Rep. Vasquez Takes Agriculture Stakeholders’ Questions Directly to USDA, Presses Secretary Rollins on Red Tape, Delays, New World Screwworm, and SNAP Data

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On June 4, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) pressed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins on New World Screwworm (NWS) containment, payment and service delays caused by USDA staffing shortages, and SNAP cuts after hearing directly from New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and food bank leaders on these issues.

Yesterday, the first U.S. NWS case since 1966 was confirmed in south Texas, threatening New Mexico cattle herds and putting ranchers and consumers alike on edge. Rep. Vasquez hosted a meeting with agriculture stakeholders on Tuesday to receive suggestions on what they needed most from the USDA, and he pressed Rollins for answers and action today.

Rep. Vasquez founded his Agriculture Advisory Group in 2023 to ensure that constituents from across New Mexico's diverse agriculture sector have a direct voice in his work on the House Agriculture Committee.

This morning. Rep. Vasquez asked the Secretary these questions, which he got directly from agriculture stakeholders in New Mexico:

• From a variety of stakeholders: Can you explain what steps USDA is taking to maintain service levels for rural states like New Mexico while these [USDA] staffing and restructuring changes are underway?
• From the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau: My farmers can't handle any more delays in receiving their Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program payments. When can New Mexico speciality crop producers expect their payments?
• From Roadrunner Food Bank and Others: Can you please share what your data collection plans entail to track the ongoing impact of SNAP cuts under H.R. 1?

Vasquez secured a commitment from Secretary Rollins to work directly with New Mexico growers and producers to solve the challenges he raised on their behalf. If you are a grower or producer and are facing challenges with ASCF program payments or staffing shortages, please contact my office at (202) 225-2365.

WATCH THE HEARING CLIP HERE

Read an excerpt of the exchange below:

Rep. Vasquez: "I support specialty crop growers - I come from the land of green and red chile. And we're so proud to have the chile capital of the world in our district. But our partners at the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, the specialty crop growers, they're still waiting for the assistance for specialty crop farmers program funds to hit their bank accounts. And some have been waiting for over six months - they say they can't handle any more delays and it's putting their businesses at risk. When can they expect their payments?"

Rollins: "Is this the Bridge Assistance? Okay. So, so a quick update on that. We announced that, um, specifically we increased it more than 50% up to 1.6 billion. Yes. Applications are open. We'll be moving those out if the applications come in. We're moving that money out very, very quickly. So again, if any of your farmers have trouble, have them contact their FSA state director who will let me know and we'll start moving that out. But as long as they're filling out the paperwork online or in the office, we should be moving that out immediately."

Rep. Vasquez is a strong advocate for New Mexico's farmers and ranchers. In April, he secured a host of decisive victories for New Mexicans in the House Farm Bill, garnering Republican support for nine of his provisions to protect ranchers from the Administration's push to import Argentinian beef, cut red tape for ranch improvements, and improve critical programs for Tribal communities and speciality crop growers.

Rep. Vasquez has also repeatedly fought to protect hardworking New Mexican families' access to food assistance benefits:

• He passed a commonsense bill that would allow the SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken purchases through the farm bill.
• Vasquez is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Hot Foods Act to modernize the SNAP program and expand food access by allowing individuals to purchase hot, ready-to-eat meals, such as rotisserie chickens, offering greater flexibility, nutritional value, and dignity to individuals and families at the grocery store.
• Last year, Vasquez forcefully defended the SNAP program during a House Agriculture Committee hearing, warning that Republican efforts to slash $230 billion from the program would devastate rural communities across New Mexico and the country.
• In early July 2025, Republicans chose to slash $180 billion from SNAP benefits under their new tax law - the biggest cut to food assistance in American history - in order to give massive tax breaks to billionaires. As a result, over 175,000 New Mexicans were put at risk of losing the ability to afford the groceries they need to feed themselves and their families. The majority of people receiving SNAP are children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Rep. Vasquez voted against the Republican tax law.
• Following the cuts made to SNAP funding under the Republican tax law, Vasquez met with constituents across the district about their concerns over losing food assistance benefits. This included helping pack meals for seniors at Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center, which is funded by Southeast NM Community Action Corp (SNMCAC) in Carlsbad.
• Since coming to Congress, Vasquez has stood up for food assistance throughout the ongoing farm bill negotiations.

Vasquez has also advocated for ranchers in their fight against NWS time and time again:

• In April, he sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding answers on the Administration's preparedness strategy for a New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak as the warmer months approach.
• On March 3, 2026, Rep. Vasquez secured unanimous, bipartisan support in the House Agriculture Committee for his Farm Bill amendment condemning the Administration's push to prioritize Argentinian beef imports at the expense of our American cattle ranchers.
• Last year, he sounded the alarm on NWS by calling on the USDA to take immediate steps to protect ranchers while balancing the interests of New Mexico's small businesses.
• He was also integral in securing the necessary funding to build a sterile fly facility through the STOP Screwworms Act, legislation that required the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a New World Screwworm fly rearing facility to combat the spread of Screwworms.
• In 2024, Vasquez adamantly opposed the Biden administration's push to import beef from Paraguay. No matter the political party, Rep. Vasquez is fully committed to fighting for American ranchers.

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