Catching Up with Annie

A moral and ethical responsibility

Dear Friend,

Supporting New Hampshire Communities

On Friday I joined my friend, Congressman Chris Pappas, in rappelling down Manchester's Brady Sullivan Tower as part of United Way's "Over the Edge" event in support of Granite State communities. United Way serves families across New Hampshire to make our state stronger and healthier, and I look forward to our continued work together on behalf of hardworking Granite State families. 

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Rep. Pappas and I about to rappel down Brady Sullivan. Watch here.

Protecting Vulnerable Immigrant Children and Families

On Tuesday, I voted in favor of legislation that provides emergency funding to address the humanitarian crisis at the border. The inhumane conditions that immigrant children and families are being forced to live in are appalling. Many immigrants are being detained in overcrowded centers without necessities like adequate food, clothing, hygiene products, or basic medical care. Some have escaped horrific and traumatic situations in their home countries. To force them to live in these conditions is unthinkable. Congress has a moral and ethical responsibility to act to protect the human rights of these vulnerable children and their families. Not one more migrant child should lose their life because of the lack of care and poor conditions created by this Administration’s actions.

Expanding Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment

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With Rep. Blunt Rochester discussing the CREATE Act. Watch here.

I was proud to join Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester, Mike Turner and Jackie Walorski, and Senators Edward J. Markey and Lisa Murkowski on Wednesday to introduce H.R. 3496, the Community Re-Entry through Addiction Treatment to Enhance (CREATE) Opportunities Act. This legislation would expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for justice-involved individuals. Too many incarcerated individuals suffer from untreated mental health and substance use disorder, and most lack access to the treatment they need. MAT has an important role to play in helping those who are incarcerated and suffering from substance use disorder recover and reclaim their lives to become productive, contributing members of our society. The CREATE Opportunities Act is commonsense legislation to provide a commonsense solution to put an end to the cycle between addiction and the criminal justice system. 

Honoring Our Promise to Veterans

I’m thrilled the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which I was proud to cosponsor, was signed into law on Tuesday night. For far too long, veterans who experienced toxic exposure while serving in the territorial waters off the coast of Vietnam have been unable to access the care and support they deserve. This legislation will remove these barriers and help honor our promise to those who have served. 

On Tuesday, I successfully passed a bipartisan amendment to increase funding for the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program for 2020. After bravely serving and sacrificing for our country, all veterans should have the peace of mind that comes with having a safe, stable place to live. We have seen the successful implementation of the HUD-VASH program right here in New Hampshire, and I am pleased that the House passed this bipartisan amendment to increase funding for this important tool for combatting veteran homelessness. This is an important step forward in our efforts to ensure that all veterans have the support they need when they return to civilian life. 

Here for You 

As your Congresswoman, one of my biggest responsibilities is supporting Granite Staters when they need help with federal agencies. I was contacted by William, a constituent from Nashua who had an issue of concern regarding retirement benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). My staff worked with SSA and helped resolve William's issue. If my office may be of assistance with a problem you are experiencing, please reach out to my staff at 603-226-1002 so we can learn how we may help.

Thank you, as always, for everything you do to make New Hampshire such a wonderful place to call home. I hope you have a great 4th of July - Happy Independence Day!

Sincerely,