Rep. Gabe Vasquez Passes National Defense Bill, Secures Major Wins for New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, December 10, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), delivering vital investments for New Mexico’s military installations, service members, and national laboratories.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I fought to ensure this year’s defense bill reflects the needs of New Mexico’s military families and makes smart investments that leave the U.S. stronger and safer,” said Vasquez. “From expanding access to care for rural service members to delivering long-overdue recognition to New Mexico’s Downwinders, this is a bipartisan win that honors those who have served and delivers real, meaningful progress for New Mexico.”

Vasquez’s bipartisan TRICARE Travel Improvement Act was passed in the final NDAA. His legislation expands access to medical travel reimbursement for military families by lowering the mileage threshold under TRICARE Prime to 75 miles. This provision will directly help families stationed at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base who routinely drive up to 95 miles each way for care.

The bill also includes Vasquez’s Downwinder Commemoration Act, which directs the Department of Defense to establish memorials at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base honoring New Mexicans impacted by the 1945 Trinity Test. By permanently commemorating the suffering endured by New Mexico’s Downwinder community, this bill delivers long-overdue recognition and preserves their legacy for future generations.

Vasquez also secured bipartisan passage of the COUNTER Act, which strengthens the ability of base commanders to defend installations like White Sands Missile Range against dangerous drone incursions.

Alongside these wins, the FY26 NDAA provides a 3.8% pay raise for service members and authorizes $1.5 billion for upgrades to quality of life infrastructure such as barracks, family housing, and child development centers. The bill also authorizes significant investments in New Mexico’s military infrastructure, including upgrades at White Sands Missile Range, Cannon Air Force Base, Kirtland Air Force Base, and the Santa Fe Army National Guard Training Center, as well as major support for Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. These investments will strengthen national security, create jobs, and support New Mexico’s role in cutting-edge research and defense readiness.

“This year’s NDAA reflects the priorities I have heard firsthand from service members and their families across southern New Mexico,” said Vasquez. “We are improving quality of life, protecting rural jobs, and making sure our state continues to play a central role in our national defense.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for final passage. “Servicemembers and their families stationed at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket just to access basic medical care,” said SenatorMartin Heinrich (D-N.M.), who is leading the Senate version of the TRICARE Travel Improvement Act. “I’m proud that my commonsense legislation to ensure they’re reimbursed for travel and can get the high-quality care they’ve earned was included in the conferenced NDAA and passed the House. I'll keep fighting to get this bill passed through the Senate and signed into law.”

The full list of New Mexico NDAA provisions can be found HERE.

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