With Congress out of session, I got the opportunity to spend all of last week in the Granite State, where I met with constituents and visited a number of impressive projects and community organizations.  I was honored to speak at the NH Veterans Home on Memorial Day, and I was proud to highlight the importance of transportation funding during a tour of the Broad Street Parkway in Nashua.  I also convened a roundtable with business leaders at NH Ball Bearings in Peterborough to discuss the importance of reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and stopped by the Pope Memorial SPCA in Concord to visit the animals and discuss the importance of the SPCA's advocacy work.

Commemorating Memorial Day at the NH Veterans Home

I was honored to speak at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton in honor of Memorial Day.  We gathered to honor the courageous men and women who have lost their lives while serving in our nation's Armed Forces.  These Americans gave their lives to protect our freedom and way of life, and we must forever remember their sacrifices.

Touring the Broad Street Parkway in Nashua

During a tour of  the Broad Street Parkway construction site in Nashua,  I highlighted the importance of immediately passing a long-term surface transportation bill in Congress.  All across the state, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation is relying on federal funding to complete infrastructure projects of crucial importance.  If Congress fails to pass a long-term surface transportation bill, many of these projects – and others like them around the nation – could come grinding to a halt right in the middle of the busy summer construction season.  These projects are vital not only to public safety, but also to scores of New Hampshire workers who rely on summer construction jobs.  That’s why I'm calling on my colleagues in Congress to put an end to the uncertainty, and pass a long-term surface transportation bill immediately.

Working to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank

I was glad to host a roundtable discussion at New Hampshire Ball Bearings where I called for the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, which is currently scheduled to expire at the end of June. Every year, the Export-Import Bank supports local New Hampshire businesses and helps boost their ability to create jobs and hire more workers. What's more, the Bank is actually responsible for generating a return on investment for American taxpayers.  It's time to permanently reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, so our local businesses can continue to ‘make it in America’ and sell our goods overseas, boosting our country’s bottom line.  I thank all the local business leaders who joined us during the roundtable for discussing the importance of the Export-Import Bank to their success. I will take their stories back with me to Washington, where I will urge my colleagues to immediately vote for reauthorization of the Bank's charter.

Visiting Merrimack County's animals

On Friday, I had a great visit at the Hope Memorial SPCA in Concord, where I heard about the advocacy work being done there and met some of the adorable animals waiting for adoption.  I have long been a supporter of animal welfare and will continue to advocate for creatures of all shapes and sizes in Congress!

Thanks for staying engaged and for everything you do to make the Granite State a unique place to live!