Rep. Vasquez Stands With Veterans in Socorro, Marking PACT Act Anniversary

SOCORRO N.M. – To mark the fourth anniversary of the PACT Act, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) met with veterans in Socorro to discuss pressing issues including access to healthcare, affordable housing, and ensuring that veterans in rural areas continue to have access to the benefits they’ve earned. 

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“Socorro veterans have come together to build a network of community and support, and I’m grateful to be able to sit down with them and talk shop about the federal issues that impact veterans and their care and benefits,” said Vasquez. “I’ve made supporting veterans a cornerstone of my work in Congress and I’ll continue to go to bat for them in the face of extreme cuts and changes at the VA to strengthen their access to healthcare, housing, reintegration, education and workforce opportunities — especially in rural communities.”

“What struck me, I’ve only been in Socorro for about a year and 8 months, but Congressman [Vasquez] you’re the first one to come out and talk, to my knowledge, to veterans to hear their concerns. So pretty awesome that we’re celebrating that,” said Manny Gonzales, CEO of Socorro Electric and Sergeant Major (Ret.). “As a recipient of the PACT Act, I didn't know it was the anniversary date – it really means a lot for you to come out here.”

The PACT Act passed in 2022 and expanded VA healthcare and benefits for millions of veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, and other toxic substances during their military service. 

Rep. Vasquez sat down with: 

• Ravi Bhasker, Mayor of Socorro
• Manny Gonzales, CEO of Socorro Electric and Sergeant Major (Ret.)
• Sergeant Major Eugene McPeek (Ret.), VFW 1389 Commander
• Mack Dyer, NM VFW Army Department Commander
• Roxann Scott, Co-founder of Forget Me Not Veterans Park
• Daun Medaris, Co-founder of Forget Me Not Veterans Park
• Joe Gonzales, Socorro County Commissioner Chairman
• Peter Romero, Socorro City Councilor

Rep. Vasquez’s advocacy reflects his ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and active-duty servicemembers. His previous work includes: 

• Spearheading the TRICARE Travel Improvement Act, which Vasquez led and got passed into law with bipartisan support through the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill lowers the mileage requirement for TRICARE travel reimbursement from 100 miles to 75 miles — helping military families in rural communities more easily access medical care.
• The Feed Our Veterans Act, legislation Vasquez introduced and fought for during the most recent Farm Bill markup, to combat food insecurity among veterans and protect them from new burdensome SNAP work requirements introduced under the Republican tax law last summer. 
• Signed a bipartisan discharge petition to require a House vote on the Major Richard Star Act, legislation that would allow combat-injured veterans to receive both their full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation.
• Voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to obtain critical funding that would improve the quality of life for veterans and make substantial investments in infrastructure to support the readiness of active-duty servicemembers in New Mexico.  

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