VIDEO: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Champions New Mexico's Defense Infrastructure in Strategic Forces Subcommittee Hearing

April 9, 2025 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) highlighted the national security importance of New Mexico’s military infrastructure and private space innovation sector during a House Armed Services hearing on the Department of Defense’s strategic forces posture. WATCH: Vasquez Advocates for NM’s Strategic Defense Role Vasquez, whose district is home to White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and Holloman Air Force Base, pressed senior military and defense officials to recognize New Mexico’s decades-long contributions to national defense—from nuclear deterrence to hypersonic weapons testing—and to double down on investments in the state’s test ranges and space technology ecosystem. In the committee hearing, Vasquez said, “Like everything in the 21st century, military and space technology is advancing exponentially. No state is better equipped to support that technological advancement than New Mexico. We're innovative, and I’ve always said that if we can design it and test it in New Mexico, we can also build it in New Mexico. And so, as we discussed today, every dollar the department spends and invests in our state pays off dividends to strengthen American security.” Vasquez underscored how diminishing these resources would risk degrading the U.S. military’s technological edge and weakening readiness. He also emphasized the critical role of small businesses in New Mexico in designing and delivering the next generation of space-based assets and satellite power systems. Vasquez concluded by reaffirming his commitment to delivering federal investments that support both New Mexico’s military installations and the skilled workforce powering them. ### Issues : Armed Services & National Security