Heinrich's definition of Bipartisanship: "Do It My Way."
By Mick Rich Oct 02, 2025
Why is New Mexico Last in the Nation? Heinrich is leading the NM Delegation
n 2015, Senator Martin Heinrich condemned Republicans for allowing a government shutdown when they stood on principle to rein in federal spending. In 2025, Heinrich himself stood on principle — this time for health care spending — and helped shut down the government.
What changed? Nothing. Martin Heinrich has always voted for one thing: Martin Heinrich.
Heinrich in 2015
Republicans voted against a bill to keep the government open. Heinrich attacked them:
From his September 21, 2015 press release:
"U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) calls on lawmakers to skip the political gamesmanship and instead begin bipartisan budget negotiations to keep the federal government open…
"The government shutdown in 2013 hit New Mexico hard and had very real consequences for our workforce.
We can't afford another manufactured crisis… The politics and showmanship are insulting to the American people and it's no way to govern."
Heinrich in 2025
This time, Democrats voted against the bill to keep the government open. And Heinrich justified it.
From his September 29, 2025 press release:
"Heinrich's events underscored the threat of a looming Republican government shutdown… Republicans blocked legislation that would have kept the government open and addressed the health care and inflation crisis they created."
He warned of higher health care premiums, Medicaid cuts, and SNAP reductions — while conveniently ignoring the fact that his own party was the one refusing to compromise.
Bipartisanship on Heinrich's Terms
Heinrich gives bipartisanship a bad name.
To him, a bill is "bipartisan" only if he supports it. If Republicans or a coalition of both parties support something else, suddenly it's "partisan gamesmanship."
This time, Democratic Senators John Fetterman (PA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) voted with Republicans, along with Independent Senator Angus King (ME). That is true bipartisan support. Heinrich and most
Democrats were the ones opposing bipartisan legislation.
A Lesson from Rand Paul
In 2018, I met with Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky. He asked me only two questions:
1. Do you support the legalization of marijuana?
2. Do you support me when I shut down the federal government?
My answer: No. By the time a funding bill reaches the Senate floor, the fight is already over. Vote to keep the government open, and then fight wasteful spending every day after.
The Bottom Line
Since Donald Trump's election, Republicans in Congress have fought every day for the American People.
Democrats, by contrast, waited until the brink of a shutdown to try to blackmail the public into accepting Obamacare's spiraling costs.
Martin Heinrich's record is clear: when Republicans resist, it's "reckless showmanship." When Democrats resist, it's "principled bipartisanship."
In reality, it's always been about one thing — Martin Heinrich.
