Heinrich amendments for N.M. military installations, national labs, and high-tech manufacturing economy clear the Senate

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 18 June 2018 18 June 2018

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted for the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and announced amendments he secured in the bill that support New Mexico's men and women in uniform, military installations, national laboratories, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), and job-creating initiatives throughout the state.

The bill passed the Senate Armed Services Committee in May and passed the full Senate today by a vote of 85-10.

"New Mexicans make tremendous contributions to our national security and work at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development in the defense industry," said Senator Heinrich. "This bipartisan bill makes major investments to ensure our Armed Forces are equipped with the most modern technology so we can stay ahead of our adversaries. I am proud to have authorized funding for military constructions projects that will modernize infrastructure at White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and Kirtland Air Force Base. New Mexico is the Center of Excellence for small satellites and for directed energy weapons, and this bill increases funding and streamlines authorities to bolster those missions. This bill also increases investment in Los Alamos' plutonium mission and provides funds to build a new NNSA Complex in Albuquerque that will house up to 1,200 employees. I am also pleased to have included an important cyber strategy to deter our adversaries from conducting cyber-attacks against our country. These provisions, among many others, will benefit our economy and further New Mexico's strong position as a leader in national security for years to come."

The NDAA sets the Department of Defense spending levels and policies for the upcoming fiscal year and authorizes funding for the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons programs at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, as well as the Department of Energy's environmental cleanup programs including the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

A list of including many of the programs and provisions Senator Heinrich advocated for during the bill writing process that were included in the FY19 NDAA is available as a PDF here and on Senator Heinrich's website.

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