I hope you are all having a wonderful week. Last week, I co-wrote an op-ed on the efforts of the House New Democrat Coalition’s 21^st Century Job Skills Working Group to close the skills gap and boost workforce development across the country. I joined some of my House colleagues to push Senate leadership to bring a package of anti-human trafficking bills to a vote. And I also had a chance to meet with a group of New Hampshire librarians on the steps of the Capitol!

Workforce Development is the Foundation for the Future

Take a moment and read this op-ed I co-wrote on the importance of closing the skills gap with the other leaders of the House New Democrat Coalition's 21st Century Job Skills Working Group. We recently formed this group to discuss and promote programs to prepare workers for the high-skilled jobs of the 21st Century economy. By bringing together people from labor, business, education, and workforce development, we will work towards solutions that will benefit all Americans and boost our nation’s economy for years to come.

Fighting to End Human Trafficking

I was proud to join a group of House colleagues in urging Senate leadership to bring a series of bipartisan anti-human trafficking bills to a vote. While many believe human trafficking only occurs in foreign countries, an estimated 293,000 American youth are at risk of sex trafficking and commercial exploitation in the United States every year. These statistics are completely stunning, and we must do more to combat this terrible practice. It is also critical that we ensure victims of human trafficking get the support and resources they need to put their lives back together. That’s why I fought for passage of many of these bills to put an end to human trafficking once and for all, and I urge the Senate to do the same.

Visiting with NH Librarians!

I had a wonderful visit with a group of New Hampshire librarians at the Capitol. It was terrific to hear about their efforts and reading initiatives at libraries around the Granite State. Thank you for keeping Granite Staters reading!

Working to Boost Manufacturing

I was pleased that the House passed the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act of 2013 to bolster our nation’s manufacturing sector. I’m a proud cosponsor of this legislation, which would establish a network of advanced manufacturing centers across the U.S. where leaders from industry, nonprofits, and universities can share research and best practices. This network will create a foundation for training the next generation of manufacturing workers and researchers, as well as give American manufacturers new resources to solve problems they face today.

Meeting with a NH Veterans Advocate

I enjoyed meeting with Paul Chevalier of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of New Hampshire, to discuss how we can work together to support Granite State veterans. Our veterans served and sacrificed to preserve our freedom and protect our way of life, and we must ensure they receive the benefits and care they deserve after they return home. Thanks to the VFW and the other veteran service organizations for all of the work you do on behalf of our courageous vets.

Thanks for everything you do to make New Hampshire such a unique place to live!