It was a somber moment on Wednesday morning when I honored the life, service, and sacrifice of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died from injuries sustained while defending the U.S. Capitol — and our very democracy — from a mob of pro-Trump insurrectionists on January 6th. To lie in honor in the Rotunda of the Capitol is a fitting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Officer Sicknick. My heart is with his family, friends, and colleagues.

This week, the Energy and Commerce Committee held its first hearings of the 117th Congress in both the Oversight and Investigations and Health Subcommittees. I’m proud to serve on this influential committee to advance legislation to crush COVID-19 and help us move forward. I recently introduced two different bills to ramp up vaccine production and ensure that we can get vaccines into arms as quickly and efficiently as possible. This Congress, I will be rejoining the House Agriculture Committee where I look forward to bringing the voices of Granite State farmers and producers to Washington as I work to advance the priorities of New Hampshire’s agriculture economy.

The Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing on Tuesday to examine the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. While it’s taken remarkable, unprecedented efforts to get safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines developed, authorized and distributed around the country, it won’t be enough to curb the spread of the virus if we cannot get vaccines into arms quickly.

Questioning witnesses during the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee hearing

In the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Wednesday, we held a hearing appropriately titled, “Road to Recovery: Ramping Up COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing, and Medical Supply Chain.” At this hearing, we heard from public health professionals and supply chain experts that one of the keys to getting the COVID-19 crisis under control is ensuring we use these vaccines to their full capacity and improve our health data systems. I’m glad that Congress has put resources toward modernizing our public health data infrastructure, but it is clear that we need to do more. Through my role on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue working to ensure that our supply and infrastructure meet the demands of this public health crisis.

Questioning witnesses during the Health Subcommittee hearing

Yesterday, I joined a call with Congressman Chris Pappas and the New Hampshire Hospital Association’s members and leadership to discuss New Hampshire’s COVID-19 response, the current capacity of hospitals, the ongoing distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and federal support for New Hampshire’s health care system. I look forward to my continued work across the aisle with my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as the Biden-Harris administration to advocate for adequate and robust support for our hospitals, rural health systems, and providers.

Today, I spoke on the House floor to call for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to prioritize getting the COVID-19 vaccines equitably and efficiently distributed and administered. The development of two highly-effective vaccines in under one year is an unprecedented scientific accomplishment, but this effort is only truly recognized when we can get vaccines widely distributed. There is no greater public health priority than getting this vaccine into the arm of every American who wants it, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the equitable distribution of the vaccine.

As we reach the end of the second full week of the Biden-Harris Administration, I am feeling more hopeful about the future of our nation. This week, the Biden administration struck a deal with Australian manufacturer Ellume to secure what will be the country’s first over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 test. Just like vaccines and precautions such as wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, access to COVID-19 testing is key to keeping people safe and combating the spread of the virus. At-home tests will make it easier for people to find out if they are infected so they can take steps to stop the spread and keep their communities safe. 

I applaud the Biden-Harris administration for creating a family reunification task force. The practice of separating families at the border was one of the most despicable exploits of the Trump administration that I personally witnessed at a facility in McAllen, Texas. The heartless, shameful family separation policies caused lasting trauma and pain for thousands of children and families.

I’m also thrilled the administration is creating a new Gender Policy Council – a reformulation of the Obama administration’s White House Council on Women and Girls. Some of the goals of this council include restoring and expanding reproductive rights, combating gender-based violence, reducing maternal mortality, and adding the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.

This week, several of President Biden’s cabinet nominees were confirmed and sworn in, including our new Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg. COVID-19 has highlighted the urgent need for us to advance and improve our infrastructure in the Granite State and across the country. I look forward to working with Secretary Buttigieg and the talented, experienced, diverse team that the President is building to ensure we rise to the challenges facing our communities and build back better.

As the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force, I am proud of my work with both Republicans and Democrats to address substance misuse and expand access to treatment and resources. I introduced the Emergency Support for Substance Use Disorders Act with Congressman John Katko (R-NY) on Tuesday. The ‘new normal’ during the COVID-19 pandemic has added additional stress for those struggling with substance use disorder and this health crisis has made it more difficult for many to get the treatment that they need. Our legislation will help ensure that funding can reach providers so that Granite Staters at risk of substance misuse have access to the care and support they need.

As we contend with the dual crises of COVID-19 and untreated mental health and substance use disorders, funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is urgently needed. I helped to lead a bipartisan letter urging congressional leadership to include robust funding for SAMHSA in the next COVID-19 relief bill.

This Black History Month, I’m celebrating the inauguration of our nation’s first female, Black vice president, Kamala Harris! She may be the first, but she will not be the last. I’m also celebrating incredible young Black voices, like Amanda Gorman, who captivated worldwide attention when she read her poem, “The Hill We Climb” at President Biden and Vice President Harris’s inauguration ceremony last month. Amanda is an inspirational young leader, and I look forward to seeing what she does next. You can read her interview with former First Lady Michelle Obama here.

It breaks my heart every time another friend or colleague reveals that they are a survivor of sexual assault, but sadly, it’s not surprising. By bravely opening up about her history of trauma and sharing her experience during the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is helping to destigmatize these important conversations. I commend her for her courage. As a sexual assault survivor and victim of the January 6th terror attack, I was profoundly moved when Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said that “trauma compounds on each other.” If you or someone you know are experiencing sexual assault, abuse, or domestic violence, you are not alone and help is available. The NH Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (NHCADSV) has resources available. The NH Domestic Violence Hotline is at 866-644-3574 and the NH Sexual Assault Hotline is at 800-277-5570 – both are confidential and available 24/7.

This week, I helped to announce over $12.6 million in federal CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua. Since the pandemic began, St. Joseph Hospital has been providing lifesaving care to Granite Staters in one of the hardest-hit regions of the state. This CARES Act funding will help the health care professionals at St. Joseph continue to provide care and services to people in need in the southern tier.