Rep. Gabe Vasquez Secures $4.8 Million in Federal Funding for Better Public Safety and Infrastructure in New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 8, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) secured over $4.8 million in federal funding for direct investments in public safety and water infrastructure in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District. 

“You sent me to Congress to make your life better, and that is exactly what this $4.8 million federal investment in our community will do,” said Vasquez. “This bill will make our communities safer and healthier, providing for better tools and training for our law enforcement officers, upgrading drinking and wastewater infrastructure in places like Ramah, and more.”

Rep. Vasquez has advocated for the passage of this Community Project Funding for years, and yesterday’s passage of the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS), Interior, and Energy and Water appropriations bills in the House was a major victory, as these landmark pieces of legislation continue on a glide path toward final passage to deliver millions in concrete investment in New Mexico. 

Community Project Funding secured includes: 

• $1,069,000 for the Albuquerque Crime Center Upgrades Project
  • This project will expand Albuquerque’s public safety camera network and strengthen its integration with the Real Time Crime Center, helping officers access critical information in real time. These upgrades would support faster emergency response, improve crime prevention, and make neighborhoods safer by giving law enforcement better tools to address violent and property crime.
• $500,000 for the Bernalillo County Public Safety Technology Upgrades
  • This project would upgrade public safety technology and training systems used by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office to help deputies respond more effectively to crime. Modern tools and improved training would support faster investigations, stronger preparedness, and safer communities for residents across the county.
• $1,092,000 for the Belen Wastewater Treatment Facility
  • This project would upgrade Belen’s aging wastewater treatment facility to keep pace with population growth and reduce risks to public health and the environment. The improvements would help prevent system failures, protect local water resources, and ensure reliable wastewater service for residents now and in the future.
• $1,092,000 for the Clancy Lift Station Replacement
  • This project would replace failing wastewater infrastructure at the Clancy Lift Station to prevent sewage backups and protect public health in Truth or Consequences. The upgrades would help ensure reliable service for homes and the New Mexico State Veterans’ Home while safeguarding nearby waterways and the Rio Grande watershed.
• $1,092,000 for the Ramah Navajo Drinking Water Improvement
  • This project would renovate Ramah Navajo’s only drinking water system, replacing decades-old pipes and infrastructure that have caused frequent water breaks and contamination risks. The upgrades would ensure reliable access to clean, safe drinking water for Tribal families and support the long-term health and sustainability of the community.

In addition to these Community Project Funding wins, the Congressman championed the passage of the following priorities to improve life for New Mexicans:

Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS):

• Police Funding: $4.4 billion in funding secured for state and local law enforcement, including investments to help law enforcement agencies recruit and retain officers, modernize equipment, improve training, combat crime, and keep communities safer. This funding includes:
  • $375 million for Juvenile Justice grants
  • $800 million for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs
  • $397 million for Byrne Justice Assistance grants
  • $538 million for Byrne Justice community projects
  • $50 million for Community Violence Intervention and Prevention grants
• Combatting Fentanyl: $2.6 billion for the DEA to disrupt and dismantle the Mexican cartels responsible for flooding the United States with fentanyl
• Combatting Violence and Supporting Victims of Crime:
  • $720 million for Violence Against Women Act grants
  • $1.95 billion for the Crime Victims Fund
• Commerce and Business Development:
  • $175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program to support small and medium-sized domestic manufacturers grow and create good-paying American jobs
  • $50 million for the Minority Business Development Agency to help minority-owned businesses thrive
  • $400 million for Economic Development Administration grants to invest in programs that spur job creation in economically distressed communities

Interior:

• Support for Public Lands:
  • $3.3 billion for the National Park Service
  • $1.3 billion for the Bureau of Land Management, including $11.2 million for National and Scenic Historic Trails, which will go to managing the Continental Divide Trail
• Clean Water: $4.4 billion for clean drinking water infrastructure
• Wildfire: $6.4 billion in resources for DOI and USFS to prepare for and respond to wildland fires
• Funds Local Infrastructure: Fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which offsets property tax losses due to federal land. New Mexico received $49 million in FY2024.
• Support for Tribes:
  • $2.5 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • $1.4 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education
  • $570 million for Tribal Public Safety and Justice programs, which is a $14.5 million increase over FY25 

Energy and Water: 

• Combatting Drought: Rep. Vasquez singlehandedly passed legislation requiring the Bureau of Reclamation to brief Congress in the next 180 days on the drought conditions in the Rio Grande watershed, including on the current use of water resources and measures that can be used to combat the impacts of drought on economic activity, such as farming.
• Water Conservation: $1.6 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation to deliver water to farmers and cities, work with local entities to manage dam infrastructure, and provide water conservation assistance
• Southwest Border Regional Commission: $6 million, an increase of $1 million from last year, to bring equitable federal investments to rural communities in the border region
• Energy Investments: $15.1 billion in new authority to support the development of domestic supply chains and invest in energy research and development programs at the Department of Energy
• National Labs: $8.4 billion to support cutting-edge research at our national laboratories and partnerships with universities throughout the country

###