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, Luján, Stansbury Welcome Space Mission Candidacy Announcements For Kirtland Air Force Base

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) are welcoming an announcement from the U.S. Air Force that Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB) has been selected as a candidate location for two components of U.S. Space Force's (USSF) Space and Training Readiness Command Headquarters (STARCOM). Read More

  • Heinrich Statement On New Training Mission At Kirtland Air Force Base

    WASHINGTON - At the request of U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the U.S. Air Force provided an updated plan to establish a new training mission for the AC-130J aircraft at Albuquerque's Kirtland Air Force Base. The Air Force plans to initiate the Formal Training Unit relocation this year, which will result in aircraft and personnel being transferred to Kirtland from their current location in Florida over the next several years. According to a new report provided to Senator Heinrich, the Air Force has identified several repair and construction projects it will seek funding for in the coming years in order to support this relocation. Read More

  • Heinrich Urges President Biden To Deploy Clean Energy And Energy-Efficient Electric Technologies In Response To Putin’s Energy Market Disruption

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden urging him to employ his existing executive authorities to advance the development and widespread adoption of clean energy and energy-efficient electric technologies, such as heat pumps, in order to reduce demand for Russian fossil fuels, cut emissions, and save money for consumers in both the United States and allied countries. Read More

  • Heinrich: We Need To Act On Climate And Electrify For Peace

    WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), founder and Co-Chair of the Electrification Caucus, participated in a virtual press conference hosted by Rewiring America to discuss addressing Russia's unjustified war in Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s global energy price hike by accelerating our transition to clean energy, passing climate investments, and securing true American energy independence. Read More

  • Heinrich Cosponsors Resolution Calling For War Crimes Accountability

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and a bipartisan group of senators led by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced a Senate resolution calling for Vladimir Putin and members of his regime to be held accountable for the numerous acts of war, aggression, and human rights abuses that have been conducted under his watch. Read More

  • Heinrich Statement on Afghanistan

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the situation in Afghanistan: "The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and security forces to the Taliban has created a desperate situation in Afghanistan. I'm encouraged to see the Biden administration working swiftly to support the evacuation effort of American diplomats, aid workers, and Afghans who risked their lives to support the United States. And I will monitor closely the situation as it evolves for all of those who call Afghanistan home. Read More

  • Heinrich Approves Additional Funding For Construction Project At WSMR

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, approved a request from the Department of Defense to reprogram $13 million in additional funding to replace an outdated testing and evaluation facility at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). Overall, the project will bring a construction project valued at over $50 million to southern New Mexico. Read More