(The Center Square) – New Mexico’s candidates for the state’s Second Congressional District take opposite views on federal abortion policy. Both candidates have publicly said they would not vote to interfere with New Mexico’s state abortion protections.
The Guttmacher Institute, an NGO that supports abortion protections, rates New Mexico as “very protective” of abortion rights. State law does not limit when an abortion can take place based on the fetus’ gestation period. State Medicaid funds cover abortions, and practitioners are protected from investigations from states with restrictive abortion laws.
The Democratic incumbent, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, has stated on his campaign site that he would vote to protect abortion rights and birth control access.
“Access to healthcare is a right and politicians in Congress and in state Legislatures shouldn’t stand between women and their healthcare. Gabe will oppose any attempt by Republicans in Congress to ban access to abortion, birth control, or to prevent women from having the right to choose.”
Vasquez’ campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
The Republican challenger, Yvette Herrell, does not support overturning New Mexico’s state abortion policy. In an op-ed on her campaign website, Herrell wrote:
“…if the voters of New Mexico’s Second Congressional District choose to return me to Congress, I will respect the Supreme Court’s ruling. I will not support a national abortion ban. That authority now lies with New Mexicans and our leaders at the state level.”
Herrell campaigned on reducing the federal government’s size and returning decision-making to state governments. However, her campaign website also states:
“I will, though, oppose any attempts to fund abortions with federal tax dollars.”
Herrell’s campaign site also notes that she supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Her campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Vasquez was a co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023. The bill would’ve prohibited government-imposed limitations on abortions and kept state and local governments from requiring patients to explain why they’re seeking abortions. The Women’s Health Protection Act has been in the House Subcommittee on Health since April 2023.
He has also supported expanding the child tax credit. It’s a tax break for parents tied to their income levels and number of children. Members of both parties have campaigned on expanding or keeping the child tax credit in place. Republican Vice Presidential candidate, J.D. Vance, has supported raising it from $2,000 to $5,000.
Herrell’s proposal to support families include policies targeted at new mothers. In her abortion op-ed on her campaign site, Herrell wrote:
“…I support making the adoption process easier, making it less of a burden to foster children, and providing tax relief for mothers on baby supplies like diapers or bottles. I also fully support increased access to birth control, education that can reduce unintended pregnancies, and fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) that have given countless families the opportunity to experience the joy of parenthood.”