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| Rep. Gabe Vasquez |
Those were some of the criticisms heard of southern Dem US Rep. Gabe Vasquez after he was one of only four Democrats to vote for a defense authorization bill riddled with anti-abortion language that narrowly passed Friday, 219 to 210.
While Vasquez took heat for his vote on a litmus test issue, four Republicans also parted ways with their party and voted against the measure--all of them from swing districts like Vasquez who was elected in 2022 with 50.3 percent of the vote.
Vasquez, an uber progressive while on the Las Cruces City Council, risks looking hypocritical on the abortion vote. So did progressive Dem Rep. Torres Small on a number of votes when she held the seat, home to the most conservative voters in the state.
On TV news in the aftermath of his controversial vote Vasquez said the defense bill wasn't "perfect." Earlier, when it came out of committee, he said:
Supporting our national defense and bringing good-paying jobs to New Mexico are critical parts of the role I play on the Armed Services Committee. In my first year representing this district, I’ve focused on strengthening our national defense, ensuring taxpayer dollars are being used wisely, and fighting for New Mexico’s interests not just in my district, but across the state.
As for the divisive part of the measure:
The Republican proposal would overturn a Defense Department policy put in place after the Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion last year, setting off a rush by some states to enact curbs and bans on the procedure. The policy reimburses travel costs for personnel who must travel out of state to obtain an abortion or related services. The policy does not provide any money for abortions. Democrats said the GOP provision was a steppingstone to instituting more abortion bans across the nation, while Republicans argued it merely preserved a long-standing ban against allowing federal funds to be used to pay for abortions.
Most Democrats rejected the bill due to controversial amendments that would curb the Pentagon’s abortion travel reimbursement policy, transgender medical care and diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) programs throughout the military.
The House-passed bill is unlikely to make it all the way to the President's desk.
COMPLICATED POLITICS
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| NM Districts (click to enlarge) |
Let's unpack the complicated politics Vasquez faces in the 2nd Congressional District with our Senior Alligators (aka Senior Sources):
Joe, this is a very delicate time for a guy like Vasquez. Of course, he's with the Dems on bigger abortion votes but this one highlighted his vulnerability. Also, the decision by the NM Supreme Court to take up a legal challenge over the redistricting of the Vasquez seat that divides up the state's conservatives has sent a shiver down his spine. Add to that an uncertain national mood and a progressive coalition that could be fading.
His polling may be showing stuff he doesn't like among independent and swing Democrats. The campaign figures progressives in Las Cruces will stay with him through thick and thin. The problem is that the national Democrats offer him few voting opportunities to attract independents. The same thing happened to former southern US Reps Torres Small and Harry Teague who both lost the district after one term.
The Vasquez strategy appears to be to rely on national interest groups and President Biden to take care of the progressive vote while he tries to peel away independents and strengthen himself with ABQ Hispanic westside Democrats who sometimes tilt conservative on culture issues.
Talk about a fine line to walk. And don't forget Herrell, she's a straight shot of whiskey for voters--completely defined with no squishiness factor.
She also has money. FEC reports filed over the weekend covering the first six months of 2023 show Herrell reporting $388,000 in cash on hand and raising $380,000 in the period. Vasquez reported raising $823,000 but he spent heavily and reported $596,000 in cash as of June 30. Of course, the national parties and interest groups will finance the lion's share of this nationally watched race. Outside spending in the 2022 Vasquez-Herrell contest went over $14 million.
FINAL SR. GATOR TAKE
A graphic description indeed of the warfare to come in one of the most competitive congressional districts in the US House.
And yes, it's true. When it comes to covering the politics of the state's congressional delegation no one covers it for you like. . .
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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023