Agriculture
During his time at New Mexico State University, Vasquez spent time working in Deming at a chile factory, and he understands first-hand New Mexico’s vital place in America’s agricultural sector. Our farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers from the South Valley to the Hatch Valley work the land every day to ensure all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable, American-grown food. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Vasquez is working alongside them to support New Mexico’s agricultural economy in the Farm Bill. Vasquez is also committed to protecting and expanding SNAP benefits, a lifeline for so many New Mexicans.
Standing Up for NM Farmers & Ranchers
- Launched the NM-02 Agriculture Advisory Group composed of agricultural leaders from across the district and brought House Agriculture Committee Chairman Thompson to Albuquerque to meet directly with farmers, ranchers, and businesses owners from New Mexico.
- Introduced the Ranching Without Red Tape Act to expedite permits for improvements on grazing allotments, such as repairing fences or upgrading irrigation systems, making it easier for farmers and ranchers to maintain their land.
- Introduced the Honor Farmer Contracts Act to require USDA to fulfill its commitments to farmers.
- Helped pass the WOLF Act to protect ranchers from financial losses due to livestock predation by wolves, ensuring 100% compensation for any cattle lost to predation.
Supporting Agricultural Workforce and Food Security
- Introduced the Strengthening Our Workforce Act to provide non-citizens who pass a background check, pay a fee, and work in critical sectors, including agriculture, a path to lawful permanent status, bringing much-needed stability for farm workers who make up the backbone of the American economy.
- Led the bipartisan Farm Workforce Support Act to advance H-2A visa reform for farm workers who sustain our agriculture industry.
Protecting Food Security and Lowering Grocery Prices
- Opposed the Republican tax law that slashed funding for SNAP, implemented burdensome paper work requirements, and put rural farms and grocery stores at risk of closing.
- Introduced the Feed Our Veterans Act to cut red tape imposed under the Republican tax law and ensure no veteran is forced to go hungry after serving their country.
- Advocated for expanded access to nutrition programs and addressed food insecurity in rural communities by championing the Hot Foods Act.
More on Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 23, 2026, U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) sent a letter demanding the Administration reverse its Argentinian beef import policy, condemning it for putting large foreign corporations over American ranchers and consumers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 5, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) voted to pass the 2026 Farm Bill out of the House Agriculture Committee, marking a major bipartisan win for New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers, and producers. Over the course of the lengthy Farm Bill markup — which included over 20 hours of deliberation and stretched into the early morning hours Thursday — Rep.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 4, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) fought to ensure New Mexico’s veterans do not go hungry, demanding Congress roll back the SNAP work requirements added for veterans under the Republican tax law.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On February 17, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) convened his Agriculture Advisory Group at the Gutierrez-Hubbell House in the South Valley to hear directly from New Mexico farmers, ranchers, food banks, state officials, and agricultural advocates about their top priorities and challenges as Congress prepares to take up the 2026 Farm Bill next week.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 15, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) unveiled the framework of the Farm and Family Relief Act alongside House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and other Democratic members of the Committee at a press conference on Capitol Hill.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a year marked by partisan gridlock and politics, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) managed to put common sense over D.C. dysfunction to deliver big, bipartisan wins for New Mexicans.
In 2025, seven of Rep. Vasquez’s bipartisan bills were signed into law by President Trump, including:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 9, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) delivered a major bipartisan victory for rural New Mexico with the passage of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025. Now enacted, the law restores $9 million in annual federal support for rural New Mexico counties to fund essential infrastructure like roads and schools, and it requires missed payments from 2024 and 2025 to be issued to counties within 45 days.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 8, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter urging Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to deliver timely, equitable relief to farmers across New Mexico who continue to face rising costs and uncertainty due to the administration’s tariff war. Nine of Rep. Vasquez’s colleagues joined him in sending this letter.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 2, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) was joined by Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03) and Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) as well as U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S.