.” “I am thrilled about the recent allocation of two significant federal grants from the Federal Railroad Administration’s CRISI program, which will greatly enhance rail safety and connectivity in New Mexico,” said Stansbury. “These two grants reflect our commitment to investing in infrastructure prioritizing safety and economic growth. I am grateful for the support from the Federal Railroad Administration and look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition as we work together to build a safer New Mexico!” ""Federal investments like this bring vital safety and economic benefits to communities across New Mexico. With this funding, we’re improving railway safety, cutting down delays, and connecting New Mexicans to opportunities that drive economic growth and quality jobs,"" said Vasquez. ""Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are building a stronger, safer transportation network. I’m proud to welcome this funding to bring more jobs and opportunities to our rural communities.” “The award of grant funding takes a prospective freight rail line study further than any study in the past and is further proof of the importance of collaboration between tribal, local, state, and federal partners to open doors to economic opportunities. We are appreciative of assistance from New Mexico’s federal delegation and excited for future economic growth opportunities in San Juan County and the Four Corners region,” said John T. Beckstead, San Juan County Commission Chairman. ""The Federal CRISI Grant brings San Juan County and the City of Farmington one step closer to having competitive transportation and economic development. This is an important step in growing our regional economy,” said Tim Gibbs, Four Corner Economic Development CEO. The grants are awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which provides funding for projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail. The CRISI Program received significant, additional investments from the Infrastructure Law – legislation passed by Democrats in the N.M. Congressional Delegation. The N.M. Delegation sent a letter of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation supporting the grant for San Juan County that is being announced today. This grant will prepare the Four Corners Rail Project for final design proposals and planning. In May 2020, Heinrich and Luján wrote a letter of support for San Juan County’s application for a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant, which applicants of the CRISI Program are required to be approved for. Members of the N.M. Delegation sent a letter of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation urging the support of the grant for the City of Clovis that is being announced today. This grant will enhance safety and reduce traffic delays at two railway crossings including modifications to the Norris Street railroad crossing and construction of a new grade-separated crossing at MLK Jr. Boulevard. Below is a breakdown of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration funding: For more information from San Juan County on the proposed Four Corners Rail Project, please click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-leger-fernandez-welcome-over-1-million-to-break-down-barriers-to-home-ownership-for-new-mexicans-living-with-hiv/aids,"Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome Over $1 Million to Break Down Barriers to Home Ownership for New Mexicans Living With HIV/AIDS",2024-10-28,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"SANTA FE, N.M. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) welcomed $1,345,637 for the Santa Fe Housing Trust to provide more pathways to first-time home ownership to 2,050 New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS. This grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program. The HOPWA program is the only federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. During the domestic HIV/AIDS crisis, individuals surviving with HIV/AIDS faced barriers to employment and incurred expensive medical costs. This trend continues and disproportionately impact low-income individuals who are struggling to afford stable housing even before diagnosis and treatment. The financial and health vulnerabilities associated with HIV/AIDS often result in housing instability and homelessness. Research shows individuals living with HIV/AIDS who have a stable place to live have more positive health outcomes and spend less time in hospitals or emergency rooms. “We should be making it easier for all New Mexicans to become homeowners. Full stop,”said Heinrich. “This funding will break down barriers for individuals living with HIV/AIDS to become first-time home buyers, ensuring more folks have a safe and secure place to call home. I’ll keep fighting to increase our housing stock, bring down the cost of housing, and ensure all people in our state have a shot at achieving the dream of home ownership.” “No New Mexican should ever worry about whether they will have a safe place to sleep at night,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome more than $1.3 million in federal funding that will help allow New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS to secure permanent, stable housing so they can focus on their health. I will continue to fight to expand housing options for all New Mexicans.” “Home is more than a roof you live under, it provides safety and stability,” said Leger Fernández. “As we work to tackle the home affordability crisis across the country, we must use all tools available to help. We know one of the biggest hurdles homebuyers face is saving up for a downpayment. This $1.3 million for the Santa Fe Housing Trust will provide funding for important services like down payment reduction assistance for first-time home buyers living with HIV/AIDS. I’ll continue to fight for funding that helps our communities through legislation like my Home of Your Own Act which would also help first time homebuyers with down payment assistance.” Background Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández are tireless advocates for lowering housing costs, increasing housing supply, and expanding housing affordability and access for families in New Mexico. Through Heinrich’s role as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, particularly through his seat as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Heinrich has worked to deliver millions of dollars to New Mexico for renters and home buyers. Most recently, Heinrich secured Committee support for the following investments in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations: $3 million for Homewise in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Transporation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which will help moderate-income, first-time homebuyers in New Mexico purchase entry-level homes. $1.6 billion for rental assistance in the FY25 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill to ensure Americans living in rural areas have access to safe and affordable housing. Heinrich’s legislation included an increase of up to $1 billion in Single Family Direct Loans to help more low-income families and first-time home buyers get mortgages. $3.2 billion in the FY25 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill to expand programs providing critical services and housing for veterans and their families. In Heinrich’s Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, he secured $1.6 billion for rental assistance, an increase of $120 million over Fiscal Year 2023. Heinrich’s 2024 Appropriations Bill also provided for a pilot program that decoupled rental assistance from Multifamily Direct Loans, preventing thousands of low-income families from losing rental assistance. Additionally, Heinrich secured $1,100,000 through the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations process for Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity to develop land into a mixed-income development focused on building 25 to 30 housing units for working families. In total, Heinrich has secured $14,500,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for northern New Mexico to address the housing shortage. In May, Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed $11.8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing to support public housing authorities build, renovate, and modernize public housing across New Mexico. In February, Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed more than $16 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program to support New Mexico projects that provide housing assistance and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. Luján has also been a champion of expanding access to affordable housing for all New Mexicans. Earlier this year, Luján partnered with Heinrich to push for more funding for Tribal housing programs. Through Luján’s work on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Luján has also fought to secure critical support for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Luján introduced the bipartisan Ryan White PrEP Availability Act, bipartisan legislation to increase flexibility for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clinics, which provide care and treatment for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. In the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Appropriations package, Luján secured $300,000 to advance the goals of his Oral Health Literacy Act and support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Heinrich and Luján have also introduced a number of bills to tackle New Mexico’s housing crisis. Last month, Heinrich introduced the New Homes Tax Credit Act, legislation that would provide tax credits to incentivize new investments and additional resources for single-family home construction and renovations for working families. The bill would address the lack of housing inventory for individuals and families whose incomes are up to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), particularly including in areas where middle-income families have historically been priced out. In Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, for example, this added housing inventory would benefit families with annual incomes of up to $103,680, $109,800, and $78,960, respectively. At a recent roundtable conversation with local educators in Albuquerque, Heinrich announced his Educator Down Payment Assistance Act, legislation designed to help more educators and school staff in New Mexico purchase a home and keep teachers in the communities where they teach. In March, Heinrich co-led the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation to support homeownership among lower- and middle-income Americans by establishing a refundable tax credit worth up to 10 percent of a home’s purchase price – up to a maximum of $15,000 – for first-time homebuyers. Heinrich also cosponsored the Housing for All Act, comprehensive legislation to expand access to affordable housing in New Mexico and supporting those experiencing homelessness. The bill would invest in proven solutions and provide a historic level of federal funding for strategic, existing programs to keep people housed and reduce homelessness, as well as for innovative, locally developed solutions to help vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness. Last year, Heinrich introduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would help build over 14,000 new affordable homes in New Mexico over the next decade, generating over $2.5 billion in wages and business income. The legislation would support the financing of more affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, our country’s most successful affordable housing program. Heinrich also introduced the Delivering Essential Protection, Opportunity, and Security for Tenants (DEPOSIT) Act, which would help an estimated 12,000 New Mexican families access rental housing through the Housing Choice Voucher Program to pay security deposits and get into a rental home. Luján is also a cosponsor of this bill. In January, as Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Heinrich released a report highlighting policy approaches to increasing housing supply in America. Heinrich also chaired a JEC hearing on the report. His full opening statement can be found here. Luján introduced the bipartisan Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2023 or the HELPER Act of 2023, legislation that would establish a new home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to make homeownership more accessible to teachers and first responders. Luján also introduced the bipartisan Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, legislation that would establish a community disaster assistance fund for housing. Additionally, Luján introduced bipartisan legislation to expand Native American housing programs that builds on successful Native American housing programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorized by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). Luján and Heinrich introduced the bipartisan Native American Rural Homeownership Improvement Act of 2021, legislation that would expand an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pilot program and deploy loans to eligible Native borrowers. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-congressional-delegation-calls-on-president-biden-to-grant-states-major-disaster-declaration-request-in-response-to-floods-in-roswell-and-chaves-county,N.M. Congressional Delegation Calls on President Biden to Grant State's Major Disaster Declaration Request in Response to Floods in Roswell and Chaves County,2024-10-28,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ROSWELL, N.M. – After record rainfall and destructive floods in Roswell and Chaves County, N.M. over the weekend of Oct. 19, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are calling on President Joe Biden to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. In a letter to President Biden, New Mexico’s Congressional Delegation wrote: “We respectfully request that you [President Biden] take immediate action on the recent request for a major disaster declaration from the State of New Mexico in response to the unprecedented flooding that occurred in Chaves County starting on October 19, 2024.” The lawmakers added, “Due to the life and death nature of this crisis, we urge you to act without delay and approve the State of New Mexico’s request for a major disaster declaration. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to New Mexican communities to respond and recover from the devastation caused by this flooding. Thank you for your consideration of this important request.” A Major Disaster Declaration would open up access to Public Assistance and Individual Assistance funds from Federal Emergency Response Agency (FEMA) and disaster loans from the Small Business Administration. Public Assistance supports the restoration and reconstruction of public infrastructure and lands. Individual Assistance supports families from losses suffered due to the floods. The New Mexico Delegation is committed to passing legislation to allocate emergency, supplemental disaster funding to replenish the disaster relief fund at FEMA, the disaster assistance loan program at the Small Business Administration (SBA), and other agency emergency programs that provide resources to help communities hit by devastating disasters recover and rebuild. Read the full text of the letter below or by clicking here. Dear President Biden, We respectfully request that you take immediate action on the recent request for a major disaster declaration from the State of New Mexico in response to the unprecedented flooding that occurred in Chaves County on October 19, 2024. The State is requesting Public Assistance, Categories A through G, including Direct Federal Assistance, and Individual Assistance for Chaves County. The State is requesting all parts of Individual Assistance, including Mass Care/Emergency Assistance, Individuals and Households Program, Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, and Displacement Assistance. The State is also requesting Hazard Mitigation statewide, as facilitated through the state of New Mexico’s Natural Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan, which has been approved by FEMA through September 12, 2027. We ask that you expeditiously grant the major disaster declaration and make this federal assistance available as soon as possible for the State and Chaves County to have all the resources they need to recover from the devastation of this flooding. From October 18 to 21, 2024, a slow-moving low-pressure system became stationary over Chaves County and struck the area with 5.79 inches of rain – half a year's worth of precipitation in just one event – devastating the city of Roswell and multiple downstream communities with severe flash flooding. The rapid onset of severe weather gave residents only minutes to evacuate their homes, and more than 300 people required rescue from the floods by active responders, including the New Mexico National Guard, which activated the night of October 19, 2024. This flooding has caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, homes, and businesses throughout Chaves County. The joint FEMA and state initial damage assessment has calculated that as many as 723 homes and 200 businesses have could have been damaged as a result of the flooding. Additionally, the flooding caused dozens of vehicles to wash out into bridges, crippled local governments’ response capacity due to the loss of multiple vehicles and IT equipment, and the flood water itself filled more than thirty-two public buildings. The current assessed damage from these public facility impacts is $51.9 million. Due to the life and death nature of this crisis, we urge you to act without delay and approve the State of New Mexico’s request for a major disaster declaration. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to New Mexican communities to respond and recover from the devastation caused by this flooding. Thank you for your consideration of this important request. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-announces-over-3-million-for-tribal-communities-to-address-opioid-use-disorder,N.M. Delegation Announces Over $3 Million for Tribal Communities to Address Opioid Use Disorder,2024-10-25,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are announcing $3,068,909 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Tribal communities to serve individuals with opioid use disorder and co-occurring substance use disorders by funding culturally specific and evidence-based treatment, including medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD). These HHS Tribal Opioid Response Grants are being awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA). “Tackling the opioid crisis with the urgency it demands means expanding our approach. That includes everything from providing improved access to the lifesaving medication used to treat opioid use disorder to empowering local communities to develop treatment programs that are grounded in their distinct experiences and cultures. I’m proud to welcome over $3 million for Tribal communities to do exactly that,"" said Heinrich. “I won’t stop fighting to eliminate barriers to lifesaving medication and help New Mexicans get the care they need.” “Far too many across our Tribal lands have seen firsthand how the opioid epidemic has devastated our communities,” said Luján, a member of the Indian Affairs and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees. “This $3+ million in federal funding will deliver critical treatments and medications to address opioid use disorder in our Tribal communities. Throughout my time in Congress, I have secured millions to expand opioid use disorder treatments, introduced bipartisan legislation to increase investments in substance misuse prevention, and called for an increase in funding in our nation’s response to the opioid use disorder epidemic. I am proud to welcome this funding alongside our Congressional delegation and will keep fighting to expand addiction treatment services and protect the health of our Tribal brothers and sisters.” “For far too long, opioid addiction has ravaged our Tribal communities, and the need for culturally specific treatments is critical,” said Leger Fernández. “This funding will help provide life-saving treatment, tailored to the needs of Native communities, so that we can address the opioid crisis head-on. By combining evidence-based practices with the cultural knowledge of our Tribes, we can offer real hope and healing. I will continue to fight for more resources and support to make sure every New Mexican has access to the care they need to recover and thrive.” “Culturally informed care is vital to addressing the opioid crisis in every community that is suffering,” said Stansbury. “This $3 million investment will help Tribal communities take care as they see fit, as they know what is best for their communities. I will continue to fight for more funding and tools to solve this crisis so New Mexicans can not only recover from addiction but thrive in life.” “New Mexico’s Tribes and Pueblos have long faced significant challenges in combating the opioid crisis. I’m proud to welcome these funds to provide critical resources to help address opioid addiction head-on,” said Vasquez. “Supporting culturally specific and evidence-based treatments ensures that we’re not only tackling the crisis but also providing Indian Country with the tools they need to better support recovery. I’m committed to securing more funding and resources to combat this crisis and save lives.” Recipient Award Amount Albuquerque Area Indian Health $1,478,168 Pueblo of Pojoaque $250,000 Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. $250,000 Santo Domingo Tribe $295,107 Ohkay Owingeh $250,000 Nambe Pueblo Governor’s Office $295,634 Taos Pueblo $250,000 The N.M. Delegation has continuously worked to make opioid use disorder treatments more readily available. This month, Heinrich introduced the Broadening Utilization of Proven and Effective Treatment for Recovery Act, or BUPE for Recovery Act, legislation to increase access to buprenorphine — a lifesaving drug used to treat opioid use disorder — by removing barriers providers and patients face when trying to access the medication. The BUPE for Recovery Act temporarily exempts buprenorphine from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Suspicious Orders Report System (SORS) requirements during the opioid public health emergency. SORS reporting requirements have led to an uncertainty among pharmacies and distributors to stock and dispense buprenorphine, which can prevent individuals suffering from opioid use disorder from receiving timely and effective treatment. This legislation will mitigate the treatment gap created by stringent SORS reporting requirements, reducing overdose deaths, saving lives, and improving public health outcomes. In the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS)Appropriations Bill, Heinrich successfully included language directing the DEA to take further action to remove barriers to access for opioid use disorder medications such as buprenorphine. The inclusion of this language will assist local medical and mental health providers and make medications, including buprenorphine, more accessible to New Mexicans. Find an extensive list of Heinrich’s actions to tackle the fentanyl crisis and make opioid use disorder treatments more readily available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-files-amicus-brief-urging-ninth-circuit-court-to-affirm-that-federal-law-requires-hospitals-to-provide-emergency-care-including-abortion,"N.M. Delegation Files Amicus Brief Urging Ninth Circuit Court to Affirm that Federal Law Requires Hospitals to Provide Emergency Care, Including Abortion",2024-10-25,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"After the Supreme Court dismissed Idaho v. United States, returning it to the Ninth Circuit Court, 259 Members of Congress ask the Ninth Circuit to affirm that federal law ensures abortion care qualifies as “emergency stabilizing care” under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), and hospitals participating in Medicare must provide “emergency stabilizing treatment” to patients, including abortion care, when necessary. The N.M Delegation joins the brief as New Mexico’s highly impacted health system continues to serve patients from neighboring states with restrictions on reproductive health care. “In this case, respecting the supremacy of federal law is about more than just protecting our system of government; it is about protecting people’s lives.” WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States, two consolidated cases concerning the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) under consideration by the en banc Ninth Circuit. EMTALA is a federal law that requires hospitals that receive Medicare funding to provide necessary “stabilizing treatment” to patients experiencing medical emergencies, which includes abortion care. After the Dobbs decision in 2022, an anti-abortion law in Idaho went into effect, making it a felony for a doctor to terminate a patient’s pregnancy unless it is “necessary” to prevent the patient’s death. The United States sued the State of Idaho, arguing that the state’s law is preempted by existing federal law in those circumstances in which abortion may not be necessary to prevent imminent death, but still constitutes the “necessary stabilizing treatment” for a patient’s emergency medical condition. The district court agreed; it held that in those limited, but critically important situations, EMTALA requires Medicare-participating hospitals to provide abortion as an emergency medical treatment. Idaho Republicans appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court. In March, 258 lawmakers, including the N.M. Congressional Delegation, filed an amicus brief, asking the Supreme Court to affirm the district court decision. In June, the Supreme Court dismissed the case but without a ruling on the merits, sending the case back to the Ninth Circuit Court and reinstating the district court’s injunction. In their brief in support of the Justice Department, the lawmakers state “he 99th Congress passed EMTALA to ensure that every person who visits a Medicare-funded hospital with an ‘emergency medical condition’ is offered stabilizing treatment.” The lawmakers continued in their amicus brief, “Congress chose broad language for that mandate, requiring hospitals that participate in the Medicare program to provide ‘such treatment as may be required to stabilize the medical condition.’… That text—untouched by Congress for the past three decades—makes clear that in situations in which a doctor determines that abortion constitutes the ‘ecessary stabilizing treatment’ for a pregnant patient, federal law requires the hospital to offer it. Yet Idaho has made providing that care a felony, in direct contravention of EMTALA’s mandate.” The lawmakers point to numerous reports of OB/GYNs leaving Idaho en masse since the state’s abortion ban went into effect — Idaho has since lost fifty-five percent of its maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and three rural hospitals have shut down maternity services altogether. “These are not hypothetical scenarios. Because Idaho’s abortion ban contains no clear exceptions for the “emergency medical conditions” covered by EMTALA, it forces physicians to wait until their patients are on the verge of death before providing abortion care. The result in other states with similar laws has been ‘significant maternal morbidity,’” wrote the lawmakers, pointing to harrowing reports of pregnant women with severe health complications being denied necessary abortion care. The lawmakers’ brief also counters an argument from Idaho and its amici that the Supremacy Clause does not apply in this case because EMTALA was passed using Spending Clause authority, and therefore acts only as a condition on Medicare funding. The lawmakers make clear that alllaws passed by Congress are entitled to preemption — regardless of their source of constitutional authority — and states cannot pass laws that make it impossible for private parties to accept federal funding, inhibiting the purpose of the federal law. “EMTALA requires abortion when necessary to stabilize a patient with an emergency medical condition, Idaho’s near-total abortion ban is preempted to the extent that it prevents doctors from providing that care,” the lawmakers wrote. “This Court should reject Appellants’ novel theory that EMTALA is not entitled to preemptive effect because it was enacted pursuant to Congress’s spending power. Under the Supremacy Clause, all‘the constitutional laws enacted by congress,’ constitute ‘the supreme Law of the Land,’. As the Supreme Court has repeatedly held, the principle of federal supremacy applies to laws passed pursuant to Congress’s spending authority no less than it does to laws effectuating other enumerated powers.” “In sum, EMTALA plainly requires hospitals that participate in the Medicare program to provide abortion care when, in a doctor’s medical judgment, it constitutes the ‘ecessary stabilizing treatment’ for a patient’s ‘emergency medical condition.’” The amicus brief was led by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and U.S. Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). The lawmakers’ amicus brief to the Supreme Court can be read in full here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-cosponsors-legislation-to-protect-medicare-and-social-security-for-new-mexicos-seniors,Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Medicare and Social Security for New Mexico’s Seniors,2024-10-23,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act, legislation that will ensure the long-term solvency of Medicare and Social Security by reversing inequities in the tax system so that high earners contribute a fairer share. “Medicare and Social Security are benefits that New Mexicans have earned over a lifetime of hard work. I'm proud to support this legislation to protect these bedrock programs for New Mexicans by making the ultrawealthy pay their fair share,” said Heinrich. Nearly 40% of seniors rely on Social Security for the majority of their incomes – benefits they have earned that let them retire with dignity. Medicare protects its over 60 million beneficiaries, one in five of whom have less than $15,000 in savings, from potentially catastrophic health care costs. Despite their bedrock importance, these programs are both at risk of not being able to fully pay out benefits within the next 15 years. Without new revenue, the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund are expected to become insolvent in 2028 and 2033, respectively. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act will increase funding for the Social Security and Medicare trust funds by extending the payroll tax on wages, self-employment income, and investment income to taxpayers making over $400,000. The legislation also applies a payroll tax on the pass-through business income, like hedge funds and private equity firms, of taxpayers earning more than $400,000, which will eliminate the classification of earned income as distributed business profits that is currently a major loophole. By applying these two provisions, we can extend Social Security solvency indefinitely and extend Medicare solvency by an estimated 20 years. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act is led by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Alongside Heinrich, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn). The bill is led in the House by U.S. Representative Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.). The bill is endorsed by the Alliance for Retired Americans; American Federation of Government Employees; American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; American Federation of Teachers; Americans for Tax Fairness; Center for Medicare Advocacy; Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget; Communications Workers of America; Doctors for America; Families USA; Groundwork Collaborative; International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers; Main Street Alliance; Mary's Center; National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; National Council on Aging; National Education Association; NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice; People's Action; Public Citizen; Revolving Door Project; Social Security Works; and the Teamsters. A one-page summary is here. The text of the bill is here. Background Heinrich fought hard to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that lowers health care and prescription drug costs for working families. This year, the Inflation Reduction Act began capping out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at an estimated $3,300, providing substantial relief for individuals facing high medication expenses. This new Medicare drug cap comes in tandem with several other major healthcare provisions Heinrich helped secure, including free vaccines for seniors and a $35 insulin cap for those on Medicare. Last year, the White House announced 48 Medicare Part B drugs that raised their prices faster than inflation, and some drug companies raised prices of certain medications faster than inflation for every quarter in 2023. The IRA provisions Heinrich helped deliver will now require these companies to pay rebates back to Medicare, saving seniors who take these drugs between $1 and $2,786 per dose, depending on their medication. The IRA also reduced the cost of marketplace health insurance premiums by an average of hundreds of dollars per person, for roughly 40,000 New Mexicans. A longer list of provisions Heinrich helped to secure in the Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Heinrich introduced the Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, legislation that builds on a provision that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act to empower Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time. Specifically, the bill would allow prescription drugs and biologics to be eligible for negotiation five years after approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — increasing the overall amount by which Medicare can lower prices through negotiation. Additionally, the SMART Prices Act would lower Medicare Part B drug prices through negotiation two years earlier than under current law, and increase the overall number of drugs that the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) can negotiate starting in 2026. Additionally, Heinrich is a cosponsor of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act, legislation that bans deceptive unfair pricing schemes, prohibits arbitrary clawbacks of payments made to pharmacies, and requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) how much money they make through spread pricing and pharmacy fees. Heinrich also cosponsored the COLAs Don’t Count Act, legislation to exempt annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) from impacting the benefits of those who utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance. This would help ensure participants of SNAP are not losing benefits due to the added costs of inflation and allow families to keep food on the table. Heinrich recently secured committee passage of his Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, legislation that delivers critical new resources to fully fund WIC and ensure all eligible women, infants, and children can get the nutrition they need. It also protects vital nutrition assistance programs for families across the country. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-colleagues-release-report-on-vote-counting-process-for-the-november-election,"Heinrich, Colleagues Release Report on Vote Counting Process for the November Election",2024-10-22,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Democratic Senators Warn Americans to Be on Alert Against Efforts to Undermine Public Confidence in Election Results READ THE REPORT HERE WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Senate Rules Committee Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) released a report summarizing for the American people what to expect on Election Day and encouraging voters to cast their ballot. With the general election well underway in every state across the country, Senate Democrats have a clear message for the American people, which is to vote and cast their ballot as early as possible. As significant numbers of Americans choose to vote by mail, the report explains why it’s still possible that, in some states, the outcome might not be known on November 5th, in part because states differ in whether they allow mail-in ballots to be processed ahead of Election Day and whether ballots must be received by Election Day or postmarked by Election Day. The report also makes clear that voter intimidation is illegal and federal law prohibits coercing or threatening anyone in order to interfere with their right to vote. A copy of the report can be found HERE. “Former President Trump's dangerous rhetoric threatens to further divide our country and sow real potential for violence like we saw up close on January 6, 2021. Our elections are the foundation of American democracy. Protecting them should be the top priority for everyone who cares about the future of our country. Election officials, courts, and elected leaders must be accountable for upholding that principle,” said Heinrich. “The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and we must do everything we can to protect it and uphold the integrity of the election process. That means pushing back on efforts to sow chaos during election season. As this report explains, it also means making sure that Americans know that it is possible that the outcome in some states will not be known on November 5th. While some states have expedited their counting requirements since 2020, we should be prepared to be patient about results in places where counting ballots may take longer. Americans should keep making their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Klobuchar. “Just like 2020, Donald Trump and his allies continue to refuse to commit to accepting the results of the election if he loses while pushing dangerous and divisive rhetoric to sow discord and undermine confidence in our election process. Americans losing faith in the results of our elections doesn’t just risk another January 6th but puts our very democracy at risk,” said Leader Schumer. “Senate Democrats remain committed to ensuring all Americans can vote without fear or intimidation.” “As Donald Trump bets on chaos, division, and lies to fuel his campaign and get back into the White House, it’s on us to see through his fearmongering and stand up for our democracy. So vote early, vote by mail, vote in person—but vote. The future of our country depends on us rejecting fear and misinformation and making our voices heard,” said Murphy. “There is no greater responsibility, or honor, as an American than exercising your right to vote. Our free, fair voting systems and our peaceful transitions of powers are two of the hallmarks that have separated America from authoritarianism for centuries now—and that will carry on far beyond this November, despite Donald Trump's desperate, sad attempts to sow seeds of chaos and distrust in our electoral processes. The most powerful defense against creeping autocracy in America is to make our voices heard at the ballot box—because carrying out our most sacred duty as citizens is the best way we can ensure remain a government of, by and for the people,” said Duckworth. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-highlights-new-ballistics-testing-machine-in-las-cruces-to-help-tackle-gun-violence-and-solve-violent-crime-in-southern-new-mexico,Heinrich Highlights New Ballistics Testing Machine in Las Cruces to Help Tackle Gun Violence & Solve Violent Crime in Southern New Mexico,2024-10-22,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted recent funding he’s secured for law enforcement to tackle gun violence, solve crimes, and hold criminals accountable in Southern New Mexico, including a new ballistics testing machine, known as a National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) machine, for Las Cruces. Currently, there are only four NIBIN machines in New Mexico: two in Albuquerque, one in Santa Fe, and one on loan in Las Cruces, which the Las Cruces Police Department demonstrated today. Over $1 million Heinrich secured through the Appropriations process will add four new NIBIN machines for Las Cruces, Farmington, Gallup, and Roswell. CAPTION: Heinrich visits with the Las Cruces Police Department to discuss funding he’s secured for a new NIBIN machine in Las Cruces, October 22, 2024. “A permanent NIBIN machine in Las Cruces will make a real difference in helping to solve violent crime in the region, allowing law enforcement to trace firearms used in crimes and hold criminals accountable, all while saving officers valuable time and resources,” said Heinrich. “When it comes to crime, my focus is on preventing what we can and solving it when we can’t. These machines will help us do both – solving the crimes that happen before those same criminals can do more harm. I will continue to deliver investments to support and better equip our law enforcement with the tools needed to keep New Mexicans safe.” NIBIN machines are vital to assisting law enforcement in identifying and prosecuting crimes involving firearms through ballistic intelligence. The intelligence gathered by these NIBIN machines will go to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center, where dedicated and trained analysts will use the information to trace and network firearms used in crimes across the state. The Center will then be able to feed that information back to law enforcement agencies to improve identification of suspects and support successful prosecutions. In addition to securing funding for the NIBIN machines, Heinrich secured language in the 2024 Appropriations Bill directing the expanded use of NIBIN for state and local agencies in the Southwest Border region. Heinrich-secured funding for the Las Cruces Police Department Heinrich secured $194,000 in the 2024 Appropriations Bills for the Las Cruces Police Department to purchase equipment to safely analyze fentanyl and other illicit narcotics and create a community engagement effort to educate youth on the dangers of illicit drugs. In the 2o23 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured $1,750,000 for the Las Cruces Police Department’s Regional Critical Response Team to purchase emergency response equipment to keep New Mexicans safe. The legislation also included $450,000 Heinrich secured for the Las Cruces Police Department to purchase camera trailers, drones, automatic license plate readers, and auto-activated car and body cameras to improve public safety and accountability. For a list of Heinrich’s actions to support law enforcement and first responders across New Mexico, click here. Heinrich's longtime leadership to tackle gun violence: A gun owner and father, Heinrich has long worked to advance and pass bipartisan policies that save lives, protect public safety, and reduce gun violence. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was the first significant federal gun safety legislation to become law in 30 years. During the bill negotiations, Heinrich specifically worked with U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to increase criminal penalties for straw purchases and stop illegal gun trafficking out of our country. Heinrich-led gun trafficking and straw purchase provisions: Heinrich-led provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act increased criminal penalties for straw purchasers and made it a crime, for the first time ever, to traffic firearms out of the United States. Straw purchasers are people who buy guns for those who cannot buy them directly themselves due to their age, felony criminal convictions, or other limitations. By increasing penalties for straw purchasing, Heinrich’s provision is helping to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those who would use them against our communities. By making it illegal to traffic firearms out of the country, Heinrich’s provision gave law enforcement the tools needed to prosecute and disrupt the flow of firearms to Mexico and the Northern Triangle, fueling the violence that has driven so many to flee their home countries. To date, the Department of Justice has charged more than 600 defendants using BSCA’s gun trafficking and straw purchasing laws, removing hundreds of firearms off the streets in the process. These cases are significant, often preventing and prosecuting highly dangerous activity, such as crimes linked to organized trafficking rings and transnational criminal organizations. For example, in March 2024, the Justice Department charged several defendants with trafficking and straw purchasing over 100 firearms, including many military-grade weapons, that were allegedly intended to be smuggled to a Mexican drug cartel. In April, a defendant was sentenced to 276 months in prison for firearms trafficking and straw purchasing, as well as distribution of fentanyl, where the evidence showed that two of the trafficked firearms had been used in gang-related shootings. Late last year, a defendant was sentenced to two years in prison for running an illegal gun trafficking enterprise, repeatedly taking money to lie on firearm purchase forms and obtain weapons for convicted felons. In New Mexico, the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico has charged 11 defendants with BSCA violations. In June, Heinrich brought his Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act, bipartisan legislation to ban bump stocks, to the Senate floor through a unanimous consent (UC) request. The effort directly followed a recent Supreme Court ruling to overturn a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, devices designed to indiscriminately kill the highest number of people in the shortest amount of time. U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), objected to Heinrich’s UC request, blocking passage of the legislation. Since the Supreme Court ruling, over 20 senators have signed onto Heinrich’s BUMP Act, bringing support up to over a quarter of the Senate. Heinrich, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and former Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) initially introduced the BUMP Act in the 115th Congress, following the October 1, 2017, mass shooting in which a bump stock was used to fire more than 1,000 bullets into a crowd in just 10 minutes, killing 60 people. U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) also cosponsored that legislation. Last November, Heinrich introduced the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act, legislation to protect communities from gun violence, while safeguarding Americans’ constitutional right to own a firearm for legitimate self-defense, hunting, and sporting purposes. In addition to regulating the sale, transfer, and manufacture of gas-operated semi-automatic weapons, the GOSAFE Act would prevent unlawful modifications of permissible firearms, including bump stocks. Earlier this summer, Heinrich announced that his GOSAFE Act has been introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-Ga.). In July 2023, Heinrich cosponsored the bicameral Ghost Guns and Untraceable Firearms Act, led by Blumenthal, to require online and other sellers of gun-making kits to comply with federal firearm safety regulations. In 2017, Heinrich cosponsored the bipartisan Fix NICS Act, which now requires federal and state authorities to produce background check implementation plans and holds federal agencies accountable for reporting relevant criminal records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). He also led the successful call to repeal the Dickey Amendment, which had previously prevented the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from funding research on gun violence and its effects on public health. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-highlights-25-million-for-mobile-training-unit-to-connect-rural-new-mexicans-to-in-demand-careers-in-the-skilled-trades-participates-in-training-demo-with-ua-local-412,"Heinrich Highlights $2.5 Million for Mobile Training Unit to Connect Rural New Mexicans to In-Demand Careers in the Skilled Trades, Participates in Training Demo with U.A. Local 412",2024-10-21,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"PHOTOS & VIDEO ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted more than $2.5 million he has secured through the Appropriations process for the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 412 (U.A. Local 412) to operate a mobile training unit that provides pre-apprenticeship training to New Mexicans living in rural and Tribal communities. The mobile training unit is creating more pathways to in-demand careers in the skilled trades and has already trained dozens of New Mexicans in Española, Taos, Las Vegas, Mora, Raton, and Santa Fe. Heinrich also participated in a training demonstration with U.A. Local 412 leadership and apprentices who are learning skills in the plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC trades. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participates in a training demonstration with the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 412 (U.A. Local 412), October 21, 2024. “Thanks to our Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act, New Mexico is experiencing a manufacturing and clean energy renaissance that is creating new high-quality careers New Mexicans can build their families around,” said Heinrich. “I’m focused on expanding pathways to skills training and apprenticeships that connect New Mexicans to careers in their own communities. This is how we can address workforce shortages, grow the middle class, and strengthen our economy.” Heinrich-Secured Federal Investments for the Mobile Training Unit: The U.A. Local 412 Mobile Training Unit was initially paid for by an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Good Jobs Challenge Grant, as part of a $6.4 million award to the Northern N.M. Workforce Integration Network. The Good Jobs Challenge funds were authorized by the American Rescue Plan, the critical economic recovery legislation that Heinrich was proud to pass in 2021. Through his work on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Heinrich has further supported the U.A. Local 412’s workforce development efforts by securing more than $2.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bills. These awards helped the union secure the equipment and staffing they need to train New Mexicans for jobs in the skilled trades, including specialized training needed to fill the many new, well-paying jobs being created by the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Heinrich is currently fighting to pass the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bills, which include an additional $870,000 CDS award that he secured within the Senate Appropriations Committee-passed Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Bill to sustain the U.A. Local 412’s mobile training unit’s operations past the original EDA funding, and to expand its reach to new communities including Grants, Gallup, Silver City, and Zuni Pueblo. Heinrich’s Longtime Support for Workforce Training and Apprenticeships: Heinrich has long championed proven workforce training programs like U.A. Local 412’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that are growing the middle class, creating and connecting New Mexicans to high-quality careers they can access in their communities, and continuing New Mexico’s leading role in the clean energy transition that is being built by union workers in the skilled trades. Last week, Heinrich hosted a “Pro-Worker, Pro-Business Opportunities” roundtable to talk directly with New Mexicans about how federal legislation he helped pass into law, like the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Law, is creating careers in high-demand sectors and strengthening New Mexico’s health care, early childhood education, and skilled trades workforce. Last year, Heinrich introduced the bipartisan Apprenticeship Pathways Act, legislation to create pathways to careers for high school students by expanding access to apprenticeship programs for occupations with high need, including the building trades, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, and early childhood education. Earlier this year, Heinrich introduced the Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats (PATH) Act, legislation to strengthen the pipeline for careers in New Mexico, address rising workforce shortages, and grow the state’s economy through quality pre-apprenticeship programs. Last year, Courtenay Eichhorst, Business Manager of U.A. Local 412 and President of New Mexico Building Trades, testified about the importance of apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships during a hearing that Heinrich convened as the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee on “Job Training for the Clean Energy Transition.” Eichhorst said during that JEC hearing, “In addition to our ‘gold standard’ apprenticeship programs, the UA and other Building Trades’ unions are also increasingly investing in pre-apprenticeship programs that can be designed to help prepare high school students or individuals from underrepresented communities for a career in the trades. These programs help fill the role that used to be filled by the ‘shop classes’ that were found in high schools but have become increasingly rare. Pre-apprenticeship programs also focus on the ‘soft skills’ that are necessary for success in any industry, such as showing up on time and other work etiquette.” Earlier this year, also in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured $1,200,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the SMART Local Union No. 49 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee to enhance and expand specialized HVAC apprenticeship training. In March, Heinrich introduced the Providing Resources and Opportunities for Health Education and Learning (PRO-HEAL) Act, legislation that will tackle the health care provider shortage in New Mexico and nationwide by expanding pathways to high-quality, in-demand health care careers that medical professionals can access in their communities. Specifically, the PRO-HEAL Act addresses medical provider shortages by incentivizing states and institutions of higher education to expand or create health care provider pipeline programs, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The legislation is inspired by the success of the Combined BA/MD Degree Program at the University of New Mexico, where over 65% of students who have graduated from their program practice medicine in New Mexico. Last year, Heinrich introduced the Pathways to Health Careers Act, legislation that reauthorizes and modernizes the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program to help address health care shortages in New Mexico and across the country and create pathways to high-quality, in-demand health care careers. The HPOG program has a proven track record of successfully educating workers for jobs in the health care industry, while also providing career coaching, job placement, and a mix of other support services. The Pathways to Health Careers Act would restart and expand the HPOG Program, providing $425 million to make HPOG available nationwide from FY2024 through FY2028 and includes set asides for Tribes and U.S. Territories. In 2021, Heinrich introduced the Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology (CHANCE in Tech) Act, legislation to create earlier pathways to high-paying careers in the information technology (IT) industry. Heinrich previously introduced similar bipartisan legislation in 2019 with former Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-wildfire-seasons-intensify-heinrich-introduces-legislation-to-study-the-impacts-on-home-insurance-coverage-identify-measures-to-alleviate-risks-for-homeowners-in-new-mexico,"As Wildfire Seasons Intensify, Heinrich Introduces Legislation to Study the Impacts on Home Insurance Coverage, Identify Measures to Alleviate Risks for Homeowners in New Mexico",2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, recently introduced the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act to better understand the impacts of increasingly destructive wildfires in the West on insurance coverage for homeowners, and identify possible measures to alleviate the financial risk of wildfires. “My office is fielding more and more calls from New Mexicans whose premiums are being hiked dramatically, or who have lost their insurance plans entirely. New Mexicans are trying to protect their families’ homes and financial stability. They deserve transparent and fair insurance markets that give them peace of mind,” said Heinrich. “We need to get a better handle on how exactly these more destructive wildfire seasons and other climate risks are impacting insurance companies’ decisions. More accurate data and analysis will help us create more effective solutions to this mounting challenge of insurers substantially raising the cost of premiums for homeowners and even pulling out entirely from Western and forested communities.” According to a report released by Heinrich as Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, the financial risks of wildfires are hard to predict because fires can start for a number of reasons and because their risk to peoples’ homes at any given time is based on a complicated combination of topography, drought conditions, wind patterns, fuel amounts, and the location of houses among many other factors. This has led many insurers to either raise premium costs substantially across the board in Western and forested communities or pull out of markets entirely — with several major insurance companies declining to provide any form of coverage. Heinrich’s Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act would require a federal study to assess: The Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act is endorsed by Public Citizen and the National Association of Counties (NACo). Full text of the bill is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-advance-of-100th-anniversary-heinrich-leads-call-to-prioritize-historic-route-66-corridor-for-federal-investments-in-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure,"In Advance of 100th Anniversary, Heinrich Leads Call to Prioritize Historic Route 66 Corridor for Federal Investments in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure",2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In advance of the 100th Anniversary of Historic Route 66 in 2026, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the co-founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, led a letter alongside U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm urging them to prioritize investments in electric vehicle (EV) chargers along historic Route 66 as they oversee the second round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program applications under the Infrastructure Law. In their letter, the senators wrote: “The rich history and culture of Route 66 as a symbol of American freedom and adventure will draw millions of visitors to each of the eight states it runs through during the Centennial Anniversary of this iconic highway in 2026. In particular, we urge the Federal Highway Administration and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to make significant investments in electric vehicle (EV) chargers along Route 66 through the second round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. We believe federal investment in EV charging will play a critical role in fostering economic and infrastructure development in communities all along Route 66 during its Centennial Anniversary.” They continued: “More than 2 million people visit Route 66 every year, and our states are busy planning numerous events in 2026 to celebrate the anniversary and honor the Mother Road and its connection to American culture. Accessible charging infrastructure can help draw visitors to historic sites and roadside attractions, as well as catalyze the revitalization of downtowns and main streets. Infrastructure funded by Round 2 of the CFI program should be able to be installed and fully functional in time for the Centennial.” They concluded: “Therefore, we urge your Departments to include specific consideration of applications from locations along Route 66 in this round of competitive CFI grants. Together, we can honor the history of the Mother Road while revitalizing communities and building a better future for the millions of Americans who live on Route 66.” Background: One of America’s first continuous stretches of paved highway, U.S. Route 66, sometimes referred to as ""The Mother Road,"" was commissioned on November 11, 1926, and stretched 2,448 miles (3,940 km) from Chicago to Los Angeles. Many organizations in the eight states along Historic Route 66 are planning special events and tours to highlight the road’s Centennial in 2026, including the New Mexico Tourism Department, which just launched a grant program to provide support for marketing campaigns, special events, and infrastructure related to Route 66. Congress passed the bipartisan Route 66 Centennial Commission Act in 2020 to establish a commission consisting of representatives from each of the eight Route 66 states. In their First Interim Report, released on July 11, 2023, the Route 66 Centennial Commission recommended the creation of a Route 66 Alternative Fuels Corridor Initiative to enable visitors to confidently travel the length of the entire route with whatever vehicle they choose. The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) is a competitive grant program established in the Infrastructure Law to build out accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work. The program, which just opened its second round, will provide up to $2.5 billion over five years to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities. The full text of the senators’ letter can be found here and below. Dear Secretary Buttigieg and Secretary Granholm: As you work to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we write to encourage your Departments to take advantage of all opportunities to support economic development along Route 66. The rich history and culture of Route 66 as a symbol of American freedom and adventure will draw millions of visitors to each of the eight states it runs through during the Centennial Anniversary of this iconic highway in 2026. In particular, we urge the Federal Highway Administration and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to make significant investments in electric vehicle (EV) chargers along Route 66 through the second round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. We believe federal investment in EV charging will play a critical role in fostering economic and infrastructure development in communities all along Route 66 during its Centennial Anniversary. More than 2 million people visit Route 66 every year, and our states are busy planning numerous events in 2026 to celebrate the anniversary and honor the Mother Road and its connection to American culture. We applaud the administration’s work in appointing 12 individuals to serve as members of the Route 66 Centennial Commission, which was established by the bipartisan Route 66 Centennial Commission Act in 2020 (Public Law No: 116-256). Under this law, the Route 66 Centennial Commission is working “to identify and recommend activities that may be carried out by the Federal Government that are fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.” Notably, the Commission’s first Interim Report, released on July 11, 2023, recommended the creation of a Route 66 Alternative Fuels Corridor Initiative. As elected officials representing states along Route 66, we are fully supportive of this recommendation. The CFI program provides a unique opportunity to support the recommendations set out by the commission’s report and enable visitors to confidently travel the length of the “Main Street of America” in whatever vehicle they choose. Accessible charging infrastructure can help draw visitors to historic sites and roadside attractions, as well as catalyze the revitalization of downtowns and main streets. Infrastructure funded by Round 2 of the CFI program should be able to be installed and fully functional in time for the Centennial. Therefore, we urge your Departments to include specific consideration of applications from locations along Route 66 in this round of competitive CFI grants. Together, we can honor the history of the Mother Road while revitalizing communities and building a better future for the millions of Americans who live on Route 66. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/jec-chairman-martin-heinrich-hosts-pro-worker-pro-business-opportunities-roundtable,"JEC Chairman Martin Heinrich Hosts “Pro-Worker, Pro-Business Opportunities” Roundtable",2024-10-17,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"PHOTOS & VIDEO Heinrich highlights how federal legislation is expanding pathways to in-demand jobs in New Mexico ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee (JEC), hosted a “Pro-Worker, Pro-Business Opportunities” roundtable to talk directly with New Mexicans about how federal legislation he helped pass into law is creating careers in high-demand sectors and strengthening New Mexico’s health care, skilled trades, early childhood education, and union workforce. Heinrich Hosts “Pro-Worker, Pro-Business Opportunities” Roundtable on October 17, 2024. “The manufacturing and clean energy renaissance driven by historic investments from the Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act is creating career opportunities across New Mexico. We need to build on this momentum by expanding access to apprenticeships, supporting new, high-quality jobs in the building and skilled trades, growing pathways to health care careers, and strengthening our early childhood education workforce. I will continue fighting to address workforce shortages, build the middle class, grow our economy, and provide more New Mexicans with the careers they can build their families around in their home communities,” said Heinrich. Thanks to recently enacted legislation that Heinrich helped pass into law, like the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Law, New Mexico is now at the center of a clean energy “manufacturing renaissance,” which is creating hundreds of jobs in New Mexico that people can build their families around. Heinrich discussed his work with community leaders to create more pathways to in-demand careers, including through jobs training and registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. He also highlighted the success of the domestic manufacturing tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act that have expanded clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing in New Mexico. Through his role as Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Heinrich has held hearings on job training in the clean energy sector, the domestic boom in manufacturing, and investing in early childhood education. Heinrich has also released reports on growing registered apprenticeship programs, job training for the clean energy transition, the manufacturing renaissance, addressing rural health worker shortages, the economic benefits of early childhood education, employing women in the clean energy sector, and growing the labor force in New Mexico. Creating Pathways to High-Quality Careers: Heinrich has long been committed to creating new pathways to careers for New Mexicans in the communities where they grew up, while tackling shortages in in-demand sectors like health care and early childhood education. Heinrich introduced the Apprenticeship Pathways Act, legislation to create pathways to careers for high school students by expanding access to apprenticeship programs for occupations with high need, including the building trades, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, and early childhood education. Earlier this year, Heinrich introduced the Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats (PATH) Act, legislation to strengthen the pipeline for careers in New Mexico, address rising workforce shortages, and grow the state’s economy through quality pre-apprenticeship programs. In March, Heinrich introduced the Providing Resources and Opportunities for Health Education and Learning (PRO-HEAL) Act, legislation that will tackle the health care provider shortage in New Mexico and nationwide by expanding pathways to high-quality, in-demand health care careers that medical professionals can access in their communities. Specifically, the PRO-HEAL Act addresses medical provider shortages by incentivizing states and institutions of higher education to expand or create health care provider pipeline programs, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The legislation is inspired by the success of the Combined BA/MD Degree Program at the University of New Mexico, where over 65% of students who have graduated from their program practice medicine in New Mexico. Last year, Heinrich introduced the Pathways to Health Careers Act, legislation that reauthorizes and modernizes the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program to help address health care shortages in New Mexico and across the country and create pathways to high-quality, in-demand health care careers. The HPOG program has a proven track record of successfully educating workers for jobs in the health care industry, while also providing career coaching, job placement, and a mix of other support services. The Pathways to Health Careers Act would restart and expand the HPOG Program, providing $425 million to make HPOG available nationwide from FY2024 through FY2028 and includes set asides for Tribes and U.S. Territories. In 2021, Heinrich introduced the Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology (CHANCE in Tech) Act, legislation to create earlier pathways to high-paying careers in the information technology (IT) industry. Investments in Clean Energy and Advanced Manufacturing: Heinrich has been fighting hard to pass legislation and secure investments that are growing the state’s economy, building the middle class, and expanding high-quality jobs New Mexicans can build their families around. In 2022, Heinrich helped author and pass into law the landmark Inflation Reduction Act,which has created a manufacturing renaissance in the state and established New Mexico at the center of the nation’s clean energy future. Heinrich marked the two-year anniversary of the legislation being signed into law in August, highlighting how its incentives have expanded and spurred a number of new clean energy projects across New Mexico. Earlier this year, Heinrich highlighted $20 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for Pajarito Powder to scale production of components for electrolyzers and fuel cells. Heinrich invited the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to tour the facilities of Pajarito Powder in Albuquerque, N.M. In June, the N.M. Delegation welcomed $23.9 million from the CHIPS and Science Act for SolAero, an Albuquerque, N.M.-based manufacturing company, to increase its production of compound semiconductors for spacecraft and satellites, as part of an expansion and modernization of their facility. Heinrich, Luján, and Stansbury, along with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, welcomed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves and White House CHIPS Coordinator Ryan Harper to New Mexico to highlight this investment. In April, Heinrich and Luján welcomed Energy Secretary Granholm to break ground on a new 216,000-square-foot Array Technologies manufacturing campus — a $50+ million investment located on Albuquerque’s Westside — which will employ over 300 additional New Mexicans to facilitate the production, assembly, design, engineering, and customer service of solar tracking technology. That same day, Heinrich, Granholm, and Vasquez participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the production of the first wind towers coming off the Arcosa Wind Towers manufacturing line. The ribbon-cutting ceremony came nearly nine months after Heinrich welcomed President Biden to the Belén manufacturing facility — a $60 million investment that will have a $314 million economic impact and create 250 jobs in the region. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-announces-legislation-to-build-more-homes-in-new-mexico-highlights-over-1-million-he-secured-for-housing-development-in-santa-fe,"Heinrich Announces Legislation to Build More Homes in New Mexico, Highlights Over $1 Million He Secured for Housing Development in Santa Fe",2024-10-16,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"SANTA FE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with leaders from Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity and Homewise to announce his New Homes Tax Credit Act, legislation to build more housing and renovate homes for working families, and see how the $1,100,000 he secured through the Appropriations process is helping Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity develop land and build housing for working families. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announces his New Homes Tax Credit Act in Santa Fe, October 16, 2024. “New Mexico is facing a housing shortage. The driving factor behind it is clear: we need to build more homes to meet demand. I authored the New Homes Tax Credit Act and secured federal funding to build more housing, so we can give more working families in our state a shot at owning a home. I will continue fighting to increase housing supply and put homeownership within reach for more New Mexicans,” said Heinrich. Background: Heinrich recently introduced the New Homes Tax Credit Act, legislation that will provide tax credits to incentivize new investments and additional resources for single-family home construction and renovations for working families. As Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Heinrich released a report on housing supply in America, which found that underbuilding, restrictive zoning policies, and home financing hurdles have caused the supply of starter homes to shrink and prices to rise. High interest rates and mangled supply chains have also contributed to increased home prices. Heinrich’s legislation will address the lack of housing inventory for individuals and families whose incomes are up to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), particularly including in areas where middle-income families have historically been priced out. In Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, for example, this added housing inventory would benefit families with annual incomes of up to $103,680, $109,800, and $78,960, respectively. Additionally, Heinrich secured $1,100,000 through the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations process for Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity to develop land into a mixed-income development focused on building 25 to 30 housing units for working families. In total, Heinrich has secured $14,500,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for northern New Mexico to address the housing shortage. For a list of Heinrich’s actions to lower housing costs and tackle the housing shortage in New Mexico, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-tours-advanced-manufacturing-facility-in-los-alamos-touts-success-of-tech-transfer,"Heinrich Tours Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Los Alamos, Touts Success of Tech Transfer",2024-10-16,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) toured Los Alamos-based company UbiQD's advanced materials and technology manufacturing facility, which was recently expanded to 16,000 square feet. Heinrich has long championed growing an advanced, high-tech manufacturing industry in New Mexico, including through the commercialization and transfer of innovative technologies developed at our national labs to the private sector. As part of this larger work, Heinrich has supported UbiQD’s efforts to commercialize and scale its manufacturing of low-cost and low-toxicity quantum dot nanotechnologies first developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In addition to national security applications, these materials can help support smart building facades, including spectrum-controlled greenhouse films like the UbiGro cover and photovoltaic solar windows. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) tours the Los Alamos-based company UbiQD’sadvanced materials and technology manufacturing facility, October 16, 2024. “UbiQD is such a great example of how commercializing innovative technologies developed at our national labs can fuel economic growth and stand up whole new advanced manufacturing industries in New Mexico,” said Heinrich. “Throughout my time in Congress, I have proudly championed strong funding for both Los Alamos and Sandia Labs, and I will continue doing exactly that in the years to come. By scaling tech transfer programs at our labs, we will help commercialize promising technologies with private sector applications. This, in turn, diversifies our state’s economic engines, with whole new industries creating high-quality careers that New Mexicans can build their families around.” Background: In 2016 and 2018, Heinrich welcomed the announcements that UbiQD received Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I and Phase II grants from the National Science Foundation. Those grant awards helped fund research and development of luminescent solar concentrating glass windows with quantum dot coatings. More recently, in 2022, UbiQD received federal funding from the U.S. Air Force to install quantum dot-tinted photovoltaic windows on military bases and from NASA to scale its UbiGro greenhouse films for boosting crop yield in both space and on Earth. Earlier this year, UbiQD received a new $175,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which is funded through annual appropriations from the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee that Heinrich chairs. The award will help UbiQD expand its production of UbiGro Luminescent Greenhouse Films that use the company’s novel quantum dot nanotechnology to enhance the photosynthetic efficiency of greenhouses to boost crop yields and quality. Heinrich has long fought to pass legislation and secure investments to lower costs, grow and diversify New Mexico’s economy, and expand high-quality manufacturing jobs New Mexicans can build their families around. This includes Heinrich’s support for programs like the Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions and Laboratory Directed Research and Development that help transfer innovative technologies and advanced materials with commercial applications, like UbiQD’s quantum dot technologies, to the private sector. Heinrich has also worked to deliver substantial increases in funding for both of New Mexico’s national labs, doubling the total budget and nearly doubling the workforce in New Mexico for both Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory during his time in Congress. As a member of the Conference Committee that helped pass the landmark CHIPS and Science Act, Heinrich also successfully delivered investments to strengthen New Mexico’s research universities, national labs, and high-tech and advanced manufacturing industries. These investments are paving the way in quantum computing and microelectronics, already bringing results – with increases in New Mexico semiconductor manufacturing jobs. In 2022, Heinrich also helped author and pass into law the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which has created a manufacturing renaissance in the state and established New Mexico at the center of the nation’s clean energy future. Heinrich marked the two-year anniversary of the legislation being signed into law in August, highlighting how its incentives have expanded and spurred a number of new clean energy projects across New Mexico. Heinrich and the N.M. Delegation recently welcomed $18,449,999, for Pajarito Powder, an Albuquerque, N.M.-based company, to boost manufacturing of advanced energy technologies and create 60 direct manufacturing jobs. Earlier this year, Heinrich highlighted $20 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for Pajarito Powder to scale production of components for electrolyzers and fuel cells.Heinrich invited the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to tour the facilities of Pajarito Powder in Albuquerque, N.M. In June, the N.M. Delegation welcomed $23.9 million from the CHIPS and Science Act for SolAero, an Albuquerque, N.M.-based manufacturing company, to increase its production of compound semiconductors for spacecraft and satellites, as part of an expansion and modernization of their facility. Heinrich, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), along with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, welcomed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves and White House CHIPS Coordinator Ryan Harper to New Mexico to highlight this investment. In April, Heinrich and Luján welcomed Energy Secretary Granholm to break ground on a new 216,000-square-foot Array Technologies manufacturing campus — a $50+ million investment located on Albuquerque’s Westside — which will employ over 300 additional New Mexicans to facilitate the production, assembly, design, engineering, and customer service of solar tracking technology.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-heinrich-statement-on-indigenous-peoples-day,VIDEO: Heinrich Statement on Indigenous Peoples’ Day,2024-10-14,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following video statement in commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Heinrich is leading the effort in Congress to pass legislation that would replace the current federal holiday of Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich Indigenous Peoples’ Day Statement, October 14, 2024. “Native peoples have lived in the land we now call New Mexico and the United States for thousands of years. “I am honored to work with the Pueblos and Tribes who call New Mexico home, and with Tribes all across Indian Country. As part of that work, I have been proud to lead legislation in the Senate to re-frame this national holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. “New Mexico is one of a growing number of states that already recognizes this change. And three years ago, President Biden became the first President to formally commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Re-framing this holiday is a powerful way for us to acknowledge and heal from painful history. It also inspires us to celebrate the enduring strength and resilience of Native people. “Today and every day, I am committed to uplifting Tribal communities and defending Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.” Background: Last year, Heinrich led the bicameral introduction of legislation to replace the official federal holiday recognized on the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The bill would also replace any mention of Columbus Day in all federal laws or regulations with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Heinrich’s legislation is supported by the Navajo Nation, Mescalero Apache Tribe, All Pueblo Council of Governors, National Congress of American Indians, Indigenous Peoples’ Initiative, Association on American Indian Affairs, Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, the Pocahontas Project, Cherokee Nation, National Council of Urban Indian Health, and Barona Band of Mission Indians. The Senate legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Angus King (I-Maine). Read the full text of the bill here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-unveils-nm-minority-business-development-centers-new-office-in-albuquerque,Heinrich Unveils N.M. Minority Business Development Center’s New Office in Albuquerque,2024-10-10,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Heinrich was instrumental in establishing and standing up the Minority Business Development Center in New Mexico ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, joined Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, community leaders, and small business owners to unveil a new, larger office space for the New Mexico Minority Business Development Center (Business Center) as part of a new Business Resource Center that will also house the City of Albuquerque’s Small Business Office. Heinrich wrote the legislative provision that established and funded the New Mexico Business Center in 2020, securing more than $2.5 million in federal resources through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency for its staffing and programming. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participates in a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the newly expanded office space for the New Mexico MBDC in Albuquerque, October 10, 2024. “Local businesses are the beating hearts of our communities and backbone of our economy. That’s why, four years ago, I wrote the federal legislative provision that re-opened New Mexico’s Minority Business Development Center and fought to fund its operations. And it’s why I am so pleased to celebrate this expanded Center in Albuquerque and the locations now open in Las Vegas and Las Cruces,” said Heinrich. “With the $2.5 million-plus in federal resources I’ve been able to deliver, we are expanding support for local businesses across our state as they create the types of careers New Mexicans can build their families around, in their home communities.” Background: The federal Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) mission is to promote the growth and global competitiveness of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) in order to unlock the country’s full economic potential. The MBDA supports a national network of Business Centers and technical assistance programs that help entrepreneurs and small business owners overcome obstacles and grow their businesses. In 2018, New Mexico’s previous Minority Business Development Center closed. In 2020, Heinrich authored report language in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Appropriations Bills that required the U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency to re-open a new Business Center in New Mexico. Heinrich then worked closely with the City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce to secure an initial $300,000 in federal funding to help establish the new Business Center, along with delivering $1.875 million in federal funding to support the first five years of its operations. In subsequent funding cycles, Heinrich has secured additional federal resources to expand the staffing and services offered by the Minority Business Development Agency in New Mexico. In the FY2023 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured $200,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) to help the Business Center hire two more business advisors based in Las Cruces and expand the reach of their services throughout New Mexico. In the FY2024 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured an additional $200,000 CDS to help the Business Center launch a new technical assistance project that will provide professional business development services to support and promote the growth and success of minority-owned businesses across the state. Earlier this year, Heinrich included $300,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending within the FY2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, which advanced out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in August, to help the Business Center create a Food and Beverage “New to Export” Cohort that will provide comprehensive support to business enterprises looking to export their products. Heinrich recently welcomed the opening of a new Minority Business Development Centerin Las Cruces, thanks to the federal funding he secured in the FY2023 Appropriations Bills, and an additional $183,000 award from the MBDA and $20,000 from the City of Albuquerque to open a new Rural Minority Business Development Center in Las Vegas. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-meets-with-carlsbad-police-and-fire-department-leaders-to-discuss-funding-secured-for-critical-public-safety-equipment-upgrades,Heinrich Meets with Carlsbad Police and Fire Department Leaders to Discuss Funding Secured for Critical Public Safety Equipment Upgrades,2024-10-09,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"PHOTOS Heinrich secured nearly $1 million to support a new Mobile Command Center and new radio and communications equipment that will improve law enforcement operations and emergency response in Eddy County CARLSBAD, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with public safety leaders at the Carlsbad Police Department to hear how nearly $1 million he secured for a forthcoming, new Mobile Command Center and operational radio and communications equipment will improve response times and emergency coordination to help law enforcement agencies in Eddy County keep New Mexicans safe. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) visits with public safety leaders at the Carlsbad Police Department, highlighting plans for a new Mobile Command Center, and discussing new radio and communications equipment that he secured funds for. “We need to better equip law enforcement with the tools needed to keep New Mexicans safe, and I’m committed to doing that,” said Heinrich. “Upgraded technology will make a real difference for the Carlsbad Police Department, improving emergency response throughout Eddy County and helping first responders serve the community. It's delivering investments like these to support our law enforcement officers and first responders that make me proud to fight for New Mexico on the Senate Appropriations Committee.” During the visit, Heinrich was briefed by the Carlsbad Police Chief Shane Skinner, Carlsbad Mayor Rick Lopez, and Carlsbad Fire Chief Tony Souza on how investments he secured through his seat on the Appropriations Committee for radio and communications equipment — currently being used by first responders and law enforcement — is keeping New Mexicans safe. Heinrich additionally highlighted funding he secured for a new Mobile Command Center. Background: Heinrich secured nearly $1 million through the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations process for a new Mobile Command Center and new radio and communications equipment to improve response times and emergency coordination to help first responders in Eddy County keep New Mexicans safe. In addition to this investment, Heinrich secured $1 million in the FY24 appropriations bill to purchase new National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) ballistics testing machines for law enforcement agencies to use in Las Cruces, Farmington, Gallup, and Roswell. These machines will help law enforcement agencies quickly and effectively identify, solve, and prosecute crimes involving firearms. Prior to this investment, there were only three NIBIN machines in all of New Mexico: two in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe.The Roswell NIBIN machinewill create a much closer option for law enforcement agencies in southeastern New Mexico. The intelligence gathered by all of the new NIBIN machines will go to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center where dedicated and trained analysts will use the information to trace and network firearms used in crimes across the state. The Center will then be able to feed that information back to law enforcement agencies to improve identification of suspects and support successful prosecutions. For a list of Heinrich’s actions to support law enforcement and first responders across New Mexico, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-tours-bernalillo-county-emergency-operations-center,Heinrich Tours Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center,2024-10-08,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Heinrich secured $750,000 to redesign and improve technology at the Center helping first responders keep New Mexicans safe ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center to see how the $750,000 he secured in Congressionally Directed Spending will make needed improvements and technology upgrades at the Center. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) tours the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center on October 8, 2024. “I’m proud to have secured funding to enhance the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center. These improvements will directly support our dedicated firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical responders who work tirelessly to safeguard the health and safety of all New Mexicans,” said Heinrich. “I will always fight to deliver the resources and tools our first responders need to do their vital, lifesaving work and keep New Mexicans safe.” During his visit, Heinrich was also briefed by Bernalillo County Fire Department Chief Greg Perez, Bernalillo County Emergency Management Director Thomas Walmsley, Bernalillo County Undersheriff Johan Jareno, and Bernalillo County Undersheriff Aaron Williamson on how the millions of dollars in federal investments Heinrich has secured have benefitted local fire and police departments, better equipping first responders with new tools needed to keep New Mexicans safe. Background: In the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill, Heinrich secured $750,000 for Bernalillo County to redesign the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center and upgrade the Center’s information technology systems and displays. In addition to this investment, Heinrich cosponsored and secured passage of the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which has provided over $15.3 million to local fire departments in New Mexico. Specifically in Bernalillo County, this law has delivered: $2.4 million for Bernalillo County and its Fire and Rescue Department to recruit and retain firefighters. $1.6 million for Albuquerque and its Fire Department to recruit and retain firefighters, in addition to new resources needed to better respond to emergencies. The Fire Grants and Safety Act, which was recently signed into law by President Joe Biden, reauthorizes two federal grant programs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For a full list of investments from this program that have delivered funds across New Mexico, click here. For a list of Heinrich’s actions to support law enforcement and first responders all across New Mexico, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-tonko-introduce-legislation-to-increase-access-to-buprenorphine-save-lives,"Heinrich, Tonko Introduce Legislation to Increase Access to Buprenorphine, Save Lives",2024-10-04,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) introduced the Broadening Utilization of Proven and Effective Treatment for Recovery Act, or BUPE for Recovery Act, legislation to increase access to buprenorphine — a lifesaving drug used to treat opioid use disorder — by removing barriers providers and patients face when trying to access the medication. “New Mexicans know too well the heartache of losing a loved one to opioids. Enough is enough. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to tackle this epidemic with the urgency it demands, which includes eliminating barriers that providers and patients face in accessing lifesaving medication,” said Heinrich. “My legislation aims to change reporting requirements for buprenorphine, ensuring that patients receive timely and effective treatment for opioid use disorder. This will help save lives and help New Mexicans get the care they need.” “For years, I’ve worked to address this disease of addiction and secure access to lifesaving treatments for the millions of Americans working to find and follow the path to recovery,” said Tonko. “A lynchpin of my efforts to address the opioid crisis is my MAT Act that eliminates outdated, bureaucratic barriers preventing practitioners from prescribing the proven treatment, buprenorphine, to their patients. Our newest bill, the BUPE for Recovery Act further strengthens our push to expand accessibility to this lifesaving drug. I thank Senator Heinrich for spearheading this effort with me and urge my colleagues to join us in advancing this legislation as soon as possible.” The BUPE for Recovery Act temporarily exempts buprenorphine from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Suspicious Orders Report System (SORS) requirements during the opioid public health emergency. SORS reporting requirements have led to an uncertainty among pharmacies and distributors to stock and dispense buprenorphine, which can prevent individuals suffering from opioid use disorder from receiving timely and effective treatment. This legislation will mitigate the treatment gap created by stringent SORS reporting requirements, reducing overdose deaths, saving lives, and improving public health outcomes. The BUPE for Recovery Act is endorsed by the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association (AMA), American Nurses Association, American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), Faces & Voices of Recovery, Overdose Prevention Initiative at GHAI, International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), Kent Strategic Advisors, LLC, The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH), National Behavioral Health Association of Providers, National Black Harm Reduction Network (NBHRN), National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), The Kennedy Forum, Treatment Communities of America, Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, California Consortium of Addiction Programs & Professionals, Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA), New Mexico American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and the National League for Nursing. ""Over a million Americans have died from a drug overdose since 1999, exposing millions more to devastating, personal loss,” said Dr. Brian Hurley, President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). “Policymakers must focus on advancing policies to ensure that pharmacists can fulfill their core function to dispense lawful prescriptions for addiction medications. We thank Senator Heinrich for his leadership in introducing Broadening Utilization of Proven and Effective Treatment for Recovery Act, which would temporarily exempt buprenorphine products approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder from the federal Suspicious Orders Report System and related reporting requirements. ASAM looks forward to working with lawmakers to ensure this vital legislation is enacted swiftly.” “Over the past several years, New Mexico has made substantial investments to treat substance use disorders and prevent overdoses. At the federal level, significant barriers have been removed for prescribing medications for opioid use disorder, like buprenorphine. Unfortunately, stringent reporting requirements for buprenorphine continue to hinder our progress in the fight against the opioid epidemic. New Mexico ACEP strongly supports legislation that will remove buprenorphine from the Suspicious Orders Reports System and increase access to this evidence-based treatment,"" said Scott Mueller, DO, FACEP, President of the New Mexico Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (NMACEP). “Buprenorphine is a life saving medication proven to reduce the risk of overdose deaths in individuals with opioid use disorder. Despite strong evidence for the effectiveness of buprenorphine, patients face far too many unnecessary barriers getting this medication. The American Medical Association urges that suspicious order reporting requirements not be triggered based upon orders for buprenorphine and their fulfillment, as buprenorphine has been approved by the FDA for opioid use disorder. If buprenorphine products remain in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s suspicious order reporting requirements, patients will continue to suffer. It is imperative to increase access to buprenorphine to save lives,” said Bobby Mukkamala, MD, President-elect of the American Medical Association and Chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force. A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill is here. Heinrich has continuously worked to make opioid use disorder treatments more readily available. In the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS)Appropriations Bill, Heinrich successfully included language directing the DEA to take further action to remove barriers to access for opioid use disorder medications such as buprenorphine. The inclusion of this language will assist local medical and mental health providers and make medications, including buprenorphine, more accessible to New Mexicans. Find an extensive list of Heinrich’s actions to tackle the fentanyl crisis and make opioid use disorder treatments more readily available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-185-million-for-albuquerque-based-pajarito-powder-to-boost-advanced-energy-manufacturing-create-60-new-jobs,"N.M. Delegation Welcomes $18.5 Million for Albuquerque-Based Pajarito Powder to Boost Advanced Energy Manufacturing, Create 60 New Jobs",2024-10-04,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $18,449,999, from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for Pajarito Powder, an Albuquerque, N.M.-based company, to boost manufacturing of advanced energy technologiesand create 60 direct manufacturing jobs. The DOE has awarded Pajarito Powder with a $8,450,000 grant to increase its production of hydrogen electrolyzer catalysts, one of the few companies in the country producing these catalysts, and a $9,999,999 grant to scale up manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cell catalysts. “This major investment will further solidify New Mexico’s role as a leader in advanced energy manufacturing, creating 60 new high-quality jobs and helping to grow our economy,” said Heinrich. “I’m pleased to have worked alongside Pajarito Powder to secure this federal investment and will continue fighting to keep New Mexico at the center of clean energy innovation. Our state is the best place in America to manufacture cutting-edge technologies and build industries of the future — creating high-quality jobs New Mexicans can build their families around, and producing cleaner, more affordable American-made energy.” “This nearly $18.5 million investment through the Department of Energy for Pajarito Powder will further New Mexico’s production of advanced energy technologies and create dozens of good-paying manufacturing jobs for the Albuquerque area,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome this federal funding and will continue to work to secure resources to ensure New Mexico remains a leader in the manufacturing of advanced energy technologies.” “This $18.4 million from the Department of Energy sets New Mexico on course to be a leader in advanced energy technologies,” said Fernández. “This is a major investment in our state’s economy and will create good-paying jobs while ensuring America continues to innovate, compete, and succeed.” ""Manufacturing drives the country, and I am honored to see that sector growing in New Mexico,"" said Stansbury. ""This $18.5 million for Pajarito Powder will push energy production forward and give 60 people jobs in Albuquerque. Every job and every piece of funding shows the continued strength of our economy. Manufacturing has a bright future in New Mexico and the United States, all thanks to the work of the Biden Administration."" “New Mexico continues to lead the way in sustainable energy manufacturing. That's why I'm proud to welcome $18.5 million for Pajarito Powder to accelerate clean energy innovation right here in Albuquerque,"" said Vasquez. ""This investment will create 60 good-paying jobs and strengthen our role in advancing critical technologies like hydrogen. By supporting companies like Pajarito, we’re building a cleaner, more sustainable economy that benefits all New Mexicans.” “Domestic development and manufacture of advanced catalysts for fuel cell and green hydrogen generation are crucial goals for DOE,” said Pajarito Powder Chief Operating Officer Dr. Michele Ostraat, who is Principal Investigator on both projects. “The catalysts that Pajarito Powder has developed will be manufactured at ever-increasing scales and will make New Mexico a significant player in the domestic hydrogen supply chain.” “These awards are crucial for the major scale-up of catalyst manufacturing,” said Pajarito Powder Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Stephenson. “Widespread industrial decarbonization, using these catalysts, can only be achieved through significant scale-up.” Heinrich has been fighting hard to pass legislation and secure investments that are lowering costs, growing the state’s economy, and expanding high-quality manufacturing jobs New Mexicans can build their families around. In 2022, Heinrich helped author and pass into law the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which has created a manufacturing renaissance in the state and established New Mexico at the center of the nation’s clean energy future. Heinrich marked the two-year anniversary of the legislation being signed into law in August, highlighting how its incentives have expanded and spurred a number of new clean energy projects across New Mexico. Earlier this year, Heinrich highlighted $20 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for Pajarito Powder to scale production of components for electrolyzers and fuel cells. Heinrich invited the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to tour the facilities of Pajarito Powder in Albuquerque, N.M. In June, the N.M. Delegation welcomed $23.9 million from the CHIPS and Science Act for SolAero, an Albuquerque, N.M.-based manufacturing company, to increase its production of compound semiconductors for spacecraft and satellites, as part of an expansion and modernization of their facility. Heinrich, Luján, and Stansbury, along with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, welcomed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves and White House CHIPS Coordinator Ryan Harper to New Mexico to highlight this investment. In April, Heinrich and Luján welcomed Energy Secretary Granholm to break ground on a new 216,000-square-foot Array Technologies manufacturing campus — a $50+ million investment located on Albuquerque’s Westside — which will employ over 300 additional New Mexicans to facilitate the production, assembly, design, engineering, and customer service of solar tracking technology. That same day, Heinrich, Granholm, and Vasquez participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the production of the first wind towers coming off the Arcosa Wind Towers manufacturing line. The ribbon-cutting ceremony came nearly nine months after Heinrich welcomed President Biden to the Belén manufacturing facility — a $60 million investment that will have a $314 million economic impact and create 250 jobs in the region. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-introduce-resolution-recognizing-latina-equal-pay-day,"Heinrich, Luján Introduce Resolution Recognizing Latina Equal Pay Day",2024-10-03,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — To celebrate Latina Equal Pay Day today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced a Senate resolution recognizing October 3, 2024, as Latina Equal Pay Day. More than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Latinas make up the second largest group of women workers in the U.S—yet they are paid 57 cents for every dollar paid to white men, losing over $1,200,000 in potential earnings over a 40 year career. This resolution recognizes the disparity in wages paid to Latina women and reaffirms support to ensure equal pay for equal work and close the gender pay gap. “From driving small business growth to leading labor movements, Latinas have grown and transformed our economy and workplaces for the better. On Latina Equal Pay Day, we honor their remarkable accomplishments and contributions, while recognizing the ongoing work needed to achieve equal pay for equal work,” said Heinrich. “This day and every day, I remain committed to fighting for a fair economy for all New Mexicans, raising the minimum wage, and expanding opportunities for a brighter future.” “Throughout history, Latinas have helped propel our economy and have long contributed to the fabric of America,” said Luján. “Despite their contributions to building our country, their pay has not been reflective of their work. Today, on Latina Equal Pay Day, I’m proud to partner with Senator Heinrich to introduce this resolution to recognize the contributions of Latinas and highlight the ongoing fight for equal pay for equal work. I will continue to fight for workers across New Mexico and the country to secure equal pay for equal work and close the gender pay gap once and for all.” The resolution is led by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)., Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Illi.), Amy Klobuchar (D-M.N.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), George Helmy (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). The companion resolution is led in the House by U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-vasquez-welcome-infrastructure-law-investment-in-southline-transmission-project-in-southern-new-mexico,"Heinrich, Luján, Vasquez Welcome Infrastructure Law Investment in Southline Transmission Project in Southern New Mexico",2024-10-03,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the co-founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) welcomed the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) announcement that its Grid Deployment Office (GDO) is investing $1.5 billion for five electric transmission projects— including the Southline Transmission Project in southern New Mexico. The funding will come from the Grid Deployment Office’s (GDO) Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP), a revolving fund program established by the Infrastructure Law that Heinrich, Luján, and Democrats in the New Mexico Congressional Delegation championed into law. The TFP helps overcome the financial hurdles facing transmission development through a number of innovative financing mechanisms. “The investments that we unlocked through our Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act are solidifying New Mexico’s leadership in building a cleaner, healthier, and more affordable energy future,” said Heinrich. “High-voltage transmission projects like Southline will be the backbone of our clean energy transition, delivering carbon-free power generated in New Mexico to market. They will also create high-quality careers that New Mexicans can build their families around, in their home communities. To get more transmission projects like Southline and SunZia built faster so we can connect more large-scale clean energy and storage projects onto the grid, it’s critical that Congress pass transmission permitting reform. I will continue pressing leaders from both parties to pass legislation to get that done.” “Investing in transmission projects is critical to deliver reliable, affordable, clean energy to communities across New Mexico,” said Luján. “This investment in the second phase of the transformative Southline project will help boost our power grid, bring good-paying clean energy jobs to our state, and lower energy costs for New Mexicans and residents in the Southwest. I’m proud to have helped secure this federal investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I will continue to unlock federal resources to advance clean energy projects across our state.” “From my first day in office, I have worked to support generational projects like Southline that realize New Mexico’s potential to help power our clean energy future. This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will connect high voltage transmission from Las Cruces through Hidalgo County, opening up incredible potential for renewable energy development in our district,” said Vasquez. “I will always work to bring transformational investments to our district that help provide good, high paying jobs for our rural communities.” With this funding, Southline will construct the second phase of its project: a new 108-mile, 345 kV high-voltage alternating current line that will deliver 1,000 MW of new, bidirectional capacity between Hidalgo County, New Mexico and Las Cruces, New Mexico. Heinrich previously welcomed DOE funding for the first phase of the Southline Project. Southline Phase 2 will add much-needed transmission capacity across the American Southwest, which is grappling with extensive power demands driven by residential, commercial, and industrial activity. In August, Heinrich, Luján, and Vasquez also welcomed $1.8 million from DOE for the City of Lordsburg. As a community hosting the Southline Transmission Project, the City will launch the Lordsburg Revitalization Project, a comprehensive investment to renovate downtown Lordsburg and bolster economic development; create opportunities for small businesses; and catalyze job growth. This grant was made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed by Democrats in the N.M. Delegation, and is funded through DOE’s Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grant Program, a new initiative designed to overcome state and local challenges to expanding transmission capacity while also supporting communities along major new and upgraded lines. Background on Heinrich’s Leadership on Transmission Infrastructure: Heinrich has long led efforts to improve and expand the capacity of our nation’s transmission infrastructure, which is urgently needed for reliability, affordability, and clean electricity. He recently welcomed the announcement that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) heeded his calls to finalize a strong transmission planning and cost allocation rule. In this Congress, Heinrich is leading major legislation to strengthen electric reliability by improving the way that we permit, plan, and pay for transmission infrastructure — dubbing these bills as the “three Ps of transmission.” In July, Heinrich voted to advance the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill includes The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 includes a number of provisions that Heinrich has championed, including his interregional transmission planning bill, provisions from his permitting bill, the FASTER Act, and his bipartisan Geothermal Energy Optimization (GEO) Act, which puts geothermal projects on an equal footing with oil and gas projects on public land and will help accelerate the adoption of geothermal energy nationwide. In May, Heinrich welcomed the White House’s announcement of a new Federal-State Initiative to Bolster America’s Power Grid to accelerate improvements to the electric transmission and distribution network, which are critical to meeting the country’s needs for affordable, clean, reliable, and resilient power. The new federal-state initiative brings together commitments from 21 leading states, including New Mexico, to meet the shared challenges and opportunities of increased load growth, a rapidly changing energy landscape, aging infrastructure, and new grid-enhancing technologies – while delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to consumers. In April, Heinrich welcomed U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to New Mexico to highlight how investments from recent landmark legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act are creating a clean energy manufacturing renaissance in communities like Albuquerque and Belén, N.M. In 2023, Heinrich delivered a keynote address at an advanced energy conference to lay out his vision to position New Mexico at the center of the nation's clean energy future. In the speech, Heinrich pointed to his work to accelerate the clean energy transition through legislation and federal investments he has secured. He also published an op-ed in the Denver Post emphasizing the need for more transmission lines to achieve our ambitious climate goals. Heinrich also recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the new SunZia Transmission Line, the largest renewable energy project in America, which he worked for over a decade to advance. When completed, the SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind projects will become the largest renewable energy infrastructure project in U.S. history, transporting up to 3,500 megawatts of energy from New Mexico to markets in Arizona and California. The project is expected to create over 2,000 jobs during construction and support over 100 permanent jobs once online. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-21-million-to-tackle-crime-keep-communities-safe,"N.M. Delegation Welcomes $21 Million to Tackle Crime, Keep Communities Safe",2024-10-02,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $20,706,897 from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to help New Mexico’s law enforcement solve crimes, support survivor services, improve violence prevention, and keep communities safe. The grants will be distributed through the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). “I’m proud to announce over $20 million to better equip New Mexico’s law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to keep our communities safe. This significant investment will help tackle crime, hold dangerous criminals accountable, and deliver justice and support for survivors,” said Heinrich. “A safer New Mexico depends on solving crimes and supporting survivors, and I will continue to fight for the resources we need for both.” “This nearly $21 million in federal funding will deliver critical resources to help law enforcement solve crimes, support victims of violent crime, and boost violence prevention across New Mexico,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome this federal funding and I will keep fighting for federal resources to keep New Mexico communities safe.” “1 in 4 women have been beaten by an intimate partner in their lifetime. This funding from the Department of Justice focuses on providing more services to the survivors of domestic violence survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” said Leger Fernández. “To effectively investigate and prosecute these crimes, the grants also increase the resources going to law enforcement. I’m pleased that the funding benefits communities across my district, from the Pueblos to Santa Fe to Hobbs to our state agencies. Together we keep New Mexico safe.” “This almost $21 million investment into our communities is crucial in making New Mexico a safer place for everyone,” said Stansbury. “Victims of crimes deserve justice, and law enforcement needs the tools to give victims that justice. This funding is pivotal in achieving that goal.” “I’m proud to welcome over $20 million for law enforcement organizations across our state and Tribal communities. This funding will support law enforcement’s ability to reduce crime, make our neighborhoods safer and ensure justice for victims,” said Vasquez. “Our law enforcement officers and community organizations are working tirelessly, and this investment will help them continue to protect and serve New Mexicans. I’m committed to fighting for more federal resources to keep us safe.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-leads-legislation-to-build-and-renovate-homes-for-working-families,Heinrich Leads Legislation to Build and Renovate Homes for Working Families,2024-09-30,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the New Homes Tax Credit Act, legislation that will provide tax credits to incentivize new investments and additional resources for single-family home construction and renovations for working families. As Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Heinrich released a report on housing supply in America, which found that underbuilding, restrictive zoning policies, and home financing hurdles have caused the supply of starter homes to shrink and prices to rise. High interest rates and mangled supply chains have also contributed to increased home prices. Heinrich’s legislation will address the lack of housing inventory for individuals and families whose incomes are up to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), particularly including in areas where middle-income families have historically been priced out. In Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, for example, this added housing inventory would benefit families with annual incomes of up to $103,680, $109,800, and $78,960, respectively. “Every New Mexican who’s looked at buying a home knows: housing prices are too high. To solve that, we need to build and renovate more homes. It's that simple,” said Heinrich. “My New Homes Tax Credit Act will help boost home construction and renovation for middle-income New Mexicans, growing our local economies and giving more working families a shot at success.” “Democrats are focused on attacking the cost of living, and with rents and home prices climbing every year, the key to solving our housing crisis is to build, build, build. That’s what this bill is all about,” said Wyden. “The housing crisis is no longer just about big cities like Portland, it’s all over Oregon and the entire country – urban centers, suburban communities, even a lot of rural areas. Congress needs to look at every available solution that’ll get more housing built so that families don’t have to break the bank to pay the rent every month.” “The housing shortage crisis has been brutal for communities across the country. In Vermont, we’ll need at least 30,000 more homes by 2030. To address this crisis, we must find new and innovative ways to encourage new construction and renovations of starter homes for lower and moderate-income communities,” said Welch. “Everyone deserves to have a safe and affordable place to live.” The New Homes Tax Credit (NHTC) would be administered under the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. The CDFI Fund certifies Housing Development Entities (HDEs), which can be CDFIs, government and quasi-governmental entities, or non-profits. Following certification, HDEs will use the capital raised from exchanging their NHTCs with investors to provide funds for construction companies that build or renovate single-family homes. The New Homes Tax Credit Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). The legislation is supported by the Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Realtors, Housing New Mexico, Homewise, Yes Housing, Inc., and Strong Towns Albuquerque. “With a nationwide shortage of roughly 1.5 million housing units, we must increase the supply of housing to ease the nation’s housing affordability crisis,” said Carl Harris, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “NAHB is pleased to support the Affordable Housing Expansion Tax Credit, which would create a new federal program to help finance the construction or renovation of affordable, entry-level housing. With nearly half of U.S. households unable to afford a $250,000 home, we must adopt policies to make homeownership more accessible and increase production of entry-level housing.” “Home ownership is still very much part of the American Dream. The New Homes Tax Credit Act, sponsored by Senator Martin Heinrich, is an innovative way to offset construction costs and lower those costs that are passed on to the homebuyers. This makes the purchase of a home much more feasible than what the current market costs allow. Many more Americans will be to attain their goal of owning a home to raise their families.” said Chris Baca, President/CEO, Yes Housing, Inc, a New Mexico based non-profit affordable housing developer. The legislation is also supported by Strong Towns Albuquerque, which stated, “This Act represents an innovative approach to encourage private investment in the development and renovation of entry-level homes for low- and moderate-income families. By establishing a tax credit for investments in housing development entities that provide affordable housing, this Act promotes the construction and renovation of homes for first-time buyers and those from underserved communities. It directly aligns with our commitment to fostering equitable, sustainable urban growth by expanding access to safe and affordable housing for individuals and families whose incomes do not exceed 120 percent of the area median income (AMI).” A summary of the bill is here. A tool to determine AMI’s across the country is here. The text of the bill is here. Background Heinrich is a tireless advocate for lowering housing costs, increasing housing supply, and expanding housing affordability and access for families in New Mexico. Heinrich secured $3 million for Homewise in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Transporation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which will help moderate-income, first-time homebuyers in New Mexico purchase entry-level homes. Through his role as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, particularly through his role as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, he has worked directly to deliver millions of dollars to New Mexico for renters and home buyers. In July, Heinrich announced the Senate Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan, unanimous passage of his FY25 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill that includes $1.6 billion in rental assistance to ensure Americans living in rural areas have access to safe and affordable housing. Heinrich’s bill included an increase of up to $1 billion in Single Family Direct Loans to help more low-income families and first-time home buyers get mortgages. Heinrich also recently announced the Senate Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan, unanimous passage of the FY25 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which included $3.2 billion to expand programs providing critical services and housing for veterans and their families. In Heinrich’s FY24 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, he secured $1.6 billion for rental assistance, an increase of $120 million over FY23. Heinrich’s FY24 bill also provided for a pilot program that decoupled rental assistance from Multifamily Direct Loans, preventing thousands of low-income families from losing rental assistance. In May, Heinrich and the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed $11,855,081 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing to support public housing authorities build, renovate, and modernize public housing across New Mexico. In February, Heinrich and the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed more than $16 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program to support New Mexico projects that provide housing assistance and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. Heinrich has also introduced a number of bills to tackle New Mexico’s housing crisis. At a recent roundtable conversation with local educators in Albuquerque, Heinrich announced his Educator Down Payment Assistance Act, legislation designed to help more educators and school staff in New Mexico purchase a home and keep teachers in the communities where they teach. In March, Heinrich co-led the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation to support homeownership among lower- and middle-income Americans by establishing a refundable tax credit worth up to 10 percent of a home’s purchase price – up to a maximum of $15,000 – for first-time homebuyers. Heinrich also cosponsored the Housing for All Act, comprehensive legislation to expand access to affordable housing in New Mexico and supporting those experiencing homelessness. The bill would invest in proven solutions and provide a historic level of federal funding for strategic, existing programs to keep people housed and reduce homelessness, as well as for innovative, locally developed solutions to help vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness. Last year, Heinrich introduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would help build over 14,000 new affordable homes in New Mexico over the next decade, generating over $2.5 billion in wages and business income. The legislation would support the financing of more affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, our country’s most successful affordable housing program. Heinrich also introduced the Delivering Essential Protection, Opportunity, and Security for Tenants (DEPOSIT) Act, which would help an estimated 12,000 New Mexican families access rental housing through the Housing Choice Voucher Program to pay security deposits and get into a rental home. In January, as Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Heinrich released a report highlighting policy approaches to increasing housing supply in America. Heinrich also chaired a JEC hearing on the report. His full opening statement can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-vasquez-raise-community-concerns-on-proposed-air-force-airspace-changes-over-southwestern-new-mexico,"Heinrich, Luján, Vasquez Raise Community Concerns on Proposed Air Force Airspace Changes Over Southwestern New Mexico",2024-09-30,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – In a letter to top U.S. Air Force leadership, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, raised concerns over several proposed changes for training missions at U.S. Air Force installations in Arizona that could impact airspace over the Gila National Forest, as well as the Coronado National Forest, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in southwestern New Mexico’s Bootheel Region. The lawmakers sent their letter to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Allvin to raise their concerns regarding proposed changes to the Reserve, Morenci and Tombstone Military Operations Areas (MOAs). In their letter, the lawmakers urged the Air Force to extend the public comment deadline for an additional 60 days to ensure they can adequately receive community feedback from all those who could be impacted in southwestern New Mexico. The lawmakers wrote: “An extension is crucial to ensuring our constituents are afforded the opportunity to provide meaningful comments on the proposal. While these public hearings were announced on the EIS Air Force website, we are concerned the Air Force did not effectively nor actively publicize the draft EIS nor the dates and locations of the public hearings in Reserve, Lordsburg, Animas, and Silver City, New Mexico, and surrounding areas that could be impacted by the proposed changes as well.” They continued: “Posting the public notice in the Federal Register is not enough. The lack of sufficient notice and the abbreviated public comment period makes it difficult for interested parties to understand the proposal, digest the available information, and identify concerns. Therefore, we also urge you to conduct a robust outreach plan to our communities directly impacted and surrounding the direct impact areas.” The lawmakers also raised specific and significant concerns about proposed changes that will significantly lower the altitude floors for aircraft flying at supersonic speeds from 30,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) to 10,000 or even 5,000 feet AGL and also allow military aircraft to fly low-level sorties over BLM wilderness areas in southwestern New Mexico as low as 100 feet AGL. Additionally, they raised concerns about proposals to allow the use of flares at a proposed 2,000 feet AGL, down from the current 5,000 feet AGL, creating a dangerous threat of fires in hard-to-reach terrain. The lawmakers concluded: “We remain committed to supporting the Air Force’s mission and necessity to train aircrew and maintain readiness. As you proceed through the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) process, we urge you to extend the public comment deadline for an additional 60 days to ensure the public is given full opportunity to provide comment and feedback, conduct a robust outreach plan for New Mexicans in the impacted areas and adjacent to impacted areas, and expand public hearing locations to areas adjacent to impacted areas.” Heinrich, Luján, and Vasquez have worked to ensure that military installations are responsive to their neighboring New Mexico communities’ needs and concerns. This includes standing with the local stakeholders in southwestern New Mexico when Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, N.M. proposed similar changes to its airspace agreements for military aircraft training locations in 2021. In that case, the Air Force leadership ultimately listened to the community’s concerns and decided to not increase training activity over treasured public spaces like the Gila National Forest. Additionally, Heinrich, Luján, and Vasquez have fought to strengthen our national security and boost economic development in Southern New Mexico, including helping secure the U.S. Air Force's decision to permanently base a training squadron of 26 F-16 fighter jets at Holloman Air Force Base. Throughout his time in Congress, as a previous member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, and as a current member and past Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Heinrich has been proud to champion New Mexico’s military installations and defense missions. He has successfully secured more than $1.5 billion of military construction funding for defense installations in the state during his tenure in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The lawmakers’ full letter can be found below and here. Dear Secretary Kendall and General Allvin: On August 9, 2024, the Air Force published the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Regional Special Use Airspace Optimization to support Air Force Missions in Arizona and New Mexico. This announcement formally opened the window for public review and comment up until October 9, 2024, as well as in-person and virtual hearings for constituents to provide feedback. These hearings are imperative to ensuring our constituents are informed of the proposed changes and that they are afforded the opportunity to voice feedback and concerns. We write to share our concerns regarding the proposed changes to the Reserve, Morenci and Tombstone Military Operations Areas (MOAs) and request that you extend the public comment deadline for an additional 60 days. An extension is crucial to ensuring our constituents are afforded the opportunity to provide meaningful comments on the proposal. While these public hearings were announced on the EIS Air Force website, we are concerned the Air Force did not effectively nor actively publicize the draft EIS nor the dates and locations of the public hearings in Reserve, Lordsburg, Animas, and Silver City, New Mexico, and surrounding areas that could be impacted by the proposed changes as well. During the initial 2022 scoping period, we urged the Air Force to expand public hearing locations and the manner in which you publicly circulated notice of public hearings being held, especially in rural locations where access to reliable internet can be sparse. We appreciate your willingness to heed our concerns during the scoping period and urge you to extend the current public comment period for these same reasons. Additionally, posting the public notice in the Federal Register is not enough. The lack of sufficient notice and the abbreviated public comment period makes it difficult for interested parties to understand the proposal, digest the available information, and identify concerns. Therefore, we also urge you to conduct a robust outreach plan to our communities directly impacted and surrounding the direct impact areas. Finally, the Air Force needs to widen the aperture for engagement with respect to communities that will be impacted by this action. Many small towns around the effected MOAs are interconnected. This means that even those who do not live directly under the airspace utilize the impacted land for hunting, recreation and other purposes. While we understand and support the Air Force’s requirement to effectively train aircrew and maintain combat readiness, it is important to note that this Airspace Optimization project proposes changes that will affect airspace over the Gila National Forest, Coronado National Forest, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in southwestern New Mexico’s Bootheel Region. In particular, we have serious concerns over the proposed changes that will significantly lower the altitude floors for aircraft flying at supersonic speeds from 30,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) to 10,000 feet AGL or 5,000 feet AGL, respectively. The draft EIS does not adequately protect the dozens of endangered and threatened species that live in habitat below the airspace. In addition, we are concerned about the proposed changes for the Tombstone MOA to lower altitude floors to 100 fee AGL. This will allow military aircraft to fly low-level sorties over BLM wilderness areas in southwestern New Mexico. Lastly, we are deeply concerned about the use of flares at the proposed 2,000 feet AGL, down from the current 5,000 feet AGL, creating a dangerous threat of fires in hard-to-reach terrain. We remain committed to supporting the Air Force’s mission and necessity to train aircrew and maintain readiness. As you proceed through the EIS process, we urge you to extend the public comment deadline for an additional 60 days to ensure the public is given full opportunity to provide comment and feedback, conduct a robust outreach plan for New Mexicans in the impacted areas and adjacent to impacted areas, and expand public hearing locations to areas adjacent to impacted areas. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-applauds-white-house-executive-order-to-tackle-gun-violence-and-save-lives,Heinrich Applauds White House Executive Order to Tackle Gun Violence and Save Lives,2024-09-27,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the core bipartisan group of lawmakers who negotiated and passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, applauded President Biden’s executive order to tackle gun violence in New Mexico and across the country by combatting emerging threats of machinegunconversion devices and unserialized, 3D-printed firearms and improving school-based active shooter drills. “The data is clear: Our Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is working. It’s giving law enforcement the tools needed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those who would use them against our communities.In the last year alone, the Department of Justice has brought298charges against criminals under my legislation on gun trafficking and straw purchasing. In New Mexico, the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico has charged 11 defendants using this new law. “But it’s clear we still have so much more work to do. This executive order is an important stepin addressing our nation’s gun violence crisis — improving active shooter drills in our schools and cracking down on unserialized, 3D-printed guns and machine gun conversion devices. “It’s time that Congress pass my GOSAFE Act — commonsense gun safety legislation that upholds safe and responsible gun ownership while banningmachine gun conversion devices, such as bump stocks, and preventing firearms designed for maximum harmfrom falling into the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. I won’t stop working to ensure law enforcement has the tools needed to combat crime and keep our communities safe."" Heinrich's longtime leadership to tackle gun violence: A gun owner and father, Heinrich has long worked to advance and pass bipartisan policies that save lives, protect public safety, and reduce gun violence. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was the first significant federal gun safety legislation to become law in 30 years. During the bill negotiations, Heinrich specifically worked with U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to increase criminal penalties for straw purchases and stop illegal gun trafficking out of our country. Heinrich-led gun trafficking and straw purchase provisions: Heinrich-led provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act increased criminal penalties for straw purchasers and made it a crime, for the first time ever, to traffic firearms out of the United States. Straw purchasers are people who buy guns for those who cannot buy them directly themselves due to their age, felony criminal convictions, or other limitations. By increasing penalties for straw purchasing, Heinrich’s provision is helping to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those who would use them against our communities. By making it illegal to traffic firearms out of the country, Heinrich’s provision gave law enforcement the tools needed to prosecute and disrupt the flow of firearms to Mexico and the Northern Triangle, fueling the violence that has driven so many to flee their home countries. To date, the Department of Justice has charged more than 600 defendants using BSCA’s gun trafficking and straw purchasing laws, removing hundreds of firearms off the streets in the process. These cases are significant, often preventing and prosecuting highly dangerous activity, such as crimes linked to organized trafficking rings and transnational criminal organizations. For example, in March 2024, the Justice Department charged several defendants with trafficking and straw purchasing over 100 firearms, including many military-grade weapons, that were allegedly intended to be smuggled to a Mexican drug cartel. In April, a defendant was sentenced to 276 months in prison for firearms trafficking and straw purchasing, as well as distribution of fentanyl, where the evidence showed that two of the trafficked firearms had been used in gang-related shootings. Late last year, a defendant was sentenced to two years in prison for running an illegal gun trafficking enterprise, repeatedly taking money to lie on firearm purchase forms and obtain weapons for convicted felons. In New Mexico, the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico has charged 11 defendants with BSCA violations. In June, Heinrich brought his Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act, bipartisan legislation to ban bump stocks, to the Senate floor through a unanimous consent (UC) request. The effort directly followed a recent Supreme Court ruling to overturn a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, devices designed to indiscriminately kill the highest number of people in the shortest amount of time. U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), objected to Heinrich’s UC request, blocking passage of the legislation. Since the Supreme Court ruling, over 20 senators have signed onto Heinrich’s BUMP Act, bringing support up to over a quarter of the Senate. Heinrich, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and former Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) initially introduced the BUMP Act in the 115th Congress, following the October 1, 2017, mass shooting in which a bump stock was used to fire more than 1,000 bullets into a crowd in just 10 minutes, killing 60 people. U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) also cosponsored that legislation. Last November, Heinrich introduced the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act, legislation to protect communities from gun violence, while safeguarding Americans’ constitutional right to own a firearm for legitimate self-defense, hunting, and sporting purposes. In addition to regulating the sale, transfer, and manufacture of gas-operated semi-automatic weapons, the GOSAFE Act would prevent unlawful modifications of permissible firearms, including bump stocks. Earlier this summer, Heinrich announced that his GOSAFE Act has been introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-Ga.). In May, Heinrich announced over $1 million he secured in the FY24 Appropriations Bills to purchase new National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) ballistics testing machines for law enforcement agencies in Las Cruces, Farmington, Gallup, and Roswell. The intelligence gathered by these machines will go to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center where dedicated and trained analysts will use the information to trace and network firearms used in crimes across the state. The Center will then be able to feed that information back to law enforcement agencies to improve identification of suspects and support successful prosecutions. In March, in the FY24 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich also secured language directing the expanded use of NIBIN for state and local agencies in the Southwest Border region. In July 2023, Heinrich cosponsored the bicameral Ghost Guns and Untraceable Firearms Act, led by Blumenthal, to require online and other sellers of gun-making kits to comply with federal firearm safety regulations. In 2017, Heinrich cosponsored the bipartisan Fix NICS Act, which now requires federal and state authorities to produce background check implementation plans and holds federal agencies accountable for reporting relevant criminal records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). He also led the successful call to repeal the Dickey Amendment, which had previously prevented the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from funding research on gun violence and its effects on public health. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-colleagues-introduce-resolution-to-ensure-every-woman-has-the-right-to-emergency-health-care,"Heinrich, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Ensure Every Woman Has the Right to Emergency Health Care",2024-09-27,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined his colleagues to introduce a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that every patient has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care, regardless of where they live. The introduction comes as new reporting from ProPublica makes clear that Republican abortion bans are preventing women from receiving lifesaving emergency health care and resulting in preventable deaths. ""Since the radical Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, one in three women live in a state that bans or severely restricts access to reproductive healthcare. And now, women are dying because of these extreme laws. It is unconscionable, and worst of all, preventable,” said Heinrich. “Nobody should be left to pay the price for the Republican abortion bans. I will never stop fighting to restore the right to abortion under federal law and protect women’s freedoms to control their own bodies and make the decisions best for her life, family, and future.” Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade over two years ago, nearly two dozen US states led by Republicans have passed, banned, or severely restricted access to abortion. These strict laws have created confusion around the treatment doctors can provide even when a pregnant patient’s life is in danger, as physicians fear that they may lose their medical license, be sued, or even charged with a felony if they perform life-saving emergency care. Despite the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act’s (EMTALA) requirements that Medicare-participating hospitals treat and stabilize pregnant patients in need of emergency medical care, women are being turned away from emergency rooms following the Dobbs decision. In Moyle v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court had the opportunity to reaffirm that federal law requires pregnant patients to have access to life-saving emergency care in every state, but instead, the Court dismissed the case and sent it back to the lower courts, effectively punting on making a decision on the case itself. While the litigation continues in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the health and lives of women remain at risk as uncertainty around emergency abortion care persists. 121 Congressional Republicans, including 26 Senators, filed an amicus brief arguing that EMTALA does not require hospitals to provide abortion care as emergency stabilizing care in order tosave a patient’s life. In addition to Heinrich, the resolution was led by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and cosponsored by Senators Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), LaphonzaButler (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), George Helmy (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). The resolution is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Reproductive Freedom For All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Guttmacher Institute, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, All* Above All, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, National Council of Jewish Women, and National Partnership for Women and Families. The full text of the resolution can be read here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-announces-major-wins-for-new-mexico-in-bipartisan-senate-agreement,Heinrich Announces Major Wins for New Mexico in Bipartisan Senate Agreement,2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Manager’s Package on Annual Defense Bill includes Heinrich’s Good Samaritan bill, significantly increased funding for the Southwest Border Regional Commission, & legislation he authored to bolster the Department of Defense’s AI capabilities WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that, in addition to strong investments in New Mexico’s military installations, national labs, and service members, he has successfully included major priorities within the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) “manager’s package,” a bipartisan agreement that was just announced. The agreement includes 93 amendments that have been agreed to by Senate leadership as part of the overall legislative package that Senate negotiators will now work to include in the final House and Senate compromise bill for the FY25 NDAA. These include: Heinrich’s Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act; Provisions that mirror Heinrich’s Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, including expansion of the New Mexico counties included within the Commission’s reach, and a significant increase in authorized federal funding levels for the Commission; and A bipartisan amendment that Heinrich introduced alongside U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to strengthen the Department of Defense’s capabilities in the fields of supercomputing and advanced artificial intelligence (AI). “Passing the annual defense bill on-time every year is essential to continuing the success of New Mexico’s national labs and military installations and to protecting our vital national security interests,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies and past member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). “I’m pleased the Senate is moving forward in a bipartisan fashion to deliver these important investments in our service members and national defense. I’m proud that we are also one step closer to passing some major priorities for New Mexico. These include my bipartisan legislation to clean up abandoned mines that are polluting our lands and waters, provisions I have championed to authorize $40 million in economic development investments each year for counties in our state and others along our Southern border, and responsible AI policies that will help our military maintain its strategic advantage in a rapidly changing threat landscape.” Background on the FY25 NDAA Manager’s Package: The NDAA sets the Department of Defense (DOD) spending levels and policies for the upcoming fiscal year and authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Energy's nuclear weapons programs at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, as well as the Department of Energy's environmental cleanup programs including the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Heinrich has long championed provisions that benefit New Mexico’s service members, national laboratories, and defense missions, including as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee from 2013 to 2020 and as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee in 2021 and 2022. Now that Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have filed their “manager’s package,” both the SASC-passed version of the NDAA and the House-passed NDAA will be combined through a series of negotiations led by the leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. The amendments included in the Reed-Wicker “manager’s package” will be considered during these NDAA negotiations. Background on the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act: The U.S. has over 140,000 abandoned hardrock mine features, of which 22,500 pose environmental hazards according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Organizations that have no legal or financial responsibility to an abandoned mine – true Good Samaritans – want to volunteer to remediate some of these sites. Unfortunately, liability rules would leave these Good Samaritans legally responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine, even though they had no involvement with the mine prior to cleaning it up. Heinrich and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, which creates a pilot permitting program to enable not-for-profit cleanup efforts to move forward, while ensuring Good Samaritans have the skills and resources to comply with federal oversight. This pilot program is designed for lower risk projects that will improve water and soil quality or otherwise protect human health. Heinrich and Risch hailed the Senate’s unanimous and bipartisan passage of the bill in July. But the bill still needs to pass in the House before it can go to the President to be signed into law. Earlier this week, Heinrich and Risch welcomed the passage out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the House companion to their legislation, which is led by U.S. Representatives Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska). Heinrich championed a provision in the Infrastructure Law to establish the first-ever abandoned hardrock mine reclamation program in the Department of the Interior. By passing Good Samaritan legislation, Congress can remove hurdles that public-private partnerships face and use this program to jumpstart abandoned mine cleanups. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act has garnered widespread support from organizations, including American Exploration and Mining Association, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Ecoflight, Fly Fishers International, Izaak Walton League of America, National Deer Association, National Mining Association, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Property and Environment Research Center, Regeneration, Rivian, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Trout Unlimited. Background on the Southwest Border Regional Commission: The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is one of eight authorized federal regional commissions and authorities, which are congressionally-chartered, federal-state partnerships created to promote economic development in their respective regions. Congress first authorized the establishment of the SBRC in 2008 to promote economic development in the southern border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas. Last year, Heinrich led the introduction of the Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, legislation to reauthorize and fully fund the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC). The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.). The provisions that Heinrich successfully included in the “manager’s package” to the FY25 NDAA, and that are based on his original legislation, will: Expand SBRC’s jurisdiction to include the following counties in New Mexico: Bernalillo, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, Torrance, Lea, and Valencia. These are in addition to Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Socorro, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy, Doña Ana, and Chaves Counties in New Mexico, which are already included within the SBRC’s jurisdiction. Greatly increase federal grants to New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas, authorizing $40 million in annual funding for FY25-FY29. Since its creation, Heinrich has fought to successfully stand up the SBRC and give southern border communities equitable access to federal investments that help them thrive. In 2020, Heinrich, along with former U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), helped secure an initial $250,000 of appropriations for the SBRC to jumpstart and expand its operations. In 2021, Heinrich, as a new member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure $1 million for the SBRC in the FY22 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The total funding that Heinrich secured in the overall FY22 Appropriations Bills for SBRC was $2.5 million. Heinrich also helped to pass the Infrastructure Law, which included $1.25 million for the SBRC. In 2022, Heinrich applauded President Biden’s nomination of Juan Eduardo Sanchez to be the first Federal Co-Chairman of the SBRC and voted to confirm Sanchez to the SBRC later that year. He also helped secure $5 million in funding for the SBRC in the FY23 Appropriations Bills. In 2023, Heinrich led efforts to secure $8 million in FY24 funding for the SBRC, including $3 million in the FY24 Agricultural Appropriations Bill that he authored as Chairman. Earlier this year, Heinrich successfully included $14 million for the SBRC in the Senate Appropriations Committee-passed FY25 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. This comes in addition to the $2 million that Heinrich successfully included in the Committee-passed FY25 Agriculture Appropriations Bill and the $5 million Heinrich successfully included in the Committee-passed FY25 Transportation Appropriations Bill. According to a recent report published by Heinrich, as Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, the proven success of other regional commissions shows that a fully funded and active SBRC would support vital economic development goals, grow and diversify New Mexico’s economy, and create high-quality jobs. Background on AI related NDAA amendments: Heinrich is among leading lawmakers in Congress spearheading bipartisan efforts on responsible AI policy. He is the co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan AI Caucus, which he established with former Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) in 2019. The Caucus aims to keep the United States at the forefront of responsible AI innovation while maintaining important ethical, safety, and privacy standards. In this Congress, Heinrich has maintained a lead role on Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) bipartisan AI working group to help shape policy centered around addressing the risks and harnessing the opportunities of AI. In May, along with his colleagues on the Bipartisan AI Working Group, Leader Schumer and U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Heinrich released a roadmap for artificial intelligence policy in the U.S. Senate. In one of the first follow-up policy actions, Heinrich, Rounds, and Schumer introduced a number of bipartisan amendments to the FY25 NDAA to strengthen the Department of Defense’s capabilities in the emerging fields of cybersecurity, supercomputing, and advanced AI. Specifically, the amendment Heinrich, Rounds, and Schumer successfully included in the “manager’s package” would require the Department of Defense to expand the supercomputing program within the Department of Defense to do advanced AI activities. Heinrich also introduced amendments that would require a human to be “in the loop” for all nuclear weapons launch decisions, as opposed to delegating any of these decisions to AI systems and require the Department of Defense to notify Congress of any usage of autonomous weapons systems. While these provisions were not included in the Senate “manager’s package,” they were included in the House-passed NDAA. Heinrich will continue to press for House and Senate negotiators to include these provisions in the final compromise bill. Previously, in 2020, Heinrich helped secure the most significant federal policy advancements for AI ever. The FY21 National Defense Authorization Act included a modified version of Heinrich’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act, which established a national strategy aimed at bolstering U.S. leadership in AI research and development. This legislation also included the bipartisan National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act to establish National AI Research Institutes at universities across the country. This past July, Heinrich announced bipartisan passage of his Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act (CREATE AI Act) out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The CREATE AI Act establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) as a shared national research infrastructure that provides AI researchers and students with greater access to the computational resources, data, and tools needed to develop safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence. Heinrich previously worked to establish the National AI Research Resource Task Force (NAIRR) to develop a detailed roadmap for the development of a national AI resource for AI research and convened a group of technical experts across academia, government, and industry to develop a detailed roadmap for how the United States can build, deploy, govern, and sustain a national research cloud and associated research resources. Additionally, Heinrich helped pass the Artificial Intelligence for the Armed Forces Act to advance the Department of Defense’s AI capabilities. He also helped provide the Pentagon with enhanced hiring authorities to recruit more AI professionals and other personnel with computational skills relevant to military applications. Heinrich was recently featured as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI. Heinrich is the only member of Congress included in the list. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-introduce-sarah-davenport-for-consideration-to-serve-on-us-district-court-for-the-district-of-new-mexico,"Heinrich, Luján Introduce Sarah Davenport for Consideration to Serve on U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Yesterday, before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced Sarah Davenport for consideration to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Heinrich and Luján strongly recommended Davenport to the Biden Administration and welcomed the announcement of her nomination in August. VIDEO: Heinrich, Luján Introduce Sarah Davenport for Consideration to Serve on U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, September 25, 2024. Sarah Morgan Davenport has served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces, New Mexico, since 2009. In that capacity, her practice has focused on prosecuting complex, multi-defendant criminal cases. From 2008 to 2009, Ms. Davenport served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces. And from 2006 to 2008, she served as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Law Clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She received her J.D. from the University of New Mexico in 2006 and her B.M. from the New Mexico State University in 1998. In June, Heinrich and Luján commended the Honorable William Paul Johnson, who announced his intention to retire from regular active service as a United States District Court Judge effective in January 2025, after 23 years of distinguished service on the federal bench. The soon-to-be vacant seat on the District Court for the District of New Mexico, which Davenport has been nominated to fill, will be based in Las Cruces, N.M. During the Biden Administration, Heinrich and Luján have worked together to confirm three of the currently sitting federal judges: District Judges Margaret Strickland, David Herrera Urias, and Matthew Garcia. Earlier this year, the senators also successfully secured the confirmation of David O. Barnett, Jr. for U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico. In 2022, the senators highly recommended and welcomed the confirmation of Alexander M.M. Uballez as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico. During the Trump Administration, Heinrich joined with then-Senator Tom Udall to confirm one additional currently sitting federal judge: District Judge Kea Riggs. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-rounds-introduce-legislation-to-leverage-artificial-intelligence-for-pandemic-preparedness-and-response,"Heinrich, Rounds Introduce Legislation to Leverage Artificial Intelligence for Pandemic Preparedness and Response",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), co-chairs of the Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus, today introduced legislation to leverage AI for national pandemic preparedness and response through a program called MedShield. The legislation would implement a recommendation of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. MedShield would be the United States’ “shield” to proactively protect the nation against future pandemics and avoid the preparedness issues that plagued the nation at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. To that end, MedShield would foster collaboration between the public and private sectors as well as with global allies and partners. The program would leverage AI to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. pandemic prevention and response across five key areas: “AI holds amazing potential to supercharge major scientific and medical advances – including our ability to anticipate and address the next public health crisis,” said Heinrich, Founder and Co-Chair of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus. “By leveraging AI, our Medshield Act gives us a significant advantage in preparing for the emergence of new biological threats to prevent the next pandemic.” “Given millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic costs resulting from COVID-19, we need to make strategic investments in pandemic prevention and preparedness. I believe AI should play a key role in those efforts” said Rounds. “The MedShield program would utilize AI to help the U.S. identify pathogens that pose pandemic threats and work quickly to develop necessary protections. I’m pleased to be introducing this legislation with Senator Heinrich, my co-chair of the Senate AI Caucus, to leverage AI to save lives.” ""I strongly support and applaud Senators Rounds’ and Heinrich’s leadership in introducing legislation to create the MedShield program. This critical program is a key recommendation from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, recognizing the transformative role AI can play in pandemic preparedness,” said Ylli Bajraktari, the former Executive Director of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid innovation in detecting threats and accelerating vaccine and therapeutic development with AI. MedShield will bring together the power of AI and human ingenuity, significantly enhancing our ability to respond to future biological threats with speed and precision. This legislation is a crucial step toward creating an integrated AI-enabled system that will safeguard public health and our national security."" The legislation includes: The text of the bill is here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-secure-hermits-peak-claims-office-extension-in-continuing-resolution,"Heinrich, Luján Secure Hermit’s Peak Claims Office Extension in Continuing Resolution",2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after securing an extension to the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office as part of the Continuing Resolution: “Today, we voted for a Continuing Resolution to keep the government open and avoid a costly shutdown for millions of Americans. As part of this Continuing Resolution, the period to file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office has been extended to December 20, 2024, which will give victims of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire additional time to apply for relief. “But make no mistake, the job is not over yet. We will continue to work with our colleagues to deliver a long-term federal funding solution for the American people and keep the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office open longer. We continue to encourage New Mexicans to apply for assistance as soon as possible.” The extension will run the length of the Continuing Resolution to December 20, 2024. In October 2023, Heinrich, Luján, and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation that would extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office. Since the devastating wildfire, Heinrich, Luján, and the N.M. Delegation has delivered a total of $3.95 billion in federal funding for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire recovery. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-urges-fhfa-to-implement-stronger-energy-efficiency-standards-for-new-federally-backed-homes,Heinrich Urges FHFA to Implement Stronger Energy Efficiency Standards for New Federally-Backed Homes,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senate colleagues to urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to set a minimum energy efficiency standard for new homes built using loans backed by government-sponsored enterprises, such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae. “We are writing to urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to phase in a minimum energy efficiency standard for Enterprise-backed mortgages on new homes. Such a standard would save homeowners and renters money and make the housing market more consistent and stable,” the senators wrote to the FHFA Director Sandra Thompson. “When asked at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs last April, you indicated an intention to make a decision about this potential action on or about the end of the second quarter. As we are now rapidly approaching the end of the third quarter, we respectfully request an update on your intended timeline for a decision and for the Enterprises to begin implementation.” Aligning new home energy standards with updated model codes will save money for homeowners and renters across the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that the initial costs of construction are more than made up for by lower monthly energy costs. Additionally, updated codescan help save lives by protecting families from the impacts of extreme weather events, particularly utility outages during heat waves and cold snaps. Updated energy codes can also yield better indoor air quality and reduce exposure to pollutants that can have negative health impacts including asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act provided over $1.2 billion of federal funding to help states and localities update their building codes. Already, multiple state and local governments, as well as HUD and USDA have adopted the updated building codes,” the senators continued. The senators concluded, “We urge you to move quickly to adopt modern energy standards for new homes utilizing Enterprise-backed mortgages to align with other federally backed housing construction, and ask you for an update on your timeline for taking this action. These standards will support a stable, efficient housing market by reducing wasted energy, improving health outcomes, and lowering costs for both renters and homeowners across the country.” The letter is led by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Alongside Heinrich, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.). The letter is supported by Americans for Financial Reform, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. The full text of the letter is available HERE and below: Dear Director Thompson: We are writing to urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to phase in a minimum energy efficiency standard forEnterprise-backed mortgages on new homes. Such a standard would save homeowners and renters money and make the housing market more consistent and stable. When asked at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs last April, you indicated an intention to make a decision about this potential action on or about the end of the second quarter. As we are now rapidly approaching the end of the third quarter, we respectfully request an update on your intended timeline for a decision and for the Enterprises to begin implementation. FHFA has the opportunity to match or exceed the standards recently adopted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for their residential mortgage programs. This action would support consistency and further the expansion of resilient, energy-saving construction practices across the housing market. Your authority to take this action is clear from Public Law 110-289, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, as well as from other actions FHFA and the government-sponsored enterprises have undertaken in alignment with their missions and obligations. Freddie Mac’s research has found that energy efficiency improvements can reduce risks associated with mortgage-backed securities, in part due to better resale values. Research also suggests that during major economic disruptions, energy efficiency may reduce mortgage defaults. Aligning new home energy standards with updated model codes will save money for homeowners and renters across the country. HUD and USDA found that the increased initial costs of construction are more than made up for by lower monthly energy costs. For a typical home purchased with a 30-year mortgage, energy bill savings more than make up for small increases to down payments and monthly mortgage payments. High-performance homebuilders and multifamily property developers in diverse markets have found the incremental up-front costs of at- or above-code performance to be closer to 1% or, in some cases, negative. Beyond these financial benefits, updated codes help save lives by protecting families from the impacts of extreme weather events, particularly utility outages during heat waves and cold snaps. Updated energy codes can also yield better indoor air quality and reduce exposure to pollutants that can have negative health impacts including asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. This year is an ideal time for FHFA to make these changes. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act provided over $1.2 billion of federal funding to help states and localities update their building codes. Already, multiple state and local governments, as well as HUD and USDA have adopted the updated building codes. When energy codes raise the floor on building performance, 45L tax incentives for builders to achieve certifications – such as ENERGY STAR® for Residential New Construction and Zero-Energy Ready Homes (ZERH) – frequently mean that the smartest path for developers is to build to these higher standards. ZERH homes use about 40% less energy than a typical home, opening the door to Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund financing, green MBS opportunities, and – most importantly – even cleaner air, lower bills, and more secure housing for households nationwide. If FHFA also requires updated building codes, it will reduce or eliminate the need for developers to understand numerous different codes. In summary, we urge you to move quickly to adopt modern energy standards for new homes utilizing Enterprise-backed mortgages to align with other federally backed housing construction, and ask you for an update on your timeline for taking this action. These standards will support a stable, efficient housing market by reducing wasted energy, improving health outcomes, and lowering costs for both renters and homeowners across the country. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/zuni-indian-tribe-and-navajo-nation-rio-san-jose-stream-system-water-rights-settlements-bills-receive-key-committee-hearing,Zuni Indian Tribe and Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlements Bills Receive Key Committee Hearing,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Before legislative hearing, Heinrich’s bipartisan Indian Buffalo Management Act also advanced out of Senate Committee WASHINGTON – Today, the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act and the Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act, bills sponsored by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), received a key hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich testifies in support of the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act and the Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs onSeptember 25, 2024. “The failure of the United States to work with Tribal Governments to ensure that they could use the water they have always owned has reverberated through generations,” said Heinrich. “It has a direct impact on the well-being of Tribal members today. It’s time we make this right for Zuni and the Navajo Nation.” Heinrich and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) introduced the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act in July. The bill would unlock federal funding to support a trust for sustainable water management and infrastructure development that upholds the federal government’s trust responsibility while protecting the sacred Zuni Salt Lake. The bill ratifies the settlement between the federal government, State of New Mexico, and Zuni Tribe that affirms their water rights for irrigation, livestock, storage, and domestic and other uses. During the hearing, Zuni Tribe Governor Arden Kucate testified in support of the legislation. Heinrich and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) introduced the Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act earlier this month to approve the water rights settlement for the Navajo Nation as well as participating non-Tribal parties in the Rio San José watershed. During the hearing, Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren testified in support of the legislation. Heinrich and Leger Fernández previously introduced the Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act, which would implement the water settlements agreed to by the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties, in the Rio San José watershed. That bill received a hearing and was reported out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in December. The House version of this bill received a legislative hearing in the House Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee in July. The bill introduced this month and heard today in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs would further resolve Tribal water claims in the Rio San José basin by settling the Navajo Nation’s claims. Before the hearing on Tribal water rights settlements legislation, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs also held a business meeting in which members voted to advance Heinrich’s Indian Buffalo Management Act. That legislation received a hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in June. “This legislation will further foster growth of Tribal bison herds, and I am grateful for the committee’s support,” said Heinrich. The Indian Buffalo Management Act, which Heinrich introduced last year alongside U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), provides secure, consistent funding for Tribes and Tribal organizations that have established buffalo herds, as well as provides resources for Tribes that would like to establish new herds. The bill creates a permanent buffalo restoration and management program within the Department of Interior to: Promote and develop the capacity of Tribes and Tribal organizations to manage buffalo and buffalo habitat; Protect and enhance buffalo herds for the maximum benefit of Tribes; and Ensure that Tribes are directly involved in the Interior Department decision-making regarding buffalo. The bill has been endorsed by the InterTribal Buffalo Council, the National Bison Association, The Nature Conservancy, the National Wildlife Federation, and the National Parks Conservation Association. Full video of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee Business Meeting and Legislative Hearing can be found here. Heinrich’s full remarks as prepared for delivery are below: Chairman Schatz and Vice Chairman Murkowski, I want to first thank you for considering the Indian Buffalo Management Act a few minutes ago. This legislation will further support growth of Tribal bison herds, and I am grateful for the committee’s support. Turning to the hearing agenda, I want to thank you for holding this hearing on the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act and the Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act, two bills of critical importance for the water future of New Mexico’s Tribes. I am happy to welcome the Governor of Zuni Pueblo, Arden Kucate, who is here today to provide testimony on the Zuni Water Rights Settlement Act.? The Zuni people have been stewards of the Zuni River Basin for millennia. Their traditional agricultural practices and careful stewardship of water sustained the tribe over thousands of years. Unfortunately, the United States has failed to protect Zuni’s water rights and has allowed their water to be diverted to other purposes. Overuse of water in the Zuni Basin has caused the Zuni people to suffer from a lack of water for their community, their businesses, and their traditional agricultural practices. This injustice continues today. Without reliable access to clean water, it is difficult for Zuni to attract new businesses that create jobs and revenue for the Tribe. This legislation would not only fully settle Zuni’s water rights claims in the Zuni River Basin; it would also provide funding for several key water infrastructure projects. It is an opportunity for the United States to make the Zuni Tribe whole for the water that they have always been entitled to. And it will support Zuni’s traditional irrigation practice, their people, and their future business development, in a manner that builds resilience in the face of a drying climate. This piece of legislation would also protect the Zuni Salt Lake, a sacred place of great cultural significance to the Zuni Tribe and others in the region. I am also happy to welcome the President of Navajo Nation, Dr. Buu Nygren, who is here to provide testimony for the Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act. This legislation would settle the water rights of the Navajo Nation in the Rio San José basin – it is the final step in an adjudication process that began more than forty years ago. In that time, we’ve seen aridification in the Southwest further strain water resources for Tribes, including the Navajo Nation, that don’t have the resources to fully use their water rights. This settlement is an important step towards giving the Navajo Nation an equal voice amongst water users in the southwest. Today, there are more than 200 Navajo households within the Rio San José and Rio Puerco Basins without access to running water. These households instead have to rely on hauling water. The lack of reliable drinking water systems in these communities contributed to the widespread health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Navajo Nation, which took the lives of far too many. I am committed to working with the Navajo Nation to build a future where they have full access to their water rights. This access to water will facilitate the preservation of Navajo culture and tradition. Both of these pieces of legislation would implement settlement agreements that have been carefully negotiated between the Tribes, the State of New Mexico, neighboring water users, and the United States. I want to thank all of the parties for their tireless work in reaching settlements for these basins, and Senator Luján for cosponsoring these settlements along with me. The failure of the United States to work with Tribal Governments to ensure that they could use the water they have always owned has reverberated through generations. It has a direct impact on the well-being of Tribal members today. It’s time we make this right for Zuni and the Navajo Nation. Thank you to the committee for your consideration today, and I yield back the remainder of my time. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-nm-delegation-push-for-house-reca-vote,"Heinrich, N.M. Delegation Push for House RECA Vote",2024-09-24,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"PHOTOS WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) joined advocates for a press conference calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to hold a vote on a Senate-passed bill that would strengthen the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). It has been over five months since Heinrich helped secure Senate passage of RECA. Heinrich has reintroduced legislation to extend and expand RECA since his first Senate term, starting in 2013. Heinrich urges House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote on Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) legislation at a press conference in the Capitol on September 24, 2024. “Now that the Senate has passed an extension and long overdue expansion of RECA, Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans must finally take up this critical legislation,” said Heinrich. “It is long overdue for Congress to finally amend RECA to include Tularosa Downwinders, all of the uranium miners exposed to radiation in service to our national defense, and all Americans who were directly impacted by our nation’s nuclear testing program. The federal government has a moral responsibility to correct this injustice.” Find pictures of Heinrich speaking at the press conference here. Heinrich recently pressed Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately take up the Senate-passed and fully comprehensive RECA extension in bipartisan, bicameral letter. The letter, led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), said in part: “We urge action immediately to strengthen the RECA program before its impending sunset in June 2024. The United States government exposed these Americans to radiation as part of our national security efforts through World War II and the Cold War. It is long past time that RECA is strengthened to give these Americans their recognition and compensation. Their livelihoods, often devastated by the long-term consequences of radiation exposure, depend on your leadership and commitment to rectifying past injustices. Let us honor the commitment we made to these citizens by ensuring they receive the support and recognition they so rightly deserve.” Read the full letter here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-applauds-house-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-accelerate-us-microchip-manufacturing-projects,Heinrich Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate U.S. Microchip Manufacturing Projects,2024-09-23,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Bipartisan legislation to expedite microchip plant construction now heads to President’s desk WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) applauded the House of Representatives passage of the Building Chips in America Act, legislation he cosponsored to streamline federal permitting processes for microchip manufacturing projects while maintaining bedrock protections for clean air and clean water. The bill, which had previously passed the Senate twice — first as part of the Senate NDAA and again as a standalone legislation — now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Alongside Heinrich, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators is Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). “Two years ago, I was part of the conference committee that finalized what eventually became the CHIPS and Science Act. I fought hard to pass this bill to spark a made-in-America manufacturing renaissance in New Mexico and across the country, and that’s exactly what’s happening,” said Heinrich. “This bill to speed up construction of microchip projects will build on the momentum we’ve created, strengthen our supply chain and national security, and solidify New Mexico as one of the best places in America to manufacture advanced technologies — helping to create hundreds of new, good-paying jobs that New Mexicans can build their families around. I’m pleased that this bill is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.” “This is a major step forward for our economy and national security,” said Kelly. “By preventing unnecessary delays in the construction of microchip manufacturing facilities, this bill will help maximize our efforts to bring this industry back to America, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and strengthening our supply chains. I’m grateful to my colleagues in both chambers for their bipartisan work to get this done, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-casey-introduce-legislation-to-stop-fentanyl-from-entering-prisons-protect-officers-from-dangerous-exposure,"Heinrich, Casey Introduce Legislation to Stop Fentanyl from Entering Prisons, Protect Officers from Dangerous Exposure",2024-09-23,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"The Interdiction of Fentanyl at Federal Prisons Act will help eliminatefentanyl and other illicit narcotics from entering prisons by mail WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced legislation to protect prison officers, staff, and inmates from fentanyl and other illicit substances entering the Federal Prison System through inmate mail. By directing the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to develop a strategy that guarantees all mail is screened for illicit contraband, the Interdiction of Fentanyl at Federal Prisons Act would reduce the risk of intentional poisoning or lethal exposure from illicit substances in federal prisons and support the 38,000 BOP corrections officers and staff that are dedicated to keeping prisons safe. “We need to deploy every available tool we can to tackle the opioid epidemic and support law enforcement in cracking down on the deadly flow of fentanyl,” said Heinrich. “By screening all mail at federal prisons, we can protect officers, staff, and inmates from harmful exposure to illicit substances and prevent life-endangering overdoses. I won’t stop fighting until we deliver the resources our law enforcement officers, first responders, medical providers, and New Mexicans on the front lines need to address this deadly epidemic.” “As we fight back against the fentanyl crisis, we must protect those who face an elevated risk of dangerous exposure. I have long pushed for digital mail screening as an effective way to stop fentanyl from entering our prisons to protect officers, staff, and inmates,”said Casey. “This legislation is a critical step to keep Pennsylvanians safe and I will continue fighting like hell to stop the fentanyl crisis.” As New Mexico and the nation continue to grapple with the opioid crisis, the Interdiction of Fentanyl at Federal Prisons Act would protect officers, staff, and inmates by requiring BOP to develop a strategy to intercept and interdict illicit substances, including fentanyl, mailed to federal correctional facilities. After one BOP official lost his life and numerous reports of officers being hospitalized after being exposed to mail saturated in fentanyl and other unknown substances, this legislation would help keep them safe on the job. Specifically, this bill would enable BOP to acquire and deploy equipment to scan 100 percent of legal and postal mail arriving at federal correctional facilities. This legislation would enhance mail screening and ensure that all incarcerated people receive digital copies of mail addressed to them, while remaining consistent with the law and BOP procedures governing attorney-client privilege. This bill would also guarantee that all contraband-free mail be delivered once it has been screened. The Interdiction of Fentanyl at Federal Prisons Act is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), R Street Institute, National Association of Police Organizations, National District Attorneys Associations, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, and Voices of JOE. Read more about the Interdiction of Fentanyl at Federal Prisons Act here. Senator Heinrich is leading comprehensive efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic and protect New Mexico communities from fentanyl, most recently securing more than $1 million for local law enforcement to detect illicit fentanyl, helping to pass the historic FEND Off Fentanyl Act into law, and authoring legislation to require the DEA to establish a nationwide fentanyl tracking system. Find an extensive list of Heinrich’s actions to tackle the fentanyl crisis here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-leger-fernandez-lead-bill-to-approve-water-rights-settlement-for-the-navajo-nation-in-the-rio-san-jose-watershed,"Heinrich, Leger Fernández Lead Bill to Approve Water Rights Settlement for the Navajo Nation in the Rio San José Watershed",2024-09-23,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to approve the water rights settlement for the Navajo Nation as well as participating non-Tribal parties in the Rio San José watershed. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) cosponsored the bill. Heinrich and Leger Fernández previously introduced the Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act, which would implement the water settlements agreed to by the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties, in the Rio San José watershed. That bill received a hearing and was reported out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in December. The House version of this bill received a legislative hearing in the House Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee in July. The bill introduced this month would further resolve Tribal water claims in the Rio San José basin by settling the Navajo Nation’s claims. “Our legislation will provide critically needed funding to get much-needed water to Navajo communities in the Rio San José watershed,” said Heinrich. “By passing this and our other pending Tribal water settlement bills this Congress, we can better follow through on the federal government’s promise to help Tribes access and use the water that has always been rightfully theirs.” “In New Mexico we know water is life. Navajo Nation, the surrounding communities, and the state of New Mexico worked together to reach an agreement that would make sure the life-giving waters of the Rio San Jose would flow for everyone,” said Leger Fernández.“Senator Heinrich’s and my bill would provide funding for much needed water infrastructure for Navajo Nation as well as nearby acequias. The powerful stories of collaboration around this precious resource we heard in committee prove that settlement is the best road for resolving these water claims.” “As a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, I am proud to join my New Mexico colleagues in introducing legislation to approve the water rights settlement for the Navajo Nation in the Rio San José Watershed,"" said Luján. ""This legislation has strong backing from stakeholders across New Mexico and will provide a comprehensive resolution for the Navajo Nation's water rights claims in the Rio San José Stream System. It will ensure the protection of Tribal water rights while effectively addressing the water needs of the community.” “In New Mexico, we know water is life,” said Stansbury. “As stewards of the land, water, and air since time immemorial, it is so important that our Tribal communities have a stake in how water is used in this state. This bill, as well as many others, will uphold our commitment to our Tribes and Pueblos granting them the right to use water for their needs. This is what environmental justice looks like.” “Protecting a critical resource and honoring Tribal sovereignty are some of our core responsibilities in Congress, and I’m proud to work with the New Mexico Delegation to fulfill our trust responsibility and provide essential resources to support the New Mexico’s water infrastructure,” said Vasquez. “This settlement ensures the Navajo Nation and our non-Tribal users of the Rio San José watershed will have the water resources needed to thrive for generations to come.” “On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I want to express my deepest appreciation to Senator Heinrich, Senator Lujan, and Representative Leger Fernandez for introducing this important legislation. Implementation of this settlement will make a real difference for Eastern Navajo communities where lack of water has constrained development. A collaborative negotiation process produced a comprehensive settlement that provides a path forward towards a better future for the people of the Rio San Jose and Rio Puerco Basins,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. Additional Background on Tribal Water Settlements Legislation: The introduction of this bill follows Heinrich and Vasquez’s introduction of the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act in July, with Luján, Stansbury, and Leger Fernández all joining as original cosponsors. That bill would unlock federal funding to support a trust for sustainable water management and infrastructure development that upholds the federal government’s trust responsibility while protecting the sacred Zuni Salt Lake. The bill ratifies the settlement between the federal government, State of New Mexico and Zuni Tribe that affirms their water rights for irrigation, livestock, storage, and domestic and other uses. In June, Heinrich and Leger Fernández introduced the Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act, legislation to approve the water rights settlement of Ohkay Owingeh and participating non-Tribal parties for water in the Rio Chama Basin. Luján and Stansbury are original cosponsors of this bill. Last December, Luján and Leger Fernández introduced the Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act, which authorizes the appropriation of $6.3 million for the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Fund; $7.8 million for the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund; and $4.3 million for the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos’ Fund, which covers Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque Pueblos. It will support water resources development projects for the Tribes. Heinrich and Stansbury are original cosponsors of this bill. Last June, Luján and Leger Fernández introduced legislation that amends the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project to ensure it has the resources and time needed to deliver drinking water to northwestern New Mexico communities in the San Juan basin, including roughly 43 Chapters on the Eastern Navajo Nation, the southwestern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and the City of Gallup, which currently rely on a rapidly depleting groundwater supply of poor quality. Heinrich and Stansbury are original cosponsors of this bill. Additionally, last year, the entire New Mexico Congressional Delegation announced a $235.1 million allocation to continue fulfilling settlements of Indian water rights claims using funding from the Infrastructure Law and the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund. As part of that overall allocation, the Navajo-Gallup Water Project received $164 million from the Infrastructure Law and the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund. Another $2 million was directed to Navajo-Gallup Water supply operations, maintenance and replacement efforts. The Aamodt Water Rights Settlement, which includes the Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque, received $69.1 million in federal funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-boozman-introduce-bipartisan-every-kid-outdoors-extension-act,"Heinrich, Boozman Introduce Bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act",2024-09-20,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Bill extends the wildly successful Every Kid Outdoors Program that Heinrich helped to establish in 2019 to provide all American fourth graders and their families free national park access WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced their bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act to provide free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth grade students and their families, through 2031. “As a father and a former outdoor educator, I know firsthand how much of a difference getting outside can make for our kids,” said Heinrich. “I’m so proud of the doors we have opened to our public lands for fourth graders and their families since we passed my Every Kid Outdoors Act into law five years ago. Now, we can double down on this successful program, turning our national parks and other public lands into outdoor classrooms with endless opportunities for children to learn and families to make new memories.” “Introducing young Americans to our national parks inspires an appreciation for the lands and resources that help define our country. I’m proud to support this legislation that allows the next generation to discover our national treasures and explore the outdoors,”said Boozman. Starting in 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. Heinrich led the original bipartisan effort in Congress, alongside then-U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to codify the Every Kid Outdoors program into law. Heinrich and Alexander’s Every Kid Outdoors Act passed in 2019 as part of the larger John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. The authorization under Heinrich’s original legislation is currently scheduled to expire in 2026. Heinrich and Boozman’s Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act would extend the authorization for the program through 2031. Full text of the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act can be found HERE. The Every Kid Outdoors program has been wildly successful at encouraging tens of thousands of children and their families to explore America’s public lands, waters, and historic sites, including national parks – more than 2,000 sites in all. In 2023, Every Kid Outdoors vouchers helped create free admission for 11,805 visits to New Mexico public lands, including 879 visits to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 295 visits to Bandelier National Monument, and 396 visits to White Sands National Park. Support for the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act: The Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act has garnered widespread support, including endorsements from The Wilderness Society, the Sierra Club, and the Outdoor Alliance for Kids. “Over the past nine years, hundreds of thousands of children have been able to enjoy our public lands with the support of the Every Kid Outdoors program. This program has helped to introduce and facilitate outdoors adventures and experiences to these children and their families during a critical formative period in their lives. The Outdoors Alliance for Kids is eager to see this program continue to benefit families and communities for generations to come,” said Julia Hurwit, Campaign Manager for Outdoors Alliance for Kids. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-delivers-over-54-million-to-strengthen-maternal-and-newborn-care-expand-mental-health-care-and-substance-use-treatment-in-rural-communities,"Heinrich Delivers Over $5.4 Million to Strengthen Maternal and Newborn Care, Expand Mental Health Care & Substance Use Treatment in Rural Communities",2024-09-20,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced three Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grants he secured totaling $5,416,000 to strengthen maternal and newborn care, improving outcomes for mothers and babies in rural New Mexico, and to expand mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in Gallup and Carlsbad. Heinrich secured these three grants in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. “Every New Mexican should be able to access affordable, high-quality health care, in their home communities,” said Heinrich. “These investments will help ensure that more mothers and their newborns can access the health care they need closer to home, and more folks can access the mental health care and substance use treatment when and where they need it.” Heinrich fought for and secured $3,900,000 for the University of New Mexico’s Neonatal Opiate Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) Project to improve prenatal, delivery, and post birth care for babies and mothers in rural New Mexico. Currently, there is a crisis in rural maternity care in New Mexico. By supporting rural providers, families can access maternity care closer to home – improving outcomes for families and babies in rural New Mexico. Additionally, Heinrich fought for and secured $516,000 for Gallup Community Health to expand its mental health services to include onsite behavioral health and substance use disorder counseling and case management. Heinrich also fought for and secured $1,000,000 for Carlsbad Lifehouse to develop a certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Southeastern New Mexico. This is the latest example of Heinrich’s longtime work to provide New Mexicans better access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. Heinrich negotiated and passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which included a provision that paved the way for New Mexico to be added to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program. This program provides states with funding to expand access to mental health care and substance use services. In the FY23 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich also secured a $450,000 Congressionally Directed Spending grant for Family and Youth Innovations Plus (FYI+) in Las Cruces to become the first CCBHC in New Mexico, which was instrumental in helping New Mexico eventually qualify for the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program. Find an extensive list of Heinrich’s actions to improve access to mental health care in New Mexico here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-applaud-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-resolution-recognizing-hispanic-heritage-month,"Heinrich, Luján Applaud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month",2024-09-20,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, applauded the Senate passage of a bipartisan resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month – which is celebrated from September 15 through October 15. Led by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), the Senate passed the resolution on Wednesday. “During Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in shaping the economic, social, and cultural landscape of our state and the nation. In New Mexico, Hispanic heritage is as much about lifting up leaders like Senator Dennis Chávez and educator Dolores Gonzáles as it is about our way of life — from the food eaten and the art created, to the close familial ties, to the way querencia infuses our approach to public lands,” said Heinrich. “This month and every month, I remain committed to celebrating Hispanic heritage and addressing the issues that matter most to all New Mexicans, expanding opportunities for a brighter future.” “Hispanic Heritage Month offers us a chance to recognize and celebrate the profound impact of Hispanic Americans in New Mexico and across the nation. As the first Hispanic to represent New Mexico in the U.S. Senate in more than 40 years, I feel deeply blessed to come from such a strong and resilient community. New Mexico, with the largest percentage of Hispanics of any state in the country, has long contributed to the fabric of America,” said Luján. The full text of the resolution is available HERE. This month, Heinrich and Luján also introduced a resolution to designate the week starting on September 9, 2024 as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, and celebrate the vast contributions of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI)— including New Mexico’s 24 HSIs. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/good-samaritan-legislation-inches-closer-to-presidents-desk,Good Samaritan legislation inches closer to president’s desk,2024-09-19,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Legislation that would make it easier to clean up abandoned mines is one step closer to the president’s desk. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat from New Mexico, and Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, cleared the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee this week. The legislation received unanimous support in the U.S. Senate earlier this year, but still needs to pass the full House before it can make it to the president’s desk.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-heinrichs-bipartisan-push-senate-passes-bill-to-ensure-veterans-receive-the-benefits-theyve-earned,"Following Heinrich’s Bipartisan Push, Senate Passes Bill to Ensure Veterans Receive the Benefits They’ve Earned",2024-09-19,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate passed supplemental appropriations legislation, based on a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), that will protect veterans’ earned benefits and ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is able to continue to pay disability compensation, surviving spouses and dependent compensation, pension, and education benefits to veterans. With more veterans than ever receiving care and benefits, the VA faces a $3 billion shortfall. If not filled by tomorrow, September 20, there could have been a delay in VA compensation and pension payments scheduled on October 1 for more than seven million veterans, including nearly 70,000 New Mexicans. Now that both the House and Senate have passed this supplemental appropriations bill, President Biden can sign it into law and prevent this potential funding shortfall. “There was a real sense of urgency to pass this supplemental funding today to make sure the VA can deliver next month’s compensation and pension payments to our veterans on time,” said Heinrich, a member and former Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. “I will always fight to ensure we keep our promise to veterans and military families, that when they return home, they will receive the recognition, education, housing, and health care that they have earned through their service.” Background: This year, the VA has served more veterans than ever before and provided more care and benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxins during their time in the military because of the successful implementation of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The PACT Act, bipartisan legislation that Heinrich helped to lead as the then-Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. The PACT Act, which was signed into law in 2022, has provided a record expansion of care and benefits for veterans. As a result, more veterans are filing claims and receiving their long overdue earned benefits, including disability compensation and GI Bill benefits. Without additional funding to mirror this increased number of claims received, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) was at risk of leaving 7 million veterans and survivors without access to the benefits they have earned. Delaying this funding would have postponed benefit payments that veterans, caregivers, and survivors count on, forcing them to make tough choices when their bills come due at the beginning of October, to avoid overdraft fees, or the potential of services being shut off. Heinrich cosponsored bipartisan legislation in the Senate led by U.S. Senator SherrodBrown (D-Ohio) to address the funding shortfall and ensure the VA can continue to provide veterans with the benefits they have earned. He will continue pushing for a long-term bipartisan fix in the Appropriations Committee to ensure that veterans’ benefits and care are protected. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-risch-applaud-house-committee-passage-of-their-legislation-to-clean-up-abandoned-mines,"Heinrich, Risch Applaud House Committee Passage of Their Legislation to Clean Up Abandoned Mines",2024-09-19,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) applauded the passage of the House companion to their legislation, the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The legislation would make it easier for “Good Samaritans,” such as state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and other groups, to clean up and improve water quality in and around abandoned hardrock mines. Heinrich and Risch hailed the Senate’s unanimous and bipartisan passage of the bill in July. But the bill still needs to pass in the House before it can go to the President to be signed into law. The House companion legislation is being led by U.S. Representatives Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska). “Tens of thousands of abandoned mines continue to threaten our communities and pollute the land, water, fish, and wildlife we rely on. We should be empowering ‘Good Samaritan’ organizations who want to step up to help clean them up,” said Heinrich.“I’m proud to see our commonsense, bipartisan legislation that would create a path for these groups to clean up abandoned mine sites in New Mexico and across our country move one step closer to final passage in the House. I won’t stop working on this until we get this through the House and to the President.” “Today’s passage of my bill with Senator Heinrich, the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is another step toward this commonsense legislation becoming law,” said Risch. “This bill will empower Good Samaritans to conduct vital remediation work at long abandoned mine sites, and I urge the House of Representatives to vote on this legislation immediately. My sincere thanks to Representatives Maloy and Peltola for their efforts in guiding this legislation through the committee.” “This bill is a win for Utah. Right now, ‘Good Samaritans’ are not legally able to clean up abandoned hardrock mines, stopping remediation efforts before they even begin. Passage of this bill was the necessary next step towards allowing the cleanup of thousands of abandoned hardrock mine sites scattered across Utah and the West without the threat of taking on liability from the EPA. I will continue working with my House colleagues to make sure we get it across the finish line,” said Maloy. “Despite having no legal or financial responsibility, state agencies, non-profits, and advocates are eager to contribute to abandoned hardrock mine cleanup efforts, but over-burdensome permitting requirements bar them from doing so. Too often, government red tape prevents good work from getting done—that’s why passing our Good Samaritan bill out of committee is a great step forward,” said Peltola. The U.S. has over 140,000 abandoned hardrock mine features, of which 22,500 pose environmental hazards according to the GAO. Organizations that have no legal or financial responsibility to an abandoned mine – true Good Samaritans – want to volunteer to remediate some of these sites. Unfortunately, liability rules would leave these Good Samaritans legally responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine, even though they had no involvement with the mine prior to cleaning it up. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act creates a pilot permitting program to enable not-for-profit cleanup efforts to move forward, while ensuring Good Samaritans have the skills and resources to comply with federal oversight. This pilot program is designed for lower risk projects that will improve water and soil quality or otherwise protect human health. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act has garnered widespread support from organizations, including American Exploration and Mining Association, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Ecoflight, Fly Fishers International, Izaak Walton League of America, National Deer Association, National Mining Association, National Wildlife Federation, Property and Environment Research Center, Regeneration, Rivian, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Trout Unlimited. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-joint-economic-committee-chairman-martin-heinrich-on-msnbcs-jose-diaz-balart-reports-fed-rate-cut-will-ease-pain-for-consumers-strengthen-economy,"ICYMI: Joint Economic Committee Chairman Martin Heinrich on MSNBC’s José Díaz-Balart Reports: Fed Rate Cut Will Ease Pain for Consumers, Strengthen Economy",2024-09-19,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – In an interview this morning with José Díaz-Balarton MSNBC, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC),applauded the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates, highlighting how it will bring overdue relief for working people shouldering the burden of inflation and high costs. Heinrich, who has been calling on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates for months now, also touted how Democrat-passed laws like the CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act arecreating jobs, reinvesting in New Mexico’s workforce, and bolstering our supply chain to bring costs down. VIDEO:Heinrich joins MSNBC to discuss how the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates will benefit working people and strengthen the economy On interest rate cuts: “This is great news for consumers. This will ease the pain that we've been feeling from interest rates we've been operating under for many months now. But it also helps the economy, because reducing these rates really does take some of the risk in the job market from high rates away.” On work to lower costs & create jobs: “You know, the stock market is in a great place, and that's how a lot of my Republican colleagues measure the economy. But what I care about is interest rates. What I care about is inflation, and what I care about is job numbers. And so, we're headed to a much better place from the perspective of individual consumers.” On reinvesting in New Mexico’s workforce and making things in America again: ""One of the things that we learned from the complete destruction of our supply chains is that we need to make things in America again — especially mission critical items. So, passing things like the CHIPS and Science Act that actually gets us to make those chips in New Mexico again.That's one of the ways that we insulate ourselves from the kind of supply chain disruption that raised inflation in every country on the globe.We've been able to manage it back down faster than any nation on the planet, but it still hurts, and so there is more work to be done.” Watch the full interview here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/heinrich-highlights-importance-of-ivf-in-new-mexico,Heinrich highlights importance of IVF in New Mexico,2024-09-18,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"“Once again, Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would protect families’ freedom to start and grow a family with IVF,"" Heinrich said. ""Republicans are using their position of power to tell people when, how, and with whom to start their families. Shame on them.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-presses-top-tech-executives-on-identifying-and-combatting-threats-to-the-2024-election,Heinrich Presses Top Tech Executives on Identifying and Combatting Threats to the 2024 Election,2024-09-18,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, questioned Kent Walker, President and Chief Legal Officer at Alphabet, and Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, on their companies’ work to identify and combat online threats to the 2024 elections. In addition, Heinrich emphasized the responsibility of tech companies to detect and remove content that may pose a threat to the safety of nonpartisan election workers in New Mexico and across the country. VIDEO:Heinrich presses top executives at Alphabet and Meta on identifying and combattingthreats to the2024 elections, September 18, 2024. On removing deceptive links or images containing fraudulent information that appears to come from a legitimate news organization: Heinrich began his questioning, “I want to stay on this same topic on the sort of fraudulent news sites that look like something people would recognize from their own news preferences. Do each of your companies have a policy of removal once you become aware of something that is clearly a fraudulent version of a legitimate site?” Kent Walker, President and Chief Legal Officer at Alphabet, responded, “In my view, it does not depend on whether the topic had anything to do with politics. Those are counterfeit sites. Those are people using the trademarks of Fox News and the Washington Post without their permission and in a way that deceives the public and diminishes the value of those companies. So yes, and I think you'd see pretty universally across the industry terms of use that prohibit that.” Heinrich underscored the need to better and more appropriately combat misinformation through deceptive content, “We need to be on our game and responding with those same tools to be able to identifyand appropriately deal with these things on a much faster rate.” On the safety of nonpartisan election officials in New Mexico: Heinrich asked both Walker and Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, “At a hearing on the U.S. House Committee on House Administration last week, the New Mexico Secretary of State testified that, ‘Years of false election claims and ideological attempts to discredit our voting systems and processes have led to increased threats and harassment to election workers.’” “How have you sought to improve your platform's ability to detect and remove content that actually threatens or harasses people who are part of the of the Democratic process and apparatus for fairly administrating elections?” Heinrich asked. Walker responded, “There are two elements of that. One is making sure that we are trying to safeguard our elections officials against threats that may be posted online. The second half is helping our election officials be more protected themselves through the use of some of the tools that we have spoken about, like the advanced protection program, so their information is not being hacked or doxed.” Clegg responded, “We encourage local election officials to use our platforms to communicate with voters. So, we established a system called voting alerts ... around 650 million voting alerts have been issued by local and state officials on [our] services so that voters are properly informed about where and when to vote.” Background: Heinrich has long supported legislation to uphold and preserve Americans’ civil liberties, while working to safeguard the integrity of our elections from threats at home and abroad, including through detection of deceptive AI-generated election content. Heinrich is among leading lawmakers in Congress spearheading bipartisan efforts on responsible AI policy. Specifically, he has been vocal on the need to improve and modernizeprotections for our voting systems, registration data, and ballots to prevent theft, manipulation, and malicious computer hacking. In 2023, he supported the Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act which would update federal election records requirements. In 2019, he supported the Elections Security Act that would also implement necessary protections from cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. He condemned then Majority Leader McConnell for blocking this legislation. In 2018, Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in introducing the bipartisan Secure Elections Act, a bill to strengthen election cybersecurity in America. The Senators originally introduced the legislation in 2017, and worked with stakeholders to revise and strengthen the bill. Heinrich’s Leadership on Election Security and Combatting Threats Specifically Related to Russia: As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Heinrich played a key role in investigating Russia’s efforts to interfere with the United States’ 2016 election. After the investigation concluded, Heinrich joined the Committee in releasing recommendations on election security and findingsregarding Russian targeting of election infrastructure. During the investigation, Heinrich questioned Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorseyin a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing about foreign influence operations and their use of social media platforms. Heinrich has also repeatedly condemned former President Donald Trump’s uplifting of Kremlin propaganda and disinformation. This includes Heinrich’s speech when he voted to convict Trump in his first impeachment trial in 2020, saying, Trump was “more focused on lobbing insults and spreading Russian conspiracy theories on Twitter than he is on his intelligence briefings.” Heinrich said in that floor speech:“Right now, patriotic Americans working in the State Department, for our intelligence agencies, and serving in the military are defending us from grave threats. These Americans pledge to obey the orders of their commander-in-chief. They trust that their commander-in-chief's loyalty and sole focus is squarely on the best interests of the United States of America. I don't say this lightly: President Trump has betrayed that trust. He promised to put America first. Instead, he put himself first.” For more information on Heinrich’s efforts to address Russia’s actions, please see here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/nm-senators-disappointed-as-republicans-block-bill-to-protect-ivf-access,NM Senators disappointed as Republicans block bill to protect IVF access,2024-09-17,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"“Once again, Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would protect families’ freedom to start and grow a family with IVF. Republicans are using their position of power to tell people when, how, and with whom to start their families. Shame on them,” Heinrich said in a press release following the vote. “Let me be clear: I will never stop fighting to safeguard New Mexicans’ freedom to access reproductive health care. I will use every tool at my disposal to reinstate the protections provided by Roe v. Wade, and combat extreme Republican laws aimed at stripping away access to IVF, contraception, and abortion care.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-highlights-importance-of-ivf-in-new-mexico-slams-republicans-for-once-again-blocking-legislation-to-protect-access-to-ivf,Heinrich Highlights Importance of IVF in New Mexico; Slams Republicans for Once Again Blocking Legislation to Protect Access to IVF,2024-09-17,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"“Republicans are using their position of power to tell people when, how, or with whom to start their families. Shame on them.” PHOTOS WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after Senate Republicans once again blocked the passage of the Right to IVF Act, legislation he introduced as an original cosponsor to establish a nationwide right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART). The legislation would also lower the costs of IVF treatment for millions of families, veterans, and service members. “Once again, Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would protect families’ freedom to start and grow a family with IVF. Republicans are using their position of power to tell people when, how, and with whom to start their families. Shame on them. “Since the radical conservative majority on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade,we’ve seen Republican extremists in state legislatures across the country enact draconian abortion bans and go after Americans’ access to contraception and IVF. “Let me be clear: I will never stop fighting to safeguard New Mexicans’ freedom to access reproductive health care. I will use every tool at my disposal to reinstate the protections provided by Roe v. Wade, and combat extreme Republican laws aimed at stripping away access to IVF, contraception, and abortion care.” Heinrich lifts up an image of Albuquerque residents Erin Stopani and David Duniven during a press conference on the need to pass the Right to IVF Act. Erin and David are building their family with the help of IVF and are expecting the birth of their daughter in January 2025. More images of the Senator attending today’s press conference can be found here. Heinrich remains unwavering in his commitment to protect women’s reproductive freedoms. In February, after the Alabama State Supreme Court issued a ruling that threatened access to IVF treatment, Heinrich cosponsored the Access to Family Building Act, legislation that would protect every American’s right to access IVF and other assisted reproductive technology services that millions need to have children. This legislation is now included as part of the broader Right to IVF Act — which Heinrich introduced alongside U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Heinrich is also an original cosponsor of the Right to Contraception Act, legislation which would guarantee that people can obtain and health professionals can provide contraceptives – free from government interference. Senate Republicans blocked the passage of the Right to Contraception Act. In May, Heinrich, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), defended the safety of Mifepristone at a hearing he chaired, with FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf testifying. In March, Heinrich introduced the Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support Services (ACCESS) Act, legislation to establish a federal grant program for health care organizations to expand their capacity to provide abortion services and additional reproductive care in New Mexico and other states where it remains legal. This has become necessary because pro-choice states like New Mexico are shouldering the influx of patients from Republican-led states where abortion is now restricted. This has led to providers in states like New Mexico becoming overwhelmed with demand for abortion care from both in- and out-of-state patients. In January, Heinrich attended a briefing on the state of abortion rights in America, the chaos and cruelty of the abortion bans that have been enacted in Republican-led states since Roe was overturned, and the need to pass legislation to restore the right to abortion nationwide. In December 2023, Heinrich introduced a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. In May 2023, Heinrich cosponsored the Protecting Service Members and Military Families’ Access to Health Care Act, which would codify the Department of Defense’s (DOD) February 16, 2023, policy to ensure service members and their families can access reproductive health care, including abortion services, regardless of the state in which they are stationed. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the FDA, Heinrich has pushed back against Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk’s ruling that suspends the FDA’s more than 20-year-old approval of mifepristone. Heinrich joined an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, in support of the Biden administration’s appeal of the ruling. In a statement in April 2023, Heinrich said that Judge Kacsmaryk “undermined the FDA’s safety and efficacy determination of Mifepristone. And with it, he has undermined the FDA’s authority to determine the safety and efficacy of all medications – from insulin to cancer treatment.” That same month, Heinrich presided over a hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for the FDA, where he expressed his strongly held view that the “decisions the FDA makes, whether approving a medical device or approving a new drug, must be guided by science and not by political pressure.” In March 2023, Heinrich cosponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act to prohibit states from imposing restrictions that jeopardize access to abortion earlier in pregnancy, such as arbitrary waiting periods, medically unnecessary mandatory ultrasounds, or requirements to provide medically inaccurate information. The bill would also ensure that later in pregnancy, states cannot limit access to abortion if it would jeopardize the life or health of the mother. Finally, this bill would protect the ability of individuals to travel out of state for an abortion, which has become increasingly common in recent years. In September 2022, Heinrich urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take immediate action to safeguard women’s privacy and their ability to safely and confidentially get the health care they need. In September 2021, Heinrich joined a group of 48 Democrats in the U.S. Senate and 188 members in the U.S. House of Representatives that filed a bicameral amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to abortion care. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-introduce-resolution-to-honor-hispanic-serving-institutions-week,"Heinrich, Luján Introduce Resolution to Honor Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week",2024-09-17,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate the week starting on September 9, 2024 as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) are accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with 25 percent or higher total undergraduate Hispanic or Latino full-time students. There are 600 HSIs in the United States that enroll over 5.2 million Hispanic students, two-thirds of all Hispanic undergraduates, and 32.2 percent of total Pell recipients — empowering and improving communities. New Mexico is home to 24 HSIs and 3 emerging HSIs. This resolution celebrates the vast contributions of HSIs across the country. It also highlights the important role these institutions play in educating many underserved students, helping them attain their full potential by creating opportunities and increasing access to higher education. “From driving small business growth to leading labor movements, Hispanics and Latinos have directly shaped and grown our economy and workplaces for the better. I’ve been proud to support the next generation of Hispanic and Latino leaders by expanding access to broadband, apprenticeships, business loans, health care, and higher education, especially through New Mexico’s Hispanic Serving Institutions. By investing in places like the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Highlands University, and New Mexico Tech, we are supporting Latino and Hispanic students as they continue to move our country forward,” said Heinrich. “As a proud alum of New Mexico Highlands University, a Hispanic-Serving Institution, I am proud to recognize the immeasurable impact that HSIs have on the lives of Hispanic students. New Mexico is home to two dozen HSIs that are creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders in New Mexico and across the nation,” said Luján. “During Hispanic Heritage Month, I am committed to supporting New Mexico’s HSIs and the students they serve.” The resolution is led by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, and John Cornyn (R-Texas). In the House, the resolution is led by the co-chairs of the Congressional HSI Caucus,U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). This resolution is supported by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). The full text of the resolution is here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-dialysis-patients,Heinrich Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Dialysis Patients,2024-09-16,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senate colleagues Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to introduce the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, legislation to ensure individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, continue to have access to private health care. The legislation follows the 2022 Supreme Court ruling, Marietta v. DaVita, that allowed private health plans to deny coverage of kidney care services, including dialysis treatments and access to nephrologists, prematurely pushing ESRD patients onto Medicare. This shift causes a disruption in coverage for patients and their families and shifts a significant financial burden onto taxpayers all while endangering Medicare’s long-term solvency. “The last thing patients should be worried about when dealing with kidney failure is being kicked off their insurance while undergoing treatment. I’m introducing the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act to ensure New Mexico families can continue to access essential care when they need it most,” said Heinrich. “ESRD patients who rely on life-sustaining dialysis treatments should not be kicked off their health care plan when they need it most,” said Cassidy. “This legislation ensures patients are protected and have access to the care of their choosing.” “No one should face barriers to essential health care,” said Booker. “The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act will protect access to crucial dialysis treatments for ESRD patients, and ensure that individuals who depend on these treatments are not forced into financial hardship for seeking them. Congress made a commitment to individuals with end stage renal disease and we must uphold that commitment.” Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), John Joyce (R-Pa.), and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.). “Patients deserve to have a choice in their health coverage to ensure they can access the care they need,” said Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, Chair of Kidney Care Partners. “We're grateful to Senate leaders stepping up and supporting this effort to restore long-standing protections to patient choice and look forward to continued collaboration with policymakers and those impacted by current policy to advance this bill.” The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act is endorsed by Akebia Therapeutics, American Kidney Fund, American Nephrology Nurses Association, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Ardelyx, AstraZeneca, Atlantic Dialysis Management Services, Baxter, Centers for Dialysis Care, CorMedix, CSL Vifor, DaVita, Dialysis Care Center, Dialysis Patient Citizens, Fresenius Medical Care, Greenfield Health Systems, The Kidney Care Council, NATCO, Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission, Renal Healthcare Association, Renal Physicians Association, Renal Support Network, Rogosin Institute, U.S. Renal Care, Unicycive Therapeutics, and Diality. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/photos-heinrich-accepts-national-wilderness-champion-award,PHOTOS: Heinrich Accepts National Wilderness Champion Award,2024-09-13,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – This week, the brand new National Wilderness Coalition honored U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, with its inaugural Wilderness Champion Award in recognition of his longtime leadership and successful record of prioritizing wilderness conservation as a critical tool for addressing climate change, ensuring wildland integrity, protecting biodiversity, and connecting people with nature. “This award is a testament to the success of our community-driven conservation efforts in New Mexico that have led to lasting protections for the lands and waters our communities cherish,” said Heinrich. “Throughout my career, I’ve been proud to stand with New Mexicans to protect our wild lands, from the Gila—the first designated wilderness on Earth—to the Columbine-Hondo, the Ojito, the Sabinoso, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, and our newly established wilderness areas in the Rio Grande del Norte and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monuments. We have a moral responsibility to conserve these wild places for future generations of New Mexicans to enjoy.” Background on Heinrich’s Leadership on Wilderness Protection: This year marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Forest Service designating the Gila Wilderness in southwestern New Mexico, making it the first designated and protected wilderness area on Earth and a precursor to the 1964 Wilderness Act that established the National Wilderness Preservation System. Since its inception in 1964, the Wilderness Act has been used by Congress to protect 112 million acres of public lands across 44 states. Although the Act has established 800 individual wilderness areas, these areas encompass only about 5% of lands in the U.S. The National Wilderness Preservation System represents the most protective and comprehensive means to ensure public lands are protected in their natural state for future generations. In June, Heinrich delivered keynote remarks at a community celebration of the Gila’s 100th anniversary in Silver City, N.M., the gateway community to the Gila Wilderness. In May a resolution that Heinrich led to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Gila Wilderness passed in the Senate. Heinrich is continuing to lead the effort to pass the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which would provide enhanced protections for the watershed that supports the Gila Wilderness. In this Congress, Heinrich and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) have also introduced legislation to establish Cerro de la Olla Wilderness within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Heinrich championed the designation of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments and passed legislation to establish White Sands National Parkand the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah and Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Areas. Senator Heinrich helped secure the resources and support for new land acquisitions thatopened up new public access to the Sabinoso Wilderness and the addition of the historic L Bar Ranch property to western New Mexico’s Marquez Wildlife Area—the single greatest addition to protected public land in New Mexico in a generation. He also played a leading role in securing strong, bipartisan support for the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act in 2019 and the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, two of the most significant pieces of conservation legislation to be signed into law in decades. The Dingell Act established the most protected wilderness in New Mexico in nearly 40 years. Before he was elected to Congress, Senator Heinrich led the successful community campaign in the mid-2000’s to establish the Ojito Wilderness—on Bureau of Land Management lands about an hour northwest of Albuquerque. The Ojito became the first new protected wilderness area in New Mexico in decades and laid the foundation for future successful community-driven campaigns to protect and designate new wilderness areas throughout New Mexico. Background on the National Wilderness Coalition: This week, a diverse coalition of local, statewide, and national conservation and environmental justice organizations formally announced the creation of the National Wilderness Coalition (NWC) to reinvigorate a diverse and powerful wilderness movement. The NWC is made up of organizations who have come together to build political power and advance wilderness legislation. As part of its launch, the Coalition awarded the inaugural Wilderness Champion Awards. In addition to Heinrich, awards were presented to U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). More information about the awards and the NWC can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-congressional-ukraine-caucus-call-on-president-biden-to-lift-restrictions-on-use-of-long-range-weapons,"Heinrich, Congressional Ukraine Caucus Call on President Biden to Lift Restrictions on Use of Long-Range Weapons",2024-09-12,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON —This week, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joinedmembers of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus in calling on President Bidento lift the restrictions on Ukraine that are currently preventing them from using long-range weapons to strike legitimate military targets inside Russia. “In the spirit of our shared commitment to the defense of Ukraine, we write to request that you immediately end your Administration’s limitations on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons provided by the US and other NATO allies to strike legitimate military targets inside Russia. Unless these restrictions are lifted, Ukraine will continue to struggle to achieve victory in its fight to defend its sovereignty and its people. The Ukrainian people will continue to suffer unnecessary death, loss, and hardship as Russia capitalizes on this policy and escalates its bombardments across Ukraine,” the lawmakers wrote. “Throughout this war, Ukraine has repeatedly proven that while Russia’s military remains dangerous, it is all too often little more than a hollow façade of power against a properly equipped, determined, and innovative Ukrainian people — much like Putin’s increasingly tyrannical regime. It is time that America and our NATO allies aspire not only to preventing Russia from prevailing, but to fully enabling Ukraine to achieve victory on behalf of its courageous people. It is time that America and our NATO allies finally allow Ukraine to fight with its full potential. Ukraine can win this war, but only if fully supported by its security partners. Ukraine is not intimidated by Putin’s tyranny, and in the defense of liberty, we should not be either,” the lawmakers continued. The letter was led bySenate Ukraine Caucus Co-ChairsDick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). Alongside Heinrich, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). In the House, the letter was led by House Ukraine Caucus Co-Chairs Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.). The letter was signed by U.S.Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), and Dina Titus (D-Nev.). For a comprehensive list of actions Heinrich has taken related to Russia, please click here. The full text of the letter can be found hereand below: Dear President Biden, Thank you for your Administration’s steadfast support for Ukraine and its fight for liberty in the face of Vladimir Putin’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression. Your leadership has helped ensure that Russia’s initial advances into Ukraine were stopped and inspired our indispensable NATO alliance to stand united with Ukraine in defense of freedom and democracy. In that spirit of our shared commitment to the defense of Ukraine, we write to request that you immediately end your Administration’s limitations on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons provided by the US and other NATO allies to strike legitimate military targets inside Russia. Unless these restrictions are lifted, Ukraine will continue to struggle to achieve victory in its fight to defend its sovereignty and its people. The Ukrainian people will continue to suffer unnecessary death, loss, and hardship as Russia capitalizes on this policy and escalates its bombardments across Ukraine. Since Russian forces launched their full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the brave people of Ukraine have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to achieve incredible feats on the battlefield in defense of their nation. In the early months of the war, Putin and much of the world expected Russian forces to conquer Kyiv in a manner of days. Under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decisive leadership, Ukraine not only halted Russia’s advances, but inflicted devastating losses from which the Russian armed forces will not recover for years. Then in the spring of 2023, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive that liberated over half of the territory that Russian forces illegally occupied. By the summer of 2024, Ukraine was suffering from Russia’s creeping advances in the Donetsk region. Despite this difficult operating environment and contrary to all expectations, Ukraine struck out on the offensive once again on August 6, 2024, when its forces crossed the border into Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive operation into Russia has changed the very nature of the war. The new offensive has also further demonstrated why the existing policy of limiting Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons to strike inside of Russia is unsustainable and inconsistent with the realities of this war. Many identifiable and relevant military targets on Russian soil are currently in striking distance of the long-range weapons provided by NATO countries. Because Russia knows that Ukraine is limited in its ability to strike these targets, it has been able to concentrate its defenses on the front line in Ukraine rather than on protecting the Russian rear. Ukraine was in part led to carry out its extremely risky campaign deep inside Russia so it could attack targets that long-range weapons like ATACMs could have struck from Ukrainian soil, were it not for the limitations on their use. Ukraine’s operations in Kursk show that Russia is far too comfortable in its ability to focus on its offensive operations rather than on defending itself. Furthermore, from Russia’s perspective, Ukraine is already using US weapons to strike on Russian territory, as Moscow sees Crimea as inviolable Russian territory, and yet Ukraine repeatedly strikes it with ATACMs, Storm Shadow missiles, and other Western-provided weapons. Additionally, using domestically sourced weaponry, Ukraine’s long-range strikes against Russian airfields in the Volgograd, Voronezh, Kursk, Savasleyka, and Borisoglebsk regions have been bold, but remain less accurate and effective because of the Administration’s policy. Ukraine has already called Russia’s bluff. Unleashing the precision and power of the more sophisticated long-range weapons will do more than just allow Ukraine to use the weapons it already has at its disposal to their full potential. Such counterstrikes will save lives by better reducing Russia’s capabilities to conduct its murderous bombardments against civilian targets in Ukraine that have tragically come to define the war. It could prevent future attacks like that which struck the children’s hospital in Kyiv on July 8, 2024, and killed 42 people, including 5 children, and injured 190 more or the September 3, 2024 strike in Poltava that killed at least 51, and injured over 200 people. Furthermore, the restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons to attack targets inside of Russia are inconsistent with those that we would ever accept for our own operations or those we place on other security partners who use American weapons to defend their sovereignty and people, such as Israel. Despite a regrettable and costly pattern of hesitance to authorize the use of new assets Ukraine could use to win its war for liberty, including F-16s, ATACMs, or Abrams tanks, each were ultimately provided. However, delay in delivery of these capabilities is not without consequences, and have cost Ukraine precious time and priceless lives that it never should have had to spare. Throughout this war, Ukraine has repeatedly proven that while Russia’s military remains dangerous, it is all too often little more than a hollow façade of power against a properly equipped, determined, and innovative Ukrainian people — much like Putin’s increasingly tyrannical regime. It is time that America and our NATO allies aspire not only to preventing Russia from prevailing, but to fully enable Ukraine to achieve victory on behalf of its courageous people. It is time that America and our NATO allies finally allow Ukraine to fight with its full potential. Ukraine can win this war, but only if fully supported by its security partners. Ukraine is not intimidated by Putin’s tyranny, and in the defense of liberty, we should not be either. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and we look forward to continuing to work closely with you and your Administration to ensure Ukraine can achieve swift and total victory against Russia. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-leger-fernandez-introduce-bipartisan-defenders-of-bataan-corregidor-and-attu-congressional-gold-medal-act,"Heinrich, Leger Fernández Introduce Bipartisan Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act",2024-09-11,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M) are reintroducing the bipartisan, bicameral Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor the heroic veterans who defended Bataan and Corregidor in the Philippines and Midway, Wake, Guam, Java, Mindanao, and the Aleutian Islands against Imperial Japanese forces during World War II. The legislation would bestow a collective Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest and most distinguished civilian honor, to the troops from the United States who bravely fought in the Pacific Theater, as well as to the Saskinax people on Attuduring World War II. After the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, many of these Americans endured one of the most harrowing prisoners of war experiences in history, known today as the Bataan Death March, and years of captivity in prisoner of war camps. Bestowing them with a Congressional Gold Medal would recognize their personal service and sacrifice. “Nearly 2,000 New Mexico National Guardsmen fought alongside thousands of Allied troops in the Pacific during World War II. These brave Americans endured unfathomably harrowing conditions during the Bataan Death March and years of captivity in prisoner of war camps,” said Heinrich.“The courage and sacrifices of so many Americans who bravely defended the Pacific ultimately made Allied victory possible. I'm honored to introduce this legislation to recognize these heroic veterans with our nation’s highest and most distinguished honor.” “The American and Filipino defenders of Bataan and Corregidor demonstrated an unimaginable level of courage and strength in the face of unimaginable abuse,” said Leger Fernández. “The Bataan Death March was a horrific example of cruelty and inhumanity. Especially as so many are passing, it's time we recognize the Bataan and Corregidor veterans—including many New Mexican heroes—with the highest honor.” In the Senate, the Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Maria Cantwell (D-Nev.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Vt). Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.). In the House, the Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Julia Brownley (D-Calif.). “Thousands of soldiers, including many New Mexicans, bravely defended the Bataan Peninsula during World War II before being forced to endure a deadly 65 mile march to a prison camp,"" said Luján. ""America's debt to these Bataan veterans can never be repaid. Their bravery in the face of such suffering is extraordinary. I'm proud to support this bipartisan initiative to ensure that Congress recognizes and honors these heroes for their remarkable service and sacrifice.” ""In New Mexico, we honor and support our veterans, their families, and the memory of their service. The brave soldiers - these Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu - deserve high honors for their courage and sacrifices,"" said Stansbury. ""Thousands of soldiers from New Mexico and across the country persisted through harrowing conditions during the Bataan Death March. It is time we mark their heroism with the Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act."" The Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act is endorsed by the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society, the New Mexico National Guard, the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Foundation of New Mexico, and Attu Forever. “Our fathers and mothers made huge sacrifices in service to their country — their war lasted the full duration of WWII,” said Jan Thompson, President of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society. “The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor personified the spirit of New Mexican resilience,” said Major General Miguel Aguilar, Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard. “Their service and sacrifice is never far from the minds of their descendants in New Mexico, nor our Soldiers and Airmen in the New Mexico National Guard. They leave behind a Legacy of Honor, and it is our solemn duty to ensure their story lives on. Despite abhorrent conditions and insufficient resources, the 200th and the 515th Coast Artillery delayed the plans of the 14th Japanese Army to take over the Pacific. Their resolve, defiance, and heroism on behalf of our nation are deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal. I fully support Senator Heinrich’s and Representative Leger Fernández’ efforts to recognize them appropriately.” Background: On December 8, 1941, hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese bombers attacked U.S. military stations in the Philippines. Despite being cut off from supply lines and reinforcements, thousands of American and Filipino forces mounted a courageous, months-long defense of the Bataan Peninsula and then Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. This brave defense—alongside campaigns to defend the Midway Atoll, Wake Island, Guam, Java, Mindanao, and the Aleutians–changed the momentum of the war, delaying the Japanese conquest of the Philippines and providing the Allied Forces with critical time to mount a campaign to liberate the Pacific. On April 9, 1942, after the Battle of Bataan, approximately 75,000 troops from both the United States and the Philippines were taken prisoner by the Japanese. They were forced to endure a torturous march of more than 60 miles that came to be known as the “Bataan Death March"" to prison camps throughout the Philippines. The marchers endured intense tropical heat without food, water, or medical care. An estimated 10,000 men—including thousands of Filipinos and hundreds of Americans—died from starvation, exhaustion, and abuse. Survivors of the Bataan Death March were held captive in Japanese prison camps for over three years, where they were subject to further torture, undernourishment, and forced labor. Others died when they were transported out of the Philippines, by way of unmarked Japanese Navy “hell ships” that were targeted by Allied Forces. Out of the 1,816 New Mexico National Guardsmen in the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery who deployed to defend the Philippines in the fall of 1941, 829 never returned home. The full text of the legislation is available HERE. A one-pager for the legislation can be found HERE ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-over-33-million-for-upgrades-at-airports-across-new-mexico,N.M. Delegation Welcomes Over $33 Million for Upgrades at Airports Across New Mexico,2024-09-10,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $33,494,691from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for upgrades at airports across New Mexico. This federal funding includes grants from the Infrastructure Law — legislation passed by Democrats in the N.M. Congressional Delegation — including $15.7 million to fully fund a new 21,000-square-foot terminal at the Clovis Regional Airport (CVN) and nearly $2.5 million for a project to reconstruct a taxiway at Raton Municipal Airport (RTN). The Delegation previously welcomed $3.5 million in FAA funding from the Infrastructure Law for the new terminal at the Clovis Regional Airport in February. Heinrich successfully included an additional $3.5 million for the new terminal in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in July. In combination with this latest award, Clovis will now have enough funding to complete the new terminal. “When we invest in New Mexico’s airports, we invest in the people who rely on these facilities to do business in our state, create jobs, and contribute to our economy,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I am proud to welcome funding from the Infrastructure Law to fully construct Clovis Regional Airport’s new terminal and improve airportsall across New Mexico. I will keep fighting to bring investments hometo modernize terminals, improve travelers’ experiences, and drive our state’s economic growth for the future.” “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering millions of dollars and creating jobs across New Mexico. With more than $33 million coming to New Mexico to improve our airports, this funding will help connect communities, drive tourism and travel, and boost local economies,” said Luján, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “I am glad to welcome this funding, and I will continue working to secure investments for our communities.” When we invest in critical infrastructure, we’re investing in the future of New Mexico. These airport upgrades across my entire district will create jobs, support local businesses, and better connect our communities,” said Leger Fernández. “This is exactly the kind of investment I envisioned when I voted for the Infrastructure Law. “I’m thrilled New Mexico’s airports will receive much-needed infrastructure upgrades all thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Stansbury. “Airports bring trade, economic opportunities to the state, and families and friends together. We must keep investing in infrastructure so opportunities remain open for New Mexicans.” “Upgrading our airports from Double Eagle in Albuquerque to rural airports in Zuni and Lea County means not only enhancing safety for travelers but also creating significant economic opportunities. By modernizing our infrastructure, we’re helping create jobs and ensuring local economies thrive,"" said Vasquez. ""Rural New Mexicans deserve modern infrastructure that allows businesses to compete in today’s economy. I was proud to have helped pass the FAA Reauthorization Act earlier this year that included my bipartisan provision to bring commercial air service back to underserved, rural communities in New Mexico.” The airport improvement projects being funded by this round of FAA investment can be found below: For more information on this FAA funding, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-recognizes-the-life-of-former-lanl-director-dr-charles-mcmillan,Heinrich Recognizes the Life of Former LANL Director Dr. Charles McMillan,2024-09-06,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in recognition of the life of Dr. Charles F. (Charlie) McMillan, the former Director of Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. “Julie and I extend our sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Charlie McMillan. He had an incredible mind, a kind heart, and a strong commitment to our country. His tragic passing today is a loss to Los Alamos and the entire scientific community. Just weeks ago, Charlie and I were in deep conversation, mapping out America’s leadership on artificial intelligence with hand drawn graphs, and I am still in shock that he is no longer with us. “As a leader and an individual, Charlie made invaluable contributions to our state, to science, and to our national security. I will always be grateful to Charlie for his leadership at LANL, his work and partnership on supercomputing and artificial intelligence, and his commitment to serving the greater good.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-delegation-announces-the-selection-of-tri-state-for-usda-funding-to-help-rural-communities-in-new-mexico-access-clean-and-reliable-electricity-lower-utility-costs,"N.M. Delegation Announces the Selection of Tri-State for USDA Funding to Help Rural Communities in New Mexico Access Clean & Reliable Electricity, Lower Utility Costs",2024-09-06,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Tri-State's selection was made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) selection of the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association to receive federal funding to help rural electric cooperatives throughout New Mexico transition to clean, affordable, and reliable electricity. The Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association — a not-for-profit power supply cooperative that serves electric distribution cooperatives and public power district member-owners in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming — was selected for up to $679 million in grant funding from the USDA’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. The selection of Tri-State's application by the New ERA Program jumpstarts the underwriting process to receive an award. The New ERA Program was created by the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation passed by Democrats in the N.M. Congressional Delegation. With this federal investment, Tri-State will build clean energy projects that will lower costs for customers in rural New Mexico communities, eliminate nearly 5.8 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, responsibly retire the Escalante Station in McKinley County without negatively impacting electricity reliability, and enhance grid resiliency. “New Mexico is pioneering the transition to an American-made clean energy future. This announcement is the latest proof,” said Heinrich, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees USDA. “These historic investments from our Inflation Reduction Act will accelerate Tri-State's efforts to provide our rural communities with reliable, resilient electricity that will deliver more savings for New Mexicans on their monthly utility bills — tackling climate change while putting more money back into the pockets of working families.” “I'm proud to welcome robust funding for rural New Mexico co-ops – a landmark investment that will support our co-ops and make energy more affordable and reliable for our rural communities. This investment from the Inflation Reduction Act, which I strongly supported, will help lower costs for New Mexico families and promote clean energy,"" said Luján. ""This announcement is a game-changer for New Mexico thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration and Congressional Democrats."" “This funding is a major investment in our co-ops, in our rural communities, in clean, affordable energy, and in our enchanted future. This funding that I and Congressional Democrats secured through the Inflation Reduction Act will help sustain our beloved communities for generations to come,” said Leger Fernández. “The transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy is vital for our communities and the future of the planet,” said Stansbury. “That’s why this investment from the Biden Administration, the Empowering Rural America Program, is a great step in that direction. The co-ops in New Mexico will benefit from this investment and will continue to uphold New Mexico as a leader in the clean energy revolution. The future is electric!” ""This investment is a huge step toward a more affordable and more energy efficient future for our rural communities. This funding will not only reduce air and water pollution but will also lower energy costs across New Mexico,” said Vasquez. “I am committed to supporting initiatives like this that bring lasting economic and environmental benefits to our state.” “New ERA represents the largest investment in rural electric cooperatives and the communities they serve since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,” said Tri-State Chief Executive Officer Duane Highley. “We couldn’t be more excited by this opportunity to leverage New ERA to serve our cooperative’s members and support our communities through unparalleled investments that achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions while maintaining the reliable, affordable electricity rural communities count on.” For more information from the USDA on Tri-State's selection for New ERA grant funding, click here. For more information from Tri-State on their selection for New ERA grant funding, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/heinrich-named-leader-in-time-ai-100,Heinrich named leader in TIME AI 100,2024-09-05,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich has long been a leader in AI legislation on the hill: He co-founded the AI Caucus in 2019 after observing the rapid development of machine learning. A couple of years later, when ChatGPT, Dall-E and similar AI tools exploded into the national consciousness, Heinrich says his fellow legislators started requesting meetings with him, asking, “What is the AI Caucus, and what do we need to know about this stuff?”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-statement-on-continued-russia-election-interference,Heinrich Statement on Continued Russia Election Interference,2024-09-05,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after the U.S. Justice Department publicly announced its coordinated response to Russia’s efforts to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This follows Heinrich’s past work on the Committee, in which he played a key role in the investigation of Russia’s efforts to interfere with prior United States presidential elections. “Vladimir Putin and his propaganda efforts continue to target American voters, election systems, and democratic institutions. It’s a playbook we’ve seen before, and we’re not going back,” said Heinrich. “The 2016 election made clear how important it is to get out in front of these foreign interference campaigns so we can root them out and hold Kremlin-backed bad actors accountable up front, rather than after Election Day. I commend the Justice Department’s decision to quickly and decisively act to thwart these activities that directly threaten Americans’ most fundamental freedom: our freedom to vote. The integrity of our democracy hinges on Americans' ability to fairly choose our own leaders.” A comprehensive list of Heinrich’s extensive actions to counter the unjustified aggression and malign foreign influence campaigns of Vladimir Putin’s Russia can be found here. Additional Background on Heinrich’s Leadership to Protect America’s Democracy and Counter Russia’s Malign Disinformation Campaigns: As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Heinrich played a key role in investigating Russia’s efforts to interfere with the United States’ 2016 election. After the investigation concluded, Heinrich joined the Committee in releasing recommendations on election security and findings regarding Russian targeting of election infrastructure. During the investigation, Heinrich questioned Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey in a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing about foreign influence operations and their use of social media platforms. Heinrich has been outspoken on the need to erect barriers against unfettered foreign influence over American voters online by establishing the same transparency and disclaimers for social media ads that exist in political TV advertisements. Heinrich also worked to pass legislation to help safeguard voting systems, registration data, and ballots from theft, manipulation, and malicious computer hackers. In 2018, Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in introducing the bipartisan Secure Elections Act, a bill to strengthen election cybersecurity in America. The Senators originally introduced the legislation in 2017, and worked with stakeholders to revise and strengthen the bill. In the lead up to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Heinrich also joined the bipartisan members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in urging President Joe Biden to make sure that the United States is sharing as much intelligence as possible with Ukraine. Heinrich has also repeatedly condemned former President Donald Trump’s uplifting of Kremlin propaganda and disinformation. This includes Heinrich’s speech when he voted to convict Trump in his first impeachment trial in 2020, saying, Trump was “more focused on lobbing insults and spreading Russian conspiracy theories on Twitter than he is on his intelligence briefings.” Heinrich said in that floor speech: “Right now, patriotic Americans working in the State Department, for our intelligence agencies, and serving in the military are defending us from grave threats. These Americans pledge to obey the orders of their commander-in-chief. They trust that their commander-in-chief's loyalty and sole focus is squarely on the best interests of the United States of America. I don't say this lightly: President Trump has betrayed that trust. He promised to put America first. Instead, he put himself first.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-heinrich-featured-in-times-100-most-influential-people-in-ai,ICYMI: Heinrich Featured in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI,2024-09-05,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the Founder and Co-Chair of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus, was featured as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI. Heinrich is the only member of Congress included in the list. TIME Magazine: Martin Heinrich, U.S. Senator for New Mexico, 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024, 09/05/2024. Martin Heinrich | U.S. Senator for New Mexico By Andrew R. Chow New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich has long been a leader in AI legislation on the hill: He co-founded the AI Caucus in 2019 after observing the rapid development of machine learning. A couple of years later, when ChatGPT, Dall-E and similar AI tools exploded into the national consciousness, Heinrich says his fellow legislators started requesting meetings with him, asking, “What is the AI Caucus, and what do we need to know about this stuff?” Now, Heinrich sits close to the center of many congressional AI efforts. He was a key member of the Senate AI Working Group that released a recommended roadmap for AI policy earlier this year. He’s the co-author of several AI-related bills, which attempt to tackle funding for dispersed AI research, the protection of journalists from having their work used by AI models without their consent, and the environmental impacts of AI. Those bills are indicative of Heinrich’s approach as neither an AI doomer nor an accelerationist of the tech. He deeply believes in AI’s potential to push science and medicine forward and wants the American AI industry to continue apace, but also wants both strong regulatory protections. “It would be unwise to treat AI the way we did the internet and social media early on, and say, 'Oh, we can wait until later to implement some guardrails,'” Heinrich says. “This is very fast-moving technology, and the opportunities for great things are enormous, but the opportunities for abuse are also substantial.” Background on Heinrich’s Leadership on AI: Heinrich is among leading lawmakers in Congress spearheading bipartisan efforts on responsible AI policy. He is the co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan AI Caucus, which he established with former Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) in 2019. The Caucus aims to keep the United States at the forefront of responsible AI innovation while maintaining important ethical, safety, and privacy standards. This Congress, Heinrich has maintained a lead role on Leader Schumer’s bipartisan AI working group to help shape policy centered around addressing the risks and harnessing the opportunities of AI. Heinrich has also engaged with New Mexicans about his AI policy work. In October 2023, Heinrich joined acclaimed writer and producer George R.R. Martin and University of New Mexico Professor and Santa Fe Institute External Faculty Member Melanie Moses to explore the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in arts and culture and its impact on New Mexico's creative economy. In July, Heinrich highlighted the potential of AI with a group of Albuquerque small-business owners who are learning how to use artificial intelligence. Heinrich has led a number of successful policy initiatives on AI in the Senate. In July, Heinrich announced bipartisan passage of his Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act (CREATE AI Act) out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The CREATE AI Act establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) as a shared national research infrastructure that provides AI researchers and students with greater access to the computational resources, data, and tools needed to develop safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence. The legislation now heads to the Senate Floor for consideration. Heinrich previously worked to establish the National AI Research Resource Task Force (NAIRR) to develop a detailed roadmap for the development of a national AI resource for AI research and convened a group of technical experts across academia, government, and industry to develop a detailed roadmap for how the United States can build, deploy, govern, and sustain a national research cloud and associated research resources. A recommendation to establish the NAIRR came from the final report of the National Security Commission on AI, and work done by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) significantly advanced the concept. Last year, the NAIRR Task Force released its final report with a roadmap for standing up a national research infrastructure that would broaden access to the resources essential to AI research and development. Heinrich recently included $30 million for NAIRR in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. In July, Heinrich advanced the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act), legislation he cosponsored to hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos. Heinrich also introduced the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act (COPIED ACT), legislation to set new federal transparency guidelines for marking, authenticating and detecting AI-generated content, protect journalists, actors, and artists against AI-driven theft, and hold violators accountable for abuses. In August, Heinrich partnered with U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to introduce bipartisan legislation that would establish regulatory guardrails at financial regulatory agencies for regulated entities to test AI projects, allowing them to experiment with cutting-edge technologies in a safe way. In 2020, Heinrich helped secure the most significant advancements for AI ever. The FY21 National Defense Authorization Act included a modified version of his Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act, a national strategy aimed at bolstering U.S. leadership in AI research and development. This legislation also included the bipartisan National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act to establish National AI Research Institutes at universities across the country. Additionally, Heinrich helped pass the Artificial Intelligence for the Armed Forces Act to advance the Department of Defense’s AI capabilities. He also helped provide the Pentagon with enhanced hiring authorities to recruit more AI professionals and other personnel with computational skills relevant to military applications. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-leger-fernandez-stansbury-welcome-2-million-to-help-new-mexicos-working-families-lower-energy-costs-make-homes-more-energy-efficient,"Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, Stansbury Welcome $2 Million to Help New Mexico’s Working Families Lower Energy Costs, Make Homes More Energy Efficient",2024-09-04,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) welcomed $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help working families in New Mexico lower energy costs by making their homes more energy efficient. The funding was made possible through the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program’s Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) grant. This federal grant will fund weatherization projects for 85 housing units across New Mexico. These projects will include installing energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, solar panels, and electrical upgrades. At least half of the funds will be directed to disadvantaged communities through a partnership with Central New Mexico Housing Corporation (CNMHC), a minority-led nonprofit. “Energy-efficient homes contribute to healthier, cleaner communities and lower energy costs,” said Heinrich. “I’m pleased to welcome $2 million to help New Mexico’s working families access the tools and materials they need to make their homes more energy efficient and lower their utility bills. I will keep fighting hard to ensure everyone is included in the clean energy future New Mexico is pioneering.” “I’m proud to welcome $2 million to help reduce energy costs for New Mexican families,”said Luján. “This funding will allow families to improve their home’s energy efficiency and lower their utility bills. It reflects a commitment to protecting our planet and easing financial burdens for New Mexicans. By investing in sustainable solutions, we’re creating a greener future and stronger local economies."" “This grant will help working families in New Mexico keep more of their paychecks by reducing their energy bills through energy-efficient home improvements. Energy-efficient homes not only help make our air and water cleaner, they also keep families safer and healthier,” said Leger Fernández. ""The Biden-Harris Administration is helping families in New Mexico every way they can, and this $2 million grant is one more way we see them fighting for the working class,""said Stansbury. ""No one should have to choose between paying energy bills to keep the lights on and putting food on the table. Curbing energy costs and making the clean energy future more accessible is great news for people in New Mexico's First Congressional District."" Heinrich has pushed to broaden the Weatherization Assistance Program(WAP) and provide working families with expanded resources not traditionally included in WAP, through the Senate Appropriations Committee. In July, Heinrich cosponsored the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act, legislation to bolster WAP by growing the number of homes the program is able to serve. The bill also seeks to increase the amount of funding allowed to be spent on each home, to keep up with labor and material costs, and raise the cap on the amount of funding allowed to be spent on renewable energy upgrades in each home. Heinrich also cosponsored legislation to expand home modifications for seniors to allow them to live comfortably and safe in their own homes. The bill amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include home modification measures related to heating, cooling, air quality, energy efficiency, and assistance with utility and power. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-celebrates-launch-of-home-energy-rebates-program-in-new-mexico,Heinrich Celebrates Launch of Home Energy Rebates Program in New Mexico,2024-09-03,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Program based on Heinrich’s Zero-Emission Homes Act and passed into law through the Inflation Reduction Act will help working families in New Mexico make homes more energy efficient and purchase clean and efficient appliances, lower energy bills, and create healthier homes ALBUQUERQUE - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chair of the Electrification Caucus, joined Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) David M. Turk to announce the first phase in the State of New Mexico's rollout of the federally funded Home Energy Rebates Program that Heinrich authored and secured in the landmark Inflation Reduction Act. New Mexico is the third state in the nation to begin launching the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) portion of the rebate program – and the first to do so at the point-of-sale in retail stores. This program in the Inflation Reduction Act is based on Heinrich’s Zero Emission Homes Act, which he introduced in 2021. Once the program is fully online, these rebates will enable lower- and moderate-income households in New Mexico to save on energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps that reduce whole-home energy consumption. PHOTOS/VIDEOS: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich celebrates New Mexico’s launch of the first phase of the Home Energy Rebates Program he authored and secured in the Inflation Reduction Act to lower energy costs for working families and create healthier homes. “I led the fight to create and fund a rebate program that would help families with the upfront costs of high-efficiency electric home appliances. Today, New Mexico is launching the first phase of that very program,” said Heinrich. “After this, I am eager for the state to continue rolling out the program I wrote and passed into law, so that all New Mexicans can enjoy the benefits of high-efficiency appliances — from heat pumps for home heating and cooling to induction stovetops and electric clothes dryers — delivering lower costs for New Mexico families, making homes healthier and more comfortable, and giving more folks the freedom to choose the appliances that work for them.” “New Mexico is the first state to enable residents to get home-energy efficiency rebates at the point of sale, reflecting our ongoing commitment to leading on the clean energy transition,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “These rebates are available to low-income residents, ensuring that all of our citizens can participate in this transition.” “The Biden-Harris Administration is helping American consumers keep their hard-earned money in their pockets by making it easier to afford energy efficient technologies that slash home utility bills,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.“Increasing access to home energy upgrades is a money saver and a job creator—and we congratulate New Mexico for making the clean energy transition affordable for all New Mexicans.” “Home energy rebates for clean and energy-efficient appliances and upgrades are good for the planet because they help cut pollution, but more importantly, they are good for New Mexican families because they will save money by lowering energy bills,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “Congratulations to New Mexico for making these game-changing Inflation Reduction Act incentives available to their residents.” Background on Heinrich’s Home Energy Rebates Program that will lower energy costs for working families and create healthier homes: Heinrich’s Zero-Emission Homes Act was included in the Inflation Reduction Act’s Home Energy Rebates Program as the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program. It will provide upfront, point-of-sale rebates for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient electric appliances and equipment in single-family homes and multifamily buildings, with support for low- and moderate-income households. Funded and created by Heinrich’s legislation and administered by the State of New Mexico, the HEAR Program will offer eligible households up to $14,000 to help with the purchase of clean and efficient home appliances. This will include up to $8,000 for heat pumps, $1,750 for a heat pump water heater, and $4,000 for panel/service upgrades. Other eligible items for rebates will include electric stoves, clothes dryers, and weatherization upgrades. In December 2022, Heinrich announced that $87,742,040 will be available to the State of New Mexico and Tribes in the state to establish the Home Energy Rebates Program, which also includes the Home Efficiency Rebates Program that will allow States, Territories, and Tribes to create rebates to help reduce the upfront cost of whole-home energy efficiency upgrades in both single-family and multi-family homes. Heinrich welcomed the U.S. Department of Energy’s announced guidance for State and Territorial Energy Offices on the implementation of the Home Energy Rebates Programs last July. Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Heinrich has visited community colleges and union workforce training programs that are preparing New Mexicans for new careers they can build their families around while lowering home appliance costs for families, making homes healthier, and advancing the transition to a clean energy future. In the two years since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law, it has spurred a manufacturing renaissance and helped to position New Mexico as a national leader in an American-made clean energy future. Since enactment in 2022, the law has made historic investments to fight inflation and lower costs, grow the economy, create high-quality jobs, and reduce the nation’s climate warming carbon emissions. To learn more about the Home Energy Rebates that will be available to New Mexicans, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-heinrich-statement-on-labor-day,VIDEO: Heinrich Statement on Labor Day,2024-09-02,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in recognition of Labor Day. VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich Labor Day Statement, September 2, 2024. “I grew up in a proud union home. My father was a lineman and a member of the IBEW. His union wages allowed me to attend college, provided my family with a ticket to the middle class, and gave my parents stability and peace of mind in their retirement. These are opportunities that every American deserves. “Unions have a proven track record of improving wages, benefits, and working conditions for their members. Whether you are a plumber, a nurse, or a firefighter, public employee or service industry worker, organized labor has notched some major victories in the last few years. But it should be easier to join a union, not harder. That’s why I’m fighting to pass the PRO Act in Congress to finally protect workers’ right to organize under law. “The historic investments we’ve delivered under the Biden-Harris Administration have created thousands of new skilled trades jobs in New Mexico. Union workers in the trades are building new advanced manufacturing facilities, constructing the SunZia Transmission Line, which will facilitate the largest clean energy infrastructure project ever built in the Western Hemisphere, and helping us electrify our homes, schools, and businesses. “Over the next decade, we will need to fill thousands of job openings in the skilled trades. For electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, carpenters, HVAC technicians, and utility line workers. These will be union careers that New Mexicans can build their families around. Which is why I’m fighting to expand access to union training programs and apprenticeships. These pathways toward stable union careers can start as early as high school. And they will help us address rising workforce shortages and grow our economy. “On this Labor Day, I’m proud to recognize the role that organized labor has long played in building the middle class. And I remain committed to creating more union careers like the one that made such a difference for my family.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-vasquez-welcome-over-35-million-to-help-nonprofits-and-faith-based-organizations-with-energy-efficiency-upgrades,"Heinrich, Luján, Vasquez Welcome Over $3.5 Million to Help Nonprofits and Faith-Based Organizations with Energy Efficiency Upgrades",2024-08-30,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) welcomed the U.S. Department of Energy’s announcement that it has awarded $3,536,789 from the Infrastructure Law’s Renew America’s Nonprofits Program to the Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation in Las Cruces, N.M. Last fall, Heinrich, Luján, and Vasquez announced that Tierra del Sol was one of only nine nonprofits selected in the nation to participate in the Renew America’s Nonprofits Program — a first-of-its-kind investment established through the Infrastructure Law to help nonprofits make energy efficiency improvements that will create cleaner, healthier community spaces, while generating cost savings so critical funds can be redirected toward mission-driven work. Now that these new federal resources have been announced, Tierra del Sol plans to partner with the New Mexico State University/Doña Ana Community College Environmental and Energy Technologies Program and the New Mexico Building Trades Council to assist nonprofit and faith-based organizations in New Mexico, Arizona,and Texas install energy efficiency upgrades to their facilities, including replacing roof insulation, windows, water heaters, and HVAC systems. Tierra del Sol will also provide energy efficiency upgrades to senior housing complexes across New Mexico, providing comfort and lower energy costs to residents. “New Mexico’s nonprofit organizations do important work providing for our communities and our neighbors in need,” said Heinrich. “Reducing their operating costs with energy efficiency upgrades will allow them to devote more resources toward their core missions. I’m proud to see Tierra del Sol, NMSU, DACC, and the New Mexico Building Trades Council working together to support the success of nonprofit organizations throughout our state. This is just the latest way that the Infrastructure Law is helping us build a cleaner, healthier, and more affordable energy future for all New Mexicans.” “I am proud to welcome more than $3.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Tierra del Sol Housing Corporation and New Mexico nonprofits for energy improvements through 2028,” said Luján. “This funding will help make homes more energy-efficient and support a greener future for our community. It represents a major investment in New Mexico’s sustainability and long-term economic health.” “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for New Mexicans. This funding empowers organizations like Tierra del Sol to partner with local institutions and provide critical energy efficiency upgrades to nonprofit and faith-based facilities across New Mexico,” said Vasquez. “I’m proud to secure these investments to lower utility bills but also ensure our communities have the resources they need to thrive.” Background: Based in Las Cruces, N.M., the Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation’s mission is to improve the quality of life of persons in its service area by empowering them economically, politically, and socially through homeownership, employment training, and through access to financial resources.This award is just the latest federal investment thatHeinrich, Luján, and Vasquez have secured to support Tierra del Sol’s importantwork. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Heinrich also secured a $1,680,000 Congressionally Directed Spending grant in the Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation and Housing Appropriations Bill to help Tierra del Sol plan, engineer, and build 14 new affordable homes in Columbus, N.M. In the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in July, Heinrich and Luján successfully included $1,025,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to help Tierra del Sol create more affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families in New Mexico.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-lujan-welcome-nomination-of-sarah-davenport-for-us-district-court-for-the-district-of-new-mexico,"Heinrich, Luján Welcome Nomination of Sarah Davenport for U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico",2024-08-28,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) welcomed President Joe Biden’s nomination of Sarah Davenport for U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. “Sarah Davenport has built an impressive legal career as a federal prosecutor in New Mexico and strong roots in her home community of Las Cruces,” said Heinrich and Luján. “We are grateful to President Biden for moving quickly to fill this vacancy so we can ensure the District of New Mexico has the capacity to serve the people of our state, delivering justice, and upholding the rule of law. We look forward to supporting Ms. Davenport’s nomination and call on our colleagues in the Senate to advance her confirmation expeditiously.” Sarah Morgan Davenport has served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces, New Mexico, since 2009. In that capacity, her practice has focused on prosecuting complex, multi-defendant criminal cases. From 2008 to 2009, Ms. Davenport served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces. And from 2006 to 2008, she served as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Law Clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She received her J.D. from the University of New Mexico in 2006 and her B.M. from the University of New Mexico in 1998. In June, Heinrich and Luján commended the Honorable William Paul Johnson, who announced his intention to retire from regular active service as a United States District Court Judge effective in January 2025, after 23 years of distinguished service on the federal bench. The soon-to-be vacant seat on the District Court for the District of New Mexico, which Davenport has been nominated to fill, will be based in Las Cruces, N.M.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nm-congressional-delegation-welcomes-166-million-to-support-safe-orderly-and-humane-asylum-process-in-new-mexico,"N.M. Congressional Delegation Welcomes $16.6 Million to Support Safe, Orderly and Humane Asylum Process in New Mexico",2024-08-28,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,NM,Martin Heinrich,H001046,www.heinrich.senate.gov,heinrich,https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. SenatorMartin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee,U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez(D-N.M.) arewelcoming $16.6 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded to organizations in New Mexico that are helping U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintain order at the border by assisting asylumseekers who are lawfully processed into the United States. The funding, provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and CBP, comes through the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which the delegation secured $650 million for in the Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that passed earlier this year. The funding announced today includes: Through the Shelter and Services Program, DHS directly supports state, local, and non-profit service providers who assist the federal government by providing essential services—such as food, shelter, clothing, acute medical care, and transportation—to individuals and families after they leave Department of Homeland Security custody and await their immigration court proceedings. SSP is the successor program to Heinrich’s successful, bipartisan negotiations in 2019 to authorize reimbursement of funds for localities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in New Mexico and elsewhere under the already existing Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) at FEMA. “I’m grateful to the many New Mexicans who have stepped up to help migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers who have arrived in our country, abiding by all of the requirements of our asylum system. But our local communities, churches, and nonprofits should not have to bear the financial burden of our nation’s broken immigration system. That’s why I spearheaded the original bipartisan effort to deliver funding for these organizations, and it’s why I am pleased to deliver these Shelter and Services Program funds now to continue supporting our communities,” said Heinrich. “I will keep working to secure funding to ensure New Mexico’s communities are equipped with the resources necessary to support those awaiting their immigration court dates or enroute to their sponsors.And I will keep calling on Republicans to come back to the table to fix our badly broken immigration system. New Mexicans should not have to shoulder the burden of Republicans’ inaction.” “I am proud to welcome over $16.6 million in funding from the Department of Homeland Security’s Shelter and Services Program for New Mexico,” said Luján. “This funding will help communities support noncitizens awaiting immigration court and reduce overcrowding in CBP facilities. It underscores a commitment to addressing humanitarian needs and strengthening our immigration system.” ""Our immigration system is broken, and we must work to secure the bipartisan immigration reform that Americans want,"" said Stansbury. ""While the GOP continues to stall, it is vital to support programs in our cities that are assisting migrants. This funding from the Biden Administration is essential to meeting the needs of the men, women, and families arriving in the United States."" “I’m proud to welcome more than $16 million in funding for critical programs to lighten the burden on communities in Southern New Mexico, allowing them to dedicate more resources to protecting and caring for our rural communities,” said Vasquez. “This is one of many ways we are addressing the challenges we face at our border.” Of note, CBP’s operational report for July 2024 shows a significant decline in migrant encounters during the first full month after a Presidential Proclamation issued June 4, 2024, by President Biden to temporarily suspend the entry of certain noncitizens across the southern border. U.S. Border Patrol encounters in July were 32% lower than in June 2024 and were the lowest monthly total along the southwest border since September 2020. July’s total numbers between ports of entry are also lower than July 2019, and lower than the monthly average for all of 2019, the last comparable year prior to the pandemic. Background on Heinrich’s leadership to support funding for food and shelter programs along the southern border: In 2019, as part of a larger emergency border supplemental funding agreement, Heinrich spearheaded the bipartisan effort to secure funding to reimburse localities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for their humanitarian services by securing $30 million of funding in FEMA’s already existing Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).This was a predecessor effort to theprogram now known as SSP. In 2021, Heinrich and Luján secured $110 million for FEMA’s EFSP in the American Rescue Plan to provide economic support for localities and NGOs that provide humanitarian care to migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. In 2021, Heinrich, Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the bipartisan Southern Border Communities Reimbursement Act of 2021, legislation to authorize funding through the EFSP to reimburse localities and NGOs that provide future humanitarian care to migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. This measure was included in the 2021 American Rescue Plan. In 2022, Heinrich and Luján wrote a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, calling for or $500 million in Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations for the EFSP. The New Mexico Delegation successfully included $800 million in Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Bill for the SSP and secured $650 million for SSP in the Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that passed earlier this year. Background on Heinrich’s leadership on border security: Heinrich has long been committed to ensuring New Mexico has the tools and funding to better secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Recently, Heinrich and Vasquez visited the Santa Teresa Port of Entry and the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program to discuss how $400 million they secured for new, state-of-the-art inspection technologies for CBP is helping law enforcement personnel crack down on fentanyl trafficking and strengthen border security. The funding, which Heinrich announced in March and helped secure as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is helping CBP improve the detection and seizure of fentanyl and other narcotics. Heinrich also recently cosponsored two bipartisan bills, both led by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), to strengthen border security at ports of entry. Read more about that legislation here. In June, Heinrich welcomed President Biden’s executive order to strengthen border security, saying, “From our front row seat to the dysfunction at the border and in our immigration system, New Mexicans see the effects— on immigrants, border communities, and national security. We want action.” In May, Heinrich and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) led 15 of their colleagues in a letter to Senate Appropriatorsurging them to provide the United States with the tools to combat the fentanyl crisis by continuing robust funding for border security and drug interdiction initiatives. In their letter, the senators pushed for funding for CBP to hire additional agents and purchase more surveillance technology for official ports of entry along the southern border, where illicit drugs are being smuggled in and firearms and currency are being trafficked out of the U.S. to be used by Mexican cartels. The senators also requested more funding for U.S. law enforcement to investigate trafficking crimes and the transnational organizations perpetuating the fentanyl crisis in the United States. In April, Heinrich secured the passage of the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which will give law enforcement the tools needed to crack down on drug traffickers and international criminal organizations. This new law will combat the flow of deadly fentanyl before it ever reaches our nation’s borders. It is one of the most significant actions Congress has taken to effectively address the fentanyl epidemic that’s killing New Mexicans and tearing families apart. In February, Heinrich led his Senate colleagues in a letter to President Joe Biden outlining the urgent need for robust funding for border security and drug interdiction efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl and similar illicit drugs being smuggled across the border through official ports of entry. Heinrich has also worked for more than a decade to expand and invest in the Santa Teresa Port of Entry. During his tenure in Congress, he has successfully secured millions of federal dollars to invest in the road, rail, and air cargo infrastructure in this rapidly growing center of New Mexico’s trade economy. In May, in a letter to the General Services Administration (GSA) and U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Heinrich, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) commended the completion of a feasibility study on the modernization and expansion of the Santa Teresa Land Port of Entry (STLPOE) in southern New Mexico and urged both agencies to make this project a top priority. This letter came after a push from Heinrich in March for the agencies to promptly complete the feasibility study Heinrich and Luján funded to expand and modernize the Santa Teresa Port of Entry (STLPOE).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z