Press
SHAHEEN STATEMENT ON PENTAGON ANNOUNCING BENEFITS FOR SAME-SEX MILITARY, CIVILIAN COUPLES
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement welcoming the Pentagon's decision to extend benefits to same-sex spouses of uniformed service members and Defense Department employees. "Every individual who serves in uniform deserves access to the benefits that they've earned. While the Pentagon's decision is a big win for fairness and equality, the fact is that more needs to be done. Until the Department of Veterans Affairs issues a similar announcement, I will continue to … Continue Reading
August 13, 2013
SHAHEEN STATEMENT ON PASSING OF FORMER KEENE MAYOR MIKE BLASTOS
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement on the passing of former Keene Mayor Mike Blastos. "I was saddened to learn of the passing of former Keene Mayor Mike Blastos. I was lucky to have him as a friend. He was an incredibly dedicated public servant who cared deeply about Keene. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Mike's family and friends."… Continue Reading
August 09, 2013
SHAHEEN, AYOTTE OBJECT TO RULING DISQUALIFYING VICTORIA ARLEN FROM INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC GAMES
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - United States Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) sent a letter tonight to the International Paralympic Committee in which they express their strong objection to a ruling today from the organization that will prevent record-setting Exeter swimmer Victoria Arlen from participating in next week's International Paralympic Committee World Swimming Championships in Montreal, Canada. "Athletes train for months and years to participate in the Paralympics, so fo… Continue Reading
August 08, 2013
SHAHEEN CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW MEMORIAL BRIDGE
(Portsmouth, NH) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined New Hampshire and Maine officials this morning at a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Memorial Bridge. The new bridge, which serves as the major commercial artery between Maine and New Hampshire, stands to strengthen the economy of both states while improving public safety for all. Shaheen also participated in a ceremonial walk across the bridge from Kittery to Portsmouth. "The new Memorial Bridge's opening i… Continue Reading
August 07, 2013
SHAHEEN MEETS WITH STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCATION, HIGHLIGHTS NEW HAMPSHIRE’S OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY
This afternoon U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) visited the Student Conservation Association facility in Charlestown to meet with association members and discuss the important role New Hampshire's outdoor recreation industry plays in the state's economy. The SCA specifically prepares young adults for careers in conservation through hands-on internships and volunteer opportunities with national and state parks, private corporations, and nonprofit organizations, shaping the next generation of le… Continue Reading
August 06, 2013
SHAHEEN: ENERGY EFFICENCY INVESTMENTS WILL CREATE JOBS, LOWER POLLUTION, SAVE CONSUMERS AND TAXPAYERS MONEY
This afternoon U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) visited the Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery and the White Mountain National Forest Headquarters to discuss her bipartisan energy efficiency legislation and renew her call for the Senate to quickly pass her bill. The Senate has already moved to consider Shaheen's legislation and will begin full debate on the legislation in September. At both locations, Shaheen highlighted how the facilities' investments in energy efficiency should serve a… Continue Reading
August 05, 2013
SHAHEEN HONORS FIRST RESPONDERS, PROMOTES TOURISM IN HAMPTON
(Hampton, NH)--U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) honored first responders in Hampton Beach this afternoon where she also toured the newly renovated Seashell Pavilion and celebrated Hampton's 375th anniversary. Shaheen presented two Congressional Record statements, commending the rescue efforts of Hampton first responders and in celebration of Hampton's historical and cultural heritage. "It was an honor to recognize courageous first responders, their bravery, and the work they do to save lives,… Continue Reading
August 02, 2013
SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES SHAHEEN PROVISIONS TO SUPPORT NEW HAMPSHIRE DEFENSE PROGRAMS
(Washington, DC) - On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the 2014 Defense Appropriations bill which included multiple provisions supported by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Shaheen, a member of both the Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committees, worked to include funding for a number of New Hampshire defense priorities, including the KC-46A aerial refueling tanker and Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines, as well as programs that provide care and support to ser… Continue Reading
August 01, 2013
SHAHEEN: ENERGY EFFICIENCY BILL WILL CREATE JOBS, SAVE MONEY, REDUCE POLLUTION
(Washington, DC) - Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) spoke on the Senate floor this evening to tout her energy efficiency legislation that will create jobs, save consumers and taxpayers money, and reduce pollution by lowering energy consumption across the country. The Senate will move to full debate on the bill in September. Shaheen's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are included below. I rise today to discuss the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S.1392), also known as Shahee… Continue Reading
August 01, 2013
SHAHEEN, RISCH INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO REFORM GOVERNMENT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced legislation this morning to reform and improve the government's classification systems. The bipartisan bill includes a number of common-sense recommendations from the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) designed to promote transparency and efficiency by reducing unnecessary classification and addressing the growing backlog of records awaiting declassification. Designed Prior to World War II, the fe… Continue Reading
July 31, 2013
SHAHEEN LETTER TO SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON TAX REFORM LEGISLATION
Dear Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Hatch, Thank you for the opportunity to provide my views on the Senate Finance Committee's effort to enact tax reform legislation. I have long called for tax reform as part of a comprehensive, bipartisan solution to address our debt and deficits. We need look at all areas of our budget - domestic, defense, and mandatory, as well as revenues. By eliminating loopholes for the wealthiest Americans and large corporations, we can also make the tax code fai… Continue Reading
July 29, 2013
SHAHEEN: TIME IS NOW TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY
(Bow, N.H.) - A coalition of business leaders and advocates joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) this morning at Grappone Toyota in Bow to support her bipartisan energy efficiency legislation which could come to the Senate floor as early as this week. Shaheen also toured Grappone's new LEED certified facility which has recently undergone renovations to become more energy efficient. Shaheen's bill, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competiveness Act, would establish a national energy efficiency … Continue Reading
July 26, 2013
SHAHEEN, AYOTTE, SHEA-PORTER, KUSTER WELCOME FEDERAL DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE GRANT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Representatives Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) and Ann Kuster (D-NH), today welcomed the U.S. Department of Transportation's decision to approve an emergency recovery grant to help restore roadways in Grafton, Sullivan, and Cheshire Counties that were damaged by heavy rains and flooding at the end of June. The $1 million grant for rebuilding federally-supported roadways will assist the New Hampshire Department of Trans… Continue Reading
July 26, 2013
SHAHEEN, KUSTER: FDA TO HOLD PUBLIC INPUT SESSION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE ON PROPOSED FOOD SAFETY RULES
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to a request by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will participate in a public input session in New Hampshire for farmers to comment on proposed Food Safety Modernization Act rules. Last month, Shaheen and Kuster led a bipartisan, bicameral group of 20 Senators and Representatives in calling on the FDA to come to New England after hearing concerns about these new rules potentially burdeni… Continue Reading
July 25, 2013
SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES SHAHEEN PROVISIONS PROTECTING WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE, LGBT CIVIL RIGHTS
(Washington, DC) -The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced two bills this afternoon that include key provisions promoting and protecting women's health and LGBT equality sponsored by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). The State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) appropriations bill specifically include Shaheen provisions permanently repealing the Global Gag Rule - also referred to as the "Mexico City Policy" - and also providing reproductive health care coverage for Peace Corps members. The Fi… Continue Reading
July 25, 2013
SHAHEEN, COLLINS, WHITEHOUSE EFFORT TO ELIMINATE LGBT DISCRIMINATION IN FEDERAL JURY PROCESS APPROVED BY SENATE COMMITTEE
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced today that their efforts to prevent discrimination in the federal jury selection process have taken a step forward with the inclusion of language from the bipartisan Jury ACCESS Act in the Financial Services FY2014 Appropriations bill. The Jury ACCESS (Access for Capable Citizens and Equality in Service Selection) Act would amend the federal statute to prohibit the practice of s… Continue Reading
July 24, 2013
SHAHEEN STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATE COMPROMISE
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement today after the Senate voted 81-18 in favor of a compromise to keep interest rates low on federally subsidized Stafford loans. As of July 1, interest rates on Stafford loans doubled from 3.4% to 6.8%. "While today's compromise was not a perfect solution, it was a crucial agreement that will protect American students and middle class families. Affordable higher education is one the best economic investments ou… Continue Reading
July 24, 2013
CHARLIE MORGAN ACT ADVANCES IN SENATE
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen's (D-NH) legislation to extend benefits to same-sex military couples cleared a major legislative hurdle today after it passed the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee on a bipartisan voice vote. The Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act would update and expand federal benefits for legally married, same-sex veteran couples and help put the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) policies in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling striking… Continue Reading
July 24, 2013
SHAHEEN: WE MUST PROTECT STUDENTS, FAMILIES BY KEEPING HIGHER EDUCATION AFFORDABLE
(Washington, D.C.) - Reaffirming her commitment to making college affordable for New Hampshire students and families, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) took to the Senate floor this afternoon to voice her support for a bipartisan compromise to keep student loan interest rates low. In her remarks, Shaheen also announced her support for the Reed-Warren Amendment to lower the cap on the student loan interest rates. As of July 1, interest rates for subsidized Stafford loans doubled from 3.4% to … Continue Reading
July 24, 2013
SHAHEEN: WE MUST PROTECT STUDENTS, FAMILIES BY KEEPING HIGHER EDUCATION AFFORDABLE
(Washington, D.C.) - Reaffirming her commitment to making college affordable for New Hampshire students and families, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) took to the Senate floor this afternoon to voice her support for a bipartisan compromise to keep student loan interest rates low. In her remarks, Shaheen also announced her support for the Reed-Warren Amendment to lower the cap on the student loan interest rates. As of July 1, interest rates for subsidized Stafford loans doubled from 3.4% to … Continue Reading