New Hampshire

November 17, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) -The U.S. Senate has approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations spending bill which includes more than $9 million for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

This funding, which was supported by Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), and Susan Collins (R-ME), includes $7.1 million to be used for security improvements at Gate 2.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes announced his support for legislation that would make health insurance more affordable for unemployed families in New Hampshire. Currently, unemployed individuals and families receive 9 months of COBRA premium assistance under the jobs and recovery plan that passed earlier this year, but this assistance is beginning to run out this month.

Congressman Hodes is a cosponsor of H.R. 3966, which would extend this assistance for another 6 months. The premium assistance helps New Hampshire families to afford health insurance while they continue to search for a job.    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced today that the City of Manchester has been awarded a $1,049,400 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"Investing in energy efficiency and conservation will create jobs, bring down energy costs for consumers, and help communities take control of their energy use," said Shaheen. "This money will help Manchester become more energy efficient and create jobs, both of which are essential for economic recovery."    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced today that Itaconix of Hampton Falls as been awarded $1,861,488 by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy to research and develop technologies to produce clean, renewable energy. Itaconix will use the funding to develop a chemical compound derived from biomass wood pellets that will replace the petroleum-based chemicals used in products such as detergents and diapers.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter introduced two pieces of legislation that recognize and honor our nation’s service members and their families. Shea-Porter introduced a resolution that recognizes the contributions of the New Hampshire National Guard (NHNG). She also introduced legislation that honors the spouses of our military men and women who have served in combat zones.

Shea-Porter’s resolution recognizes the NHNG’s service to the State of New Hampshire and their contributions to the domestic and international missions of the Armed Forces.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes praised the New Hampshire National Guard for their service to the Granite State and to the nation. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter and Congressman Hodes have introduced House Resolution 899, to honor the New Hampshire National Guard.

"New Hampshire’s National Guardsmen and women have served at home and abroad with tremendous courage," said Congressman Paul Hodes. "This resolution honors the personal sacrifices that these Granite Staters have made, while recognizing their service to our country during national emergencies and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, urging her to address reports that Wall Street executives are receiving the H1N1 vaccine before New Hampshire residents. New Hampshire is scheduled to receive additional doses of the vaccine this week, but confusion remains regarding distribution levels and availability, all while Wall Street executives have already received the vaccines they need.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- CONCORD – New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today applauded Congress’ approval of an extension of unemployment benefits for thousands of New Hampshire citizens.

The legislation will extend benefits for 14 weeks for workers in New Hampshire. The legislation originally only extended benefits to workers in states where the unemployment rate is higher than 8.5 percent. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen authored an amendment making the extended benefits available to workers in all 50 states.

“I want to thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership in ensuring these benefits will be available to New Hampshire workers,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congressman Paul Hodes today voted for sweeping health insurance reform that will provide affordable, high quality health insurance to millions of Americans while providing seniors better care and cheaper prescription drugs.

"This proposal will lower costs, increase quality of care, increase competition for insurance companies and put New Hampshire families back in control of their health care," Congressman Paul Hodes said. "This legislation will put important rules of the road on insurance companies to protect New Hampshire citizens, and it will help deliver affordable, high quality health care to every family."    » read more »

November 03, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced a commitment to insure a mortgage loan to LRGHealthcare in Laconia, New Hampshire. The not-for-profit corporation owns and operates Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia, Franklin Regional Hospital in Franklin, and a medical office building in Meredith. The $136.4 million loan is made possible through the Federal Housing Administration’s Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program.    » read more »

November 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) today announced that significant federal funding for three important land conservation initiatives in New Hampshire has secured final approval. The measure includes $2.5 million for the Silvo O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge, $2.4 million for Cardigan Highlands and $1.375 million for the Mahoosuc Gateway/Success Township Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) project.    » read more »

October 13, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congressman Paul Hodes filed legislation along with Peter Welch of Vermont, David Loebsack of Iowa, and Tom Perriello of Virginia to extend unemployment compensation to all states, including New Hampshire.

The House passed legislation earlier this month that extended benefits only for the 27 states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. The Senate is considering compromise legislation that would extend benefits to all states for 14 weeks – with an additional six weeks for states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. Congressman Hodes opposed the House legislation and is supportive of Senator Shaheen’s compromise legislation in the Senate.    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced that more than $26 million in funding for local New Hampshire projects which she requested was authorized in the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.

“I am pleased that this important funding was included in the National Defense Authorization Act,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. “I supported these projects because they will boost our local economy and help keep our country safe.”

Shea-Porter successfully secured funding for the following projects in the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act:

$10 million for Replacing Squadron Operations Facilities for the Air National Guard    » read more »

October 5, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today met with Nashua-area business owners to discuss the rewards and challenges of exporting New Hampshire-made products overseas. The discussion took place at Sky-Skan, Inc., a manufacturer of digital planetarium and digital theater instruments that has successfully expanded its business and workforce by tapping into overseas markets.

"Exporting products and services to international markets will help New Hampshire's economy grow during the economic crisis," said Shaheen. "Small and medium sized businesses will benefit greatly from exporting their products overseas, and we must continue to help these businesses access the resources and financing necessary for them to succeed."    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Judd Gregg and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today called on Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to adjust proposed fisheries regulations in New England to reflect the unique needs of New Hampshire's fishing fleet, which has suffered disproportionately under previous regulations. Shaheen, Gregg and Shea-Porter also requested that the agency's budget provide adequate resources to help New Hampshire fishermen transition to the new management system.    » read more »