Dear Friend,

I was encouraged by Wednesday's announcement that the VA New England Healthcare Network will undergo transitions to address the deficiencies and lack of oversight that allowed care to deteriorate at the Manchester VAMC and problems to persist throughout the region. I've been vocal about the need for change and it is now critical that new structures be put in place that will increase transparency and oversight and prevent the issues that led to the substandard care for our veterans. Our brave men and women in uniform deserve a robust healthcare system that provides high-quality and convenient care at both VA Medical Centers and within veterans’ home communities. I look forward to working with the new leader of VISN 1, retired Army Brigadier General Dr. Bryan Gamble, to discuss the future of the VA New England Healthcare Network and to ensure that the voices of local veterans and advocates are taken into account as recommendations are developed to address the unique needs of veterans in New Hampshire and New England.

Meeting with Granite State VFW Members this week

On Tuesday, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03)—my co-chair on the House Ski and Snowboard Caucus—to support ski areas in New Hampshire and across the country that are operating on National Forest System lands. The ski and outdoor recreation industry is a critical part of New Hampshire’s economy and identity as a state, and if we can expand support for the ski industry and promote year-round recreation at our ski mountains, we’ll create more jobs and bolster local economies. Fees paid by ski mountains should be invested into our local forests and that’s exactly what our legislation would do: ensure local dollars are reinvested to support the local economy. 

I was thrilled to announce with Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan that the Department of Transportation has awarded a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grant of approximately $10 million to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NH DOT). These funds are important to reconstruction repairs on bridges that connect New Hampshire and Vermont along the Connecticut River. Investing in our infrastructure is critical to the economic competitiveness of the Granite State and public safety. I have been a strong supporter of robust TIGER Grant funding during my time in Congress, and I am proud to see more federal investments coming back to New Hampshire. As Congress moves forward with the FY2019 appropriations process, I will once again join my colleagues in supporting the TIGER Grant program.

Thank you for staying in touch with me and voicing your thoughts on the critical issues we face. Please continue to do so by calling my Concord office at 603-226-1002 or visiting kuster.house.gov. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,