Gabe Vasquez cites 100,000 visas and $6 daily SNAP cuts in New Mexico race

Gabe Vasquez has proposed creating 100,000 new visas for care workers to address shortages in New Mexico, a plan he detailed in interviews aired on NMPBS this week. The Democratic incumbent is seeking reelection in a district that elected him in 2024 despite voting for Donald Trump for president.

Vasquez stated that his newly introduced Care Worker Visa Act would allow families to petition for caregivers to work for up to three years. The bill aims to provide a path to legal status for these workers after that period. He noted that 15,000 children in the state currently lack access to universal childcare due to a worker shortage.

In explaining the need for reform, Vasquez pointed to the 16 years it took his grandmother to secure a family visa. He argued that both major parties have failed to modernize the system, leaving long-term petitioners frustrated by the rapid job authorization given to some asylum seekers under the Biden administration.

The candidate also addressed the impact of federal budget changes on local residents. He stated that 10,000 children in New Mexico have lost access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Vasquez calculated that the loss equates to roughly $6 a day, which he described as the cost of a can of pinto beans, a small bag of tortillas, and a can of green chile.

He asserted that restoring these cuts requires House Democrats to lead budget negotiations when they hold committee chairs. Vasquez said he has introduced or co-sponsored multiple bills to address food access and rising grocery prices.

The conversation shifted to the Iran War, where Vasquez said he has voted six times to end the conflict. He criticized the war as unauthorized, noting it began without notice to Congress or coordination with allies. He argued that the conflict has driven up the cost of gas, diesel, and fertilizer for American taxpayers.

Vasquez claimed the federal government refuses to admit the total cost of the war because the figure is incredibly high. He said the administration recently made a deal with an adversary while spending hundreds of billions of dollars on the effort.

Regarding affordability, the incumbent said small businesses are raising prices due to high input costs. He called for an immediate end to the Iran War and the removal of what he termed ridiculous tariffs. He also proposed strengthening trade relationships with Canada and Mexico to lower the cost of goods for district residents.