After forcing New Mexicans through the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez is now facing fierce backlash for voting against the bipartisan deal that finally ended the 42-day crisis — and for voting against tens of millions of dollars in funding for communities across southern New Mexico, including multiple major military installations.
The shutdown, driven by House and Senate Democrats demanding political “leverage,” left federal workers unpaid, grounded flights, stalled military operations, and destabilized families across New Mexico. As the National Republican Congressional Committee put it,
“Gabe Vasquez and the Democrat Party’s government shutdown was nothing more than a disgusting and shameless display of just how far they will go to appease their radical socialist base. New Mexico voters won’t forget it.” — NRCC Spokesman Reilly Richardson
Yet when Congress finally brought forward a bipartisan plan to reopen the government, Vasquez broke from the majority and voted no — choosing continued chaos rather than relief for workers, families, and service members.
And the consequences for New Mexico-02 are staggering.
Vasquez voted against more than $32 million in community and military funding
According to internal communications shared with the Piñon Post, the bill Vasquez opposed included major investments directly benefiting his district, including:
- Cannon Air Force Base — $8.1 million
- Holloman Air Force Base — $700,000
- Kirtland Air Force Base — $3.2 million
- Kirtland Air Force Base — $18.25 million
- Town of Mesilla Town Hall improvements — $1 million
- National Center for Frontier Communities workforce training facility — $850,000
In total, that is more than $32 million Vasquez voted against — funding that will still come to New Mexico despite his opposition.
Kirtland Air Force Base alone generated a $7.5 billion economic impact in FY 2024, according to federal data. Numerous military families and veterans in NM-02 rely on these installations for employment, housing stability, and local economic security.
RNC: Vasquez “went to Washington and forgot about New Mexicans”
Delanie Bomar, a former New Mexico GOP staffer now serving at the RNC, flagged Vasquez’s vote in a message to the Piñon Post, noting the political hypocrisy:
“Not only did he vote to keep the government shutdown, but he also voted against $1.85 million for his own communities…
This included funding he personally requested after meeting with Mesilla and the National Center for Frontier Communities.” — Delanie Bomar, RNC Communications
Bomar added that national strategists expect this vote to “absolutely” appear in fall campaign ads.
“Vasquez went to D.C. and forgot about New Mexicans” is a message that “works very well in this district,” she said.
Vasquez also voted against funding for Holloman and Cannon
Richardson’s follow-up outlined just how severe Vasquez’s opposition was, noting that the congressman voted against funding affecting the three largest military presences connected to NM-02:
- Cannon AFB (Clovis)
- Holloman AFB (Alamogordo)
- Kirtland AFB (Albuquerque, which employs thousands of NM-02 residents through mission transfers and contracting ties)
Workforce training, small-town infrastructure, and border-region economic development were also included — all rejected by Vasquez.
After 42 days of chaos, Vasquez’s “no” vote stands alone
The shutdown strained every corner of New Mexico: TSA agents worked without pay, border agents were stretched thin, and military families braced for uncertainty.
Unions pleaded for Democrats to reopen the government. Airlines blamed the chaos for cancelled flights. Federal installations across the state scrambled to prepare for missed paychecks.
Yet Vasquez, even after all of that, voted against reopening the government and against millions in investments he had told local leaders he supported.
Political observers say the vote is an “unforced error” that could haunt him in a district already known for punishing incumbents who appear out of step with local needs.
In a district as competitive as NM-02, voting against your own constituents — and against their military bases, job training, and infrastructure — may prove to be one of the most consequential decisions of Gabe Vasquez’s short congressional career.