Ethics Watchdog Requests Ethics Investigation into Sen. Heinrich Over Campaign Solicitations

The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, an ethics watchdog, has called for an ethics investigation into Senator Martin Heinrich for allegedly linking official legislative actions to campaign contribution solicitations. According to the watchdog, Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, sent email solicitations promoting legislation and subsequently requested campaign contributions from the recipients. This practice is said to violate federal law and Senate ethics rules, which prohibit senators from fundraising based on their official duties. The watchdog's concern is that such actions could lead the public to question whether a senator's primary concern is their political campaign rather than their legislative responsibilities.