Indian Country

Our tribal communities have always shaped and enhanced New Mexico’s rich culture and traditions. I take pride in working with our tribal communities, and will continue to advocate on their behalf on issues such as education, water access, housing, infrastructure, public safety, and cultural preservation, as well as defend and protect tribal sovereignty.  

Issues that affect Indian Country are a top priority for me. During my time in the U.S. House of Representatives, I led the effort to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and sponsored the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership (HEARTH) Act, which makes it easier to get a lease on trust land and helps Native families buy homes and helps attract businesses and jobs to tribal communities.

As one of my first actions in the Senate, I proudly cosponsored the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which bolsters law enforcement efforts and provides necessary resources for victims of domestic violence, particularly for Native women.

I have also worked with New Mexico’s tribes and pueblos to introduce the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act to prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking tribal cultural patrimony. I remain committed to helping repatriate stolen culturally significant items to their rightful owners.

Latest

  • Heinrich Lauds Committee Passage Of Bridging The Tribal Digital Divide Act

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is lauding the momentum of the Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act after it passed out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs yesterday. The legislation would expedite the deployment of affordable broadband service on tribal lands by coordinating and improving the effectiveness of federal resources. Read More

  • NM Delegation Announces 2.5 GHZ Awards to 15 Tribes Across New Mexico to Connect Rural Homes, Schools, Hospitals, and Businesses with Broadband Internet

    WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced 15 Tribes and Pueblos across New Mexico will receive spectrum licenses through the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Rural Tribal Priority Window to help connect communities and close the digital divide.  Read More

  • Sen. Heinrich calls for investigation into deaths of two Navajo soldiers at Fort Hood

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich wants answers after two soldiers from the Navajo Nation died while stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. "We should be deeply worried at the kind of numbers we've seen out of Fort Hood," Heinrich said. Altogether, 28 soldiers have died this year at Fort Hood including Pvt. Carlton Chee and Spec. Miguel Yazzie. Heinrich and Senator Martha McSally of Arizona sent a letter to Army Sec. Ryan McCarthy, asking him to launch an investigation into the two deaths. "Both families continue to seek answers as to why their otherwise healthy sons would have passed away during a routine training exercise or while on duty at Fort Hood. The lack of communication from military officials is disconcerting," the letter states. "The families of these soldiers deserve to know what happened," Heinrich said. "And all of us who care about the people we ask to serve our country should be concerned at what's going on there and I hope there will be a thorough investigation." There are several other investigations underway right now, looking into what's happening at Fort Hood.  KOB 4 reached out to the Army base to get a status update on the investigations, but did not hear back. Read More

  • Heinrich, McSally Call For Fort Hood Investigation After The Deaths Of Two Navajo Nation Members

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, have sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy requesting a thorough investigation into the high number of deaths this year at the Fort Hood Army Base in Texas. The letter comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of Private Carlton Chee and Army Specialist Miguel Yazzie, both members of the Navajo Nation. Read More

  • Bipartisan, Bicameral Tribal Connect Act Introduced To Increase High-Speed Internet Access In Indian Country

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) have introduced the Tribal Connect Act, legislation to improve broadband connectivity in Indian Country. The bicameral, bipartisan bill would increase access to the Federal Communications Commission's schools and libraries universal service support program. The $4 billion program, known as E-rate, provides discounts to assist public schools and libraries obtain high-speed internet access and telecommunications at affordable rates. Read More

  • Haaland, Heinrich Call Out FCC for Shortchanging Tribes on Tribal Broadband Application Deadline

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) led a bicameral group of lawmakers calling out the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for shortchanging Tribes on the Tribal broadband application deadline. In a letter to the FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the lawmakers cite challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and call for a full 180-day extension from the original August 3, 2020, 2.5 GHz Tribal priority filing window deadline, instead of the FCC's 30-day extension that was announced one working day before the deadline expiration. Read More