Education

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.

Latest

  • Heinrich Requests USDA Work With State Agencies To Ensure Sustainability Of Child Nutrition Programs During School Closures

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today sent a letter with Senate Democrats to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, requesting that the USDA proactively work with all state agencies to ensure the availability of waivers that provide flexibilities for Child Nutrition Programs in the event of school closures. Read More

  • Heinrich Announces Nominees To The United States Service Academies

    Dec. 18, 2019) - 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 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. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich Call For Renewed Funding For NM Minority-Serving Institutions Of Higher Education

    Nov. 8, 2019) - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) are calling for renewed funding for Minority-Serving Institutions. The lawmakers are cosponsors of the bipartisan, bicameral Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, which would reauthorize $255 million per year in mandatory federal funding – which expired on September 30, 2019 – for an additional two years. The House of Representatives approved the legislation unanimously in September. Read More

  • NM Delegation Announces Funding for Arrowhead Center for Tribal Businesses, Entrepreneurship Hands-On Support through NMSU and Navajo Technical University

    WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has awarded an American Indian Business Enterprise grant to the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in conjunction with Navajo Technical University. Read More

  • NM Delegation Announces Funding for Arrowhead Center for Tribal Businesses, Entrepreneurship Hands-On Support through NMSU and Navajo Technical University

    WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has awarded an American Indian Business Enterprise grant to the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in conjunction with Navajo Technical University. Read More

  • Heinrich Introduces Bipartisan GROWTH Act to Generate Workforce Opportunities

    Oct. 21, 2019) - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to introduce S. 2620, the Generating Real Opportunities for Workforce Training and Hiring (GROWTH) Act. This bipartisan legislation will support career and technical education opportunities, consistent communication between career and technical education institutions regarding curriculum, and the importance for elementary and secondary education institutions to highlight enrollment in these professions as desirable high-skill, high wage occupations. U.S. Representative Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Read More

  • Heinrich Announces Youth Climate Change Challenge

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Oct. 9, 2019) - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today announced the Youth Climate Change Challenge. He is inviting New Mexico students from grades K-12 to submit drawings, paintings, poetry, and short essays about what the climate crisis means for them. Senator Heinrich will visit the classrooms of the first-place winners. Read More

  • Heinrich Fights For Pathway To Affordable College

    Sept. 12, 2019) - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Degrees Not Debt Act to ensure higher education is accessible and affordable to all New Mexicans. The legislation is part of Senator Heinrich's initiative to build a brighter economic future for students in New Mexico. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich, Luján, Torres Small Announce Funding for the Restoration of Fort Bayard and Casita Desiderio y Pablita Ortega

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the National Park Service is awarding nearly $270,000 for historic preservation projects in New Mexico through the Save America's Treasures program. The Village of Santa Clara will use funds to make repairs in Fort Bayard located near Santa Clara, N.M. and Cornerstones Community Partnerships will use funds to restore Casita Desiderio y Pablita Ortega, part of Plaza del Cerro, located in Chimayo, N.M. The grants are awarded to preserve and protect historic properties that represent our nation's rich cultural heritage. Read More

  • Heinrich To Convene Roundtable On New Mexico’s Role In Artificial Intelligence

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - On Thursday, May 30, at 11 a.m. MT, in Albuquerque, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will convene a roundtable on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the challenges and opportunities this transformational digital technology presents.  The event will bring together leaders from technology companies, universities, and our national laboratories to discuss how to prepare New Mexico's workforce for AI careers, utilize investments in research and development, and formulate policies to keep innovations on a responsible path. Read More