Vasquez Remains Committed to Military Installations and Service Members

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) visited White Sands Missile Range. Rep. Vasquez is committed to understanding the needs and challenges faced by our armed forces as a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Vasquez recognizes these installations’ vital role in our national security and defense strategy. 

“New Mexico plays a pivotal role in our national security and defense strategy. It is an honor to represent New Mexico’s service members and their families in my role on the House Armed Services Committee,” said Vasquez. “Visiting all of our military installations is crucial for me to understand first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing our military communities to more effectively advocate for their needs and ensure New Mexico remains at the forefront of research, readiness and national defense capabilities.”

Rep. Vasquez has toured and engaged with personnel at Holloman Air Force Base, Kirtland Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range. These visits were an opportunity for the Congressman to witness the exemplary work conducted at each installation and a chance to connect with service members to hear their concerns directly. His visits have allowed him to gain firsthand insights into the state-of-the-art technology, training programs and infrastructure that contribute to the readiness of our military forces.

Rep. Vasquez thanked the military personnel and their families for their service and sacrifices. He remains steadfast in his commitment to championing the interests of the armed forces and ensuring the well-being of those who selflessly defend our nation.

Across the district, Rep. Vasquez engaged in discussions with military leaders, frontline personnel, and local community representatives to better understand each installation's unique challenges and opportunities. The insights gathered will inform his work on the House Armed Services Committee, where he advocates for policies that strengthen our national defense capabilities as he prepares for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

Rep. Vasquez is also proud of several key victories he secured for the district in the NDAA for FY 2024:

• $5.5 million for the Joint Directed Energy Test Center (J-DETC) Facility at White Sands Missile Range will play a crucial role in enhancing the center's capabilities and advancing research in directed energy technologies.
• The creation of defense-wide minimum housing quality standards. This mandate ensures that service members across the board are provided with high-quality housing, with a requirement that the respective Secretary of Defense must approve any waivers for substandard housing.
• Comprehensive reporting from each military service outlining their plans to address urgent Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDTE) facility repair and modernization needs to ensure that military facilities have state-of-the-art infrastructure to support cutting-edge research and development efforts.
• The implementation of a standardized system for measuring and reporting on the quality of critical infrastructure systems, including utilities and transportation systems vital to the functioning of military installations, ensuring their resilience and reliability.

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