New Mexico

State Senators:

Martin Heinrich (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2013

Full Name: Martin Trevor Heinrich
Date of Birth: October 17, 1971
Birthplace: Fallon, Nevada, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Martin Heinrich was born in Fallon, Nevada, and grew up in Cole Camp, Missouri. He attended Cole Camp High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri in 1995. Heinrich later pursued graduate studies at the University of New Mexico, where he focused on public policy and environmental issues.

Personal Life: Martin Heinrich is married to Julie Heinrich, and they have two sons. The family resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Known for his dedication to public service and his pragmatic approach to governance, Heinrich continues to work towards policies that benefit all Americans and protect the environment for future generations.

Early Career: After completing his education, Heinrich worked as a mechanical engineer, working on various projects related to renewable energy and environmental technology. He served as the Executive Director of the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, a New Mexico-based organization dedicated to outdoor education and conservation. Heinrich also worked as a staff member for U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman and as a member of the Albuquerque City Council, where he focused on renewable energy and sustainability initiatives.

Political Career:

City Council: Heinrich was elected to the Albuquerque City Council in 2003, where he served until 2007. During his tenure, he focused on issues such as sustainable development, public safety, and renewable energy.
U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 2008, Heinrich represented New Mexico’s 1st congressional district. He served two terms in the House, where he worked on legislation related to energy, public lands, veterans’ affairs, and healthcare reform.
U.S. Senate: In 2012, Heinrich was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding retiring Senator Jeff Bingaman. He was re-elected in 2018. As a senator, Heinrich has been a strong advocate for renewable energy, public lands, and national security. He is known for his work on environmental protection and his efforts to promote technological innovation and job creation in New Mexico.

Committees:

Committee on Appropriations
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Joint Economic Committee (Chairman)
Select Committee on Intelligence

Legislative Achievements:

Energy and Environment: Heinrich is a strong advocate for renewable energy and environmental protection. He has worked on legislation to promote clean energy technologies, reduce carbon emissions, and protect public lands.
National Security: Heinrich serves on the Senate Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Armed Services, where he focuses on national security issues, cybersecurity, and supporting the military. He has supported legislation to enhance defense capabilities and address cybersecurity threats.
Healthcare: Heinrich supports expanding healthcare access and affordability. He has voted to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has supported measures to lower prescription drug costs and improve mental health services.
Economic Development: Heinrich has worked on legislation to promote economic development in New Mexico, including supporting small businesses, improving infrastructure, and enhancing workforce development. He has also supported efforts to increase broadband access in rural areas.
Veterans’ Affairs: Heinrich is committed to supporting veterans and their families. He has worked on legislation to improve veterans’ healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Senator Heinrich is known for his dedication to renewable energy, environmental protection, national security, and healthcare access. His background as a mechanical engineer and his extensive experience in public service shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit New Mexicans and the nation.

Committees

Appropriations: Committee members manage and oversee federal budget to ensure government funds are allocated and spent properly.

Energy and Natural Resources: Committee plays a role in shaping national policies related to energy security, environmental protection, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Joint Economic Committee: Bipartisan committee composed of members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This committees’ role is to inform Congress about the state of the economy and provide policy recommendations to address economic challenges and opportunities. Its work helps shape economic policy and legislation in the United States.

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between national security needs and the protection of civil liberties by ensuring that intelligence operations are conducted lawfully and effectively.

Voting patterns

Senator Heinrich has a voting record that reflects his commitment to renewable energy, environmental protection, national security, healthcare access, and economic development.

Key Voting Patterns:

Energy and Environment:

Renewable Energy: Heinrich is a strong advocate for renewable energy and has supported numerous bills to promote clean energy technologies. He voted for the “Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act” (H.R.4447) to advance renewable energy development and reduce carbon emissions.
Environmental Protection: Heinrich supports stringent environmental regulations. He voted for the “Climate Action Now Act” (H.R.9) to keep the U.S. in the Paris Agreement and promote actions to combat climate change.

National Security:

Defense Authorization: Heinrich supports robust national security measures and has consistently voted for the “National Defense Authorization Act” (H.R.4350) to ensure military readiness and support for defense initiatives.
Cybersecurity: Heinrich has a strong focus on cybersecurity and has supported legislation to enhance protections against cyber threats. He voted for the “Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act” (H.R.1731) to improve information sharing on cyber threats.

Healthcare:

Healthcare Access and Affordability: Heinrich is a strong advocate for expanding healthcare access and reducing costs. He has consistently voted to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and supported the “American Rescue Plan Act” (H.R.1319) to provide COVID-19 relief and enhance healthcare coverage.
Prescription Drug Costs: Heinrich has supported measures to lower prescription drug prices, including efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap insulin costs.

Economic Policies:

Economic Development: Heinrich focuses on promoting economic development, particularly in New Mexico. He has supported legislation to improve infrastructure, increase broadband access in rural areas, and support small businesses.
Small Business Support: Heinrich has voted for various bills aimed at supporting small businesses, particularly through financial assistance and reducing regulatory burdens. He supported the “Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act” (H.R.266) to provide COVID-19 relief to small businesses.

Veterans’ Affairs:

Veterans’ Services: Heinrich is committed to supporting veterans and their families. He has voted for bills to improve veterans’ healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, such as the “VA MISSION Act” (S.2372).

Senator Heinrich’s voting record reflects his commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic growth through equitable policies, comprehensive healthcare access, balanced national security, strong environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights.

Full Name: Ben Ray Luján
Date of Birth: June 7, 1972
Birthplace: Nambé, New Mexico, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Ben Ray Luján was born and raised in Nambé, New Mexico, a small community north of Santa Fe. He is the youngest son of Carmen and Ben Luján, the late Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives. Luján attended Pojoaque Valley High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2007 from New Mexico Highlands University after attending the University of New Mexico.

Personal Life: Ben Ray Luján is known for his dedication to public service and his commitment to his constituents. He resides in Nambé, New Mexico, and is deeply connected to his community and cultural heritage. Luján continues to work towards policies that benefit all New Mexicans and uphold the values of equity and opportunity.

Early Career: Before entering politics, Luján worked in a variety of roles that focused on public service and community engagement. He served as the Deputy State Treasurer and was appointed to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) in 2004, where he later became chairman. During his time on the PRC, Luján worked on issues such as renewable energy, consumer protection, and utility regulation.

Ben Ray Luján (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2021

Political Career:

U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 2008, Luján represented New Mexico’s 3rd congressional district. During his tenure, he served as the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) from 2015 to 2019 and was Assistant Speaker of the House from 2019 to 2021. During his tenure in the House, Luján focused on healthcare, education, and renewable energy. He was a strong advocate for Native American issues and worked to improve infrastructure and economic opportunities in rural communities.
U.S. Senate: In 2020, Luján was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding retiring Senator Tom Udall. He took office on January 3, 2021. As a senator, Luján has continued to advocate for healthcare access, renewable energy, and economic development. He is known for his collaborative approach and efforts to work across party lines on key issues.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee on Indian Affairs
Committee on the Budget
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control

Legislative Achievements:

Healthcare: Luján advocates for expanding healthcare access and affordability. He supports the Affordable Care Act and has worked on legislation to lower prescription drug costs, expand Medicaid, and improve mental health services.
Education: Luján is committed to improving education at all levels. He has supported measures to reduce student loan debt, increase funding for public schools, and expand access to higher education and vocational training.
Economic Policies: Luján focuses on economic development and job creation, particularly through investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and technology. He has supported legislation to enhance broadband access, particularly in rural areas, and to promote small business growth.
Energy and Environment: Luján is a proponent of renewable energy and environmental protection. He has worked on legislation to promote clean energy technologies, reduce carbon emissions, and address environmental injustices affecting marginalized communities.
Indigenous Rights: Luján is dedicated to supporting Native American communities. He has advocated for improved healthcare, education, and economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples, and supported measures to uphold tribal sovereignty and protect sacred lands.

Senator Luján is known for his dedication to healthcare access, education, economic development, renewable energy, and Indigenous rights. His background in state government and extensive experience in the U.S. House of Representatives shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit New Mexicans and the nation.

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact economic development, technological innovation, transportation systems, and scientific advancements within a country or region.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP): Committee addresses issues related to health care, education, employment, and retirement policies.

Indian Affairs: Committee conducts hearings, investigations, and studies to address these issues and to develop and recommend legislation to the Senate that impacts Native American communities.

Budget: Committee plays a central role in shaping the nation’s fiscal policy, ensuring that government spending and revenue collection are managed responsibly and align with economic priorities.

United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control: Committee plays a role in shaping U.S. drug policy and enhancing efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse on both national and international levels.

Voting patterns

Senator Luján has a voting record that reflects his commitment to healthcare access, education, economic development, renewable energy, and Indigenous rights. Here are some key aspects of his recent voting patterns:

Key Voting Patterns:

Healthcare:

Healthcare Access and Affordability: Luján is a strong advocate for expanding healthcare access. He has consistently voted to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and supported measures like the “American Rescue Plan Act” (H.R.1319) to provide COVID-19 relief and enhance healthcare coverage.
Prescription Drug Costs: Luján has supported measures to lower prescription drug prices, including efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap insulin costs.

Education:

Student Loan Relief: Luján supports measures to alleviate student debt and improve access to education. He voted for the “Build Back Better Act” (H.R.5376), which included provisions for increasing funding for higher education and reducing student loan debt.
Public Education Funding: Luján advocates for increased funding for public schools and has supported legislation aimed at improving K-12 education and expanding access to early childhood education.

Economic Policies:

Economic Development: Luján focuses on promoting economic development, particularly in New Mexico. He has supported legislation to improve infrastructure, increase broadband access in rural areas, and support small businesses.
Small Business Support: Luján has voted for various bills aimed at supporting small businesses, particularly through financial assistance and reducing regulatory burdens. He supported the “Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act” (H.R.266) to provide COVID-19 relief to small businesses.

Energy and Environment:

Renewable Energy: Luján is a strong advocate for renewable energy and environmental protection. He voted for the “Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act” (H.R.4447) to advance renewable energy development and reduce carbon emissions.
Environmental Protection: Luján supports stringent environmental regulations and has voted for the “Climate Action Now Act” (H.R.9) to keep the U.S. in the Paris Agreement and promote actions to combat climate change.

Indigenous Rights:

Support for Native Communities: Luján is dedicated to supporting Native American communities. He has voted for measures to improve healthcare, education, and economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples, and supported legislation to uphold tribal sovereignty and protect sacred lands.

Senator Ben Ray Luján’s voting record reflects his commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic growth through equitable policies, comprehensive healthcare access, balanced national security, strong environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights.