Military & National Security

Our women and men in uniform make up the strongest, best-trained, most well-equipped military in the world. New Mexicans have long answered the call of duty to serve. This tradition runs deep in our state’s history, and at times New Mexico has had the highest rate of military volunteerism of any state in the country.

With military bases at Cannon, Holloman, Kirtland, and White Sands Missile Range, and two national laboratories, New Mexico plays a pivotal role in our national security and defense. Our state is also at the forefront of research and development that contribute to our country’s safety. I am proud to have championed initiatives to expand the roles of our labs and bases—from directed energy and small satellites to new flying missions.  Today, New Mexico is the nation’s Center of Excellence for researching, developing, and testing high energy laser and high powered microwave systems as well as researching and developing rapid space capabilities. I will continue fighting to ensure our state remains a leader in developing these next generation systems as well as transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence. In the Senate, I founded a bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Caucus so that lawmakers can strike a careful balance between mitigating the risks of new technologies like AI and fostering its tremendous economic and national security benefits.

As a son and brother of service members, and in my role as a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I am firmly committed to ensuring that our military and intelligence communities have the tools they need to keep our nation safe, fight terrorism, and support our allies.

On the Senate Intelligence committee, I have helped lead efforts to investigate the extent of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections and to combat foreign disinformation campaigns.  I am also a strong supporter of human and constitutional rights, and believe in the notion that America can be both safe and free. I was proud to help pass the USA FREEDOM Act, which ended the National Security Agency's (NSA) bulk metadata collection program that allowed the government to collect billions of Americans' private phone call records while suspecting them of no wrongdoing. 

I was also an active proponent of doing away with the discriminatory military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and I continue to stand up for reforms to reduce sexual assault in our military.

I am also strong supporter of human and constitutional rights, and believe in the notion that America can be both safe and free. I opposed the authorization of the PATRIOT Act and was an active proponent of doing away with the discriminatory military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Latest

  • Heinrich urges votes on election security bills

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week for blocking legislation he said would protect elections from foreign interference. He called on the Republican senator from Kentucky to allow votes on legislation following testimony by former Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the release of Mueller's report detailing intervention by Russia in the 2016 presidential election. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich Propose Amendments to Protect and Strengthen Nuclear Safety Board’s Critical Oversight Mission in Major Defense Bill

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich proposed three amendments to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a major defense policy bill, to protect and strengthen the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's (DNFSB) critical safety oversight mission at New Mexico’s Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. The amendments filed by the senators to the NDAA would help ensure that the DNFSB continues to provide strong oversight to protect public health and safety, including the workers at New Mexico’s national security laboratories, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), and the surrounding communities.  Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich, Rounds File Bipartisan Amendment to Enable All Military Women to Count Maternity Leave Towards Years of Service

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) led a bipartisan group of senators in filing an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support military mothers by ensuring that women serving in the National Guard and Reserves can take maternity leave without worrying about how it will affect their creditable military service. The amendment, which is based on the Mothers of Military Service (MOMS) Leave Act legislation reintroduced by the senators earlier this year, would allow women service members of the reserve components to receive pay and points towards retirement while on maternity leave.  Read More

  • Heinrich Decries President Trump’s Disregard For Preventing Foreign Interference In American Elections

    June 13, 2019) - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today issued the following statement in response to comments made by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, that he – the President of the United States of America – would not alert the Federal Bureau of Investigation if approached by foreign governments with information against any potential 2020 opponent. 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

  • Heinrich Secures Major Gains For N.M. Military Installations, National Labs, and Artificial Intelligence In Annual Defense Spending Bill

    May 24, 2019) - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, and co-founder of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus, announced provisions he secured in the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that support New Mexico's men and women in uniform, military installations, national laboratories, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), Artificial Intelligence, and job-creating initiatives throughout the state. The Senate Armed Services Committee voted to advance this important legislation to the Senate floor. Read More