Vasquez Delivers Wins and Listens to Six Tribal Communities Across NM-02 During Three-Day Trip in Indian Country

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On April 1-3, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02)met with six Tribal communities across New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District and surrounding areas to discuss education, housing, public safety, health care, water rights, and other priorities identified by Tribal leaders and community members. Over the course of three days, Vasquez visited Isleta Pueblo, Alamo Navajo, Acoma Pueblo, Zuni Pueblo, Ramah Navajo, and To'Hajiilee to hear directly from Tribal leadership and community members, highlight federal investments, and reinforce his support for Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.

"Since being elected to office, I have maintained my steadfast commitment to Indian Country in our district and across the state. Over the last week, I heard directly from Tribal leaders, educators, students, seniors, parents, and public safety officials about their concerns and opportunities. Those conversations will continue to guide my work in Congress," said Vasquez. "From protecting sacred sites to funding long-overdue water settlements to strengthening Tribal schools to delivering investments for seniors, housing and public safety, our work and partnership will continue, despite the challenges posed by the current Administration."

On Wednesday, Vasquez began the trip at Isleta Pueblo Head Start, where he met with program leaders and Pueblo leadership to discuss the importance of early childhood education, language and cultural preservation, and the role Tribal gaming revenues play in supporting essential community services like Head Start. He also highlighted his work to protect Tribal gaming revenuesfrom unregulated prediction markets and his support for increased federal funding for Head Start programs.

On Thursday, Vasquez visited Alamo Navajo Chapter, where he joined local leaders for a school assembly, campus tour, and discussion with school board and chapter leadership about education, infrastructure, public safety, and health care needs in the community. Later that day at Acoma Pueblo, Vasquez toured the Acoma Senior Center and highlighted the $2.9 million he secured in FY2026 Community Project Fundingfor senior housing repairs, which will help improve safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency for low-income elders in the community.

That evening, Vasquez hosted a town hallfocused on RECA and health care alongside State Rep. Michelle Abeyta and Acoma Pueblo Governor Riley, where he answered questions from community members, directed constituents to casework resources, and discussed his continued efforts to help New Mexicans access RECA compensation and strengthen health care services in Tribal communities.

On Friday morning, Vasquez visited Zuni Salt Lake with Zuni leadership - including Governor Arden Kucate and Lt. Governor Cordelia Hooee - to discuss protection of the sacred site and his reintroduced Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act, which would authorize $685 million in federal fundingfor sustainable water management and infrastructure while affirming the Tribe's water rights.

Vasquez then traveled to Ramah Navajo to meet with school leaders, educators, students, and chapter officials at the Ramah Navajo Chapter School in Pine Hill. During the visit, he celebrated the $1.09 million he secured in FY2026 Community Project Funding to upgrade Ramah's drinking water system. He also discussed his reintroduction of the Parity for Tribal Educators Act, legislation aimed at helping Tribally controlled schools recruit and retain teachers by providing access to the same retirement benefits offered at BIE-operated schools. The bill is endorsed by the National Indian Education Association, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Ramah Navajo School Board.

He concluded the trip in To'Hajiilee, where he convened a public safety roundtable with law enforcement, local officials, and community leaders following recent violence in the community. The discussion focused on staffing shortages, long emergency response times, federal resources, and ways Congress can better support Tribal law enforcement and public safety infrastructure. Vasquez also highlighted his support for the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Actand the Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act.

Throughout the trip, Vasquez underscored that Tribal communities know their needs best and that his office will continue working in partnership with Tribal leadership to deliver resources, elevate priorities, and uphold the federal government's trust and treaty responsibilities.

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