Rep. Gabriel Vasquez, D-N.M., recently made headlines for his stance on President Donald Trump’s “no tax on tips” law. Initially, Vasquez voted against the package implementing this policy. However, he later advocated for making the policy permanent.
In August, Vasquez emphasized that tipped workers deserve to retain more of their earnings. Despite this, he and his Democratic colleagues voted against Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” This legislative package, enacted on July 4, included the no-tax-on-tips provision.
“Tipped workers deserve to take home more of their hard-earned pay,” Vasquez told local outlets in August.
Unlike most Democrats who criticize the tax and border security package, Vasquez’s actions indicate his efforts to appeal to a highly competitive district. This has led some onlookers, like Reilly Richardson from the National Republican Congressional Committee, to speculate about his motives.
Vasquez’s campaign clarified his opposition to other measures within the bill, such as Medicaid reforms that imposed an 80-hour work requirement for certain adults. Patricia Socarras Santiago, a campaign spokesperson, highlighted that Vasquez supports a permanent no-tax-on-tips policy that doesn’t harm hardworking families reliant on Medicaid and food assistance.
The campaign cited recent jobs reports to criticize the impact of Trump’s policies on job stability. Challenges in the hospitality sector show that policies under MAGA leadership may not benefit tipped workers significantly.
Vasquez proposes expanding the current no-tax-on-tips legislation. He introduced the TIPS Act, aiming to eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers. In New Mexico, employers must pay workers as little as $2.13 per hour. Vasquez’s act seeks to make these policies permanent, contrasting with Trump’s policy that expires in 2028.
On Tax Day, Vasquez criticized the Trump administration for misrepresenting the no-tax-on-tips provision. He stressed that misconceptions might surprise New Mexicans when they file taxes, expecting relief not available to everyone.
“New Mexicans deserve honesty,” Vasquez said. “I’m focused on real solutions that help workers and seniors keep more of their hard-earned pay.”
As Vasquez gears up for the general election on November 3, he faces Republican challenger Greg Cunningham. Cunningham, a veteran and former DEA narcotics officer, hopes to unseat Vasquez.