With a background in engineering, Martin Heinrich brings a unique perspective to the Senate, where he is focused on creating the jobs of the future and protecting the vital missions at New Mexico’s national labs and military installations. Raised by working class parents, he is a strong advocate for working families, a staunch ally of Indian Country, and a champion for New Mexico’s public lands and growing clean energy economy.
New Mexico’s farmers, dairy producers, and ranchers help drive the state’s economy and are an integral part of our history. Many growers in New Mexico come from families who have cultivated their land for generations. Today, however, challenges such as water shortages and wildfires have made farming more difficult.
I am strong proponent and cosponsor of the Senate’s bipartisan farm bill, which helps provide certainty for rural New Mexico and boosts our state’s dynamic agriculture economy. The farm bill includes federal funding for important programs in New Mexico including soil and water conservation, rural economic development, drought and disaster assistance, renewable energy, and food and nutrition programs.
Our civil rights and liberties are only real if every American benefits from them equally.
From fighting for LGBTQ+ equality and increasing transparency and accountability in government, to reforming our broken immigration system, protecting your right to privacy, closing the gender wage gap, and reducing sexual and domestic violence, I will work to safeguard the rights of all New Mexicans.
During my time in the Senate, I have also worked to rein in the NSA's pervasive and constitutionally flawed domestic surveillance activities and adopt reforms that protect privacy while ensuring American security.
Together, we will create a fairer, more just future for our children.
New Mexicans' livelihoods are rooted in our open spaces. Our public lands are where locals and visitors alike go to find the biggest elk, the best camping spot, the most challenging single track, or the greatest fishing hole.
Outdoor traditions on our public lands are not only at the core of New Mexico’s way of life: they also fuel our economy and create much needed jobs--especially in rural communities. Outdoor recreation activities in New Mexico generate $9.9 billion annually in consumer spending and are also directly responsible for 99,000 jobs.
To ensure our public lands remain an economic engine, we must continue to protect our air from pollution, conserve our precious water resources, and work to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change. I am committed to protecting our public lands, watersheds, and wildlife for our children and all future generations to enjoy.
Too many people in Washington, D.C. think that if the stock market is going up, the economy is in good shape. But that’s not the reality for working families. The way we should measure the success of the economy is if parents can afford to send their kids to college, entrepreneurs can start new businesses, and workers are able to retire with peace of mind.
As a member of the Joint Economic Committee, I am focused on building an economy that works for everyone—not just a select few. My number one priority is not only continuing to grow our economy, but also ensuring that we create good jobs that pay workers a fair and livable wage.
From making college affordable, to strengthening our nation’s infrastructure, to growing our diverse, high-tech, advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries, I remain deeply committed to strengthening New Mexico’s middle class. We must restore the basic bargain on which this country was built – that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get ahead. I won’t stop fighting until every New Mexican who is willing to work hard to support their family and their community can find a job that supports them.
Students in New Mexico represent a bright future for our state. We must ensure that every student has access to a quality education, regardless of their background or zip code, their ethnicity or religion, or their gender or sexual orientation.
As a father of two public school students, I believe that all children deserve an opportunity to benefit from a great public education. We must ensure that every student has access to an education that will put them on the path to success—from early childhood through higher education. I was proud to support the Every Student Succeeds Act, which puts education decisions back in the hands of districts, school boards, and states, while maintaining important federal civil rights protections.
Earning a college degree shouldn't be a luxury, but something that every family can afford. In the Senate, I have cosponsored legislation to keep federal student loan interest rates low and make community college free for two years. We must make sure New Mexicans can learn skills they need to succeed in the workforce without having to take on crippling debt. I introduced the Degrees Not Debt Act to increase the Federal Pell Grant and hold states and universities accountable for reducing costs and improving student outcomes.
As one of the few engineers in Congress, I’ve always had a special commitment to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Building the STEM pipeline will help us develop a strong, skilled workforce in New Mexico for the jobs of the future. Many companies in high-tech fields have demand for skilled workers that exceeds the available workforce. I have introduced the bipartisan Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology (CHANCE in Tech) Act to provide workers from all backgrounds with apprenticeships in computer science and information technology, where they can learn the skills and knowledge they need to fill good-paying tech jobs.
I will continue to work to ensure higher education is affordable and within reach for every student in New Mexico, and that educators have the resources, training, and support they need to help students succeed.
New Mexico, with its abundant wind and solar resources, can and should be at the center of America's clean energy economy. If we make bold and pragmatic decisions now, we can bring thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars of investment to communities across our state. I'm committed to making that brighter future a reality.
To mitigate the devastating effects of climate change, our nation must reduce carbon pollution and continue to invest in clean energy production, energy efficiency, and energy storage. I support implementing energy efficiency initiatives to help our nation do more with the power we have.
I was proud to lead a bipartisan group of lawmakers that passed an energy agreement to stimulate robust investments in clean energy production through multi-year extensions of clean energy tax incentives, while lifting a ban on oil exports that discriminated against domestically produced oil.
Transitioning to clean energy sources and making America energy independent not only creates jobs. It also helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil and strengthens our national security. With forward-looking energy policies, I’m confident we can meet our climate goals and create thousands of good paying jobs in the process.
Health care is a fundamental right and our goal must be to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable care, no matter their means or where they’re from.
New Mexico faces significant health challenges, including access to care in rural and tribal communities, limited mental health services, and an opioid addiction epidemic. Our state can’t afford to see the impacts of reckless repeal of the Affordable Care Act or efforts to dismantle our nation’s health care system and gut Medicare and Medicaid.
As a proud supporter of the Affordable Care Act, I know prevention and early intervention are cost effective and lead to healthier families. Health insurance, prevention, and value for your health care dollars are at the heart of the health reform law. I am committed to working with anyone, regardless of party, to advance measures that improve health care access, quality, and affordability. The goal of revising the ACA should be to lower costs for those who already have health benefits and expand access to those who do not currently have coverage.
My father immigrated to the United States in search of a better life - like so many before and after him. Immigrants recognize the hope that America represents; the way we treat them when they arrive shows the world who we are. Unfortunately, for decades, our nation's broken immigration system has fallen short.
We are a nation of laws, and our immigration laws are badly in need of repair. New Mexicans are eager for a solution, immigrants deserve a solution, and our economy requires a solution. I am pleased that President Biden has made fixing our immigration system a priority. I look forward to working with him on comprehensive immigration legislation to provide a fair and earned pathway to U.S. citizenship for Dreamers and millions of undocumented people, prioritize smart federal infrastructure investments for our vibrant border communities, and address the root causes of mass migration from Central America's northern triangle.
As a border state, we understand the deep cultural ties we share with our neighbors to the South, and we know that immigrants make our country stronger. Delivering on a pathway to citizenship and lasting protections for immigrants is critical to America's success. Keeping in mind the Senate Parliamentarian’s ruling that a pathway to citizenship cannot be included in a reconciliation bill, I will continue to work with President Biden and senators from both sides of the aisle to create lasting protections for our neighbors, friends and family members - who make incredible sacrifices and significant contributions to our communities and our successes.
Dreamers across the country have come out of the shadows because of the promise that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program represents, including more than 7,000 here in New Mexico. These are some of our brightest students and veterans. I am proud to have led a group of Democrats in introducing the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act to ensure that the information they provide the government is not used against them in enforcement.
I am honored to work with the Pueblos and Tribes in New Mexico, and nationally. Native peoples have lived in the land we now call New Mexico since time immemorial. And I will continue to advocate on their behalf on issues like education, water access, housing, infrastructure, public safety, and cultural preservation, as well as defend and protect tribal sovereignty.
Issues that affect Indian Country are a top priority for me. During my time in the U.S. House of Representatives, I led the effort to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and sponsored the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership (HEARTH) Act, which makes it easier to get a lease on trust land and helps Native families buy homes and helps attract businesses and jobs to tribal communities.
As one of my first actions in the Senate, I proudly cosponsored the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which bolsters law enforcement efforts and provides necessary resources for victims of domestic violence, particularly for Native women.
I have also worked with New Mexico’s tribes and pueblos to introduce the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act to prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking tribal cultural patrimony. I remain committed to helping repatriate stolen culturally significant items to their rightful owners.
I believe that innovation is what America does best. I also believe that technology and science-driven policies are how we can best meet many of our 21st century challenges.
New Mexico has long been home to leading innovators and researchers. Our national laboratories, research universities, and military installations have an extensive history of breakthroughs that have changed the way we power our electric grid, protect our national security, and connect the world.
To compete in the 21st-century economic landscape, New Mexico must tap into the extraordinary research and development already being conducted in our backyard,. We need to support creative homegrown companies, and build a skilled workforce that will manufacture the advanced technologies and products of the future. Our business owners, scientists, and engineers have the creativity and capacity to provide a steady stream of technologies that could yield dividends in commercial markets.
We must encourage our national labs to more actively engage with the regional innovation systems where they are located. I was proud to pass legislation to establish off-campus microlabs that serve as the “front door" to our national laboratories. These microlabs give universities and businesses direct access to equipment, facilities and personnel at our labs and help create an environment that nurtures collaboration and entrepreneurship.
The clean energy industry is one area where New Mexico stands to gain thousands of jobs in the coming years thanks to this type of collaboration. With our immense potential for both solar and wind and the brilliant energy innovators at our labs and small businesses, our state can and should be a major producer and exporter of clean energy technology and power.
We owe it to our children and our economy to make smart investments in education and target areas where we have the potential to create jobs and major new industries. By preparing our students and retraining our labor force for a lucrative high-tech job market, we can build pathways toward a more diverse future generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, and create a sustainable and prosperous future for our state.
Our women and men in uniform make up the strongest, best-trained, most well-equipped military in the world. New Mexicans have long answered the call of duty to serve. This tradition runs deep in our state’s history, and at times New Mexico has had the highest rate of military volunteerism of any state in the country.
With military bases at Cannon, Holloman, Kirtland, and White Sands Missile Range, and two national laboratories, New Mexico plays a pivotal role in our national security and defense. Our state is also at the forefront of research and development that contribute to our country’s safety. I am proud to have championed initiatives to expand the roles of our labs and bases—from directed energy and small satellites to new flying missions. Today, New Mexico is the nation’s Center of Excellence for researching, developing, and testing high energy laser and high powered microwave systems as well as researching and developing rapid space capabilities. I will continue fighting to ensure our state remains a leader in developing these next generation systems as well as transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence. In the Senate, I founded a bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Caucus so that lawmakers can strike a careful balance between mitigating the risks of new technologies like AI and fostering its tremendous economic and national security benefits.
As a son and brother of service members, and in my role as a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I am firmly committed to ensuring that our military and intelligence communities have the tools they need to keep our nation safe, fight terrorism, and support our allies.
On the Senate Intelligence committee, I have helped lead efforts to investigate the extent of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections and to combat foreign disinformation campaigns. I am also a strong supporter of human and constitutional rights, and believe in the notion that America can be both safe and free. I was proud to help pass the USA FREEDOM Act, which ended the National Security Agency's (NSA) bulk metadata collection program that allowed the government to collect billions of Americans' private phone call records while suspecting them of no wrongdoing.
I was also an active proponent of doing away with the discriminatory military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and I continue to stand up for reforms to reduce sexual assault in our military.
I am also strong supporter of human and constitutional rights, and believe in the notion that America can be both safe and free. I opposed the authorization of the PATRIOT Act and was an active proponent of doing away with the discriminatory military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories employ some of the best and brightest minds in the country and are indispensable to our national security. The labs also strengthen our economy by providing high-paying, high-skilled technology jobs in our state. I will always fight to protect their missions and create a sustainable future for the innovative research and development at our labs.
As an engineer, I bring a problem solver’s perspective to the U.S. Senate in advocating for New Mexico’s national laboratories. I have consistently fought to protect the national security missions of the labs while strengthening their diversity in areas such as energy, homeland security, and nonproliferation. I also remain focused on looking for ways to better leverage our laboratories’ resources and competitive strengths in partnership with universities, local small businesses and the private sector.
Our labs will continue to have a vital role in addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Additionally, the completion of the environmental cleanup of legacy waste from the work at Los Alamos and Sandia is an important commitment that Congress and the Department of Energy have made to New Mexico communities that should remain a top funding priority.
A safe, efficient transportation system and strong basic infrastructure helps move New Mexico forward and supports our local economy.
Investments not only in public transit, passenger rail, and paved roads, but broadband infrastructure, drinking water and sewer lines, and modern wastewater treatment facilities provide the groundwork for economic development and job creation. I am committed to ensuring New Mexico has these resources. We must also continue to develop plans to modernize our electrical transmission infrastructure so we can accelerate development of distributed and renewable energy resources.
The federal government’s current approach to poverty is not effective enough. Although we have data demonstrating what works, many of the federally funded programs intended to help families are disjointed and difficult to navigate for both families in need and for organizations trying to provide help. While multiple federal programs exist to help low-income parents and children, they have separate funding streams causing silos and fragmentation. Addressing the needs of children and parents separately and without a comprehensive strategy often leaves children or parents behind and diminishes a whole family’s chance of success.
The Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), seeks to increase opportunities for families living in poverty through programs targeting both parents and children with support aimed at increasing economic security, educational success, social capital, and health and wellbeing. By aligning and linking existing systems and funding streams, our bill will lead to improved outcomes for parents and children together while improving the effectiveness of service delivery.
The Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act will give states, local governments, and tribes more flexibility to develop programs that meet their needs. Innovative approaches in this legislation will collectively ensure that no matter your zip code, you will have an opportunity to use already existing federal resources or attract private investment to implement the two-generation approach in your community.
Two provisions of an earlier version of the Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act have already been signed into law. These provisions include a request for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to issue a report exploring the potential for two-generation pilots, collaboration areas, and federal funding opportunities; and a new program administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury to implement Social Impact Partnerships to improve the effectiveness of social services.
One of my most important responsibilities as your Senator is to keep America's promise to our service members and their families so that when our troops return home, they receive quality care and the benefits they have earned.
The tradition of women and men answering the call of duty runs deep in New Mexico's history. Our state has long had one of the highest rates of military volunteerism in the nation. Our veterans’ unwavering devotion and extraordinary courage reflect the core principles we share as Americans.
As your Senator, I am working to increase timely access to health care services for our veterans and expanding and improving New Mexico’s community-based outpatient clinics. I am also committed to helping reduce the disability claims backlog, assisting veteran-owned small businesses and ensuring that needed fixes are made to the Veterans’ Choice Program.
My office has helped hundreds of veterans across New Mexico access the care and benefits they earned, and I have made a point of meeting with veterans across our state to hear about the challenges and issues they are facing.
We must be unwavering in our commitment to our men and women in uniform who deserve more than just words of gratitude for their sacrifice when they return home.
NOMINEE: Linda McMahon, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted No On McMahon, February 14, 2017
NOMINEE: Jeff Sessions, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted No On Sessions, February 8, 2017
"I will vote against the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as Attorney General. Now more than ever, this position will require courage and an unwavering commitment to protect Americans' constitutional rights and to stand up against discrimination and hate. Like the thousands of New Mexicans I've heard from in recent days, I lack that confidence in Senator Sessions.” - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK
“I will vote against Sen. Jeff Sessions' nomination for Attorney General.” - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Michael Pompeo, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted No On Pompeo, January 23, 2017
Heinrich Votes Against Confirmation Of Mike Pompeo As New CIA Director
Heinrich Presses CIA Nominee On Torture, Government Surveillance, Iran Nuclear Deal
"Given Pompeo’s positions on surveillance, torture, Iran & other issues, I cannot support his nomination as CIA Director." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK, TWITTER
"I asked Gen. Mattis about Russia & our nuclear deterrent & CIA nom Mike Pompeo about torture & Americans' privacy." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
"CIA Director nominee Mike Pompeo's responses to questions @RonWyden? & I submitted in advance of the hearing today: https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pre-hearing-b-011217.pdf" - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Gen. James Mattis (Ret.), CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted YES On Mattis, January 20, 2017
Heinrich Statement On Vote To Confirm Secretary Of Defense
Heinrich Questions Gen. James Mattis (Ret.), Nominee for Secretary of Defense
"Yesterday, I asked Secretary of Defense nominee Gen. Mattis about key threats to United States. His response: "I would consider the principal threats to start with Russia." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK
"Asked #SecDef nominee Gen. Mattis about key threats to US. His response: "I would consider the principle threats to start with Russia." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Wilbur Ross, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted NO On Ross, February 27, 2017
"Voted NO on Wilbur Ross to be Secretary of Commerce. There are too many unanswered questions regarding his ties to Russia." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Betsy DeVos, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted NO On DeVos, February 7, 2017
"I’m with you New Mexico. I will vote NO on Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos – New Mexico’s children deserve better." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK, TWITTER
"Betsy DeVos has spent years & millions of dollars to weaken the kinds of public schools that many NMs rely on. I cannot support her." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
"As a father of two public school students, I believe that all children deserve an opportunity to benefit from a great public education. I cannot support Betsy DeVos to be our next Secretary of Education." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK
NOMINEE: Rick Perry, Former Governor Of Texas, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted NO On Perry, March 2, 2017
Heinrich Questions Energy Secretary Nominee Perry on WIPP and Cleanup
Heinrich Questions Energy Secretary Nominee Perry on NNSA Leadership Vacancy and Climate Change
Heinrich Statement On Trump Expected Nomination Of Rick Perry As Energy Secretary
"Today I pressed Energy Secretary Nominee Rick Perry about issues critical to New Mexico including managing our nuclear stockpile and addressing climate change." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK
"I strongly disagree with Trump's decision to let management of our nuclear stockpile run on “auto-pilot.” - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
"I just secured a commitment from Trump nominee for @ENERGY Secretary Rick Perry to not vacate management of nuclear stockpile."#NNSA - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
"Today I voted against Energy Secretary nominee Rick Perry in committee."- U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK
"Today at EnergyDems hearing I voted against confirming ENERGY Secretary nominee Rick Perry."- U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Tom Price, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted No On Price, February 9, 2017
Heinrich Opposes Confirmation Of Tom Price For Secretary Of Health And Human Services
"I will vote NO on Tom Price. I cannot support a Health and Human Services Secretary nominee who wants to dismantle the ACA, privatize Medicare, and gut Medicaid that New Mexicans depend on." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Gen. John F. Kelly, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted NO On Kelly, January 20, 2017
NOMINEE: Ben Carson, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted No On Carson, March 2, 2017
NOMINEE: Ryan Zinke, U.S. Representative of Montana, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted YES On Zinke, March 1, 2017
Heinrich Presses Interior Secretary Nominee Zinke on Access to Public Lands for Hunting & Fishing
Heinrich Questions Interior Secretary Nominee Zinke on Safeguarding Tribal Artifacts
Heinrich Presses Interior Secretary Nominee on Public Lands
"My exchange today with @Interior Secretary nominee @RepRyanZinke on keeping public lands public and Antiquities Act." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
"Native sacred objects should not be for sale – the next Interior Secretary must continue working to repatriate items stolen from tribes." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Rex Tillerson, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted NO On Tillerson, February 1, 2017
Heinrich Opposes Tillerson Confirmation, Condemns Trump Muslim Ban
"I'm headed to the Senate Floor to speak against confirming Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
"Today I voted against confirming Rex Tillerson as our Secretary of State. Thousands of New Mexicans have flooded my office with letters, emails, and phone calls urging me to oppose Mr. Tillerson’s nomination. I share New Mexicans’ well-founded concerns about Mr. Tillerson’s qualifications to lead the State Department and stand up for our nation’s interests. The United States’ role in the world is at stake." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK
NOMINEE: Steven Mnuchin, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted NO On Mnuchin, February 13, 2017
"While Americans lost their homes, retirements, and economic security in the Great Recession, Steve Mnuchin was making millions foreclosing on working families. Mnuchin has failed to disclose off shore entities to avoid U.S. taxes, has failed to disclose financial and real estate assets – and he will fail Americans with his support of damaging tax and health care policy initiatives. The economic security of working families in New Mexico and across the country cannot be put at risk. We don’t need a Goldman Sachs banker as our Treasury secretary. We need someone who will strengthen our economy and put people first to ensure that Americans can get ahead.” - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich
NOMINEE: John Mulvaney, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted NO On Mulvaney, February 16, 2017
"#OMBnom Mulvaney wants to raise the retirement age to 70 & cut Social Security and Medicare by 25%? I call that a #WarOnSeniors." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Scott Pruitt, CONFIRMED
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted No On Pruitt, February 17, 2017
“I lack confidence in Trump's #EPA nominee Pruitt to tackle the climate change crisis. I will vote NO.” - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
“I've got your back, New Mexico. Voting NO on Pruitt.” - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, FACEBOOK
"Happening in the Arctic at same time Senate Rs suspend rules to push climate denier #Pruitt through confirmation." - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, TWITTER
NOMINEE: Nikki Haley, Confirmed
POSITION: Senator Heinrich Voted NO On Haley, January 24, 2017