Hello Friends, 

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. It was a busy week in Washington, and I wanted to give you an update on what we accomplished and what I'm continuing to work on – from securing an additional $1 billion for home heating assistance and averting a government shutdown, to our continued bipartisan efforts to ensure conflicts of interest don't threaten New Hampshire veterans' access to their prescription medications.

Yesterday, I helped to pass a government funding package that includes an additional $1 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that I pushed for and helped secure. This includes $4 million for New Hampshire. LIHEAP is a lifeline for Granite State families that struggle to afford their home heating costs and helps to reduce the burden of high energy costs on New Hampshire households.

The fact is, far too many Granite Staters are struggling with high prices, which is why I pushed for more resources so that families can keep their homes safe and warm this winter despite high home heating costs. The bill we passed ensures the government remains open, extends funding for job training programs, nutrition assistance, and affordable housing, and supports our veterans. The legislation averts a government shutdown in the short term, but more work remains to fully fund our government for the next year – I will continue advocating for increased funding for our communities.

The Buy Low and Sell High Act aims to lower gas prices.

This week, I introduced the Buy Low and Sell High Act alongside Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone to lower gas prices. While Granite State families have seen some relief from the price of gas, more work remains to ease the burden of high fuel prices on people in New Hampshire.

Until America becomes energy independent, we will continue to face the consequences of an unpredictable oil market controlled primarily by foreign adversarial governments. We need to take action to shield American families from price volatility and this legislation is a win-win for our economy, our environment, and all Granite Staters.

On Wednesday, I introduced the Home Heating Oil Price Reduction Act. I've also continued to push the Biden administration to prepare to release additional supply from the NEHHOR.

Families in New Hampshire and across the country are grappling with high energy costs. That’s why I have called on the Biden administration to release home heating oil supplies as soon as possible to ease the burden on Granite Staters as we enter the cold winter months. We must still go further which is why I introduced the Home Heating Oil Price Reduction Act this past week to ensure that when the Biden administration releases inventory from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR), there will be enough supply to swiftly provide relief to households in New Hampshire. I am committed to continuing to fight high costs and reduce energy prices in our state.

This week, I joined Congressman Chris Pappas and our Republican colleagues to sound the alarm on a troubling conflict of interest that could threaten Granite State Veterans' access to their prescription medications.

We sent our letter following the recent announcement that a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), Express Scripts, will strip pharmaceutical access away from TRICARE patients and their families – a move that presents a clear conflict of interest by financially benefiting pharmacies the PBM owns. Approximately 15,000 local pharmacies across the country will be forced out of the TRICARE network, impacting nearly 400,000 beneficiaries' access to their local pharmacy altogether. I will always stand up for Granite State veterans and their access to the health care they deserve.

October is LGBTQ+ History Month.

Today, October 1, is the start of LGBTQ+ History Month – an opportunity to celebrate the people, places, culture, and moments in history that make up the LGBTQ+ experience. I'm proud to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and I will continue working to ensure that everyone has the rights they deserve, no matter who they are or who they love.

One of my most important jobs as your representative is helping Granite Staters.

Do you or a loved one need assistance navigating a federal agency? My office is here to help!

If you need assistance with a federal agency, please reach out to my Concord office at (603) 226-1002 or visit www.Kuster.House.Gov.

IMPORTANT NEWS: This month, hearing aids will be available over the counter without a prescription or exam. This could save Granite Staters thousands of dollars and will remove financial barriers to getting hearing aids.

As always, the CDC and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services are the best resources to turn to for information about COVID-19. If you are sick, stay home and call your health care provider.

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.

I hope you have a safe and fun rest of your weekend!

Sincerely,

Annie