Rep. Gabe Vasquez Secures Decisive Bipartisan Victories for New Mexicans in 2026 Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On March 5, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02)voted to pass the 2026 Farm Bill out of the House Agriculture Committee, marking a major bipartisan win for New Mexico's farmers, ranchers, and producers. Over the course of the lengthy Farm Bill markup - which included over 20 hours of deliberation and stretched into the early morning hours Thursday - Rep. Vasquez secured a host of decisive victories for New Mexicans, garnering Republican support for his key provisions to protect ranchers from the Administration's push to import Argentinian beef, lower utility bills by unlocking new sources of power, improve wildlife habitat connectivity, and more.

Vasquez's key wins included the passage of several amendments - including three of his bills - to the Farm Bill:

• An amendmentcondemning the Administration's push to prioritize Argentinian beef importsat the expenseof our American cattle ranchers. The amendment - which got unanimous support on both sides of the aisle - also directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a report on the harms of such imports. (WATCH HERE)
• An amendmentto better support producers' voluntary efforts to restore and enhance wildlife habitat connectivityand migration corridors on their working lands by strengthening USDA conservation programs (WATCH HERE)
• An amendment to bring down utility billsfor businesses and boost rural power generationby recognizing waste energy recoveryas renewable energy under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
• An amendment to ensure 1994 land-grant Tribal Colleges and Universitieshave full and equitable access to USDA Rural Development programs (WATCH HERE)
• An amendmentto cut red tape to ensure ranchers can make necessary range improvementsin a timely manner and will create a virtual fencing pilot program at USDA, like the one that exists at New Mexico State University (WATCH HERE)

"I've been listening to the needs of our agriculture community since being elected to Congress, and I successfully added many of their priorities to this year's Farm Bill," said Vasquez. "While I am completely disappointed at many of the important changes to nutrition funding, I worked with the product put in front of us to move New Mexico's priorities forward."

"I brought together Republican and Democrat colleagues to protect domestic cattle growers from unfair Argentinian beef imports, strengthen conservation efforts that support wildlife migration and grasslands conservation, lower utility bills, and improve equity for Tribal Colleges and Universities," added Vasquez."I'm proud of these victories and the progress they will unlock for New Mexico's farmers, ranchers, producers, businesses, and Tribal communities."

The Congressman's sweeping bipartisan wins mark a welcome departure from the hyperpartisan climate on Capitol Hill and an important step toward breaking the gridlock that has long stalled passage of a new Farm Bill. The most recent Farm Bill was enacted in 2018, despite the fact that Congress has traditionally reauthorized the legislation every five years.

The Congressman also spoke out against sweeping cuts to food assistanceenacted under the Republican tax law and voted in favor of amendments that would reverse these harmful SNAP cuts and address the costs that the Republican tax law passed on to states like New Mexico.

Additionally, Rep. Vasquez fought to pass his amendment that would cut red tape and exempt veterans from the Republican tax law's new work requirements.

"I can't imagine how anyone in this room can look a hungry veteran in their district in the face and say you voted against feeding them," said Vasquez, addressing his fellow members of the House Agriculture Committee, adding, "My amendment would cut the red tape imposed under the Republican tax law to ensure no veteran is forced to go hungry after serving their country."

Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden(WI-03) - a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and combat veteran - notably reached across the aisle and voted in support of Rep. Vasquez's Feed Our Veterans Actamendment.

Rep. Vasquez also introduced and championed other key amendments. Of note, the Congressman:

• Stood up for specialty crop farmers, introducing an amendment that would provide all specialty crop producers up to $900,000 in aid to keep their farms afloat amidst major headwinds from tariffs and market instability. (WATCH HERE)
• Fought to protect Tribesand stop massive companies from stealing their revenue by closing a major loophole that allows prediction market companies to offer sports betting services without complying with sports betting regulations. (WATCH HERE)
  • Rep. Vasquez secured a commitment from Republican Chairman G.T. Thompson that the House Agriculture Committee will pursue action on this issue in the near-term.

The 2026 Farm Bill must now be brought up by Speaker Mike Johnson for a vote on the House Floor.

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