U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:

ALBUQUERQUE –  After celebrating Earth Day at Zuni Pueblo, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) announced the unveiling of a Tribal Task Force made up of Tribal leadership from Tribes and Pueblos across the state.

The Task Force is designed for Vasquez to better listen and represent the voices of Indian Country in Washington. It will seek guidance from each of the seven federally recognized Tribes and Pueblos in the district as well as those in the state to identify the most pressing issues facing Tribal communities and find solutions.

“I’m proud to announce the formation of our Tribal Task Force to help put together – and pass – a robust agenda for Indian Country in New Mexico. This is a critical step to bringing your voices to Washington,” Rep. Vasquez said. “I am in Congress to listen and to represent the voices of all my constituents, including our brothers and sisters in Indian Country. That’s exactly what this Task Force is designed to do. I understand that finding solutions starts with conversation, and I’m committed to turning our words here today into action.”

By engaging with each of the seven federally recognized Tribes and Pueblos in his district, as well as others throughout the state, Vasquez seeks to develop a comprehensive agenda that reflects the diverse needs and priorities of Tribal nations.

Vasquez emphasized the importance of dialogue and action, drawing from his experience in responding to community needs. He discussed his recent effort leading the Parity for Tribal Educators Act after hearing from the Ramah Navajo School Board about how lack of retirement benefits made it hard to recruit teachers at Tribally-operated schools. He introduced this bill to fix it, and recently, language from the Parity for Tribal Educators Act was included in the annual government funding bill to direct the Bureau of Indian Affairs to study the process of making it happen, a critical step towards the bill becoming a law.

The establishment of the Tribal Task Force builds on Vasquez’s ongoing efforts to champion initiatives promoting equity, justice and prosperity for the district and for Indian Country. Vasquez aims to address key issues such as public safety, infrastructure development, affordable housing and access to clean drinking water.

As Vasquez continues to advocate for the interests of all his constituents, he remains committed to the principles of inclusivity and partnership, recognizing the invaluable contributions of Tribal nations to the state.