New Mexico Sen. Heinrich Voices Supplement Industry Support
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
The latest potential member of the congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus hails from New Mexico: Democrat Martin Heinrich. Serving his first term in the Senate, Heinrich met industry stakeholders during a reception held by AHPA at Natural Products Expo West.
Sen. Martin Heinrich emerged as a potential ally for the dietary supplement industry at a reception the American Herbal Products Association held for the New Mexico Democrat.
Heinrich, elected to the Senate in 2012, spoke to industry stakeholders March 8 in Anaheim, Calif., at AHPA’s event during Natural Products Expo West.
“It’s so exciting to see the growth in this industry,” he said, and cited his personal commitment to holistic and preventive health.
“I want to continue to grow this relationship, know what you’re working on, and continue this educational process,” Heinrich added.
Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.
Photo courtesy of Sen. Heinrich's office
The 41-year-old Heinrich served two terms in the House before being elected to succeed retiring Sen. Jeff Bingaman. Previously, he was an Albuquerque city council member from 2003 to 2007 and New Mexico’s natural resources trustee in 2006 under then-Gov. Bill Richardson.
While Utah typically is regarded in Congress as the supplement industry’s home base given the proliferation of companies there, Heinrich emphasized New Mexico’s own bona fides for the industry. After all, Richardson was the representative who introduced the House version of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1994 (Also see "Supplement advocates in 105th Congress include Rep. Richardson, Sen. Harkin." - Pink Sheet, 11 Nov, 1996.).
“It’s a state that gets this industry,” Heinrich said. “It’s a state where people really care about health, not just about treating things when they become an acute problem.”
The 33rd annual Expo West event had its biggest year yet, attracting more than 63,000 attendees and 2,428 exhibiting companies.
Still, Heinrich said many members of Congress simply are unaware of the natural products industry. He expressed hope that the sector could provide a foundation for broader bipartisanship, given the support it enjoys from both the left and the right.
The supplement industry seeks a new generation of congressional allies, particularly in the Senate, in light of the pending retirements of Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, in 2014, and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in 2018 (Also see "Harkin Exit Intensifies Industry Need To Bolster Supplement Caucus" - Pink Sheet, 4 Feb, 2013.).
Heinrich encouraged industry leaders to get acquainted with Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, who has announced his intention to run for Harkin’s Senate seat in 2014. Braley, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, is in his fourth term in the House.
The next step for the supplement trade associations is to recruit Heinrich and other lawmakers into the Dietary Supplement Caucus, which after the 2012 elections lost six of its 20 members from the start of the 112th Congress.