Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster

November 4, 2023

Hello Friends,

I wanted to update you on where things stand in Washington. This week, after nearly a month of chaos and dysfunction following Republicans’ decision to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the House was finally able to get back to the business of governing. Not a moment too soon as we look to address growing instability worldwide.

As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, please know that I am focused on bringing your voice to Congress and protecting America’s national security at home and abroad. I am urging my Republican colleagues to end the partisanship and show America’s strong support of our allies in Israel as they defend themselves from Hamas. I am also working to ensure we take active steps to protect innocent civilians and hostages in Gaza and the West Bank caught in the middle of Hamas’ war.

Unfortunately, this week, Speaker Johnson decided to put our national security at risk by politicizing emergency aid to Israel. America is at its best, and the world is at its safest when the United States leads with our allies. Congress is at its best when lawmakers on both sides of the aisle work together in the best interests of our country. We must stand firm in defense of freedom, democracy, and human rights worldwide.

Standing With Israel, Ukraine, and Innocent Civilians in Gaza

We must choose the right path to support our allies, protect innocent lives, and defend freedom and democracy worldwide.

This week, I voted no on the Republican Majority's attempt to politicize aid to Israel. Let me be clear: I stand with Israel and believe we must deliver critical assistance to help our allies as they defend themselves from Hamas’ ongoing terrorism, but it cannot be done haphazardly. The world is in crisis. Now is not the time for petty politics or for isolating one issue from another.

We must stand with Israel as they defend themselves from Hamas, ensure the safe return of all hostages, address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and treat the growing instability around the globe as the interconnected national security priority it is.

Unfortunately, the GOP bill brought to the floor this week isolated support for Israel from aid for Ukraine and Taiwan and entirely omitted humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. On top of that, it included a reckless provision that would have increased our deficit by nearly $12.5 billion. This bill would set a dangerous precedent by putting conditions on emergency aid we send to our allies in their time of need. This cannot be the standard moving forward.

We cannot falter at this critical moment. To give up on Israel now is to say the United States does not care if Israel continues to exist. To give up on Ukraine now is to say that Russia can take over the country without consequence. And, to not send humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and the West Bank is to say those lives are not deserving of protection. That’s what is at stake. We must choose the right path to support our allies, protect innocent lives, and defend freedom and democracy worldwide by passing the President’s supplemental aid package.

While this aid is essential in the short term, I maintain my belief that long-term peace in the region will only be possible when both the Israeli and Palestinian people can thrive – a Two-State Solution is the best way to achieve that goal. We must not lose sight of that vision for the Israeli and Palestinian people.

It will not be easy, but it can be done. That’s what I am fighting for.

Upgrading New Hampshire's Energy Infrastructure

The Twin States Clean Energy Link project will run through New Hampshire and Vermont.

This week, the Department of Energy announced that New England’s Twin States Clean Energy Link project – Twin States for short – will receive federal support through the Transmission Facilitation Program to make the project a reality.

The U.S. needs to triple its transmission capacity by 2050 to meet our clean energy goals, and this project will position New Hampshire at the forefront of making that a reality. The Twin States renewable energy transmission project will deliver less expensive Canadian hydropower to New England and create good-paying jobs in New Hampshire and beyond!

Building a Resilient, Clean Energy Future

This funding is another example of the positive impact programs like REAP are having on New Hampshire and our communities!

Also this week, I was thrilled to announce additional United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding heading to New Hampshire through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which I helped negotiate as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.

When we invest in our rural communities and businesses, our entire economy feels the benefits. These resources will provide guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to rural small businesses across our state to help upgrade their energy systems to be more efficient, streamline operations, and lower costs across the board.

Making Adoption Safer for Everyone Involved

We must ensure everyone involved in the adoption process is protected from exploitation.

This week, I introduced bipartisan legislation to make adoption safer and more transparent for everyone involved. Adoption can be the right choice for folks trying to start a family, but it can also be an intimidating and overwhelming process for birth mothers and prospective parents.

As an adoption attorney for 25 years, I worked with countless adoptive parents, expectant mothers, and supportive agencies as they navigated the process. Through my work, I saw firsthand how a lack of regulation and oversight has allowed bad actors and unlicensed intermediaries to take advantage of parents, mothers, and children.

It’s past time Congress took action to make adoption safe and secure. This bill will help ensure everyone involved in the adoption process is protected from exploitation by unlicensed or predatory intermediaries.

News You Can Use

Graphic courtesy of healthcare.gov.

Open Enrollment is Happening Now: If you or your family need health insurance, open enrollment is happening now! Don’t wait, get covered today!

Learn more and sign up at https://www.healthcare.gov/.

Graphic courtesy of concordhospital.org.

BE-FAST, Save a Life: If you see someone who is exhibiting the signs of a stroke, a quick reaction can help save a life. Thank you to Concord Hospital for sharing resources and educating the public about how to spot a potential stroke before it’s too late.

Learn more about this effort and find information here.

To stay updated on my work in Congress and around the Granite State and for important information and resources, like my page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Be bold, be brave, be kind.

Sincerely,