ICYMI: Vasquez Vows to Prioritize New Mexico’s Energy Workers Over Oil and Gas Executives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of vote on HR1, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) made it clear that he supports New Mexico’s energy workers and the economy that generates hundreds of millions of revenue for our state.  

“But Congress is not debating a bill to support energy workers who are essential to my district. We aren’t even debating the ways to lower energy costs for Americans - no matter what name Republicans gave this bill. This bill is about padding the pockets of executives at the cost of energy workers,” said Rep. Vasquez. “I’m working on legislation to ensure our energy workers aren’t being forgotten. Instead of focusing on growing record profits for Executives and CEOs. My bill will focus on protecting the backbone of our energy economy - our energy workers.”

WATCH: Vasquez Remarks. 

New Mexico’s second congressional district is one of the top energy-producing districts in the country, and Lea County produces more oil than any other county in the United States. In the Permian Basin, oil and gas production has increased nearly every year since 2013 and is on track to hit new records this year. 

“We are already unleashing American energy,” Vasquez declared. “But these profits aren’t going to the workers in my district–they’re going to wealthy CEOs with collections of massive mansions, while the energy workers in my district are living in tents and temporary trailer homes while risking their health and safety, making the big bosses more money.”

Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s full remarks as prepared for delivery are below. 

Let me be clear. I support our energy economy.  I stand by New Mexico’s energy workers, who help fuel our economy. New Mexico’s second congressional district is one of the top energy-producing regions in the world. In fact, Lea County produces more oil than any other county in the United States.

About half of New Mexico’s fossil fuel operations are on public lands, and royalties from the industry make up about a third of the State’s annual budget. With an industry so large, there are a lot of good-paying jobs for rural New Mexicans.

But Congress is not debating a bill to support energy workers who are essential to my district. We aren’t even debating the ways to lower energy costs for Americans - no matter what name Republicans give this bill. This bill is about padding the pockets of executives at the cost of energy workers. 

Just last year, when Americans saw gas prices as high as $5 per gallon at the pump, oil and gas made not millions of dollars, not billions of dollars, but trillions of dollars globally.

While my constituents were paying $100 to fill up their pickup truck, Exxon chiefs were making $55 billion in profit. And my colleagues across the aisle want to make them even richer at your expense.  In the Permian Basin, oil and gas production has increased nearly every year since 2013 and is on track to reach new, even higher records this year. 

We are already unleashing American Energy.

But these profits aren’t going to the workers in my district - they’re going to wealthy CEOs with collections of massive mansions – while the energy workers in my district are living in tents and temporary trailer homes while risking their health and safety, making the big bosses more money.

This bill is toxic.

Literally. 

It would increase pollution by removing the methane emissions regulations and gutting the Clean Air Act. Asthma rates in southeast New Mexico are the highest in the region, largely connected to methane and other emissions - and Republicans want to make this air dirtier - send more kids to the hospital.

According to Somos Un Pueblo Unido, nearly 1 in 2 energy workers has reported an injury on the job and most of these are injuries that are permanent. 

If this bill really cared about energy, it would start by prioritizing the people who pump it. 

As the representative for New Mexico’s second congressional district, I will always prioritize my constituents, the hard-working energy workers, over Big Oil CEOs from Texas. 

That’s why I’m working on legislation to ensure our energy workers aren’t being forgotten. Instead of focusing on growing record profits for Executives and CEOs. My bill will focus on protecting the backbone of our energy economy - our energy workers.

I’m focused on investing in the folksworkers who have generated hundreds of millions in revenue for our state. Those folks want to stay in Southeast New Mexico, and I am committed to ensuring that they can. 

When I got here, many people told me to be cautious - to be scared of the Big Oil Barons. I was told that they’re powerful and if I don’t agree to make them more money, I’m their number one target. 

Well guess what? 

I am not scared. 

I won’t be silenced. To the CEO’s watching this from their glamorous - out of touch mansions, just know I will always fight to ensure that New Mexico’s workers are a priority. And that’s why I am voting no on this bill.