Press Releases
Senators Shaheen, Hassan Press Trump Administration to Ensure Federal Contractor Employees Receive Pay
WASHINGTON – Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan today joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 30 additional colleagues in writing to the Office of Management and Budget, urging the Trump Administration to direct federal agencies to work with contractors to provide back pay to compensate low- and middle-income contractor employees for the wages they have lost during the shutdown. Under their existing authority, federal contracting officers should use provisions that allow them to modify the terms of the contract to work with contractors to provide back pay for employees who lost wages as a result of the government shutdown.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 10, 2019
NH Delegation Introduces Legislation to Redesignate the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Congressmembers Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) today introduced legislation to redesignate the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site as a “National Historical Park” to more appropriately reflect the expansion and utilization of the grounds. Authorized by Congress in 1964, the site preserves the home and artwork of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the foremost American sculptor of the late 19th century. During his career, Saint-Gaudens created over 150 works of art, many of them commemorating heroes of the Civil War, including the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial in Boston and the Standing and Seated Abraham Lincoln monuments in Chicago.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 09, 2019
Senator Hassan and Congresswoman Kuster Join Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Help Protect Federal Workers from Long-Term Financial Hardships During a Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan and Congresswoman Annie Kuster today joined their Senate and House colleagues in introducing the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act. The new legislation would protect federal workers and their families from foreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 09, 2019
President Signs Into Law Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Senator Hassan to Help Survivors of Child Abuse
WASHINGTON – President Trump this week signed into law a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Senator Maggie Hassan that will help survivors of child abuse. The legislation reauthorizes the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA), which provides funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers that support victims of child abuse and help law enforcement hold perpetrators accountable.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 08, 2019
Senator Hassan Takes to Senate Floor to Call for End to the President’s Senseless Shutdown That’s Hurting Granite Staters and All Americans
WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan delivered a speech on the Senate floor tonight calling for an end to the President’s senseless government shutdown - now in its 18th day – that is hurting Granite Staters and Americans.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 08, 2019
Shaheen & Hassan Introduce Legislation to Expand Background Checks & Reduce Gun Violence
(Washington, DC) — Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) to reintroduce the Background Check Expansion Act, which would expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Under current federal law, unlicensed or private sellers are not required to conduct a background check prior to transferring a firearm. Approximately 90 percent of Americans support comprehensive background checks. Research indicates that millions of guns are sold each year to individuals without background checks in the United States.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 08, 2019
Senator Hassan Statement on EPA Continuing to Drag its Feet on Cleaning Up PFAS
WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement today following news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disregarded guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for cleaning up toxic chemicals such as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have contaminated military bases across the country. The draft recommendations had reportedly been held up by the White House since August.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 07, 2019
Shaheen & Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Federal and Other Government Workers Hurt During Shutdowns
(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) that would protect federal and other government workers from the repercussions of the current government shutdown and future lapses in federal appropriations. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act would guarantee that furloughed federal employees will be paid retroactively and stipulates that all employees will be paid as soon as possible after the lapse in appropriations ends.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 04, 2019
Hassan-Portman Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Cyber Defenses at Department of Homeland Security Signed into Law
WASHINGTON – The President has signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) that will help strengthen cyber defenses at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
… Continue ReadingJanuary 04, 2019
Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored By Senator Hassan to Maintain Fiscal Responsibility and Improve Efficiency in Government Signed into Law
WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), to improve government efficiency was signed into law today by President Trump. The bipartisan Good Accounting Obligation in Government (GAO-IG) Act, which was introduced by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), would help maintain fiscal responsibility and improve efficiency in government by increasing oversight of taxpayer dollars spent by federal agencies. The GAO-IG Act requires federal agencies to provide annual reports to Congress on the status of implementing recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
… Continue ReadingJanuary 03, 2019
President Signs into Law Bipartisan Legislation Cosponsored by Senator Hassan to Ensure Veterans Receive Full Housing Benefits
WASHINGTON — President Trump today signed into law the Forever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act, bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator Maggie Hassan to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses student veterans for missed or underpaid Forever GI Bill housing benefits. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 03, 2019
Shaheen & Hassan Announce $3.8M to Support Early Childhood Care & Education
(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today announced $3,843,557 from the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Child Care to the University System of New Hampshire. This Preschool Development Grant will strengthen New Hampshire’s early childhood education system and work to improve outcomes for children, families, schools and communities. Specifically, this grant will fund research on child and family systemic needs and the development of a strategic plan to create a comprehensive coordinated early childhood care and education system
… Continue ReadingJanuary 02, 2019
Senator Hassan Joins Colleagues in Holding VA Accountable for Misuse of Suicide Prevention Funds
WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan today joined 20 of her colleagues in trying to hold the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable for misusing its resources for suicide prevention.
… Continue ReadingJanuary 02, 2019
President Signs Into Law Bipartisan Legislation Cosponsored by Senator Hassan to Help Combat Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Types of Dementia
WASHINGTON – President Trump this week signed into law bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator Maggie Hassan that will create a public health infrastructure to help combat Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
… Continue ReadingDecember 21, 2018
Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation Cosponsored by Senator Hassan to Simplify Process for Granite State Students Applying for Federal Financial Aid
WASHINGTON – The Senate unanimously passed this week bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator Maggie Hassan, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, that would simplify the process for Granite State students applying for federal financial aid. The bipartisan Faster Access to Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Act would make it easier for students in New Hampshire and across the country to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by having the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) securely send the Department of Education their federal tax information with one click. In addition to simplifying the process for filing the FAFSA, the legislation would also make the process for some student loan borrowers to pay back their loans more efficient. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
… Continue ReadingDecember 21, 2018
President Signs Into Law Hassan Bill to Help Department of Homeland Security Better Identify Potential Terrorist Threats
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump this week signed into law legislation, introduced by Senator Maggie Hassan, that will help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) better identify potential terrorist threats.
… Continue ReadingDecember 21, 2018
Hassan Joins Colleagues to Call on Trump Administration to Stop Pushing Health Insurance Plans That Weaken Pre-Existing Condition Protections
(Washington, DC) — Today, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), and 38 of her colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to withdraw recent changes that makes it easier for states to promote “junk” plans. These health care plans typically lack protections for people with pre-existing conditions and would increase costs for millions of Americans. Under the Administration’s new guidance, states can use federal subsidies to pay for these subpar plans by utilizing a section of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) intended to give states additional flexibility to implement targeted improvements that expand coverage, reduce costs and provide more comprehensive benefits. The Senators argue that the Administration is improperly using Section 1332 to allow states to do the exact opposite.
December 21, 2018
Shaheen, Hassan & Shea-Porter Announce $625K to Support Families in Public Housing on New Hampshire’s Seacoast
(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) today announced $624,797 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ROSS Service Coordinator program to support families in public housing on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. These grants include $239,250 to Dover, $170,547 to Rochester and $225,000 to Portsmouth, and will provide funding for each city to hire service coordinators to assess public housing residents’ needs, access job training and assist with job placement.
… Continue ReadingDecember 20, 2018
Senator Hassan Statement on the Resignation of Secretary Mattis
WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement after Defense Secretary James Mattis resigned in protest of President Trump’s national security policies:
… Continue ReadingDecember 20, 2018
Shaheen, Hassan & Kuster Applaud $666K Grant to Support Manufacturing Growth in Winchester
(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today applauded the announcement of $666,000 from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to the Winchester Economic Development Corporation to establish a manufacturing-focused industrial park. This funding will be used to make infrastructure investments that are necessary to establish the 24-acre first phase of a 55-acre manufacturing-focused industrial park and will create an estimated 243 jobs and $19 million in private investment in the region.
… Continue Reading