Rep. Gabe Vasquez Statement on Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On October 1, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) issued the following statement on the government shutdown:

"This shutdown will harm millions of Americans, but so will allowing Republicans to permanently close rural hospitals in our district and kick millions off their health insurance," said Vasquez. "While Republicans cancel votes and refuse to negotiate, I remain ready to reach across the aisle to pass a funding bill that works for the American people and protects New Mexicans' health care."

Rep. Vasquez is fighting to protect New Mexicans' access to health care with a funding bill that extends ACA enhanced premium tax credits for working class Americans.

Due to Republicans' refusal to negotiate a bipartisan funding bill that protects Americans' access to care, the government shutdown will have the following impacts:

• Health care: 40,000 New Mexicans in NM-02 risk losing coverage; 8 rural hospitals in NM-02 are at risk of closure; premiums could spike nearly $600/month per family.
• Workers & military families: More than 22,000 federal employees and an additional 22,000 active duty and reserve personnel in New Mexico will be furloughed or forced to work without pay.
• Seniors & veterans: Social Security, Medicare, and veterans' benefits could face dangerous processing delays.
• Small businesses & farmers: SBA loans, USDA programs, and disaster relief could be delayed, hurting growth and stability for New Mexico's small business owners and farmers.
• Community safety & travel: Air travel delays will occur as TSA agents and air traffic controllers are forced to work without pay. Nationally, for every week the federal government remains shut down, America's travel economy loses $1 billion.
• Families in need: New Mexicans relying on SNAP could face food insecurity if the shutdown continues late into October.
• National park closures at places like Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands will devastate local economies that rely on tourism.

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