ADVISORY: Heinrich to Visit Eastern N.M. to Discuss Agricultural Resiliency, Expanding Apprenticeship Programs, Advancing Ute Pipeline Project, Investing in Cannon Air Force Base
FORT SUMNER & CLOVIS – On Monday, August 21 and Tuesday, August 22, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will highlight resilient and climate smart farming practices at a local farm near Fort Sumner, discuss the role of his legislation in expanding career technical programs at Clovis Community College, participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the next phase of the Eastern N.M. Rural Water System project.
Additionally, Heinrich will host a community listening session at Cannon Air Force Base with Senator Ben Ray Luján, and leaders of the United States Air Force, including Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, and Air Force Special Operations Command Commander Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfied, to discuss additional investments and forward-looking missions at the Base.
At 11:30 a.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, will tour a demonstration farm that supports small-scale producers with creating resilient and climate smart operations.
WHEN: Monday, August 21, at 11:30 a.m. MT
WHERE: JAL Farms, 123 Cottonwood Dr., Fort Sumner, N.M. 88119
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
Background: In March, Senator Heinrich introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act, comprehensive legislation that sets a bold vision of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by the year 2040. This legislation will also make ambitious investments to help New Mexico farmers and producers improve soil health, expand conservation programs, increase research into climate agricultural practices, and support on-farm renewable energy projects.
In June, Heinrich, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, announced unanimous passage of the Fiscal Year 24 (FY24) Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill, which includes over $10 million in investments for 18 local projects across New Mexico. This bill includes $1.7 billion for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service agency to conduct research relating to important topics such as soil health and drought resilience, pest and disease resistance, value-added products, and agricultural innovation. Additionally, the bill includes specific funding for important agriculture research in agrivoltaics, sustainable specialty crops, wind erosion, and precision rangeland management that will support the operations of local farmers and producers in New Mexico.
During this visit, Heinrich will highlight how these investments will further support resilient and climate smart farm practices in Eastern New Mexico.
At 2:45 p.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will tour Clovis Community College’s career technical programs and discuss his recently introduced Apprenticeship Pathway Act, legislation to expand access to apprenticeship programs, create more pathways to careers for high school students, and address the health care provider shortage in Eastern New Mexico.
WHEN: Monday, August 21, at 2:45 p.m. MT
WHERE: Clovis Community College, 417 Schepps Blvd, Clovis, N.M. 88101
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
Background: Senator Heinrich has long been a champion of efforts to expand apprenticeship opportunities in New Mexico, particularly for students at Clovis Community College, and solutions to address the health care provider shortage in Eastern New Mexico.
In June, Heinrich introduced his bipartisan Apprenticeship Pathways Act, legislation to create pathways to careers for high school students by expanding access to apprenticeship programs. This legislation particularly focuses on apprenticeship programs for occupations with high need, including the building trades, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, and early childhood education.
In the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Omnibus Appropriations Agreement, Heinrich secured over $1 million to expand the Allied Health Program at Clovis Community College.
Additionally, Heinrich is a strong supporter of TRIO Student Support Services, a federally-funded program at Clovis Community College that is instrumental in connecting low-income and first-generation college students, as well as students with disabilities, to the resources they need to thrive.
On Tuesday, August 22, at 8:30 a.m. MT, U.S. Senator Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, will participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the next portion of the Eastern N.M. Rural Water System.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 22, at 8:30 a.m. MT
WHERE: US60/84 Curry Road Intersection
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
Background: Senator Heinrich has worked for over a decade to invest in and advance the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System pipeline, also known as the Ute Pipeline Project.
As a newly elected member of the House of Representatives, Heinrich first voted to federally authorize funding for project in 2009. Since then, he has worked to deliver more than $322 million in federal resources to support the project, including through his work negotiating the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and through additional funding he’s secured through the Appropriations process.
In 2021, Heinrich announced the authorization of $5 billion for Fiscal Years 2022-2026for western water programs through a provision that he secured. In March 2022, along with members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, Heinrich announced $160 million from the Infrastructure Law, the first installation of the funding.
Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony represents the next phase of the project, which will connect to a new Waste Water Treatment Plant that will be built soon. This facility will be key to treating and delivering potable and clean drinking water to all of the member communities and Cannon Air Force Base. In the coming years, the project will reach all four member communities—Clovis, Portales, Elida, and Texico.
At 9:45 a.m. MT, U.S. Senator Heinrich (D-N.M.) will host a community listening session with Senator Ben Ray Luján, and leaders of the United States Air Force, including Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, Air Force Special Operations Command Commander Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfied, and Cannon Air Force Base Leadership, to discuss additional investments and forward-looking missions at Cannon Air Force Base (CAFB) in Clovis, N.M.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 22, at 8:30 a.m. MT
WHO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Ravi Chaudhary
Air Force Special Operations Command Commander Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfied
Cannon Air Force Base Leadership
WHERE: Cannon AFB, 27 SOW Headquarters, 100 Air Commando Way, Clovis, N.M. 88101
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
Background: Over the past several months, Senators Heinrich and Luján, Representative Leger Fernández, and Clovis Mayor Mike Morris have engaged directly with Air Force leadership to advocate for its continued investment in CAFB and defend against efforts to relocate assets and service members from CAFB.
Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) hand delivered a letter to President Joe Biden upon his arrival in Albuquerque, N.M., urging his Administration to prioritize continued investment in CAFB.
In June, Senators Luján and Heinrich and Representatives Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury, and Gabe Vasquez wrote to the Defense Health Agency to encourage improved medical support at CAFB and review any barriers that limit medical services hiring or contracting.
Last month, the Senate passed the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act. It included provisions secured by Senators Heinrich and Luján to authorize $5 million for a new fire station at CAFB. While not included in the bill, Senators Heinrich and Luján introduced an amendment that would have prohibited any funds from being used to relocate units from CAFB to Davis-Monthan.
In June, the Senate Appropriations Committee, which Senator Heinrich is a member of, passed the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies FY24 Appropriations Bill. It included $2 million in funding Senators Heinrich and Luján secured to plan and design a fire station and emergency communications center at CAFB.
In December 2021, Senator Heinrich, then-Chairman of the Military Construction Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, secured $5 million in planning and design funding for a 192-bed dormitory at CAFB.
