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

  • Udall, Heinrich, Luján Applaud $600,000 Grant for New Mexico Laboratory Embedded Entrepreneurship Program

    WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) applauded $600,000 in Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant funding to support the New Mexico Laboratory Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP). The New Mexico LEEP is a proposed partnership between Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Central New Mexico Community College to utilize National Laboratories to train and develop the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.  Read More

  • Bipartisan, Bicameral Tribal Connect Act Introduced To Increase High-Speed Internet Access In Indian Country

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) have introduced the Tribal Connect Act, legislation to improve broadband connectivity in Indian Country. The bicameral, bipartisan bill would increase access to the Federal Communications Commission's schools and libraries universal service support program. The $4 billion program, known as E-rate, provides discounts to assist public schools and libraries obtain high-speed internet access and telecommunications at affordable rates. Read More

  • NM Delegation Applauds Museum Grants to Enhance Inclusion Programs

    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 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded $331,198 to the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, the Explora Science Center and Children's Museum, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Read More

  • TOMORROW: Heinrich To Host Virtual Forum On Outdoor Learning Spaces With Education Leaders

    ALBUQUERQUE - At 11 a.m. MT/ 1 p.m. ET, on Tuesday, August 11, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will host a virtual discussion with national experts in the field of outdoor education as well as local leaders in New Mexico to discuss the advantages of educating students outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. These experts will provide recommendations and resources for education leaders looking to implement effective and innovative school reopening procedures. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich Introduce Impact Aid Infrastructure Act to Boost School Infrastructure Projects Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), to introduce the Impact Aid Infrastructure Act (IAIA), which provides $1 billion in supplemental funding for school infrastructure construction grants through the Impact Aid program. Read More

  • NM Delegation Applauds $550,000 in Grants to 11 Arts Organizations Across the State

    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 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded $550,000 in grant funding to 11 organizations across New Mexico. The grants, part of the $75 million for NEA appropriated through the CARES Act, will be used to support staff salaries, fees for artists or contractual personnel, and facilities costs. Read More

  • NM Delegation Applauds Nearly $800,000 in Grants to Cultural Organizations Across the State

    WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) applauded nearly $800,000 in grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to cultural and historical organizations across the state. The grants represent the second wave of funds from $75 million in supplemental NEH funding as part of the emergency $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Response, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that the entire New Mexico delegation voted to pass in March. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich Join Democratic Push for $175 Billion Education Investment Urgently Needed to Save the 2021 School Year & U.S. Economy

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined a group of 41 Senate Democrats, led by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), calling on Senate leadership to include at least $175 billion for the Elementary and Secondary Education Relief Fund in any future coronavirus relief package. As health and education officials develop novel coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines, precautions, and restrictions for safely reopening schools this fall, Udall and Heinrich are urging Congress and the Trump administration to act with the same sense of urgency and provide additional federal funding to help students safely return to the classroom. Read More