Constituent Services

Help with a Federal Agency

One of the most important jobs I have is helping constituents when they are having problems with federal agencies.

Congressional courtesy, ethics rules and propriety dictate that each Member of Congress has the honor and responsibility to serve his or her own constituents.

Due to privacy laws, all requests must have the written consent of a constituent in order to make an official inquiry. However, I will be happy to listen to your concerns if you're having difficulties. Please contact one of my six offices and outline the situation so that we can determine whether we may be of assistance. Our offices will then contact you directly to obtain your written consent.

A signed and completed Privacy Release Form can be faxed to (505) 346-6780 or it can be mailed to my Albuquerque office:

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich
625 Silver Avenue, S. W., Suite 130
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

Here are a few quick questions to help you determine if my office can assist you in your case.

Q: Is your situation a legal dispute?

As a member of the Legislative Branch, I am unable to become involved in court cases or legal issues. This restriction is due to the Separation of Powers as outlined in the Constitution. This restriction applies to both civil and criminal matters.

Q: Is your case within the agency normal processing time?

If you believe your situation merits faster processing, please contact one of my offices. We will discuss your situation and help you determine the proper strategy.

Q: What assistance can you expect from Senator Heinrich's office?

My office is here to assist constituents with problems involving a federal agency. Although unable to assure a specific outcome regarding a particular case, I can make inquiries as to the status of your case, obtain additional information, or direct you to appropriate resources or services. My role is to assure you a fair and thorough review of your case and to seek a timely response from the agency.

If you are still unsure whether I can assist you with your case, please contact us and we will discuss your situation with you and work with you to determine the best course of action.

Schedule a Meeting

Thank you for requesting a meeting with me. In order to expedite the processing of your request, please email the following information to schedule@heinrich.senate.gov

Name
Company/Organization Requesting Meeting
Email Address
Office Phone Number
Cell Phone Number
Day-Of Appointment Contact Name and Number
Date(s) of Requested Meeting
Key Issues to Discuss/Purpose of Meeting
Please List All Attendees and Their Hometown

Visiting Washington, D.C.

Visiting Washington, D.C. is an exciting and educational experience. My door is always open to you, so please don't hesitate to stop by my office to visit with me and my staff. In addition, my staff can serve as a resource to you in booking tours for your trip. Please fill out our Online Contact Form or call my Washington, D.C. Office at (202) 224-5521. You will need to submit all security information to our office for White House tours at least three weeks in advance.

Below is information about two of the most popular tours.

United States Capitol

General Admission tickets for the United States Capitol are available Monday through Saturday on a first come first serve basis, so arrive early. Tickets are distributed beginning at 8:00 a.m., and tours are conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Congressional staff led tours are also available daily. Please contact my office at (202) 224-5521 for information on tour times and to reserve your spot.

White House


Due to increased security procedures enacted since September 11th, it can be very difficult to get tickets to tour the White House and slots are extremely limited. Tour requests should be made up to six months in advance and requests are considered on a first come first serve basis. However, the White House does not inform Congressional Offices about the status of tour requests until two or three weeks before the requested tour date. The White House also requires that security information be submitted at least three weeks in advance, therefore our office will be unable to secure a White House tour on your behalf if you request it within that timeframe.

Please note, all tours are subject to cancellation due to occasional security shutdowns.

Flag Requests

United States Flag
I can arrange the purchase, at cost, of a United States flag. There are several sizes available in both cotton and nylon. You may contact my office at (202) 224-5521 to receive a flag request form, or you can download the Flag Request Form. Once completed, please send the form, by mail to:

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich
Dirksen Senate Building
B40, Suite D
Washington, DC 20510

Flag Flown over the Capitol Building
I can also arrange to have the flag flown over the Capitol Building to commemorate a special occasion. Upon delivery, the flag will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity that indicates the date flown, and a brief personalized description of the occasion commemorated. This is a unique way for families to remember anniversaries, celebrate graduations, birthdays, or Eagle and Girl Scout achievements. Flags are flown each day of the year, but take a minimum of four weeks to process. Please download the Flag Request Form.

Presidential Greetings
My office can also assist in obtaining presidential greetings for special occasions such as wedding anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc. There are a number of options, so please call my Washington, D.C. Office for more information about special greetings at (202) 224-5521.

Internship Application

Working in a Congressional Office can be an incredibly rewarding and exciting experience. An internship provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience, and observe first-hand how our government operates. Interns gain practical work experience where they receive mentoring and have a chance to cultivate a career in public service.

Internships are available expressly for the purpose of furthering educational objectives, therefore they are unpaid and usually awarded to graduate and college-level students. High school applicants are also considered.

There is no application deadline. Interns are accepted throughout the year on both a full and part-time basis. Priority is given to applicants from New Mexico although all interested persons are encouraged to apply. Selection is based on an applicant's general office and computer experience, interview, and a short writing sample.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample (three pages or less) email it to internships@heinrich.senate.gov or it can be faxed to (202) 228-2841.

Academy Nomination

Thank you for your interest in applying to one of the United States Service Academies. Being nominated is a significant honor and the application process is rigorous. I encourage all students who are interested in applying and willing to put forth significant time and effort to do so.

New Mexico has a rich military history of brave citizens who have dedicated their lives in service of our country. It is important to continue to strengthen our proud military history by providing each United States Service Academy with the most qualified and meritorious candidates.  

Our nation's service academies offer four-year college educations to qualified students. Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy receive commissions in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marine, or Coast Guard, and are obligated to serve for at least five years after graduation. You do not need a Congressional nomination to attend the Coast Guard Academy.

If you are interested in pursuing this proud tradition, I encourage you to contact my Washington, D.C. Office to begin the application process. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending a U.S. Service Academy and serving our country.

United States Military Academy at West Point
Since its founding two centuries ago, the Military Academy has accomplished its mission by developing cadets in four critical areas: intellectual, physical, military, and moral-ethical - a four-year process called the "West Point Experience." West Point continues to prepare its graduates to serve as commissioned leaders of character in America's 21st Century Army.

United States Naval Academy
The Naval Academy was founded in 1845 by the Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, in what is now historic Annapolis, MD. As the U.S. Navy has moved from a fleet of sail and steam-powered ships to a high tech fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships as well as supersonic aircraft, the Academy has changed also. This academy gives young men and women the up-to-date academic and professional training needed to be effective naval and marine officers in their assignments after graduation.

United States Air Force Academy
Designed for the future, the United States Air Force Academy campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories, observatories and a library containing over 700,000 volumes. Spanning 18,000 spectacular acres nestled against the Rocky Mountains, the Academy draws thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

United States Merchant Marine Academy
The United States Merchant Marine Academy will teach you how to succeed in the maritime and transportation industries or the Armed Forces, while it prepares you to receive a Bachelor of Science degree, a merchant marine license, and an appointment as a commissioned officer on reserve or active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Through its unique combination of academic, regimental and shipboard programs, will train you as a leader of quality, integrity and high ethical standards.

United States Coast Guard Academy
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is proud to educate leaders of a multi-mission, maritime military force. As a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard, you will be leading a team of men and women who are continually called on to serve their community, country and fellow citizens. While the United States Coast Guard is notable as the oldest life-saving service in the world, its roles include more than just Maritime Safety and Security. The Coast Guard is also called upon for critical service in Protection of Natural Resources, Maritime Mobility and National Defense.

Federal Grant Funding

I am committed to providing guidance and key resources to help eligible grant seekers find information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance for your projects. Please contact my office with any questions. Below are some helpful resources:

Grants.gov

Benefits.gov

Federal Student Aid

U.S. Small Business Administration