Dear Friend,

I know you have been closely watching events both in the Granite State and in Washington this past week. It's been a busy week in New Hampshire, but first I want to address the firing of now former FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday. 

The firing has rightly concerned Americans across the political spectrum. While Comey has had multiple missteps in the last year that have politicized the FBI, the timing and circumstances surrounding his firing raise serious red flags. It's become clear that the FBI's ongoing investigation into potential collaboration between the Trump campaign and Russia's interference in our elections played a role in the decision to dismiss Comey. The American people deserve to know the truth! That's why I'm a supporter of the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which would create a 12-member, bipartisan, independent commission tasked with investigating Russian interference in our democracy. 

I will continue to speak out in favor of an independent investigation until we get to the bottom of both Russia's involvement with the Trump campaign, and are given sufficient answers regarding the circumstances behind Director Comey's termination.

On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary, Tom Price, visited Concord to discuss the American Health Care Act (AHCA), and our state's response to the opioid epidemic. In advance of the visit, I sent a letter to the Secretary expressing concerns about the negative impact of the Republican healthcare bill on the Granite State. Simply put, this bill would be a disaster. It would allow those with pre-existing conditions to be priced out of care. It would allow women to be charged more based on their gender. It includes an "age tax" allowing Americans fifty years and older to be charged more, and it raids the Medicare Trust Fund. And, as nearly every person in the room pointed out to Secretary Price, this bill would severely hinder our ability to get treatment and recovery services to those struggling with substance misuse disorders.

I sincerely hope that after hearing from the people of New Hampshire this week, Secretary Price will have an appreciation for the importance of preserving access to treatment and recovery services that were established by the ACA and have helped so many Granite Staters get the care they need. The time for partisanship is long past, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to come together in good faith to work to improve access to healthcare for all Americans.

Speaking with reporters after the listening session with HHS Secretary Tom Price.

This week, I also hosted a Jobs and Opportunities fair in Nashua. This event featured employers from a variety of industries, including health care, manufacturing, social services, and hospitality. While the economy in New Hampshire is continuing to grow, there is still more work to be done. I remain committed not only to helping unemployed Granite Staters find work, but also to helping those who are underemployed access the training programs they need to successfully find jobs in fields they wish to pursue. 

As always, I greatly appreciate your input. If my office can be of help, or if you want to share a thought or concern, please don't hesitate to reach out! Our number in Concord is (603) 226-1002, and in Washington, (202) 225-5206. 

Sincerely,