U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:

• • • • • Vasquez advocated for RECA and prioritized common-sense initiatives that improve the lives of service members and ensure New Mexico’s military installations remain at the forefront of national defense

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  On May 22, 2024, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) secured major wins for New Mexico and voted to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) out of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) to the House Floor for consideration.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, my priority is ensuring that our servicemembers and their families have the support they need and that our military installations in New Mexico remain at the forefront of national defense,” said Vasquez. “These efforts are essential for our national security and economic prosperity. I’m committed to bringing more good-paying jobs to the state and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely.”

In his role on the committee, Vasquez serves on the Strategic Forces and Readiness subcommittees. Vasquez helped draft the bipartisan FY25 NDAA. The final bill includes dozens of provisions Vasquez authored, such as installation and housing infrastructure improvements, quality-of-life for service members, clean water and unexploded ordnance remediation to support Tribal communities.

The committee held a comprehensive debate, and Vasquez delivered investments in innovation, security, research, and quality-of-life improvements for servicemen and women in New Mexico. Vasquez secured more than 20 provisions in the bipartisan FY25 NDAA. 

During the debate, Vasquez also emphasized the importance of expanding and reauthorizing the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which will expire in June, leaving millions of eligible people unable to get the compensation they deserve.

“It is integral that we not only reauthorize RECA, but expand eligibility to include all impacted communities,” Vasquez said. “Without warning, nearly half a million New Mexicans within a 150-mile radius of the Trinity Site in Tularosa were exposed to deadly ionizing radiation. This is a harm done by the federal government, and it is up to the federal government to rectify it.”

The text of this amendment has bipartisan support in both chambers and has passed off the Senate floor. Unfortunately, in the Republican-led House, RECA was not included in the FY25 NDAA.

Below are a few notable wins that were included in this year’s bill.

Growing and Protecting Jobs: 

• Rural Jobs: To protect rural jobs, Congress must now be notified about potential contract cancellations at rural military bases when 50 or more people are affected, instead of the previous requirement of 100 people.
• New Mexico Spaceport: To help places such as Spaceport America become a leading hub for space transportation, aerospace operations, and national security efforts, Vasquez secured the expansion of the use of inland launch sites, bringing more investment and job opportunities to Sierra County.

Service Member Quality of Life Improvements:

• Pay Raise: Vasquez secured a 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members, as well as increases in the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Needs Allowance (BNA).
• Health Care: Vasquez secured more access to specialty health care providers, which is impactful in places such as New Mexico, where finding in-network specialists can be extremely difficult.
• Child Care: Vasquez has heard from many families about the challenges of finding child care on bases, that’s why he made pay more competitive for DOD child care personnel and improved resources to provide free childcare for DOD child care providers.

Infrastructure Improvements: 

• WSMR Infrastructure: Vasquez secured $29 million for a new Missile Assembly Building at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). The military will also now identify infrastructure gaps at WSMR and outline the risks if modernization efforts are neglected. This proactive approach ensures that WSMR stays ahead of potential dangers by prioritizing necessary upgrades to its infrastructure. 
• Military Housing: The bill also invests $1.15 billion in military housing improvements. To address potential housing shortages head-on, Vasquez secured a report on housing availability for civilians and contractors who provide critical functions at rural bases.

Safety Efforts:

• Supporting Tribal Lands: Vasquez secured a $5 million increase in funding for the Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP) to clean up UXO and the first step to removing existing UXO from Tribal lands completely.
• Cleaning up Pollution: Vasquez was able to secure provisions that mandate the continued clean-up efforts for Kirtland Air Force Base’s Bulk Fuels Facility jet fuel leak and ensure service members and their families have access to clean, safe water.