Gabriel (Gabe) Vasquez

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to put in the simplest of terms how the President's war in Iran is impacting New Mexicans. Exhibit A: the pain at the pump. This time last year, New Mexicans paid over a dollar less per gallon. Mr. Speaker, New Mexico is a big State. We have to drive hours just to see family, go to work, or see the closest doctor. A lot of us drive trucks and diesels. New Mexico is a truck State. It now costs nearly $200 to drive a truck from one end of my district to the other. Let's think about that. A round trip is $400. Who can afford that? That is more than the cost of a plane ticket. Trump's illegal war is costing the average New Mexican about $81 more in gas each month alone. $81 may not mean much to Wall Street brokers or investors, but it sure as hell does mean a lot to working-class families. That is a week of groceries, a month's electric bill, or three tickets to the Isotopes game. As folks head to the grocery store to stock up for Labor Day, they have one thought: These prices are too damn high, and that extra $81 a month is a big problem.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about patriotism and what it means to be a patriot in this great country. The American experience is one that we all share. It bonds us together under one Constitution, and as lawmakers serving in these hallowed halls, we have the privilege of carrying forward one of the world's greatest democratic ideas through one of its most deliberative bodies. Fortunately for the American public, that experience includes over a century of bipartisan support for another one of America's greatest and best ideas: the creation, shared stewardship, and enjoyment of our Nation's public lands, so that we may continue to hunt, to fish, to take our families camping, to discover America's history, and to unravel the great mysteries and gifts that can only be found in our Nation's national forests, national parks, BLM lands, and wildlife refuges. Long after the creation of the U.S. Forest Service in 1905 by Republican President and conservationist Teddy Roosevelt, Americans of all political stripes have continued the legacy of conserving our public lands for all Americans, for multiple uses--both for our enjoyment and for the domestic production of natural resources, a careful balance that requires bipartisan and local support. Let me remind this body of the tremendous work of U.S. Senator Frank Church. The Senator's impact on this Nation's wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, and land and water conservation is to be celebrated. In particular, he should be lauded for the way in which he went about passing many of our Nation's bedrock public land laws that stand until this day. You see, Senator Church was a quiet, careful workman who worked across the aisle to strike compromise and pass overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation such as the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. This was an unprecedented period of patriotism and public lands where bipartisanship flourished, and Congress worked as a unified body to protect our Nation's most precious resources. In 1964, the Wilderness Act passed the House by a whopping 373-1 majority. That same year, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act passed by a voice vote in the House and a 92-1 vote in the Senate. In 1973, the House passed the Endangered Species Act in a landslide 355-4 vote. Even Nixon, not known as an environmentalist, in 1972, proclaimed that what began as an environmental awakening must mature finally into a new and higher environmental way of life. Believe it or not, there was a time which in this body we crafted win-win models of public land legislation. That is why I helped establish the first bipartisan Public Lands Caucus with former Interior Secretary and Montana Representative Ryan Zinke. Today, we have the potential to piece together the remnants of bipartisan political consensus and provide a powerful framework for modern conservation and public lands initiatives. Working together under this patriotic caucus to achieve wider bipartisan agreement, I believe that we can mediate conflicts between natural resource users and protection proponents and demonstrate that economic development and conservation are not mutually exclusive. Today, foreign companies have spread their tentacles and sprawled into our forests, rivers, and national monuments, all in search of a quick buck. Paired together with short sighted proposals from this administration that threaten to undo the Roadless Rule, to eliminate the Public Lands Rule, to shrink our national monuments, to open sensitive habitat in the Alaskan Arctic Refuge to drilling, to narrow regulations of the ESA, to shrink the U.S. Forest Service, to rob crucial maintenance funds from the National Parks budget, and just recently to sell off part of Yosemite National Park to a private developer, we are in deep, deep trouble of losing what both Democrats and Republicans have long fought to conserve and to protect. Public lands improve every American's quality of life. They provide abundance and liberty. We must fight to ensure access to the American Dream, and that includes access to public lands and a healthy environment. The truth is, Americans love nature. Hunters, anglers, and families alike agree that public lands are patriotic. Let us renew these concepts of bipartisan cooperation and protect our shared patriotism, even if it means standing up to our own party and this administration in the wake of the largest wave of attacks we have seen to our public lands in our Nation's history. Mr. Speaker, I know that I will be doing my damndest to protect the places we love in New Mexico, across the West, and this great Nation. I hope that my colleagues in this body can put partisanship aside and have the courage to do the same.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, in New Mexico, water is life, and it is our economy. In 1902, the Federal Government recognized this harsh reality, passing the Reclamation Act to make arid Western lands agriculturally productive. In that negotiation, they gave States like New Mexico the right to allocate and adjudicate its own water resources. Today, those rights are being violated. Don't ask me. Ask Luna County farmers and ranchers who are currently seeing droves of unauthorized wells being drilled by the Federal Government right by their pastures, stealing their water. It has to stop. For generations, ranching families in this border community have relied on water from the Mimbres and Hachita Basin to sustain their herds and their way of life. When the feds needed water, they bought it or they trucked in. Recently they said: Why buy it when we can steal it? Our ranchers follow the State's water laws. DHS doesn't, and it appears they don't care either. DHS contractors today are drilling deep new wells in Luna County for border wall construction, depleting this vital water source with no regard for permitting, State law, or the impact to border ranchers. Mr. Speaker, we all support border security, but we don't support unauthorized well drilling that's draining precious resources. I stand with our ranchers.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, Lorenzo Salgado, como cualquier papa, debio haber llegado a su casa, recibido por su esposa y sus hijos en la tarde del 7 de Julio. Debio haberse sentado en su patio, como lo hacia cada tarde, escuchando su musica, y jugando con su perro. Pero Lorenzo no regreso ese dia. Fallecio a manos de ICE. Lorenzo tenia 52 anos. Paso 35 de esos anos construyendo casas en Houston--casas que para muchas familias, fueron su sueno Americano. Lorenzo abrio su propio negocio. Y cuando alguien tocaba a su puerta buscando trabajo, Lorenzo le daba trabajo. Su hijo lo describe como un creador de empleos para mucha gente, trabajadores, igual que el. Tenia tres hijos: un maestro, un ingeniero, y un joven que estudia ingenieria. El siete de julio, Lorenzo se levanto antes del amanecer--como cada dia de su vida. A las siete de la manana, ya estaba trabajando: manejando su van llevando a su equipo a un sitio de construccion. Lorenzo Salgado, like any father, should have arrived home, greeted by his wife and children on the afternoon of July 7th. He should have sat in his backyard, as he did every afternoon, listening to his music and playing with his dog. But Lorenzo didn't return that day. He died at the hands of ICE. Lorenzo was 52 years old. He spent 35 of those years building houses in Houston--houses that, for many families, represented their American dream. Lorenzo owned his own business. And when someone knocked on his door looking for work, Lorenzo gave them a job. His son describes him as a job creator for many people, workers, just like him. He had three children: a teacher, an engineer, and a young man studying engineering. On July 7th, Lorenzo got up before dawn--as he did every day of his life. By seven in the morning, he was already working: driving his van, taking his crew to a construction site. And then, an ICE officer shot him. He wasn't even the man that they were looking for. And 7 days later we have no body camera footage, no dash camera footage, and zero accountability. We don't even know the identity of the officers who were involved, but we do know that he was a father of three who worked overtime to provide for his family. He was killed on his way to work, and this administration expects us to take their word that this was a justifiable killing. Desafortunadamente, no podemos hacer nada para curar el dolor la familia de Lorenzo. Ni el dolor de la familia de Renee Good--madre, ciudadana estadounidense, asesinada en su carro en Minneapolis. Ni por la familia de Alex Pretti--enfermero que cuidaba a nuestros veteranos, ciudadano Americano, matado mientras defendia a una mujer en la calle. Ni por la familia del joven que ICE mato ayer en Biddeford, Maine--un joven cuyo nombre todavia ni siquiera conocemos. Pero alguien, en este momento, lo esta esperando en casa. Y no va a llegar. Unfortunately, we can do nothing to heal the pain of Lorenzo's family. Nor the pain of Renee Good's family--a mother, an American citizen, killed in her car in Minneapolis. Nor for the family of Alex Pretti--a nurse who cared for our veterans, an American citizen, killed while defending a woman in the street. Nor for the family of the young man ICE killed yesterday in Biddeford, Maine--a young man whose name we still don't even know. But someone, right now, is waiting for him at home. And he's not coming. We were told that this was about dangerous, violent criminals, that Trump's immigration enforcement was going to target the worst in this Nation, but instead it has made everyone unsafe: Latinos, for the way that we look, and any American who dares to stand in between them. ``Nobody,'' ``nadie'' is safe when armed agents answer to no one. This administration says Lorenzo was shot because he looked like someone they were searching for. Well, in America, there is no death penalty for looking like someone else and driving to work, and yet here we are. Yo vengo de la frontera y de una familia de inmigrantes, y conozco a los Lorenzos de este pais--en Texas, en Nuevo Mexico, aqui en Washington, y a traves del pais. Se levantan antes del amanecer. Pizcan el chile en Hatch. Cuidan el ganado en nuestros campos. Construyen casas en Las Cruces, Albuquerque y Houston. Y a esa comunidad, no le voy a decir solamente ``los veo.'' Las palabras no detienen las balas. Les digo: vamos a pelear por ustedes. En esta camara. En las cortes. Y marchando a su lado. Lorenzo Salgado debio haber llegado a casa a su familia. I come from the border and from a family of immigrants, and I know the Lorenzos of this country--in Texas, in New Mexico, here in Washington, and across the nation. They get up before dawn. They pick chili peppers in Hatch. They tend cattle in our fields. They build homes in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Houston. And to that community, I'm not just going to say, ``I see you.'' Words don't stop bullets. I'm saying: We're going to fight for you. In this chamber. In the courts. And marching alongside you. Lorenzo Salgado should have been home to his family. Lorenzo cried out, ``Me estan matando,'' ``They are killing me.'' The ``they'' were ICE agents. The ``they'' was paid by your tax dollars. The ``they'' answers only to this administration. It does not answer to the people. Later today, many in this Chamber will have the privilege of going home to dinner with their loved ones. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo should have had it, too. En su honor--y en honor de Renee, de Alex, y del joven que perdimos ayer en Maine--no vamos a descansar hasa que cada familia en este pais pueda esperar a los suyos en la mesa, sin miedo. Y hoy doy este discurso en Espanol e Ingles, sin miedo, para reforzar que somos una nacion de inmigrantes, y vamos a seguir siendo una nacion de inmigrantes. In his honor--and in honor of Renee, Alex, and the young man we lost yesterday in Maine--we will not rest until every family in this country can wait for their loved ones at the table, without fear. And today I give this speech in Spanish and English, without fear, to reinforce that we are a nation of immigrants, and we will continue to be a nation of immigrants.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor an Albuquerque legend, Mr. Ernie C'deBaca, and to congratulate him on his retirement. For 9 years, Ernie has served as president and CEO of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest in the country. However, his service began long before then, serving as chairman of the board since 2006. From his work with the International Trade Committee, which helped put Albuquerque's economy on the global map, to helping The Bean coffee shop open inside the chamber's own building, Ernie is the type of leader who gets things done. Most importantly, he does so with kindness, energy, and integrity. Ernie's employees, colleagues, and mentees all say the same thing: He is the definition of a servant leader, and the ripple effect of his work has touched countless lives and small businesses for the better. I hope Ernie's next chapter brings plenty of time spent in the loving company of his wife, Geri; and his sons and grandchildren. If he is lucky, maybe he will have a little bit more time to watch the final match of the World Cup. I thank Ernie for his tireless service to New Mexico, and I congratulate him on a well-earned retirement.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the John D. Rider Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 11999 for their work supporting our veterans and servicemembers through their annual Mountain Assault retreat. Originally called the Warrior in Transition event, the program was established in 2011 with the retreat goal of providing ill and injured servicemembers a chance to step away from the rigorous demands of recovery. It has since evolved into the Mountain Assault and allows soldiers to decompress and rehabilitate with the help of the great outdoors. This year commemorates the twelfth anniversary of the Mountain Assault retreat hosted by members of the VFW Post 11999. Every year, this retreat allows around forty servicemembers and their families from the Fort Bliss Soldier Recovery Unity to take a healing and peaceful trip to Sacramento Camp near Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Through extensive fundraising and community support, the VFW provides meals, lodging, outdoor activities, and a supportive environment so that servicemembers can focus on healing, reconnection, fellowship, and strengthening family bonds. The retreat takes place in the Sacramento Mountains at about 7,500 feet of elevation, providing a secluded and tranquil setting for soldiers and families to focus on their wellbeing and rehabilitation. The goal is to help reduce isolation amongst injured servicemembers and remind them that they are supported, valued by the community, and appreciated for their sacrifices. VFW Post 11999 also supports their community through its Buddy Poppy program, scholarship competitions, community service projects, and veteran initiatives. In 2017, the Mountain Assault received the national Fred C. Hall Award, recognizing the dedication of its volunteers and community partners. With broad community support, fundraising, and donations, they have successfully continued their mission through the Warrior in Transition and Mountain Assault events for fifteen years. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to congratulate VFW Post 11999 for fifteen years of fulfilling their mission to support our brave men and women on their road to recovery. We are thankful for their work supporting our servicemembers, and we wish them continued success.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Kiwanis Club of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on their 100th anniversary. For 100 years, this group has dedicated its time and effort to the betterment of the local community and its youth. Originally chartered in 1926 as the 19th club in the Southwest District, the Las Cruces Club has maintained an active status through a rapidly advancing and changing society. Their work reflects the Kiwanis Club's defining statement, ``Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.'' Supporting children and youth is an integral part of Kiwanis, and in 1957, the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club established the first Key Club at Las Cruces High School. Over time, they expanded Key Clubs to Centennial, Mayfield, and Organ Mountain High Schools. They maintain active partnerships with each school, hosting quarterly meetings with advisors to discuss new service opportunities and recognize the clubs for their work. They have also sponsored service leadership clubs in other schools in the community, including K-Kids for elementary school students at the Explore Academy and the Builder's Club for middle school students at Camino Real, Lynn, and Zia Middle Schools. The Club also has a Signature Project, the Kiwanis Housing Insecure Students Support, or ``KHISS,'' through which they work with the McKinney-Vento Project Link operating in the Las Cruces Public Schools. To support this project, they have held several fundraisers in recent years, such as Restaurant Day, a Halloween Fish Fry, a Chile Ristra Paint Party, and selling ``rat on a stick'' at the Renaissance Arts Faire. In addition to their Signature Project, the Club has a long history of service to the community They help purchase school supplies for kids in the Las Cruces School District, provide free books to children through interactive games, and host several other events to get youth involved in the community. Additionally, in the 1940s the Club began providing free milk to underprivileged children in Tortugas and other local communities. The Club is constantly looking for ways to support their community and is always ready to lend a helping hand. In 2018, the Club provided $1000 to Jardin de los Ninos, and in 2021, they donated to the Mesilla Valley CASA to help make up for a loss suffered from a break-in. In one of their biggest projects to date, the Club assisted the youth center in 2020 by constructing fencing around the recreation area. Supporting their community to this extent is no small feat and requires a lot of organization, dedication, and local involvement, which is displayed in the success of their fundraisers. From 1958 to 1990, they hosted a Pancake Day fundraiser that allowed the Club to fund and continue their community service. The tradition continues today through pancake breakfast fundraisers for school youth groups and other local charities. Additionally, from 1999 to 2019, they held the Kars for Kids Car Show annual fundraiser, which was enjoyed by both participants and the community. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to thank the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club for their service to the Las Cruces community and its youth and congratulate them on their centennial anniversary. We are grateful for the Club's astounding contributions to New Mexicans, and we wish them continued success for years to come.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to voice my support for those who keep New Mexico safe. It is National Police Week, and this week the House is considering a bipartisan resolution to honor law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty. I strongly support this bipartisan resolution. One of the heroic officers honored in the resolution is Deputy Sheriff Antonio Aleman. Deputy Sheriff Aleman was tragically killed in an on-duty crash while serving his community on July 8, 2025. He was with the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office since 2021. He is remembered by his colleagues as a valued member of the department who will be deeply missed. Deputy Sheriff Aleman is survived by his wife and two children. His service and sacrifice deserves to be honored by this body, along with the courage of all those who wear the badge honorably. That is what National Police Week should be about--honoring our law enforcement officers who have made the sacrifice to keep their neighbors safe and our families safe, listening to the concerns of those currently serving, and taking concrete steps to give them the additional funding and support to ensure that they can come home safe to their families every night. That is why I have taken the asks that I have gotten from law enforcement in New Mexico and turned it into over $3 million in direct investments to public safety. I am also leading bipartisan bills to protect our officers, strengthen officer safety and retention, expand funding for bulletproof vests, and protecting first responders from exposure to dangerous substances such as fentanyl. I am proud that we are able to continue to work across the aisle on these issues. Our law enforcement officers put on the uniform every day knowing the risks. They miss holidays. They respond to the toughest of calls. They comfort families in crisis, and they run toward danger to keep us safe. They deserve police stations that are safe and functional, modern technology that helps them respond to crime quickly and safely, training that protects their physical and mental health, and leaders who listen when they tell us what they need. I promise to keep listening and delivering results for New Mexico's law enforcement community.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in opposition to this administration's plan to completely gut the U.S. Forest Service, move its headquarters to Utah, and shutter 57 research stations. Our Ag Secretary said that her decision is guided by common sense, but, truly, it is a slap in the face to Teddy Roosevelt and those who carefully crafted the Forest Service as we know it. I am a hunter, an angler, and someone who spends a lot of time in my national forests. I know my supervisors, my district rangers, and even the volunteer crews. As the cofounder of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, I don't see a shred of common sense in this decision. What I do see is another backdoor move by this administration to push forward an anti-public lands agenda that discards career staff, under- resources our land agencies, and prioritizes corporations rather than focusing on combating wildfires, wildlife habitat, rural communities, and the growing outdoor recreation economy. We need more, not less, U.S. Forest Service resources and staff out West in places like New Mexico. Madam Speaker, stripping resources from an agency that is already stretched thin and struggling to mitigate the impact of wildfires is the opposite of common sense. It is stupidity.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pete Benavidez for his outstanding contributions to New Mexico's veteran community and his service to our country. Pete is a veteran who devotes his free time to advocating for and helping other veterans in his community. Pete is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and he now lives in Belen. For over twenty years, Pete served and protected our country in both the Army and the New Mexico National Guard. During his service, he worked as a Track Vehicle Repairer and was deployed to combat. While conducting a recovery operation for a vehicle, Pete was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device, which caused severe brain damage and resulted in him being medically discharged from the military. Pete attempted to work several jobs after his discharge but could not maintain employment because of his combat-related disability. As Pete faced health challenges, he sought help from his local Department of Veterans Affairs and the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center. There he received treatment that improved his health, allowed him to continue working towards being a family man, and pushed him to serve his community. To this day, Pete remains an active force in New Mexico's veteran community and shares his story to bring awareness to the greatest issues impacting veterans. During my time in Congress, he has worked closely with my office to advocate for the Major Richard Star Act and other measures to improve veterans' lives. In his free time, he supports other veterans in his community by helping them apply for VA benefits, educating them on services available to them, and even driving veterans to their appointments and veteran group meetings. Pete's commitment to service continues through his son, who is now serving in the New Mexico National Guard. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to thank Pete for his service to our country and his commitment to ensuring our brave men and women receive the care and support they deserve.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Terri Judah for her outstanding contributions to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Terri is a community leader who has devoted her time and effort to feeding New Mexico's families and working for New Mexico's children for over two decades. Terri gets a profound sense of joy from helping those in need and has organized an annual Thanksgiving food drive for over twenty years. The food drive started two decades ago when Terri partnered with her daughters' Girl Scout troop to create 19 food baskets to deliver to families in need. Driven by Terri's enthusiasm and hard work, the food drive blossomed over time to include help from hundreds of volunteers in the community, including Girl Scout troops, sports teams, students, and local businesses. The Thanksgiving food drive now feeds hundreds of families each year and fed over 300 families last year. The continued success of this food drive requires extensive dedication, compassion, and community support. In the weeks and months leading up to Thanksgiving, Terri starts setting up donation sites throughout town, storing donations, and coordinating volunteers to assemble baskets and deliveries. The entire community truly rallies around Terri and steps up to ensure families will not go hungry in the holiday season. Terri also created Operation Hope--a project where she collects and restores used items such as furniture, clothes, and toys, to give to any family that reaches out for assistance. Terri began this effort when she learned that one of her former students was living hand to mouth, and she decided she could not sit idly by. She jumped into action, collecting items that could help her student's family live a little more comfortably and continues to offer support to any family that asks for help. Above all her impactful work, Terri is a proud wife, mom, grandma, and friend to all. She has also taught kindergarten in Carlsbad Public Schools for the past twenty-five years. She is a beloved teacher, and her students are forever known as ``Judah's Jaguars''. She truly does it all. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to thank Terri for her commitment to helping those less fortunate and ensuring her neighbors are fed during the holiday season. She exemplifies the best that New Mexico has to offer, and we are extremely proud of her incredible work.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ronnie Torres for his outstanding contributions to Belen, New Mexico. Ronnie is an exceptional citizen and neighbor who tirelessly dedicates his time and energy to improving his local community. Ronnie was born and raised in a small community south of Belen in Jarales, New Mexico. From an early age, he learned the value of hard work and getting involved in his community, and these values shine through in all he does today. Over forty years ago, Ronnie opened his own business, Hair Innovations, where he provides salon services and keeps New Mexicans feeling like the best versions of themselves to this very day. Keeping a small business open in today's economic environment is no small feat, and Ronnie has endured many challenges along the way, such as dealing with a recent car crash into his storefront. Hair Innovations temporarily relocated while Ronnie is rebuilding, but he is bouncing back with perseverance and his neighbors' support--embodying the grit and resilience that is so core to who we are as New Mexicans. As a self-made business owner, it is clear Ronnie strongly believes in giving back to his community and creating experiences for other people that he did not have growing up. He is involved throughout the community, including serving on the local Chamber Board and later becoming its president. In this role, Ronnie was integral in establishing the Miracle on Main Street Electric Christmas Parade, which is now celebrated across New Mexico and in other parts of the country. Ronnie also served as a member of the Belen City Council and as former Mayor of the City of Belen for over fifteen years. During his mayorship, he worked on amazing projects, such as renovating the Harvey House Museum, establishing a Festival of Trees, and providing the long- time display of the Bugg Lights. His work has not only improved the city but established a community where people can look forward to raising their children, supporting their neighbors, and being proud to call Belen home. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to thank Ronnie Torres. We are grateful for his heartfelt contributions to Belen and his continued dedication to improving the lives of New Mexicans.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my Republican colleagues to reject the President's proposed takeover of Greenland. As we celebrate Dr. King's legacy, I am reminded of his belief that the ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy. This is one of the most turbulent and divided times in our Nation's history. As a governing body and as a nation, our individual and collective character is being measured and tested. We must not fail that test. America must show the world that we truly are a nation built not on hostility but on reasoned diplomacy and the deeper values of freedom and liberty that our forefathers fought for. I come from a State with a long and proud history of military service, brave men and women who stood up courageously to tyranny, fighting for liberation, strengthening world peace, upholding law, and reflecting the patriotic values that we claim to defend. The time is now in which our true character is being tested, and my Republican colleagues must decide if we will honor those who have gone before us or betray their legacy and our deepest values. I implore this body to act with courage and moral character and reject any future proposals from the President to take over Greenland.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Deputy District Director, Cody McCarty, for his many years of public service to New Mexico, as he continues his pursuit of higher education. His tireless work and strong leadership were critical in delivering results every day for New Mexico's 2nd District. Cody is a fifth generation New Mexican raised in Reserve in Catron County. He is a two-time graduated Aggie and has earned two degrees from New Mexico State University--also my alma mater. He is a proud veteran and previously served in the United States Marine Corps as a Sergeant in the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. During college, he worked for NMSU Military and Veterans Programs and advised military and veteran students on their education benefits. Cody's Congressional public service is extensive and began when he interned for Senator Martin Heinrich's office in 2018, followed by his work as a Field and Constituent Services Representative for Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small. Most recently he served as the Deputy District Director out of my Las Cruces office and worked on veterans, military, public safety, agriculture, and LGBTQ+ issues. While working for New Mexico's 2nd District, Cody established invaluable relationships with veterans across the state and enjoyed getting to work with groups like the Marine Corps League, El Perro Diablo, and the Lincoln/Otero County Veterans Leadership Council. His expertise and dedication played a critical role in the introduction of legislation that has improved the lives of veterans, such as the New Mexico Rural Veteran Health Care Health Access Act. He is truly dedicated to supporting veterans both inside and outside of his work schedule, and since my first term, he has volunteered with a local veterans group in Las Cruces, placing flags at a local cemetery to honor veterans on Memorial Day. Cody is a true public servant and represents the best that New Mexico has to offer. Cody is leaving his role with my office on January 20, 2026, to pursue a third degree from NMSU, and while it is bittersweet to say goodbye to him, I am excited to soon call him Dr. McCarty. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Cody for his continued work for New Mexicans and our veterans. He has been an integral member of our team who will be dearly missed, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep gratitude--gratitude to the people of New Mexico who have placed their trust in me and gratitude for all of those who have worked with me this past year, both Democrats and Republicans, who have helped me deliver real results for folks back home. My district is one of the largest districts in the country, larger than the State of Pennsylvania, and includes major cities, border towns, Tribal communities, and rural counties that often feel forgotten by Washington. New Mexico's Second District embodies the American spirit. We are a diverse people who get up every day, work a hard day's job, and take pride in our families and the work that we do. This year, I set out with one simple goal: focus on the people in our district and do good by the families who call New Mexico home, regardless of their party affiliation. That is why, at a time when Washington has been paralyzed by partisan gridlock and way too much drama, my focus has remained on common sense and delivering real results. The good people of New Mexico elected me to do a job, and I intend to do it; not with red or blue solutions, but practical solutions that are rooted in the real lives of the people who I represent. Across southern New Mexico, we have seen that wildfire season is no longer seasonal. It is a constant threat. We have seen the State's two largest wildfires ravage communities and displace generations of folks from their homes. I worked with my colleagues on both sides to pass a bipartisan bill that strengthens our ability to fight fires in remote and rural areas. My Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act ensures that our communities and firefighters have more resources to protect lives, homes, and livelihoods when it counts most. Mr. Speaker, when we talk about feeling forgotten, sometimes it is our rural communities that feel the most left out--places where Federal support can make the difference between a school being able to stay open, between having a graded road or one that is washboarded and crumbling, and between having lifesaving care that can reach your home in time. That is why I successfully led a bipartisan push to restore $9 million and secure rural school funding for New Mexico's rural schools and our infrastructure, delivering much-needed resources to places like Catron, Grant, Sierra, and Cibola Counties. Staying focused on common sense also meant listening to our military families at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base. When they told me they were going without care because of the enormously long distances that it took to get to a hospital or to a clinic, I worked on a bipartisan bill that is now law, which expands travel reimbursement under TRICARE so that servicemembers and their loved ones aren't forced to shoulder the unnecessary costs just to get the care that they need. Serving in New Mexico isn't just about passing bills here. It is about showing up when people need you. This year, my team and I resolved over 650 constituent cases, cutting through red tape, standing up to bureaucracy, and returning nearly $4.5 million to our taxpayers who were rightfully owed that money. For families waiting on Social Security, veterans navigating the VA, or seniors dealing with the IRS, that help was immediate and personal. I have traveled over 5,000 miles on the road in my district this year. From talking to students in Deming, meeting with Tribal leaders in Zuni Pueblo, hosting a carne asada with oil workers in Carlsbad, and convening roundtables with police departments in Albuquerque, this is a big district with many needs, and advocacy doesn't just start at the Capitol steps. Mr. Speaker, 2025 was also a big year in the fight to protect our public lands. When extreme proposals threatened to sell off millions of acres of our public lands, I founded the first-ever Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to keep those lands public for hunters, ranchers, families, and future generations who deserve to keep this unique American birthright. Public lands are one of our Nation's best ideas, and I intend to keep it that way. I have also worked hard to secure Federal investments across New Mexico, from addressing homelessness to investing in workplace training, to launching a new express bus service connecting Las Cruces to El Paso. I showed up, listened to what folks needed, and we got to work. These are smart investments that strengthen local economies and improve the daily lives of New Mexicans. Lastly, my focus on bringing common sense to Washington is why I recently introduced the new plan for immigration this year. As someone who was raised on both sides of the border and represents 180 miles of that border today, I know that border security is more complex than just building a wall. I know that both parties have often gotten it wrong. We need an immigration system that reflects our American values, and that makes smart investments in security and more legal pathways that strengthen our economy rather than undermine it. I want to be clear about something: I don't work for either party. I work for the people of New Mexico, every single one of them, whether they voted for me or not. I am proud of what we have accomplished this year, but more than that, I am proud of how we accomplished it: by choosing collaboration over conflict. Mr. Speaker, ``thank you''; ``gracias'' to the people of New Mexico for sending me here. I will continue showing up, fighting for them, and doing the work they sent me here to do.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of New Mexico's Second Congressional District to celebrate a long-awaited victory for rural America, the imminent passage of the bipartisan Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act. I preface my remarks by thanking Representatives LaMalfa and Neguse, who introduced this bill, and Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Craig. We would not be standing here today without their leadership and outpouring of strong, bipartisan support that we have seen for this bill both here in Congress and on the ground in our communities. For decades, SRS has been more than an abstract Federal program. It has been a promise, a promise that when Federal lands limit local tax revenue, Congress will stand with rural communities and school districts so that they continue to provide the basic essential services that every American family deserves. Rural communities across the country and in New Mexico know this story well. In Catron, Grant, Sierra, and Otero Counties in my district, national forests define our landscape, and they define who we are. They are the treasures that we value and protect. Yet, those beautiful lands also mean fewer taxable acres, fewer revenue streams for public schools, and fewer resources to maintain the roads that our families travel every day. For more than 20 years, SRS helped close that gap. It ensured that public schools could keep teachers in the classroom, that buses could run safe routes on rural roads, and that county governments could plan long-term budgets with certainty. It ensures that children growing up in frontier communities receive the same shot at a quality education as anyone in major cities in my district, like Albuquerque or Las Cruces. It ensures that when there was a medical emergency in the middle of the night, emergency medical services had the roads that they needed to save lives. That stability vanished when SRS expired in 2024. Rural counties across the West, including mine, were forced to make impossible decisions. In New Mexico alone, our communities lost more than $9 million in a single year. That $9 million loss meant school districts had to consider laying off teachers and reading specialists and cutting back to a 4-day school week in a place like Quemado because they could no longer afford to operate a 5-day school week. County commissions were forced to take a hard look at their budgets, looking line by line at what vital services they could cut to ensure their communities could maintain their roads. This past August, I met with a bipartisan group of county officials, educators, and Tribal leaders back home to discuss SRS and the need for reauthorization. Their message didn't waver: Rural communities needed Congress to act. They needed certainty. They needed this lifeline to their communities restored. Today, after months of fighting for reauthorization, we are delivering on a bipartisan basis. Today, we are sending a clear message to rural communities across New Mexico and across the country that they are not invisible, not expendable, and not expected to bear the weight of this lapse alone. The Senate has already passed this reauthorization, and I urge my colleagues to help us finish the job and send the bill to the President's desk for his signature. This is the kind of win that New Mexicans sent me to Washington, D.C., to deliver, and it is worth celebrating. This legislation represents the best of what Congress can achieve when we put aside partisanship and focus on the people we serve. It reflects both Democrats' and Republicans' shared understanding that rural counties take on an enormous responsibility in managing and stewarding our national forests, and their kids should not be left behind because of it. It is a recognition that public lands benefit our entire Nation, and the cost of maintaining essential services like schools and roads should not fall solely on the shoulders of rural families. For New Mexico's Second Congressional District, this bill means stability. It means that school districts can retain teachers, hire staff, and keep programs in place that enrich our children's futures. It means that our sheriffs, firefighters, and first responders have reliable funding for the roads and infrastructure that they depend on when every second counts. Passing SRS reauthorization also honors the frontier spirit that defines rural New Mexico. Communities like Silver City, Cloudcroft, Quemado, and many others throughout New Mexico continue to lead in forest conservation, outdoor recreation, wildfire resilience, and natural resource management. They deserve a Federal partner that matches their commitment, and today, they are getting that. Mr. Speaker, both New Mexico and I thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who worked tirelessly to bring this legislation to the finish line. I also thank the local leaders, our county commissioners, school superintendents, teachers, parents, and firefighters, just like these folks here in Fence Lake, who raised their voices and never let this issue slip from their attention. As this bill is signed into law, I look forward to witnessing the relief that it will bring across New Mexico in time for Christmas. I look forward to seeing teachers stay in their classrooms, rural roads being repaired and maintained, and families in these rural counties finally receiving the stability that they have been promised but denied for too long. Today is a good day for rural America. Today is a good day for New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to vote in favor of the SRS Reauthorization Act, and I urge my colleagues to join me in its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Salinas), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight two particularly important projects in my district that sit in the Gila National Forest and are surrounded by the rural communities of Glenwood, New Mexico; Quemado; and Reserve. These are two incredibly important projects that have helped diversify rural economies and helped support the outdoor recreation economy: the Catwalk historic trail and the Cosmic Campground. These two projects on Federal public lands have brought in very important economic revenue to these communities. They have brought in tours from all across the country to see the darkest skies in the country in what is an International Dark Skies Sanctuary and one of the most breathtaking trails that one can experience in our Nation's first wilderness. Regardless, SRS is incredibly important to help ensure that our schools and our roads continue to function as we expand New Mexico's outdoor recreation economy. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank Chair Westerman for his support of the Fix Our Forests Act, introducing that bill, and I hope that it does make it to the Senate. I think as we talk about the longevity of rural communities and sustainability of rural communities, we have to have good forest management and a diversified economy that includes the timber industry, cattle growing, and outdoor recreation. So much of that depends on the health of our public lands. I am encouraged by the bipartisanship shown on this bill today. I hope we can have more conversations and we can pass SRS out of the House today so that we can ensure that these rural communities have a future that is not dependent on Federal funding but that has a diversified economy that uses our natural resources wisely. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I think we can all recognize what a special moment this is for our rural communities. These days, Democrats and Republicans don't often see eye to eye long enough to get a piece of legislation like this all the way to the President's desk. The fact that we will today shows just how important we all know it is to stand up for our rural communities. For New Mexico, this is real money with real impact. Our rural communities have been missing more than $9 million that should have been supporting schools, roads, and essential services. I am proud to be bringing that money back to the families and communities that have waited for far too long. I also want to take a moment to recognize some of the incredible New Mexican advocates who helped make today possible. This is not a full list, but it is a long one, so bear with me. Our Secure Rural Schools champions in New Mexico's Second District include: Kayli Ortiz, Amber Vaughn, Randall Earwood, Charlene Webb, William Hawkins, Kate Fletcher, Joy Esparsen, David Lackey, and Deborah Mahler. These are the folks who showed up, spoke out, organized their neighbors, and never let us forget what was at stake. I thank every constituent who wrote, called, and shared their stories with our office. Their advocacy drove much of this effort. Their persistence is why we are passing this bill into law today. Again, I thank my Republican colleagues for working on this piece of legislation with me and other members of the committee. I am proud of my community. I am grateful for their trust. Once again, they proved something that we all know back home: Don't mess with rural New Mexicans. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Isleta Police Department and local law enforcement for their commitment to protecting New Mexico's communities. On November 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs reported a major drug bust on the Isleta Pueblo. In coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement and a Homeland Security Task Force, local officers from the Isleta Police Department seized over 37,000 fentanyl pills, which were valued at nearly 1.5 million dollars, and nearly $38,000 dollars in cash. Those deadly pills would have devastated countless lives in our community, but today the Isleta Pueblo and New Mexico's communities are safer because of our law enforcement's hard work and dedication. Thanks to our officers' intelligence and tireless work, more New Mexican families will remain intact. On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Isleta Police Department and local law enforcement for their nonstop efforts to protect our communities. We appreciate their dedication to public service and pray for their continued safety. I look forward to our continued partnership as we work to keep drugs off our streets and hold bad actors seeking to prey on our communities accountable.

Mr. VASQUEZ

Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of the frontier spirit that is core to the American identity. I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on S.J. Res. 80 and H.J. Res. 131, two proposals that would forever alter the Coastal Plain of the Arctic refuge and the special areas of the western Arctic in the great State of Alaska. Let me tell you a little bit about this special place, a place in which I have had the privilege to spend time. The Arctic refuge, the homeland of Gwich'in and the Inupiat people, offers unmatched, truly wild fishing and hunting opportunities for all Americans. It is the only national wildlife refuge that protects an entire Arctic ecosystem, and it stands as a profound source of pride for this Nation. These lands, the birthing and calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd, have been at the center of national debate for more than a century, ever since Republican President Theodore Roosevelt established the National Wildlife Refuge System and dedicated himself to protecting wild places and the wildlife that depend on them. These lands are where Americans hunt caribou, grizzly bear, and Dall sheep, where Americans trap wolverines, and where anglers can catch their first Arctic char. Most importantly, these lands have provided sustenance to the Gwich'in and Inupiat peoples since time immemorial. For the last century, bipartisan lawmakers, including both Republican and Democratic Presidents, have agreed to protect this place, safeguarding it from destructive development with a firm resolve and a desire to leave something behind for the next generation. That same commitment to conservation has been carried on by bipartisan leaders in Congress for generations. Today, this tradition of conservation is being threatened by a careless proposal to roll back established protections for our wildlife, our waters, and our public lands, threatening indigenous livelihoods and sovereignty, the recreational and scientific value of these lands, and an iconic symbol of American wilderness. I believe that, in this body, we must preach hope and possibility and that we must defend our values and the American way of life that has been meticulously built over centuries, and both parties must work together to protect the things we love. These two proposals before you are misguided. This Chamber should not deepen the chaos it has already created. Instead, we should be working together to pass legislation that resolves land management conflicts and restores stability to our public lands planning system. We should also adequately fund our land management agencies. That is why, as a hunter, an angler, and someone who cares deeply about our Nation's incomparable system of public lands and wildlife habitat, I can't support the reckless destruction of the Arctic tundra and the Coastal Plain. For the many private interests that have sought to exploit these sacred lands, it would be much easier if these species and Tribes never existed. It would be much easier for them if the last remaining musk ox hadn't survived the Ice Age or if the Porcupine caribou herd simply went extinct, just to add a few dollars to their pockets today without giving a damn about tomorrow. The truth is, in my district back home in New Mexico, the Permian Basin is a domestic energy powerhouse, fueling America's energy independence and bolstering New Mexico's economy, but there are some places that ought to be left alone because their quality, history, and identity to us as Americans is far too valuable to be measured on a balance sheet. Now, much to my dismay, this administration has already issued an executive order to rescind the Coastal Plain leasing program, and the Department of the Interior has already done just that. Given that the administration has already taken action to overturn responsible management plans, these bills only make it more challenging to manage these special lands. It will also expose any future decisions related to oil and gas in the refuge to significant legal uncertainty. This is a losing proposal. Simply put, it is bad legislation, no matter what side of the issue you stand on. If, like me, you still believe in bipartisanship and revere the greats like Teddy Roosevelt, who fought to protect special places like America's Arctic, and you dream that someday you or one of your children can hunt wild ptarmigan on the Coastal Plain, catch an Arctic char on the Canning River, or harvest caribou in the Brooks Range, you should vote against these bills and honor the voices of the indigenous communities and American citizens who depend on this land for survival. From New Mexico to the Arctic, people who live in small communities take care of themselves, and they want to keep it that way. Surely, anyone who represents a rural district in this Congress can appreciate that. I encourage my colleagues to look at this landscape and examine these bills and their impacts before voting, to see the value of the Arctic and its worth to all Americans, not to simply brush this off as a party-line vote. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 131.