Congresswoman backs minibus funding for Gallup police and water projects

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 federal spending minibus (H.R. 6938) on Jan. 8, a package that directs new federal investments into water infrastructure, public safety training, tribal programs, and energy resilience that affect communities across McKinley County.

The legislation secures specific project dollars that touch local needs. The Gallup Police Department is slated to receive $320,000 for virtual reality training technology to support de-escalation and scenario-based training. The package also includes nearly $2.35 million for the Paseo Real Water Reclamation facility in Santa Fe and contains language to increase authorization and financial protections for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, a multijurisdictional system that serves parts of McKinley County and neighboring areas.

Beyond individual project line items, the minibus increases funding for Native American priorities across federal agencies, including additional resources for the Bureau of Indian Education and Indian Health Service. It also advances investments in energy resilience meant to strengthen rural and tribal power infrastructure against outages and extreme weather.

For McKinley County, the measure combines immediate operational support with longer-term institutional protections. The Gallup Police funding aims to reduce use-of-force incidents and build officer competency in complex encounters; the VR training investment is a tangible upgrade to existing academy tools. Strengthened authorization and financial guarantees for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project could improve long-term water delivery reliability for Gallup, parts of the Navajo Nation in McKinley County, and associated communities that depend on this regional system.

Implementation will determine practical effects. Project dollars often flow through federal agencies, tribal governments, state partners, and local municipalities; timelines for procurement, contracting, and training remain subject to administrative processes and intergovernmental coordination. Increased Bureau of Indian Education and Indian Health Service funding addresses chronic program shortfalls but will require sustained oversight at the tribal and county level to ensure services reach classrooms and clinics.

Fiscal choices in Washington shape daily life here: water rates, police training practices, school and clinic operations, and the resilience of electrical grids. Residents and local leaders should expect a period of planning and grant administration before most funds produce visible changes in McKinley County.

The takeaway? Track local council, tribal, and school board agendas to see how federal dollars are spent and who controls project timelines. Our two cents? Stay engaged at public meetings, ask for clear timelines and performance metrics, and push for community oversight so the promised investments actually strengthen Gallup and surrounding communities.