Hello Friends, 

I hope you and your family stay safe as this storm sweeps across the country, sending strong winds and weather to New Hampshire. This week, Congress passed comprehensive legislation to fund the government for the next year. 

I will always fight for New Hampshire's priorities.

The spending package included critical wins for New Hampshire that I was proud to advocate for — this special edition newsletter is dedicated to highlighting what the government spending bill means for our state!

We must continue working to expand access to alternative treatments for opioid pain relief.

The government funding package included multiple measures I pushed for as chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force to expand access to treatment and support those on the road to recovery. 

I was proud to lead the charge on including the NO PAIN Act, legislation to incentivize non-opioid pain management in surgical settings to address opioid addiction before it begins.

I will continue pushing for better health care access in New Hampshire and across the country.

Also included in this package is the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act. From medication-assisted treatment to recovery support programs, this legislation is a major breakthrough in our efforts to address the addiction and mental health crisis. 

I was proud to advocate for its inclusion in the funding package and look forward to the positive impact it will have on communities across the country.

Survivors of domestic and sexual abuse deal with enough roadblocks as they recover — we must continue working to support them.

The funding package also included expanded resources to support survivors of sexual or domestic violence. We delivered $10,000,000 for the Violence Against Women Act Health state partnership initiative, which works to improve access to recovery services for abuse and assault.

In addition, the legislation takes steps to expand access to safe housing options for survivors as they transition away from their abusers and recover. This will support not only the survivor but also their loved ones and families. 

By expanding accommodations for working mothers in the workforce, we invest in the future of our country and strengthen our economy.

Employers should not be able to take advantage of or discriminate against pregnant workers or working moms. And, thanks to this government funding package, we are one step closer to making that a reality.

The package included two critical provisions to protect workers:

• The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, to ensure reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and prohibit discrimination.
• The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, to guarantee workers the right to breaks to pump during the work day.

No family in New Hampshire should have to choose between heating their home or putting food on the table.

It has been one of my top priorities in Congress to expand access to heating assistance and ensure no Granite Stater is stuck in the cold this winter. I was proud to help deliver $4 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides financial assistance for families struggling to afford to heat their homes. This is a $200 million increase from the previous year. 

Access to quality, high-speed broadband is key for families, students, and small businesses across New Hampshire to thrive.

New Hampshire communities need access to broadband services to compete in the 21st-Century economy and stay connected. The government funding package includes $455 million for expanding Broadband service, including significant investments in distance-learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. 

I will continue pushing to expand access to high-speed internet across New Hampshire.

By investing in our communities and towns, we make our state stronger.

The government funding package also included funding for targeted projects from throughout New Hampshire’s Second District. From expanding access to affordable housing to ensuring our emergency services are modernized and ready to respond, these projects will bring positive change to our state and will make a real difference for families across New Hampshire.

Our communities and our state are made stronger when we invest in the people and the places we call home. I was proud to advocate for these community projects and am thrilled to see them be funded through this spending package.

Thank you to President Zelenskyy for coming to Washington and for his continued commitment to defending democracy. Photo from CNN.

This week, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy delivered a message of patriotism, purpose, and hope. And, the funding package included critical investments to protect democracy at home and abroad.

Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has shown the importance and urgency of defending democracy across the globe. I am proud to stand with the people of Ukraine and support their efforts as they fight to defend their country and freedom.

Finally, the package also included the Electoral Count Reform Act, legislation to ensure electoral college votes in presidential elections are tallied by Congress to accurately reflect each state’s vote for President and inhibit any future efforts to unfairly overturn elections like the January 6th insurrection. 

We must continue pushing for accountability for that day and take steps to ensure nothing like it can ever happen again.

If you or someone you know has lost power, call your energy provider to report the outage.

As we head into the holidays, plan ahead to keep you and your loved ones safe, especially when traveling. Call 2-1-1 to be connected with resources available in your area.

Learn more about how to prepare for inclement weather and what to do in an emergency at https://www.readynh.gov/. 

One of my most important jobs as your representative is helping New Hampshire families.

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.

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 Christmas weekend!

Sincerely,

Annie