Economic Opportunity
“Too many people are being left behind in today’s changing global economy, and we must do more to ensure that everyone who works hard has the opportunity to get ahead and stay ahead. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, my top priority is to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, while also building the highly skilled workforce that innovation based businesses need to grow and thrive.” – Senator Hassan
To help lay the foundation for the next generation of economic growth, Senator Hassan is focused on fostering innovation, eliminating barriers for entrepreneurs, increasing participation in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, and expanding access to broadband.
As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hassan introduced bipartisan legislation to double the refundable research and development (R&D) tax credit and extend it to more small businesses. The R&D tax credit supports the efforts of businesses to invest in the development of new, innovative products that lead to job creation and a stronger economy.
Additionally, as part of her efforts to support New Hampshire and America’s entrepreneurs, the first bill Senator Hassan introduced was the Reigniting Opportunity for Innovators (ROI) Act, which would help provide the student loan debt relief necessary for entrepreneurs to start up and grow innovative small businesses.
To ensure that our economy works for everyone, Senator Hassan has supported efforts to include more women, minorities, and people who experience disabilities in STEM fields.
Access to high-speed, reliable internet is also crucial to the success of people and businesses in the 21st century economy. Senator Hassan has been a leader in the push to expand high-speed internet to rural areas in New Hampshire and across the country.
To help close the urban-rural digital divide, Senator Hassan joined in introducing the bipartisan AIRWAVES Act, which establishes a spectrum pipeline that will provide more capacity for wireless providers to improve existing service and expand to new areas. Senator Hassan also introduced the bipartisan MAP Broadband Act to help improve the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mobile broadband coverage maps to ensure that federal investments in expanding broadband are directed toward areas – such as rural parts of New Hampshire – that need it the most.
Net neutrality is also critical to promoting innovation, supporting hard-working people, and encouraging economic growth. Net neutrality ensures that internet service providers treat all sites on the internet equally, and do not impede the ability of businesses and consumers to access certain services or information. Senator Hassan is working to try to overturn the FCC’s backward decision to repeal net neutrality protections.
Senator Hassan will continue fighting to ensure that all hard-working Granite Staters and Americans have the support and resources that they need to succeed in the 21st century innovation economy.
Related News
-
March 27, 2020
Senator Hassan Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan COVID-19 Response Package
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement after the House passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that the Senate passed unanimously on Thursday. The legislation now heads to the president’s desk for signature.
Read More -
March 21, 2020
Hassan Joins Shaheen, Bipartisan Group of Northern Border Senators in Call to President to Address Impact of U.S-Canada Border Closure and Quarantines on Medical & Other Essential Supply Chains
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan joined a bipartisan group of Senators representing states along the United States-Canada border in a letter led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen to President Trump calling on him to consider necessary exemptions to protect public health and safety for businesses and individuals affected by travel restrictions from closing the U.S.-Canadian border, as well as enforcement mandated by quarantines. The bipartisan letter highlights concerns regarding the border closure’s effect on the supply chains of companies that produce or provide essential goods and services. The northern border closure began March 21st. The letter also urges the President to consider the impact on families living in border communities.
Read More -
March 18, 2020
NH Delegation Applauds SBA Administrator’s Approval of State Emergency Declaration Request Which will Release Support to Granite State Small Businesses
(Washington, DC)- U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) issued the following statements after Small Business Administrator (SBA) Jovita Carranza signed New Hampshire’s emergency declaration to allow Granite State small businesses to be eligible for the full suite of emergency resources through the SBA, as firms mitigate financial hardships due to the spread of the coronavirus. The New Hampshire delegation called on the SBA earlier this week to approve the emergency declaration.
Read More -
March 18, 2020
Shaheen, Hassan Join Group of Senators in Call for Direct Cash Assistance to Help Americans Weather Economic Fallout of Coronavirus Outbreak
( As the economic fallout of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak escalates, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) sent a letter today with a group of Senators led by Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer outlining a bold new proposal to provide Americans with direct cash payments.
Read More -
February 26, 2020
WMUR on Senator Hassan’s New Bipartisan Legislation to Support Innovative Startups
MANCHESTER - In case you missed it, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) visited Measured Air Performance in Manchester to announce bipartisan legislation that she introduced with Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) to support innovative startups in New Hampshire and across the country. The Incubator Network and Startup Success Act would establish a competitive grant program for incubator networks. Incubators help startups by providing resources such as low-cost space, access to capital, business counseling, and mentorship opportunities during their early stages of development. Leaders of Measured Air Performance, founded in 2016, have worked with the New Hampshire Tech Alliance’s incubator to help them grow their business.
Read More -
February 19, 2020
Senator Hassan Congratulates Graduates of Nashua Community College’s Microelectronics Boot Camp
NASHUA - In case you missed it, Senator Maggie Hassan delivered remarks on Friday congratulating graduates of the Nashua Community College Microelectronic Boot Camp, a 10-week program teaching students technical skills to help them obtain jobs at BAE Systems and other New Hampshire companies.
Read More -
February 04, 2020
Senator Hassan Responds to President Trump’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON -Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement tonight in response to President Trump’s State of the Union address. The Senator brought as her guest Laconia Police Officer Eric Adams, who has gained national recognition for his work as Laconia’s Prevention, Enforcement, and Treatment Coordinator. In this role – the first of its kind in New England – Officer Adams has helped revolutionize the way that law enforcement across the country approach combating substance misuse.
Read More
