Indian Country

Our tribal communities have always enhanced New Mexico’s rich culture and traditions.  

Issues that affect Indian Country are a top priority for me. As a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, I led the effort to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. I also sponsored the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership (HEARTH) Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2012.  The HEARTH Act makes it easier to get a lease on trust land, which helps Native families buy homes and helps attract businesses and jobs to tribal communities.

I proudly cosponsored the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, a bill to prevent violence against women, including Native women, by bolstering law enforcement efforts and providing necessary resources for victims of domestic violence.

I take pride in working with our tribal communities, and will continue to defend and protect tribal sovereignty, and advocate on their behalf on issues such as education, water access, housing, infrastructure, public safety, and cultural preservation.

Latest

  • Udall, Luján, NM Delegation Introduce Bicameral Native American Voting Rights Act

    WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján, along with U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small, led a group of Senate and House Democrats in re-introducing the Native American Voting Rights Act, landmark legislation that would provide the necessary resources and oversight to ensure Native Americans and Alaska Natives have equal access to the electoral process.  Udall led the introduction of the Native American Voting Rights Act last Congress. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich Introduce Legislation Honoring Native Women

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Martin Heinrich introduced a resolution to celebrate and honor the successes of indigenous women across the country. This resolution recognizes the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States, highlighting the importance of promoting equity, providing safety, and upholding the interests of strong, diverse women. Read More

  • Pueblo of Acoma Governor Kurt Riley To Join Heinrich As Honored Guest For State Of The Union

    Feb. 1, 2019) - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that former Pueblo of Acoma Governor Kurt Riley will be his special guest at President Trump's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. During the recent government shutdown, the lapse in funding hampered critical public safety, child welfare, and health care programs at Indian Health Service (IHS) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich, Warren, Cortez Masto, Smith Work to Expand Entrepreneurship in Indian Country

    WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, along with U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced the Native American Business Incubators Program Act to expand entrepreneurship in Indian Country by promoting small businesses development in tribal communities.   Read More

  • U.S. Senators' bill would benefit Native American entrepreneurs

    A bill filed in the U.S. Senate will benefit Native American entrepreneurs. U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are sponsoring the Native American Business Incubators Program Act. The act lays out a plan to expand entrepreneurship in Indian Country through a competitive grant program.  Read More

  • New Mexico Delegation Leads Introduction of Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Reauthorize Native American Language Programs

    WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), introduced the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act to strengthen Tribally-developed Native American language revitalization programs. Read More