Rep. Gabe Vasquez Opposes House Republican Bill That Slashes Health Care and Essential Services for New Mexicans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) voted against the House Republican reconciliation package, titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” citing its devastating impact on working families, rural communities, and public health in New Mexico. The bill imposes deep cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and rural hospitals, while handing permanent tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.

“This bill takes food and health care away from our families so the ultra-wealthy can get another tax cut,” said Vasquez. “In my district, it would rip away Medicaid from 29,000 people, slash food assistance for nearly 50,000 families, and put rural hospitals on the brink of closure. I came to Congress to fight for working people—not to help Elon Musk and his billionaire friends get richer.”

The reconciliation package would:

• Cut $698 billion from Medicaid, threatening care for over 35,000 New Mexicans.
  
   
• Eliminate enhanced ACA tax credits, raising premiums and risking coverage loss for thousands.
  
   
• Slash $267 billion from SNAP, cutting benefits for 120,000 New Mexicans—including 49,000 in NM-02—and costing New Mexico  $270 million.
  
   
• Puts rural hospitals in New Mexico at risk of closure.
  
   
• Add $3.8 trillion to the deficit while delivering 66% of tax breaks to the top 20% of earners.

While Republicans push tax cuts that overwhelmingly favor the rich, Vasquez has introduced and supported legislation that puts working families first:

• The Boost the Middle Class Act – Expands the Earned Income Tax Credit by 10% and indexes it to inflation, putting more money into the pockets of working families.
  
   
• The Tax Relief from Tariffs and High Costs Act – Offers a fully refundable 10% tax credit to households making under $100,000 to offset rising prices.
  
   
• The Honor and Hire Veterans Act – Increases tax incentives for businesses to hire veterans.

As Congress debated the bill, Rep. Vasquez also fought for improvements, including his Honor Farmer Contracts Act to ensure USDA upholds contracts with farmers and the Affordable Insulin Now Act to cap insulin costs at $35/month for people with private insurance. However, Republicans blocked both amendments. 

This vote underscores Rep. Vasquez’s commitment to protecting New Mexico’s working families, veterans, and rural communities. As House Republicans prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy at the expense of essential services, Vasquez continues to champion legislation that lowers costs, expands access to care, and delivers real relief to the people of southern New Mexico.

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