Press
Shaheen Introduces Bill to Help Veterans Find Treatment, Avoid Incarceration
(Washington, DC) - Today, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced legislation to bolster efforts to provide treatment to veterans in the criminal justice system as an alternative to incarceration, particularly for those struggling with mental health and substance abuse. The Veterans Justice Outreach Act would empower the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work within the criminal justice system to train law enforcement, courts, attorneys, and legal assistance organizations in order to diver… Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Shaheen Decries Republican Obstruction of Last-Minute Effort to Prevent Midnight Expiration of Land and Water Conservation Fund
(Washington, DC) - This evening, despite insistent calls to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Republicans in the Senate blocked last-minute legislation that would extend the authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund by 60 days, preventing a lapse in the program. This short-term extension was proposed in an expedited procedural process and would have allowed for additional time to find an agreement on a long-term authorization of LWCF. "Not only have Republican… Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Shaheen Statement Ahead of Midnight Expiration of Land and Water Conservation Fund
(Washington, DC) -- Despite insistent calls from both sides of the aisle to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Republican leadership in the House and Senate will allow the program to expire at midnight tonight. U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) decried the fact that Congressional leadership allowed an important conservation program for New Hampshire to sunset. "It's disgraceful that a program that has done so much to preserve and protect New Hampshire's beautiful spaces w… Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Agreement on Defense Bill Contains Shaheen Priorities
(Washington, DC) - Following the unveiling of a Senate and House agreement on the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) yesterday, Senator Shaheen announced her priorities that were included in the bill. Among them are provisions to fund the development of the KC-46A scheduled to be based at Pease Air National Guard Base as well as funding the infrastructure necessary to support the tanker's mission. Senator Shaheen is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee which au… Continue Reading
September 29, 2015
Shaheen’s Amendment to Increase the Number of Visas for Afghan Interpreters is Included in Defense Bill
(Washington, DC) -Following the unveiling of a Senate and House agreement on the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act this afternoon, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) welcomed the inclusion of her provision to substantially increase the number of Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans who assisted American personnel in Afghanistan and face threats as a result. This increase of 3,000 visas will help address the backlog of Afghan interpreters seeking refuge in the United States. … Continue Reading
September 28, 2015
Shaheen and Scott Applaud Passage of PACE Act by U.S. House of Representatives
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senators and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Tim Scott (R-SC), both former small business owners and members of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today applauded the House of Representatives for passing the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act (H.R.1624). In April, Senators Scott and Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the PACE Act (S.1099) in the Senate, and have since been building momentum to address this issue on behalf of small and mid-… Continue Reading
September 25, 2015
Shaheen Welcomes Air Force Decision to Treat All Three Contaminated Wells at Pease
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) welcomed today's decision by the U.S. Air Force to treat all three wells at the Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth that are contaminated with perflourochemicals (PFCs). This afternoon, Senator Shaheen was informed of the decision by Miranda Ballentine, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy. Ballentine's agency also committed to taking the necessary steps to clean the regional aquifer of PFC … Continue Reading
September 25, 2015
As Syrian Refugee Crisis Grows, Shaheen Leads Senate Resolution Calling for International Cooperation
(Washington, DC) - As the Syrian Refugee crisis continues to grow in Europe and the Middle East, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations European Affairs Subcommittee, introduced a Senate Resolution recognizing the significant challenges faced by countries in the region and the need to address the conflict in Syria as the primary driver of this refugee crisis. The resolution, which is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blum… Continue Reading
September 25, 2015
Shaheen Encourages Granite State Participation in National Drug Take-Back Day
(Washington, DC) - Tomorrow, Saturday September 26th, communities across New Hampshire and the country are teaming up with local law enforcement for the tenth annual National Drug Take-Back Day to dispose of unneeded prescription drugs. This event, hosted nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), serves as an important reminder of the services many local law enforcement agencies provide year-round to properly dispose of prescription drugs, especially highly addictive opioid painki… Continue Reading
September 24, 2015
NH Delegation Applauds Energy Department Decision to Conduct Thorough Review of New Northern Pass Route
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), along with Representatives Ann McLane Kuster (NH-2) and Frank Guinta (NH-1) applauded today's decision by the Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a more thorough review of the Northern Pass Transmission Project's newest "preferred route" proposal. "We appreciate DOE's decision to meet the request of concerned Granite Staters who want more information and more time to assess the impact of the new Northern Pass rout… Continue Reading
September 24, 2015
New Hampshire Delegation Continues Push for Greater Public Input in Pipeline Permitting Process
(Washington, DC) - Today, New Hampshire's Congressional Delegation renewed their request to the Department of Energy Inspector General to address specific concerns about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) permitting process for interstate natural gas pipelines. The inquiry comes as the delegation continues to seek greater consideration of public comments by Granite State residents and communities potentially impacted by Kinder Morgan's proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) natura… Continue Reading
September 23, 2015
With Just 7 Days Until Expiration, Shaheen Calls-Out Republican Congressional Leadership for Ignoring Conservation Program
(Washington, DC) - Despite calls from both sides of the aisle to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in legislation to avert a government shutdown, Senate Republican leadership released a proposed government funding bill that doesn't address the expiration of the program at the end of the month. Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) decried the lack of attention by Congressional leadership to the looming shutdown of this conservation program: "It's disgraceful that a pro… Continue Reading
September 23, 2015
Shaheen Statement on Pope Francis Visit to the United States
(Washington, DC) -U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today welcomed His Holiness Pope Francis to the United States with the following statement: "His Holiness Pope Francis's historic visit brings joy to the hearts of Catholics in New Hampshire and across the country," said Shaheen. "His message of hope and mercy, and his personal example of humility and grace are an inspiration to Americans of all faiths. I extend a warm welcome to His Holiness on his first visit to the United States. He has… Continue Reading
September 23, 2015
As Show Trial Begins, Shaheen Calls on Russia to Immediately Release Ukrainian Fighter Pilot Held Captive
(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations European Affairs Subcommittee, sent a letter to the Russian ambassador calling for the immediate release of Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko. Savchenko has been held by Russia since June of 2014, when she was captured by Russian-backed separatists in Eastern Ukraine and taken across the border. Despite broad condemnation from the international community, yesterday a Russian cou… Continue Reading
September 22, 2015
Shaheen, Ayotte, Klobuchar, and Collins Introduce #FreeThe20 Resolution with All 20 Women Senators
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced the bipartisan #FreeThe20 resolution with all 20 women senators to support the empowerment of women and urge countries to release women held unjustly. Earlier this month, US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power launched a U.S. government-wide #FreeThe20 campaign, urging governments around the world to release female political prisoners. The Sen… Continue Reading
September 22, 2015
As Path is Cleared for Implementation of Iran Agreement, Shaheen Urges Unified Response from European Allies to Any Iran Violations
(Washington, DC) - Last week marked the end of the 60 day period established by Congress to review the international agreement intended to curb Iran's nuclear capabilities, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). As the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations European Affairs Subcommittee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has sent a letter to our European allies who partnered with the United States in negotiations urging a unified response to any Iranian violation of the agre… Continue Reading
September 21, 2015
Shaheen, Blumenthal, Brown, Schatz, Gillibrand, and Mikulski Exhort State Department to Increase Protections, Support for Iraqi Religious Minorities Facing Inhumane Crimes from ISIS
(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Barbara Mikulski (D-M.D.) urged the U.S. Department of State to take stronger action to protect religious minorities - especially women and children - against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). A recent report by The New York Times documented horrific atrocities committed by ISIS against Yazidis, C… Continue Reading
September 18, 2015
NH Delegation Calls for New Environmental Review of Northern Pass Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), along with Representatives Ann McLane Kuster (NH-2) and Frank Guinta (NH-1), called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to add a supplement to the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Northern Pass Transmission project to analyze the newest "preferred route" proposal. The letter follows a request from several New Hampshire conservation groups that DOE postpone the currently scheduled public heari… Continue Reading
September 18, 2015
Shaheen, Leahy, Burr & Collins Lead Bipartisan Letter Pressing For Continuation of Land And Water Conservation Program
(WASHINGTON, DC)- With the expiration of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) fast approaching, a bipartisan coalition of 51 senators led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Susan Collins (R-ME) is calling on Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Reid to permanently reauthorize and adequately fund the nation's premier federal conservation program, now in its 50th year. The authorization for the program expires on September… Continue Reading
September 17, 2015
Shaheen: No GOP Candidate Should Have Difficulty Identifying an American Woman Who Has Contributed To Our Nation's History
(Washington, DC) - During last night's CNN debate, the candidates for the Republican nomination for President were asked who they would like to see on the $10 bill. Suggestions from some candidates included a candidate's wife, mother, two historic women who were not Americans, and a dismissal of the question by Carly Fiorina who called it a "meaningless gesture." Today, Senator Shaheen responded to how this question was addressed in last night's debate: "Our paper currency is an important part … Continue Reading
