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.  As a member of the 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. 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, and are at the forefront of research and development that contribute to our country’s safety.

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

  • VIDEO: Heinrich Questions Top U.S. Intelligence Officials On Russia Hacking

    During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questioned top intelligence about Russia's hacking of the U.S. presidential election. The committee received testimony from Director of the National Intelligence James Clapper, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan, Director of the National Security Agency Michael Rogers, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James Comey. Read More

  • Heinrich Renews Push To Protect Energy Grid from Cyber-Attacks

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today renewed his push to protect critical U.S. energy infrastructure from potentially catastrophic cyber-attacks by cosponsoring the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act. The legislation, which was introduced by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), would examine solutions to defend the U.S. energy grid including possibly using a "retro" approach that has shown promise as a safeguard against cyber-attacks by replacing key devices like computer-connected operating systems, which can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, with less-vulnerable analog and human-operated systems. Read More

  • Heinrich Questions Intelligence Officials On Russian Hacking Of U.S. Election

    - During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questioned senior intelligence officials about cybersecurity threats, including Russia's hacking of the U.S. presidential election. The committee received testimony from Director Of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, Jr.; Under Secretary Of Defense For Intelligence Marcel J. Lettre; and Admiral Michael S. Rogers, Commander, United States Cyber Command / Director, National Security Agency / Chief, Central Security Services. Read More

  • Heinrich To Question Intelligence Officials On Threat Of Foreign Hacking

    On Thursday, January 5, at 7:30 a.m. MT/ 9:30 a.m. ET, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will participate in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing entitled, "Foreign Cyber Threats to the United States." Senator Heinrich is expected to question senior intelligence officials about the threat of foreign cyber-attacks, including Russian interference in the 2016 election, and will discuss how to bolster American defense against future cyber-attacks. The hearing will stream live online. Read More

  • Heinrich Announces Funding For Innovative STEM Education Program At KAFB And Other Key Advancements In Annual Defense Authorization

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Dec. 20, 2016) -- Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced $25 million in authorized funding for the continuation of the nationwide STARBASE program, which motivates fifth grade students to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through hands-on learning in collaboration with military installations. The program in New Mexico is based at Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) La Luz Academy where scientists, engineers, and military volunteers from AFRL and other Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) organizations apply abstract principles to real world situations by giving students interactive demonstrations on the use of STEM in different settings and careers. Read More

  • Heinrich To Make Announcement At KAFB About Key Advancements In Annual Defense Authorization

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will be at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) in Albuquerque on Tuesday, December 20, at 1:30 p.m. to announce key advancements secured in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to benefit New Mexico's men and women in uniform, military installations, national laboratories, and job creation throughout the state. Senator Heinrich helped author the legislation, which sets spending levels and policies for fiscal year 2017, and served on the conference committee that negotiated the final bill Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich, Lujan Grisham Comment on Sandia National Laboratories Contract Decision

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham responded to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) decision to award the management and operating contract for Sandia National Laboratories to National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia (NTESS), a subsidiary of Honeywell International. Udall is a member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Department of Energy's budget, and Heinrich serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Lujan Grisham represents the 1st Congressional District, which is home to Sandia and most of its 10,500 employees. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich Announce Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers

    WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich welcomed passage of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) -- which includes a facility in Artesia, N.M. -- to ensure that our federal law enforcement officials and first responders are adequately trained for national security events, domestic threats, and combating terrorism. The bill passed the Senate early Saturday morning and passed the House on Tuesday and is now headed to the president to be signed into law. Read More