Gabriel Vasquez — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in New Mexico, 2026

Representative Gabriel Vasquez opposed the FY26 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, citing concerns about a lack of accountability and oversight for DHS and ICE. He advocates for securing borders, expanding legal pathways, and ensuring humane treatment of immigrants, leading the New Democrat Coalition in developing a framework for immigration and border security. Vasquez co-sponsored the BEST Facilitation Act and the Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025, aiming for bipartisan solutions.

““As someone from a border community, I’ve seen firsthand how both parties have mishandled immigration for far too long,” said Working Group Chair Gabe Vasquez. “It’s time for change, and I’m proud to be leading the Democratic party forward with new commonsense policies to secure our borders, boost local economies, and expand legal pathways in a humane, cost-effective way. Democrats may not have had a plan on immigration, but that changes today.” — Rep. Gabe Vasquez, press release, August 25, 2025.”

Gabriel Vasquez voted for H.R. 1834, a three-year extension for ACA enhanced premium tax credits, to prevent health care price hikes and support rural hospitals. He stated that these credits are necessary to protect New Mexicans from soaring health care costs. He also co-sponsored the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act to permanently extend these credits and voted to protect pregnant students' access to care.

““I’ve heard directly from doctors, patients, and hospital leaders across my district, and they’ve made it clear we need to extend these tax credits to prevent health care price hikes and keep rural hospitals open for New Mexicans,” said Vasquez (Jan. 8, 2026 press release).”

Research pending more substantial sources.

Representative Gabriel Vasquez supports abortion rights and access to reproductive healthcare. He upheld his pro-choice voting record by rejecting a bill that would strip federal funding from colleges that inform pregnant students about healthcare options. He has stated that ensuring choice in reproductive access is the right thing to do and believes many in his district are "pro freedom" regarding these decisions. He also participated in the groundbreaking of a state-backed reproductive health clinic.

““There are folks that are pro life or pro choice, but I think more than anything, Hispanics are pro freedom, especially those that have come to this country to seek out those freedoms that perhaps they they felt were limited in their countries of origin," Vasquez said, in KUNM (October 17, 2024).”

Representative Gabe Vasquez voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act in 2025, which included $882.6 billion in defense spending, stating it is vital to ensure America's armed forces have necessary training, equipment, and resources. He opposed the FY26 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill in 2026, citing a lack of reform, oversight, and accountability for the agency. He supports improving public safety and voted for $4.4 billion in funds for state and local law enforcement.

““It is vital that we ensure America’s armed forces have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions,” said Vasquez. (Rep. Gabe Vasquez, Press Release, July 15, 2025)”

Gabriel Vasquez condemned the U.S. Department of Education's decision to lay off nearly 50% of its workforce, stating it threatens students, teachers, and families, particularly in rural and underserved communities. He supported the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, which provides $9 million in annual federal support for rural New Mexico counties to fund schools. He also rejected a bill that would strip federal funding from colleges and universities that inform pregnant students about health care options under Title IX.

Gabriel Vasquez received an 'F' grade from Gun Owners of America (GOA), an organization that assesses gun policy. According to GOA, an 'F' grade indicates an anti-gun voter who is philosophically committed against gun rights and consistently votes against gun owners' interests. The provided research did not contain specific gun policy votes or direct statements from Representative Vasquez for 2026.