in the news

Those who suffered losses from the largest wildfire in the state’s recorded history could see nearly $1.5 billion in additional federal aid if the funding request New Mexico’s congressional delegates added to the federal omnibus spending package passes this week. The added money would bump recovery funds for the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon...

Congress overnight announced $1.45 billion more for a compensation program for victims of New Mexico’s biggest-ever wildfire, bringing the total that could be approved for the blaze to $3.95 billion.  The omnibus spending package still has to be approved in both chambers, and lawmakers are up against a clock, trying to get it done by the...

New Mexico’s congressional Democrats have successfully added the voter-approved Constitutional Amendment 1 to an omnibus federal spending plan, a move that could pave the way for the state to begin drawing more than $200 million more a year from the multibillion-dollar Land Grand Permanent Fund for early childhood programs and K-8...

SANTA FE – The omnibus spending bill unveiled in Congress early Tuesday includes language that would authorize New Mexico’s plan to tap more heavily into its permanent school fund – a breakthrough for supporters of the voter-approved measure. The Democratic members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation celebrated the...

The Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act included $19.2 million for two projects of import at Holloman Air Force Base, part of a $54.4 million package benefitting New Mexico's military installations and national labs. The continued modernization of the high-speed test track at Holloman was awarded $15 million. An additional $4.1...

A group of Democratic lawmakers from New Mexico are accusing U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell and other House Republicans of standing in the way of federal legislation that would let a state constitutional amendment to boost funding for early childhood education take effect. These lawmakers include Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and...

SANTA FE – With the end of the session approaching, congressional approval of New Mexico’s voter-backed plan to tap more heavily into the permanent school fund is hanging in the balance. Congress could leave Washington as soon as Dec. 23. Sen. Martin Heinrich and two other members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation urged...

One year ago, the four of us came together to found the first-ever Electrification Caucus with members from across the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Together, we have worked to advance policies in Congress to accelerate widespread electrification, which will cut costs for Americans, improve public health, create jobs, and tackle the...

When you toss a pebble into the huge pond that is “the world,” you have no idea how far those waves will travel and where they will eventually land. The STOP Act is one of those ripples. The Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, began in an office inside the administration building at the Pueblo of Acoma in 2015. A quick...

A federal law meant to help return stolen Native American artifacts to their rightful owners has cleared its final hurdle after unanimous approval in the U.S. Senate. The Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act, also known as the STOP Act, passed the Senate on Tuesday and was sent to President Joe Biden with the expectation it soon will be...

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill this week to make it illegal to export Native American cultural items and other artifacts that were illegally obtained, and increases related criminal penalties. The bill cleared the chamber after Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., took to the floor and said the bill would have helped in the yearslong effort by...

This summer, a political miracle occurred. Against powerful opposition and long odds, despite being written off by pundits, and by the narrowest of margins, we passed the biggest American climate action ever. The Inflation Reduction Act is predicted to push us from 25 percent to 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end...

SANTA FE – The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wednesday announced the award of funding for five New Mexico school districts to buy 12 electric school buses. According to a news release from New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich, founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus said, “I am thrilled to welcome this first...

U.S. senators from California and Massachusetts have joined New Mexico Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján in calling for the closure of a Torrance County immigration detention center. The lawmakers — including California’s Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla and Massachusetts’ Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, all Democrats...

Mold, water leaks and clogged sinks and toilets were some of the conditions found at the Torrance County Detention Facility during a surprise inspection earlier this year, which is why a group of senators is asking that immigrants being detained there be sent elsewhere. New Mexico Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján this week...

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich is leading a call for immediate action by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remedy the ongoing unsafe, inhumane conditions at its privately contracted Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia. In a letter to ICE Acting Director Tae Johnson, Heinrich and his fellow signatories cite ICE’s...

The push away from fossil fuels and towards electric vehicles and home appliances is a challenge for rural New Mexico, which lacks the basic infrastructure and cash for these innovations. Though, attempts are being made by U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and President Biden's administration through recent legislation signed into law that offers rebates....

When New Mexico voters go to the polls on Nov. 8, they will consider a proposed state constitutional amendment — in the works for years — that would authorize significant funding increases for public schools and early childhood education.  U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, who is shepherding an amendment to the state's federal enabling...

Pueblo of Santa Ana, NM, Oct. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This morning, it became official: Soon NM residents will be able to purchase a Tesla, have their vehicles serviced, or have a vehicle delivered to the new facility that will be located on the homelands of the Tamayme (Pueblo of Santa Ana). “This is an exciting start to the next...

Since 1978, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail has provided those willing to traverse its more than 3,000 miles of scenic terrain with views from the Canadian border all the way to New Mexico. However, despite its 44-year existence, there are still sections of the trail that are not fully completed. With help of legislators in...