in the news

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020 in an 86-8 vote; it is now being deliberated by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate version of the bill gives more than $15 million to build a combat rescue helicopter simulator at the Kirtland Air Force Base, another $26 million...

Wind power has been one of America’s fastest growing energy sources in recent years, and there’s good reason for that—it’s both clean and affordable. In fact, in many parts of the country, wind is the cheapest source of new electric generating capacity, even accounting for government incentives. I’ve seen the evidence...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich is criticizing the president’s plan to limit the number of asylum seekers coming into the United States. Earlier this month, the U.S. and Mexico reached an agreement that prevented President Trump from imposing tariffs on goods from Mexico. Part of that plan includes expanding the Migrant...

This coming Thursday, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) will vote on whether to spend an additional $1.8 million to continue plans to dam the upper Gila and San Francisco Rivers. That is on top of the $15 million they have already spent. It is far past time to scrap this doomed plan to remove water from the Gila and to instead...

Who would have guessed that a Trump administration appointee with such close ties to the oil and gas industry would be willing to press pause on oil and gas leases on and near a historically and spiritually significant piece of land in New Mexico? It’s a tongue-in-cheek question, but the fact remains that few detractors of newly minted...

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich has been soundly criticized for his votes to approve President Donald Trump’s nominees for secretary of the interior. Critics want to know how Heinrich, a self-professed environmentalist, can vote in favor of nominees with industry ties — men who see public lands as places to exploit rather than areas the...

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has agreed to defer oil and gas leasing within a 10-mile radius of New Mexico's Chaco Culture National Historical Park for at least a year after touring the park yesterday with Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). Bernhardt's leasing moratorium is a major concession to mounting pressure from lawmakers like Heinrich,...

A new generation of young leaders in New Mexico and around the world recognize that climate change is an existential threat. They are demanding that their elected leaders get to work on finding solutions to mitigate its devastating impacts. Unlike previous generations who have delayed and denied climate change, I strongly believe that this rising...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After reports that U.S. Border Patrol has in recent weeks released more than 4,000 migrants applying for asylum in the United States in Las Cruces, members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are seeking federal funds for humanitarian relief. U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich on Tuesday sent a letter with...

Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation on Tuesday announced legislation preventing the sale of oil and gas leases on federally owned lands in a 10-mile radius surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park. U.S. Sens. Tom Udall, D-N.M., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Xochitl Torres Small,...

The push to elevate a vast expanse of shifting white sand dunes in New Mexico to national park status was renewed Tuesday as members of the state’s congressional delegation reintroduced legislation aimed at boosting the profile of the already popular tourist destination. “Like no place on earth” is how the National Park Service...

VILLAGE OF MILAN, N.M. — A New Mexico state lawmaker has finally received his medals for his service during the Vietnam War. The Gallup Independent reports Democratic Rep. Eliseo “Lee” Alcon was presented last week with a Bronze Star for his service as a combat medic and other honors. The medals came almost 50 years after Alcon...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico is emerging as a national leader in joint government-industry efforts to modernize the country’s space-based defense systems and build 21st century laser and microwave weapons, and that is creating opportunities for local business. That includes companies of all sizes, from global players like...

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is planning to introduce legislation soon to convert two national monuments in his state to national parks. Heinrich, along with several local officials and tribal leaders, announced Wednesday that he will file a bill that would create Bandelier National Park and Preserve in northern New Mexico. The legislation would...

Out on the patio behind the Bandelier National Monument Visitors Center Wednesday, against the stunning backdrop of Frijoles Canyon, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) said it’s time to do more for the oldest national monument in the country. Heinrich said he would introduce legislation to make Bandelier National Monument a national park....

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque-based LoadPath LLC won a $14.9 million contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base to assist in research and development of advanced components and systems for satellites. The company, which launched in 2009, specializes in designing and building components and structures for...

A toxic class of chemicals continues to get attention on Capitol Hill this week, with lawmakers from New Mexico introducing bicameral bills to help contaminated communities. Democratic Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich along with Rep. Ben Ray Luján introduced companion legislation to authorize the Defense Department to use funds to provide...

WASHINGTON, DC (KFDA) - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico introduced legislation to celebrate and honor native women across the country and their successes. The resolution introduced by Senators Udall and Heinrich aims to recognize the heritage, culture and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - All five of New Mexico's federal lawmakers met with KOB to discuss ideas for border security.  Sen. Martin Heinrich says it starts with equipping the border patrol with what they need. Currently, the border patrol has 3000 vacancies and turn over is high especially in remote areas, like New Mexico's...

The federal government will pump $50 million into Amtrak’s Southwest Chief passenger train route, which passes through New Mexico, members of the state’s congressional delegation announced Friday. The measure — pushed by U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján — will provide money for...