Dear Friends,

The news coming out of the White House over the last week has been alarming. It seems like every day there are new troubling reports. I’m hopeful that the recent appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel will help lead to answers about the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. The American people deserve to know the details about foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election, which is why I continue to support the creation of an independent commission to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election and how we can prevent future tampering in our democratic process.

I’m pushing for a vote on legislation to create an independent commission to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Watch Here. 

Despite the controversies coming from the White House, I’ve continued to focus on working to achieve real results for New Hampshire families. 

On Monday, I visited the Manchester VA Medical Center to meet with local and regional managers following the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on issues regarding the inventory system, unsterile conditions in storage facilities, recalled supplies, and other challenges at the VA Medical Center in Washington, DC.  I was deeply troubled by these reported conditions that jeopardized patient safety in Washington, but was encouraged by my tour of the Manchester VAMC. I look forward to continuing to work with the VA to improve care for veterans in New Hampshire and across the country. 

As you may know, my father fought in WWII and received a Purple Heart after being shot down during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. That made this week’s introduction of the National Purple Heart Day Resolution all the more meaningful. Those who have earned the Purple Heart have given more to our country than we can ever repay.  It is crucial that we honor their sacrifices and recognize that our freedoms are nothing without the bravery of men and women willing to run toward danger in defense of the United States.

This week, I also took action to ease the burden of student loan debt by helping to introduce the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act to assist students in New Hampshire and across the country refinance their loans at lower rates. Student loan debt is a huge burden that not only makes life difficult for young borrowers but hurts our economy. The money young people are spending paying off their loans could be going toward starting a new business or buying a home, and it’s common sense that students should be able to refinance their loans at lower rates currently offered to new borrowers. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to lower the costs of higher education and create opportunities for young people to get the education or training they need without being saddled with large amounts of debt. 

None of the work I do would be possible without committed and engaged citizens like you. Each person who speaks out can make a difference by changing attitudes and helping advance policies that improve people’s lives. If my office can be of any help to you, or if you want to share a thought or concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out by calling my Concord office at (603) 226-1002 or my Washington office at (202) 225-5206. 

Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,