Press Releases
Udall, Heinrich Urge Increased Resources for U.S. Businesses Trading with Mexico
WASHINGTON - In a letter sent today to the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich urged the Acting Undersecretary for International Trade to improve relations with Mexico in trade, export and manufacturing by increasing funds for state and local agencies that provide resources and guidance to American businesses trading with Mexico. Mexico is the United States' third largest trading partner and was the largest buyer of New Mexico pr… Continue Reading
November 18, 2016
Udall, Heinrich, Pearce Applaud Air Force Decision to Relocate F-16 Squadrons to Holloman
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Steve Pearce applauded the U.S. Air Force's interim decision to relocate two additional F-16 training squadrons to Holloman Air Force Base for the creation of a new Formal Training Unit (FTU). The Air Force will move the F-16s from Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Currently, the Air Force is roughly 700 F-16 fighter pilots short of requirements, which makes the additional two squadrons at Holloman critically impo… Continue Reading
November 16, 2016
Udall to be Lead Democrat on Senate Indian Affairs Committee
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Democratic leadership announced that U.S. Senator Tom Udall will assume the position of Vice Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in the 115th Congress. Udall will keep his seats on the Appropriations, Commerce, Foreign Relations and Rules committees. The new leadership post gives him an even stronger position to fight for Native communities in New Mexico and across the country, especially combined with his role as Ranking Member of the Senate Approp… Continue Reading
November 15, 2016
NM Democratic Delegation Welcomes BLM Rule to Curb Methane Pollution
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham welcomed the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) final rule to save taxpayers' money and energy resources and reduce harmful emissions by curbing the wasteful venting, flaring and leaks of natural gas. The BLM's Methane and Waste Prevention Rule announced today will update the 30-year-old regulations governing natural gas operations on public and Indian lands. By phasing in changes… Continue Reading
November 15, 2016
Udall Responds to Trump's Appointment of Steve Bannon
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement on Donald Trump's appointment of Steve Bannon, former leader of the extreme right-wing Breitbart website, as White House chief strategist and senior adviser: "As far as I'm concerned, appointing as chief strategist and adviser a man who has dedicated the last several years to running a far-right website that demonizes women and spreads hate-filled lies about Muslims, Latinos, African Americans, Jews and others shows Donald Trump… Continue Reading
November 11, 2016
Udall Celebrates Veterans Day at Guadalupe County Veterans Memorial and Community Center Ribbon Cutting
SANTA ROSA, N.M. — U.S. Senator Tom Udall celebrated Veterans Day at a ribbon cutting event for the Guadalupe County Veterans Memorial and Community Center. The memorial and community center are the culmination of a years-long effort by Santa Rosa residents to honor New Mexico veterans and service members by repurposing the county's inoperative hospital. Throughout his service in Congress, Udall has been a strong advocate for our nation's veterans. He has worked to improve access to health ca… Continue Reading
November 09, 2016
Udall Calls for Unity and Commitment to America’s Diversity Following Results of Presidential Election
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - U. S. Senator Tom Udall released the following statement on the results of the presidential election: "We have just come through one of the most contentious elections any of us have ever known, and now we must begin the very hard work of bringing Americans back together. Donald Trump is our president-elect, and I appreciate his appeal for unity last night. Now he must demonstrate that he is committed to following through -- the world is watching. Like many Americans, I was de… Continue Reading
November 07, 2016
Udall Statement on Native American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall released the following statement in recognition of Native American Heritage Month: "During Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the integral role of Native Americans in our nation's identity. New Mexico's 23 Tribes help form the bedrock of who we are as a state and a people. From the earliest Pueblo communities, to the Navajo Code-talkers of World War II, to the current day, Native Americans have shaped our customs, culture, art, history, communities a… Continue Reading
November 02, 2016
Udall, Heinrich Urge The Department Of Defense To Restore National Guard Bonuses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are urging U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to restore bonuses and benefits incorrectly awarded to National Guard soldiers through no fault of their own. The Department has sought to recoup the wrongly awarded benefits after an audit found that, due to faulty paperwork, mistakes by recruiters, and at least one case of criminal fraud, soldiers who did not qualify for the bonuses had received them. Udall and Heinrich sent a letter led by… Continue Reading
October 25, 2016
Udall: Kirtland Advancing Military’s '3rd Offset Strategy' with Directed Energy, Other Cutting-Edge Technology
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - This month, U.S. Senator Tom Udall visited Kirtland Air Force Base and the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to get an update on work to advance the Counter-Electronics High Powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) and other leading technological developments being developed at Kirtland to disable enemy infrastructure without causing collateral damage to civilians. These and other technologies being developed in New Mexico may offer solutions for the Department of Defense… Continue Reading
October 25, 2016
Udall, Heinrich Announce Over $18.6 Million for STEM Education at Hispanic-Serving NM Universities
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that five New Mexico universities will receive more than $18.6 million to support Hispanic and low-income students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The University of New Mexico Valencia Branch Campus, New Mexico Highlands University, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, and Eastern New Mexico University-main campus will receive grants throu… Continue Reading
October 24, 2016
Back to School: Closing the Homework Gap for New Mexico Students
Students across New Mexico have headed back to school and are settling into the routine of waking up early, juggling sports practices and after-school activities, and the nightly ritual of homework. But with an increasing number of teachers assigning homework that requires an internet connection, just getting assignments done presents a real challenge for the nearly one-third of New Mexico kids who don't have access to the internet at home. (From left) Rosenworcel, Udall, and teacher Audra Blue… Continue Reading
October 20, 2016
Udall: Interior Department to Review Management of Lands in Northwestern NM
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall welcomed an announcement that the Department of the Interior will conduct a joint review of the resource management of public and Tribal lands in Northwestern New Mexico, including the impact of potential oil and gas leasing near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The analysis will be the first-ever joint review by the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Farmington Field Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) Navajo Regional Office. … Continue Reading
October 18, 2016
Udall Leads Senate Hearing in ABQ on Action to Prevent Theft, Illegal Possession, Sale of Tribal Cultural Items
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall chaired a hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on the critically important issue of the theft and sale of Tribal religious and cultural items and its impact on Tribal communities. Udall was joined by Senator Martin Heinrich and testimony was provided by Acoma Pueblo Governor Kurt Riley, Isleta Pueblo Governor and Chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors Paul Torres, and Navajo President Russell Begaye. A video of the full hearing i… Continue Reading
October 11, 2016
You're Invited: Discussion about Fixing our Broken Campaign Finance System, this Thursday in Santa Fe
New Mexicans know money in politics is out of hand. They want a government that works for all people, not just powerful billionaires. That's why this Thursday, October 13 at 5:30 p.m., I'll lead a discussion at the Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse in Santa Fe titled, "Returning Democracy to We the People: A Discussion About Money in Politics." I invite you to join me, along with Viki Harrison, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico, and Bruce Berlin of Santa Fe, author of the … Continue Reading
October 11, 2016
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce More than $300,000 for DreamTree Project Emergency Youth Shelter in Taos
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján announced $300,753 to support the DreamTree Project's Emergency Youth Shelter in Taos and outreach efforts throughout Northern New Mexico. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, which offers grants designated to promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities.… Continue Reading
October 05, 2016
Udall, Heinrich Announce $344,325 to UNM to Support Native American Educators in New Mexico
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the University of New Mexico (UNM) will receive a $344,325 grant to provide training, licensing and induction services to Native Americans interested in pursuing a career in education. The purpose of the grant is to train more highly qualified Native American teachers and administrators to serve Indian student populations throughout New Mexico. The grant was awarded through the Department of Education's Office of Elem… Continue Reading
October 03, 2016
Inspired by Hatch HS Student, Udall Calls on FCC to Make Wi-Fi Available on School Buses
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to do more to ensure all students in New Mexico and across the country have equal access to the internet for educational and economic opportunity. Specifically, Udall wrote in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, the FCC should extend the successful E-rate program, which pays for internet access in schools, and provide Wi-Fi on school buses so students can have more time to do their homework. While … Continue Reading
September 30, 2016
NM Delegation Supports Navajo Nation’s Request for Disaster Declaration for Shiprock Flooding
WASHINGTON - In a letter to the President of the United States, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce, Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed support for Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye's request for a major disaster declaration in response to August flooding that occurred on the Navajo Nation in Shiprock. "This rainstorm caused severe flooding and prompted evacuation of the primary flood area in Shiprock where the flood water… Continue Reading
September 29, 2016
Udall, Heinrich Hail Senate Passage of PROTECT Patrimony Resolution
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich praised the Senate's passage of the Protection of the Right of Tribes to stop the Export of Cultural and Traditional (PROTECT) Patrimony Resolution. The bipartisan resolution, which was introduced by Udall and Heinrich as well as Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), condemns the theft, illegal possession or sale, transfer, and export of Tribal cultural items and calls for several measures to be implemented t… Continue Reading
