Rep. Gabe Vasquez Votes to Pass National Defense Bill, Secures Major Wins for New Mexico and Service Members Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted in favor of the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Vasquez was instrumental in ensuring that the NDAA supports service members, enhances national security and prioritizes the needs of rural communities, including those in New Mexico. 

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I worked across the aisle to pass the NDAA to strengthen our national security and address the critical needs of our service members and their families,” said Vasquez. “The provisions I secured will directly benefit New Mexico and our service members, including a historic pay raise, job protections for our rural service members and expanded access to reproductive care.”

Vasquez’s Rural Installation Job Protection Act was passed in the final NDAA. His legislation requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to notify Congress before canceling contracts that impact 50 or more jobs at rural military installations, protecting jobs at bases like White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and ensuring that rural communities that rely on military installations are not left behind. 

Vasquez also secured substantial pay raises for service members. The final bill includes a 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for all other service members, providing critical financial support for those who serve in the Armed Forces. 

Vasquez played a leading role in protecting LGBTQ+ rights, diversity efforts and access to reproductive health care. He ensured that harmful Republican-led provisions—such as those targeting LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive health care—were stripped from the bill. These provisions, which would have restricted access to gender-affirming care and reproductive services for service members, were removed due to a concerted effort led by Vasquez and his Democratic colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee. 

“By protecting access to critical health care and LGBTQ+ service members, we have made clear that the Department of Defense must protect the rights and dignity of every service member,” said Vasquez. “While we have secured wins for New Mexico, there’s more work to be done; Congress must also ensure their dependents have access to affordable, quality health care.”

The NDAA also authorizes over $2.23 billion in defense-related funding for New Mexico. These investments will strengthen the state's role in national defense, create jobs, and contribute to the continued success of New Mexico’s defense industry. The bill further includes $177 million in military construction to replace outdated housing and barracks, ensuring that military personnel have the quality living conditions they deserve. The full list is available HERE.

Vasquez’s continued advocacy for New Mexico’s military installations and service members has made a significant impact. This NDAA reflects his unwavering commitment to both national security and the well-being of military families, particularly in rural areas across New Mexico.

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