Press
Following Shaheen Letter Voicing Zika Concerns, World Health Organization Responds by Announcing It Will Evaluate Risks of Holding the 2016 Olympic Games as Scheduled
(Washington, DC) -The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Margaret Chan, has responded to a letter from U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) calling on the WHO to evaluate the public health risks of holding the 2016 Summer Olympics Games in Brazil. In her letter, Shaheen calls for a careful examination by the WHO of the potential for the Olympic Games to greatly accelerate the global outbreak of the Zika virus. In response, Dr. Chan expressed her appreciation for Senator S… Continue Reading
May 27, 2016
Shaheen Delivers Commencement Address at Boston College Law School
**Calls on 2016 Graduates to Defend Independent Judicial and Legal System; Shield Institution from Partisan Politics** **Video of Her Speech Broadcast on Facebook Live; Full remarks available on Medium** (BOSTON) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) addressed graduates at the Boston College Law School commencement ceremony this morning. Shaheen's remarks to the 2016 graduates centered on the democratic foundation of an independent judiciary and impartial legal system in the United States, whic… Continue Reading
May 26, 2016
Shaheen Introduces Amendment to Extend Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program through 2017 and Authorize 4,000 Additional Visas
(Washington, DC) - Today U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), with the bipartisan support of Chairman McCain (R-AZ), Ranking Member Reed (D-RI) and Senator Tillis (R-NC), filed an amendment to the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would preserve the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which allows Afghans who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and face threats as a result to apply for refuge in the United States. This amendment would extend the Afghan SIV progr… Continue Reading
May 26, 2016
Shaheen Introduces Legislation to Assist Small Businesses Led By National Guard and Reservists
**The National Guard and Reserve Entrepreneurship Support Act would improve access to Small Business Administration (SBA) programs that provide counseling, loan repayment, and emergency assistance** **Her bill would also direct SBA to work with National Guard and State Adjutant Generals to improve outreach and generate awareness of programs** (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), lead Democrat on the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, today introduc… Continue Reading
May 25, 2016
Shaheen-Isakson Backed Small Business Lending Program to Be Implemented
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, and U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) welcomed today's announcement by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that it has published a rule for the implementation the "504 Refi" program. The 504 Refi program will allow small businesses to refinance existing qualified commercial real estate debt and help lower monthly mortgage payments. Last year, Shaheen and Isak… Continue Reading
May 25, 2016
SHAHEEN-MCCAIN-AYOTTE RESOLUTION DISAPPROVING WASTEFUL CATFISH INSPECTION PROGRAM PASSES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John McCain (R-AZ), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today applauded the Senate passage of a Resolution of Disapproval that condemns the duplicative U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program to inspect catfish. The program costs taxpayers millions, saddles American businesses with heavy, duplicative regulation, and exposes our economy to a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization. "The time has come to put an end to this harmful, unnecessary and… Continue Reading
May 25, 2016
Shaheen Leads Effort to Eliminate Duplicative and Wasteful Catfish Inspection Program
**On Senate floor, Shaheen discusses effort to end unnecessary program** **Bipartisan effort aimed to eliminate program that wastes millions of taxpayer dollars** You can watch Senator Shaheen's full remarks here. (Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today is leading an effort in the Senate to end the duplicative and wasteful U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) catfish inspection program, which costs taxpayers money and hurts businesses. Senator Shaheen successfully rall… Continue Reading
May 25, 2016
Shaheen Statement on Release of Ukrainian Servicewoman Nadiya Savchenko from Russian Prison
(WASHINGTON) - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations European Affairs Subcommittee, reacted to the release of Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko from a Russian prison in a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. In March, Savchenko was sentenced to 22 years in prison by a Russian court after a six month show trial. Savchenko has been held by Russia since June 2014, when she was captured by Russian-backed separatists in Eastern Ukrain… Continue Reading
May 24, 2016
JOINT STATEMENT & SUMMARY OF RANKING MEMBER SHAHEEN AND CHAIRMAN HOEVEN ON THE FY2017 HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL
WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following joint statement and summary of priorities following the subcommittee's approval of the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations bill: "As a result of our joint efforts, we have a strong product that addresses the Department's needs. The bill recommends $48.1 billion in total discretionary appropriations to support DHS's critical … Continue Reading
May 23, 2016
Senate Passes Shaheen-Blumenthal-Leahy Legislation to Empower Survivors of Sexual Assault
**The Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act was authored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen with the input of Amanda Nguyen, a survivor of sexual assault** **Shaheen spoke on the Senate Floor prior to the vote** (Washington, DC) - Legislation authored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to establish basic rights for survivors of sexual assault passed the Senate unanimously this evening. Introduced by Shaheen, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the Sexual Assault Survivors' R… Continue Reading
May 19, 2016
Shaheen Welcomes Drinking Water Advisory Standards from Environmental Protection Agency
(Washington, DC) - Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) welcomes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) release of updated lifetime drinking water health advisory standards for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) at 70 parts per trillion, issued today. Shaheen called EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy in April to discuss the elevated levels of the chemical PFOA detected in multiple New Hampshire communities. During the call, Shaheen urged Administrator McCarthy for the … Continue Reading
May 17, 2016
As Senate Takes Action to Address Zika Virus, Shaheen Renews Her Call for Emergency Funding to Address Opioid Addiction
**Today the Senate advanced more than $1 billion to address Zika but has yet to pass emergency funding for those on the frontlines of the opioid crisis** **Shaheen on opioid crisis: We need emergency funding, and we need it now** You can watch Shaheen's full remarks here. (Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. Senate advanced $1.1 billion in funding to combat the spread of the Zika virus in the United States. U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) expressed her support for the Zika funding, and fo… Continue Reading
May 17, 2016
Shaheen Calls on World Health Organization to Evaluate Public Health Risks of Holding 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil
**Nearly two million people in Brazil have contracted the Zika virus since its initial outbreak** **Shaheen voices concern for athletes, spectators, and public who risk exposure and global acceleration of the Zika outbreak** **Shaheen's letter follows an earlier press conference held by the World Health Organization on the topic** (Washington, DC) - Today, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) urged the World Health Organization to break their silence on the potential for the 2016 Summer Olympic Game… Continue Reading
May 13, 2016
Shaheen Statement on House Passage of Legislation to Respond to the Opioid Epidemic
(Washington, DC) - Today the House passed legislation, similar to the Shaheen-sponsored Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) passed by the Senate in March, aimed at curbing the heroin and opioid crisis. The House legislation authorizes support for treatment providers and law enforcement's efforts to combat drug trafficking, however, it does not provide funding for these programs. Shaheen is leading the fight in Congress to pass emergency funding to address the opioid crisis and has au… Continue Reading
May 13, 2016
Shaheen Statement on the Shooting of Two Manchester Police Officers
(Manchester, NH) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement on the shooting of two Manchester Police Officers early this morning: "Every time our brave men and women in uniform step into the line of duty they are putting themselves in harm's way to protect us and our communities. Today is a sobering reminder of the risks we ask our police officers to take every day. My thoughts are with the two Manchester Police Officers who were shot this morning and their families. … Continue Reading
May 12, 2016
Shaheen Denounces Failure to Extend Program that Benefits Afghan Interpreters in Defense Bill
(Washington, DC)-Despite a backlog of Afghan interpreters seeking refuge in the United States, today the Senate Armed Services Committee approved legislation that failed to extend or authorize new visas for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program, which allows Afghans who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and face threats as a result to apply for refuge in the United States. If the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act were to pass Congress in its current form, the S… Continue Reading
May 12, 2016
Shaheen Priorities Included in Committee-Approved Defense Bill
**Shaheen provisions bolster the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Pease Air National Guard Base** **Bill also includes her language directing the Department of Defense to adopt safe opioid prescribing guidelines and pain management alternatives to address rise in servicemember addiction** **Shaheen vows to continue to fight to support the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program** (Washington, DC) - This afternoon, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense… Continue Reading
May 11, 2016
Small Business Committee Approves Shaheen, Vitter Legislation to Permanently Reauthorize Successful Programs to Encourage High-Tech Small Business Growth
**SBIR, STTR have proven track record of helping small businesses succeed and grow** ** Without Congressional action, programs will expire in 2017** (Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (SBC), and SBC Chairman David Vitter (R-LA), today secured committee approval of their legislation to make permanent and strengthen the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Tran… Continue Reading
May 10, 2016
As Judge Garland Submits Credentials to Senate Judiciary Committee, Shaheen Renews Call for a Hearing on His Nomination
(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) renewed her call on Republican Senate leaders to fulfill their Constitutional responsibilities and hold hearings and a vote on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Merrick Garland. Following the practice of previous nominees to the Supreme Court, Judge Garland today submitted his completed questionnaire to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Judge Garland's questionnaire presents an exhaustive look at his distinguished career, cr… Continue Reading
May 10, 2016
Shaheen Request for SBIR & STTR Permanency for Department of Defense Included in National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today welcomed the inclusion of a provision in the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would make permanent the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for the Department of Defense (DoD). These programs help small businesses engage in the research and development that helps keep the U.S. competitive, and many of the partnerships created through SBIR and STTR… Continue Reading
