Rep. Gabe Vasquez Statement on Lack of Reform and Accountability in DHS Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On January 21, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02)released the following statement ahead of his vote opposing the FY26 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill. In July 2025, the Department of Homeland Security received a $150 billion "blank check" under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is now being used to fund ICE with no guardrails or oversight.

"As long as Secretary Noem continues to run DHS as a rogue agency that directs masked agents to create chaos in our communities and detain our citizens with impunity and no regard for our rights as Americans, I cannot in good conscience vote to authorize this funding without proper oversight or accountability."

"This agency already received a $150 billion slush fund from the Administration and Congressional Republicans. I strongly support improving public safety in our communities, but instead, this rogue agency has shown disregard for the rule of law and is clearly not making our communities safer. We need accountability, an immediate halt to the detention of American citizens, and requirements that DHS agents act in accordance with the law - and we need it now."

Rep. Vasquez is demanding new leadership at DHS and increased transparency around the agency's spending and activities.

• In the wake of an ICE agent's killing of Renee Nicole Good - an American citizen and young mother of three - the Congressman led the call for Secretary Noem's impeachment, citing her mismanagement of ICE, failure to support communities like Ruidoso following natural disasters, and improper use of taxpayer funds.
• The Congressman introduced the Humane Accountability Act, a bill that calls for greater transparency and accountability around immigrant detention and removals by requiring detailed reporting on assaults, deaths, complaints, and other treatment of detainees to Congress.
• Rep. Vasquez voted againstthe One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which granted DHS a $150 billion blank check to pay for mass detentions and deportations, including of American citizens.
• Following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Rep. Vasquez led a group of lawmakers from border communities in demanding transparency and accountabilityaround how DHS will spend more than $150 billion in newly allocated taxpayer dollars. The letter to DHS also outlined detailed spending recommendations to ensure DHS allocates funds in a manner that provides American taxpayers a return on their investment by prioritizing public safety, efficiency, and American values.

Rep. Vasquez also has a strong record of supporting investments in public safety, including recent wins on border security and local law enforcement:

• Rep. Vasquez voted for $4.4 billionin funds for state and local law enforcement under the FY26 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill. These investments will help law enforcement agencies recruit and retain officers, modernize equipment, improve training, combat crime, and keep communities safer.
• Rep. Vasquez recently secured over $1.5 million in federal Community Project Funding for enhanced public safety technologythat will help Albuquerque and Bernalillo County law enforcement officers shorten emergency response times and combat crime.
• The Congressman recently introduced the BEST Facilitation Actand the Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025- two bipartisan, commonsense billsto enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) cargo scanning capabilities at points of entry and improve coordination between law enforcement agencies at the southern border.
• Rep. Vasquez has advocated for increased investments in smart border technology like autonomous surveillance towers (ASTs) and aerostats under his New American Immigration Plan.

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