Indian Country

Our tribal communities have always shaped and enhanced New Mexico’s rich culture and traditions. I take pride in working with our tribal communities, and will continue to advocate on their behalf on issues such as 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.

Latest

• Heinrich, Luján Shocked By Video Of Tasing At Petroglyph National Monument, Call For Immediate Investigation

  Posted on 12/29/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on a video showing a park ranger tasing a Native American man in Petroglyph National Monument: Read More

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• Heinrich Statement On Selection Of Deb Haaland To Be Interior Secretary

  Posted on 12/17/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement on reports that President-Elect Joe Biden will nominate U.S. Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior: Read More

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• N.M. Delegation Urges Congressional Leadership To Extend Critical Funding For State, Local, And Tribal Communities

  Posted on 12/14/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland, and Xochitl Torres Small are urging Congressional Leadership to recognize the severe need to extend coverage of Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) payments allocated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Read More

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• N.M. Delegation Pushes Trump Administration To Act On Navajo Nation Request For Major Disaster Declaration Amid Devastating Impacts Of COVID-19 Pandemic

  Posted on 12/10/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland, and Xochitl Torres Small are urging the Trump administration to take immediate action on Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez's recent request for a major disaster declaration. Tribal communities have been especially hard-hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a major disaster declaration is necessary for the Navajo Nation to address the ongoing public health and economic effects. Read More

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• Heinrich Lauds Committee Passage Of Bridging The Tribal Digital Divide Act

  Posted on 11/19/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is lauding the momentum of the Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act after it passed out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs yesterday. The legislation would expedite the deployment of affordable broadband service on tribal lands by coordinating and improving the effectiveness of federal resources. Read More

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• Heinrich Condemns Decision To Decrease Essential Services At Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna Hospital In Letter To Indian Health Service

  Posted on 11/18/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has sent a letter to Indian Health Service Director Rear Admiral Michael D. Weahkee condemning a recent decision to decrease essential services at the Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna (ACL) Hospital. Read More

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• NM Delegation Announces 2.5 GHZ Awards to 15 Tribes Across New Mexico to Connect Rural Homes, Schools, Hospitals, and Businesses with Broadband Internet

  Posted on 10/29/20

  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.) announced 15 Tribes and Pueblos across New Mexico will receive spectrum licenses through the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Rural Tribal Priority Window to help connect communities and close the digital divide.  Read More

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• VIDEO: In Floor Speech, Heinrich Opposes Confirmation Of Amy Coney Barrett To The Supreme Court

  Posted on 10/26/20

  WASHINGTON - In a speech delivered on the Senate Floor today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) denounced Senate Republicans' ongoing rush to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat on the Supreme Court ahead of the presidential election, instead of focusing on passing meaningful COVID-19 relief for Americans. Read More

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• Heinrich Introduces Bill To Remove Rigid Regulatory Burdens On Tribal Broadband Access

  Posted on 10/06/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has introduced the Internet Development for Tribes Act, legislation that removes regulatory barriers for tribes to access the internet and invests in infrastructure necessary to access high-speed broadband in rural communities. Read More

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• Sen. Heinrich calls for investigation into deaths of two Navajo soldiers at Fort Hood

  Posted on 09/25/20

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich wants answers after two soldiers from the Navajo Nation died while stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. "We should be deeply worried at the kind of numbers we've seen out of Fort Hood," Heinrich said. Altogether, 28 soldiers have died this year at Fort Hood including Pvt. Carlton Chee and Spec. Miguel Yazzie. Heinrich and Senator Martha McSally of Arizona sent a letter to Army Sec. Ryan McCarthy, asking him to launch an investigation into the two deaths. "Both families continue to seek answers as to why their otherwise healthy sons would have passed away during a routine training exercise or while on duty at Fort Hood. The lack of communication from military officials is disconcerting," the letter states. "The families of these soldiers deserve to know what happened," Heinrich said. "And all of us who care about the people we ask to serve our country should be concerned at what's going on there and I hope there will be a thorough investigation." There are several other investigations underway right now, looking into what's happening at Fort Hood.  KOB 4 reached out to the Army base to get a status update on the investigations, but did not hear back. Read More

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