LAS CRUCES, N.M. - On July 3, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) marked the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Republican tax law (also referred to as H.R. 1 or the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"), releasing the following statement:

"A year ago today, MAGA extremists sold out hardworking Americans to pay for tax cuts for a small group of wealthy elites, but Americans don't need to be told that - they've felt it every single day with their wallets. From health insurance to food to utilities, so many of the things that have gotten more expensive this past year can be traced back to this devastating tax law. I will keep fighting every step of the way to restore vital funding for healthcare, food assistance, and more so hardworking New Mexicans aren't left out to dry by the very government that is supposed to help make their lives better."

Vasquez is also slated to meet with members of the Las Cruces community at El Caldito Soup Kitchen and Roadrunner Food Bank in the coming days to hear their firsthand accounts of how the cuts enacted one year ago under the Republican tax law are impacting them today.

"The New Mexico HealthCare Authority reports that over 10,000 children have lost food assistance through SNAP since H.R. 1 was enacted in July 2025, and the number of people accessing services from Roadrunner Food Bank and our partners is now at levels we have not seen since the start of the pandemic," said Jason Riggs, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Roadrunner Food Bank. "SNAP can provide nine times the number of meals as the national network of food banks. Cuts to SNAP inevitably increases need. The cost of food and fuel has not only impacted the people we serve, but it has also affected Roadrunner Food Bank's operational budget. We are doing our best to meet the increased need in our communities."

The numbers speak for themselves:

• Food Cuts: The Republican tax law slashed $180 billion from SNAP and nutrition assistance benefits - the largest cut in history - and expanded red tape for veterans, children, and folks with disabilities.
  • In New Mexico, where one in four people rely on food assistance, SNAP enrollment has already dropped by 5% - or about 21,000 people - due to the new red tape.
• Healthcare Cuts: Nationally, the $1 trillion dollar Medicaid cuts made by the Republican tax law are projected to result in 7.6 million Americans losing access to their healthcare coverage by 2034, with millions of others already seeing sharp spikes in their healthcare premiums due to the Republican tax law.
  • In New Mexico, by 2028, monthly Medicaid enrollment is expected to drop by 87,000 people due to the new burdensome work requirements imposed under the Republican tax law (which activate in January 2027).
  • Eight Rural Hospitals Serving Residents of NM-02 at Risk of Closing: Carlsbad Medical Center, Socorro General Hospital, Mimbres Memorial Hospital, Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital, Lincoln County Medical Center, and three other nearby hospitals that serve residents of Rep. Vasquez's district are at risk of having to reduce services or close their doors completely due to health care provisions in the Republican tax law. Expectant mothers in Hatch will go without critical prenatal support, grandparents in Silver City will lose access to long-term care, and kids in Hobbs will need to travel farther for emergency surgeries.
• Rising Utility Costs: The cuts to energy tax credits imposed by this bill are projected to force New Mexicans to pay more than $500 more per year to keep the lights on.
• All these cuts were made to pay for the single-largest transfer of wealth from the working class to the rich in history, and the Republican tax law is projected to increase the national debt by $3.4 trillion.

Last year, Vasquez voted against the Republican tax law, opposing cuts that were made to programs hardworking New Mexicans rely on to pay for tax cuts for wealthy elites. Since then, Vasquez has consistently worked to make sure the government is working for hardworking New Mexicans, including:

• Fighting to protect access to SNAP for hardworking New Mexicans, including by championing an amendment to the Farm Bill that would eliminate new red tape imposed on veterans with his Feed Our Veterans Act.
• Working to shield New Mexicans from the healthcare rate hikes imposed by the Republican tax law, including by cosponsoring the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act to reverse devastating health care cuts in the Republican tax law and permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.
• Supporting legislation that would combat soaring utility bills for New Mexicans by restoring energy tax credits cut under the Republican tax law, enacting smart permitting reform, and cutting red tape to bring more affordable energy online faster.

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