ABOUT THIS EPISODE
RECORDED ON AUGUST 18, 2026.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Congressman Vasquez's team asked me to note that at time stamp 50:00; he says he does not oppose funding to Israel, and that he does oppose funding. HOWEVER - I feel it is important to hightlight that (as discussed in the podcast soon after) he did vote NO to Thomas Massie's amendment to H.R. 8595, that would block $3.3B in funding to Israel.
This was on July 15, 2026 Evidence of this can be found here - https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2026244?RollCallNum=244&BillNum=H.R.8595
Congressman Gabe Vasquez joins Improvised Intelligence for an in-depth conversation covering some of the biggest political issues facing Southern New Mexico, the state, and the country.
Vasquez, a Democratic representative for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, discusses his campaign for a third term, his experiences running for Congress, and the issues shaping his district—from rural communities and agriculture to immigration, energy, water, and infrastructure.
In this wide-ranging interview, Vasquez addresses:
• ICE, immigration & border security — His views on immigration enforcement, targeting violent criminals, border security, the current administration's immigration policies, and his proposed approach to immigration reform.
• New Mexico's water crisis — The Rio Grande, drought, agriculture, irrigation, Elephant Butte and Caballo dams, water conservation, infrastructure, desalination, and the difficult decisions facing New Mexico's farmers and communities.
• AI data centers & water usage — The rapid expansion of data centers, their potential impact on water and energy resources, local control, state regulation, and the debate over new data center projects in New Mexico.
• Energy policy — Oil and gas, renewable energy, geothermal, fusion, transmission infrastructure, energy reliability, jobs, emissions, and how New Mexico can balance competing energy priorities.
• Israel & Gaza — U.S.-Israel relations, the war in Gaza, U.S. military assistance, the two-state solution, and Vasquez's position on congressional efforts involving aid to Israel.
• Iran & U.S. foreign policy — The Iran conflict, U.S. military involvement, weapons and munitions, costs, and questions about America's broader foreign-policy strategy.
• His congressional record — Bipartisan legislation, wildfire response, energy policy, immigration, water, and areas where Vasquez says he has disagreed with members of his own party.
This episode is a long-form, open conversation designed to let Vasquez explain his positions directly and address questions about both New Mexico issues and national politics.
Listen to the full episode of Improvised Intelligence.
🎙️ Hosted by Noah Vargas
📍 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Follow us here!Instagram: @improvisedintelligencepod @noahvargas2🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46eFKCrHGNkWejeT8XpcjTFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/improvisedintelligencepod/
Produced by Royal Tier Productions LLC
Intro/Outro Theme written by Toby Gomez
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