ICYMI: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Conducts Small Business Tour of Albuquerque’s South Valley
Vasquez stopped by five small businesses after honoring local community leaders
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On May 29, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) spent the day in Albuquerque meeting with local social services organizations, business owners, workers, and seniors to discuss efforts to grow the local economy, combat homelessness, and support New Mexico seniors.
Combating Homelessness With Catholic Charities
Rep. Vasquez began the day at Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico, where he met with staff and discussed work to combat homelessness in Albuquerque. Recently, Rep. Vasquez sent a letter to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner demanding the agency reverse proposed changes to its longstanding Continuum of Care program, one of one of the largest federal grants that helps people in Albuquerque experiencing homelessness find permanent housing and stay off the streets.
Vasquez is also committed to protecting access to safe and affordable housing for all hardworking New Mexicans. He supports the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which recently passed the House. The bill marks the biggest win for housing affordability in a generation, and it includes investments in the construction of additional affordable housing projects to boost housing stock and bring down prices, provisions to protect everyday homebuyers from Wall Street corporations, expanded secure financing options to help New Mexicans buy a home, and a requirement that HUD help manufactured and mobile home manufacturers boost production.
Supporting Small Businesses With State Rep. Art De La Cruz
After that, Rep. Vasquez visited several small businesses in the South Valley with State Rep. Art De La Cruz. The two visited Larry’s South Valley Barbering, D&M Automotive, Mr. Shears Certified, and Alberto’s Tire Shop before ending at El Dorado Bakery.
Rep. Vasquez has brought historic investments to the South Valley and Albuquerque small business community, including $850,000 for the economic development center and $500,000 to help upgrade up to 200 local businesses’ storefronts and surrounding infrastructure. He remains committed to bringing home federal resources to help hardworking New Mexicans achieve the American Dream of starting a small business.
Catching Up With Albuquerque Seniors
Later in the day, Rep. Vasquez met with Albuquerque seniors at El Dorado Bakery to hear their concerns — including the challenges of coping with the rising cost of living on a fixed income — and to discuss the Congressman’s work to protect Social Security and lower skyrocketing prescription drug costs and other essentials for seniors.
Rep. Vasquez has stood up for seniors time and time again, including demanding clarity and honesty on taxes on Social Security, championing a bill that would cap annual prescription drug costs, and pressing the USPS on serious concerns about a recent policy change that could unfairly penalize New Mexican seniors who rely on mail to send time-sensitive documents.
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