Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Senators Hassan, Shaheen to Protect Seniors from Fraud Passes Senate

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen to protect seniors from fraud. The Seniors Fraud Prevention Act will help fight scams designed to rob seniors of their assets by directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create an office to educate seniors about fraud schemes and improve the agency's monitoring and response to fraud complaints. The legislation is led in the Senate by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME).

Senators Hassan and Hawley Introduce Bipartisan Federal Disaster Responder Act

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, and Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), who also serves on the Subcommittee, introduced bipartisan legislation that will help strengthen federal disaster response. The bill ensures that when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sends federal workers for disaster response, there is not an arbitrary cap of one year for their deployment to a disaster zone.

Portman, Hassan Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize Federal Government’s Use of Latest Technology Heads to President’s Desk for a Signature

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) applauded the Senate for passing their bipartisan Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program Act that will accelerate the adoption of the latest technologies by government agencies. This legislation expands upon Senator Portman’s bipartisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Government Act, which codifies the AI Center of Excellence (CoE) within the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide technical expertise to relevant government agencies; advise agencies on the procurement of AI technology; and promote U.S. competitiveness through agency and industry cooperation. Inspired by Senator Portman’s legislation, GSA created the AI CoE last year. The Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program Act lays out the responsibilities that all of GSA’s CoEs should have and harmonizes their roles to strengthen the government’s technology expertise beyond just AI. The legislation now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation Cosponsored by Senator Hassan to Secure Internet-Connected Devices

WASHINGTON – The Senate passed bipartisan legislation yesterday, introduced by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Steve Daines (R-MT), to require baseline security requirements for Internet of Things (IoT) devices purchased by the federal government. Their bipartisan legislation would leverage the purchasing power of the federal government to help move the wider market for IoT devices towards greater cybersecurity. The Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September and now heads to the President’s desk for signature.

NH Delegation Calls on HHS to Change Formula for CARES Act Provider Relief Fund that Unfairly Penalizes Granite State Nursing & Long-Term Care Facilities

(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) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, calling on the Department to update the methodology for distributing the next round of awards from the CARES Act’s $175 billion Provider Relief Fund to prioritize nursing homes and long-term care facilities in states like New Hampshire that have lower COVID-19 infection rates, but face serious issues with the spread of COVID-19 and mortality rates among residents of nursing facilities.

Senator Hassan Reintroduces Legislation to Provide Student Loan Debt Relief to Young Entrepreneurs Starting Innovative Small Businesses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan reintroduced the Reigniting Opportunity for Innovators Act to help provide student loan debt relief to young entrepreneurs starting innovative small businesses. Senator Hassan originally introduced the bill in 2017 and it was the first piece of legislation she introduced in the Senate.

Senator Hassan and Gold Star Mother Natalie Healy of Exeter Discuss Honoring Troops Who Served in Global War on Terror Through New Memorial

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) held a Facebook Live conversation today with Gold Star mother Natalie Healy of Exeter on the importance of honoring those who served in the Global War on Terror. In 2005, Natalie’s son, Navy Seal Daniel Healy, was killed in Afghanistan after his helicopter was shot down during an attempt to rescue a SEAL reconnaissance team.

Shaheen, Hassan & Pappas Announce $257K to Safeguard NH Coastal Communities & Ecosystems Impacted by the Effects of Climate Change

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the Vice Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations subcommittee which funds the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced today with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) that NOAA will award $257,000 to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for the Department’s Living Shoreline Stabilization for Communities and Tidal Wetlands in the Great Bay Estuary project. The effort will support living shoreline projects that protect salt marsh habitat and coastal communities from erosion, sealevel rise and flooding, such as plants, sand or rock, in the Great Bay Estuary municipalities of Dover, Durham and Newmarket. The funding was awarded through NOAA’s 2020 National Coastal Resilience Fund and will be matched dollar for dollar.

Murkowski, Hassan Push Legislation to Extend Deadline For Communities to Spend CARES Act Funding through September 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced legislation that extends the period during which States, Indian Tribes, territories, and local governments may use Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) payments, allocated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. If enacted, this bipartisan legislation will allow the relief funds to be used until September 30, 2021, rather than the original deadline of the end of this year, December 30, 2020.

Senator Hassan Leads Roundtable with NH Local Leaders to Discuss Community Needs for Additional COVID-19 Relief Package

WASHINGTON -- On Monday, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) led a virtual roundtable with local leaders in New Hampshire to discuss the importance of passing an additional, comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that includes robust funding to support public health -- including mental health -- and economic recovery for individuals, businesses, and communities. The Senator was joined by Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier, Strafford County Sheriff David Dubois and Sheriff-elect Mark Brave, Lebanon City Manager Shaun Mulholland, and Cheshire County Administrator Chris Coates.

Shaheen, NH Delegation Announce $685K for UNH Workforce Training Program for Rural Educators Amid COVID-19

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) – a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee – announced today with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that the University of New Hampshire was awarded a $685,000 federal grant to bolster workforce training for rural educators impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant invests in UNH’s “4-H Northeast Collaborative Closing the Gap” program and was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which Senator Shaheen fights to bolster resources for each year in government funding legislation.

Senator Hassan Recognizes Jo-Ann Clark of Stratham as November’s Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON – Following the observance of Veterans Day last week, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan today recognized Jo-Ann Clark of Stratham as November’s Granite Stater of the Month. Ten years ago, Jo-Ann lost her son, Army Specialist Christopher Journeau, to suicide after he returned home from Iraq with undiagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After learning about the benefits that companion animals can bring to veterans who suffer from PTSD, Jo-Ann started an organization in her son’s name to fund adoptions of shelter animals by veterans.

Senator Hassan Statement on New Hampshire’s 500th COVID-19 Death

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement on New Hampshire’s 500th COVID-19 death:

Senator Hassan Statement Ahead of Veterans Day

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement ahead of Veterans Day:

Baldwin, Whitehouse, Hassan, Warren Lead Colleagues to Call on Trump’s Justice Department to Stop Plans to Make Purdue Pharma a Public Benefit Corporation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the settlement agreement announced between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Purdue Pharma (Purdue), U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are today leading their colleagues to call on Attorney General William Barr to stop his Department’s plan to have Purdue’s business, including its production of Oxycontin, transformed and preserved as a public trust or public benefit company. This proposal, first put forth by Purdue and the Sackler family, would make state and local governments, including those that are currently suing Purdue, owners of the very business that has devastated their communities.

Senator Hassan Releases Statement Ahead of Oral Arguments in Supreme Court Case to Overturn the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement ahead of tomorrow’s oral arguments in front of the Supreme Court on the lawsuit brought by Republican Attorneys General and supported by the Trump administration to overturn the Affordable Care Act and its protections for people with pre-existing conditions:

NH Delegation Announces More Than $467K through NBRC & USDA to Support Granite State Outdoor Recreation & Forest Economies

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that New Hampshire has been awarded $467,410 from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support the state’s outdoor recreation and forest economies. Specifically, $290,056 was awarded to the Appalachian Mountain Club to deliver trail building, stewardship and recreation management skills trainings annually to 200 Granite Staters, allowing them to meet the workforce needs of the New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation economy. $177,354 was awarded to the Northern Forest Center, allowing the organization to provide technical and market development assistance to wood products businesses in the NBRC region through the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants will be allocated through NBRC and USDA’s State Economic & Infrastructure Development program and help create and retain jobs and promote economic growth in rural Granite State communities.

Following Call for Swift Release of Funds, NH Delegation Announces More than $25 Million in Heating Assistance Help

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced that New Hampshire is set to receive $25,117,942 in assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The announcement follows calls from Shaheen and Hassan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly as possible under the current continuing resolution. 

Shaheen, Hassan & Pappas Announce $600K Investment to Establish Loan Fund to Serve Small Businesses in Lakes Region

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations and Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committees, announced with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) a $600,000 federal loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Wentworth Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) in Wolfeboro to establish a loan fund. The investment was awarded by USDA’s Intermediary Relending Program and will be used to provide critical financing to Lakes Region small businesses and entrepreneurs. The funds will help 16 rural businesses, retain 60 full-time jobs and create 30 new jobs.

Shaheen, Hassan and Kuster Announce $250K for Youth Substance Use Prevention Efforts in Keene & Upper Valley Region

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced $250,000 in Drug Free Communities (DFC) grants from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to two local drug prevention coalitions in New Hampshire. The grants will provide the Keene YMCA Community Coalition on Youth Substance Use and All Together in the Upper Valley region funding to prevent youth substance misuse, including prescription drugs and opioids.