{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"NH\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-kicks-off-43rd-annual-capital-region-food-basket-holiday-program", "Kuster Kicks Off 43rd Annual Capital Region Food Basket Holiday Program", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Concord, NH) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) joined local officials to celebrate the launch of the 43rd Annual Capital Region Food Basket Holiday Program at the National Guard Armory. The program provides meals to more than 2,000 families in and around Concord during the holiday season.\n\u201cThe Capital Region Food Basket Program makes such a difference in the lives of families that need support during this time of year,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThese families can enjoy the holidays knowing that they have the full support and compassion of their friends and neighbors from across the Capital Region. The hard work of all of the volunteers shows the dedication and sense of community that makes New Hampshire such a special place to call home.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-joins-bipartisan-call-for-investigations-into-efforts-to", "Kuster Joins Bipartisan Call for Investigations into Efforts to Undermine the U.S. Presidential Election", "2016-12-15", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) today joined bipartisan calls for further investigations into Russian hacking during the U.S. Presidential election. The call follows recent reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin was directly involved in efforts to undermine the integrity of the U.S. Presidential election.\n\u201cI\u2019m deeply disturbed by reports that Russian efforts to undermine the integrity of the U.S. Presidential election go to the very top of the Kremlin,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThese allegations must be fully investigated so that we know the extent to which foreign agents influenced our elections. This cannot be a partisan issue. The integrity of U.S. elections is the underpinning of our very democracy and serves as an example to fledgling democracies around the world. I urge our intelligence community to pursue every opportunity to get to the bottom of this matter and encourage the full cooperation of Congress, the Obama Administration, and the incoming Trump Administration.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/fbi-considers-investigation-into-perjury-by-va-officials", "FBI Considers Investigation into Perjury by VA Officials", "2016-12-14", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Following a letter sent by Congresswoman Kuster (NH-02), the lead Democrats on the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and senior VA committee members, Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik has announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is considering further investigation into potential perjury by VA officials. In September, Congresswoman Kuster joined Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller and Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano in calling on Attorney General Loretta Lynch to launch investigations into whether former VA construction chief Glenn Haggstrom and other VA officials committed perjury in statements before Congress regarding the Aurora, Colorado VA medical center.\n\u201cI\u2019m hopeful that the FBI will thoroughly investigate whether VA officials purposefully mislead the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee in testimony regarding mismanagement and cost overruns at the VA facility in Colorado,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThe problems at the VA facility in Colorado are very troubling and if officials misrepresented the situation there they should be held responsible.\u201d\nThe letter from the Assistant Attorney General Kadzik is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-welcomes-va-announcement-that-white-river-junction-vamc-has-been", "Kuster Welcomes VA Announcement that White River Junction VAMC has been Recommended for New Fisher House Facility", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Concord, NH) \u2013 Today Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, welcomed the announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs that White River Junction VA Medical Center had been recommended to serve as a site for new Fisher House facilities. Fisher House offers housing near VA medical centers to families of veterans receiving VA treatment.\n\u201cFisher House facilities are so important to providing the families of veterans with supportive accommodations as their loved ones undergo treatment at VA facilities,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cOur veterans have put country first to serve our nation, and when they return home it\u2019s our duty to put them first. Ensuring their families are comfortable while they receive treatment at the VA is a part of that duty. As a member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, I\u2019ll continue to look for opportunities to improve care for veterans and advocate on behalf of our men and women who have served.\u201d\nKuster has served on the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee since taking office, and she has long pushed to increase access to healthcare services for veterans. She helped oversee the investigation into the mismanagement scandals at the VA in 2014. As a result of her leadership on veterans\u2019 issues, Kuster was selected last year to serve as the Ranking Member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-welcomes-inclusion-of-opioid-funding-in-house-passed-continuing", "Kuster Welcomes Inclusion of Opioid Funding in House Passed Continuing Resolution", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "**Opioid funding in Continuing Resolution will help expedite the funds to frontlines of the crisis**\n**Continuing Resolution must now be considered by the Senate**\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) welcomed passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) in the House of Representatives that includes funding to address the opioid epidemic. The CR includes $500 million of the funding in the 21st Century Cures Act, legislation supported by Kuster which passed Congress yesterday. The funding will support state efforts to address the opioid addiction crisis. The Continuing Resolution will fund government operations until April 28, 2017.\n\u201cI\u2019m hopeful that the inclusion of this critical funding in the Continuing Resolution will help the administration get these resources to the states as quickly as possible,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cIn New Hampshire, we\u2019re facing a public health emergency and these funds will make a real difference for those on the frontlines providing education, prevention, treatment, and recovery services. I stand ready to work with the administration, my colleagues, and stakeholders in New Hampshire to allocate these funds swiftly.\u201d\nCongresswoman Kuster is the co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. She has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts.\nKuster has hosted numerous roundtables with law enforcement, treatment providers, and recovery experts throughout New Hampshire and brought the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic to New Hampshire for a\u00a0field hearing\u00a0to hear directly from local stakeholders. She supported the passage of 18 legislative items targeting the opioid epidemic, many of which were\u00a0championed by the Task Force\u00a0that Kuster co-founded. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was\u00a0appointed to the conference committee\u00a0tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) \u2013 a role typically reserved for more senior members.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-final-passage-of-the-21st-century-cures-act", "Kuster Statement on Final Passage of the 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "**Legislation will provide $1 billion in funding to address the opioid epidemic** \u00a0\n**Kuster, co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Address the Heroin Epidemic, urged House and Senate leadership for the inclusion of funding**\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, applauded final passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in the Senate. The 21st Century Cures Act is comprehensive legislation intended to improve and coordinate medical innovation and research at the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Importantly, the legislation includes $1 billion in funding to support efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic. Last month, Kuster led a letter to House and Senate leadership calling for the inclusion of funding to address the opioid crisis. Yesterday, on the House floor, Kuster urged the Senate to pass this legislation and send it President Obama\u2019s desk for his signature.\n\u201cSadly, far too many families and communities in New Hampshire and across the country are familiar with the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThe 21st Century Cures Act is a strong recognition of the need to treat the addiction crisis like the public health emergency that it is. This legislation will help get those on the frontlines of the epidemic the resources they need to support education, prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. I look forward to working with my colleagues \u2013 both Democratic and Republican \u2013 to get this funding to where it can do the most good as quickly as possible.\u201d\nThe Cures Act authorizes a total of $1 billion, including $500 million in each of Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018 to address the opioid epidemic. The funds are to be provided to state agencies that are on the frontlines of the effort to combat the opioid crisis. The grants will be awarded directly to the states and are intended to supplement existing efforts funded via grants previously provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Those programs are broadly applicable to treatment, prevention, education, and recovery.\u00a0 All states will be entitled to funding, but the amounts will be prioritized by incidence and prevalence of substance use disorder.\nCongresswoman Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts.\nKuster has hosted numerous roundtables with law enforcement, treatment providers, and recovery experts throughout New Hampshire and brought the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic to New Hampshire for a\u00a0field hearing\u00a0to hear directly from local stakeholders. She supported the passage of 18 legislative items targeting the opioid epidemic, many of which were\u00a0championed by the Task Force\u00a0that Kuster co-founded. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was\u00a0appointed to the conference committee\u00a0tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) \u2013 a role typically reserved for more senior members.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-the-75th-anniversary-of-the-pearl-harbor-attack", "Kuster Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the lead Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs\u2019 Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, released the following statement on the results of an Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on conditions at the Washington, DC VAMC.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-stefanik-applaud-house-passage-of-legislation-to-facilitate-trade", "Kuster, Stefanik Applaud House Passage of Legislation to Facilitate Trade Between the United States and Canada", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 This evening, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) welcomed House passage of legislation that would streamline travel and commerce operations between the U.S. and Canada. Kuster and Stefanik introduced the Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act earlier this year, which would improve trade opportunities for businesses in northern border communities and help to strengthen national security. The legislation next needs to be passed in the Senate to be signed into law.\n\u201cI\u2019m excited that the House has passed this important legislation which will encourage economic growth in New Hampshire and across the northern border states,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cWe know that if our small businesses can reach new customers they can sell more goods, create more jobs, and grow our economy. By streamlining the travel process between the United States and Canada we\u2019ll not only help businesses, we\u2019ll encourage more tourism, all while improving our security. This legislation would be a big win for both the United States and our neighbor to the north. I\u2019m hopeful that the Senate will act on this legislation and get it to the President\u2019s desk for his signature.\u201d\n\u201cThis significant, bipartisan legislation is great news for U.S.-Canadian relations and I applaud my colleagues in the House for their work to pass this critical measure,\u201d said Congresswoman Stefanik. \u201cIncreasing commerce with our Canadian neighbors is a top economic priority for my district, and this legislation will help build increased economic ties while supporting travel, commerce and tourism between our two nations as well. Furthermore, this legislation will help build integrated defense capabilities to maintain a secure Northern border. Importantly for the North Country, this legislation will facilitate Amtrak service from Montreal through our district, and will reinforce the future of small border crossings by allowing the option of joint operations on one side or the other. This is a landmark piece of legislation for U.S. and Canadian relations and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation and send it to the President.\u201d\nSen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the chief sponsor of the counterpart Senate bill, said:\u00a0 \u201cI applaud the House\u2019s action on this straightforward legislation.\u00a0 There is still time for the Senate to act in the final days of the 114th Congress, to get this bill to the President\u2019s desk and signed into law.\u00a0 This bill is pro-commerce, pro-national security, and pro-consumer.\u00a0 There is bipartisan support in the Senate, and the time to act is now.\u201d\nThe Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act paves the way for expansion of preclearance facilities, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at land, rail, marine, and air ports of departure in Canada. The United States currently operates preclearance facilities at 15 airports in six countries, including Canada.\u00a0 These facilities allow travelers to pass through CBP inspections prior to traveling, expediting their arrival in the United States, and protecting national security by preventing those who should not be traveling to the United States from doing so before they arrive.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-task-force-to-combat-the-heroin-epidemic-announces-new", "Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic Announces New Republican Co-Chair", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "**Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) will join Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) as Task Force co-chair**\n**The 85 member Task Force has successfully advocated for legislation to address the opioid epidemic**\n\u00a0\n[Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Kuster (NH-02) and Congressman MacArthur (NJ-03) discuss the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic]\nA high resolution version of this photo is available here.\n\u00a0\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic announced that Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) would take over as co-chair of the Task Force, replacing outgoing Congressman Frank Guinta (R-NH). MacArthur will join the co-founder of the Task Force, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH), as the co-lead of the group. Founded in 2015 by Kuster and Guinta, the 85-member Task Force has been a force for action to address the opioid epidemic. In May, the Task Force successfully pushed for the passage of 18 bills in one week which became part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The Task Force has also held numerous hearings and briefings, both in Washington and communities impacted by addiction, to educate lawmakers about effective means to curb the crisis.\u00a0\n\u201cI\u2019m excited to welcome Representative Tom MacArthur as co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cI also want to thank Congressman Guinta for his leadership on the Task Force and his commitment to working across the aisle to help New Hampshire address the opioid epidemic. I\u2019m proud of what the Task Force was able to accomplish in our first year. We\u2019ve helped pass legislation that will make a real difference for communities struggling to take on addiction. As we look to the next Congress, I\u2019m ready to get to work with my colleagues \u2013both Democratic and Republican \u2013 to support those on the frontlines of this crisis. I know that as our new co-chair, Congressman MacArthur is ready to join in this effort and will be a valuable member of our team.\u201d\n\u201cThe addiction crisis in America has touched so many families,\u201d said Congressman MacArthur. \u201cThere is so much work to be done and the Task Force has made great strides to raise awareness and implement policies that will help families and individuals struggling with recovery and treatment. New Jersey\u2019s heroin overdose rate is triple the soaring U.S. rate, and we have to do everything we can to fight this epidemic together in a meaningful, bipartisan way. Thank you to Congressman Guinta and Congresswoman Kuster for leading the charge on this national crisis \u2013 I know we will have a productive partnership as we look toward the New Year. We are all united behind the need to take strong, effective, immediate action on this crisis. Bottom line, these families deserve our support and we are here to help.\u201d\n\"Our Bipartisan Task Force has had enormous success passing critical legislation to help solve the country's heroin and opioid epidemic and will surely have more in the next Congress under the leadership of Representatives Kuster and MacArthur, whom I congratulate,\u201d said Congressman Guinta. \u201cI expect even greater successes in the future, as Republicans and Democrats, working together, improve prevention, treatment and recovery programs, as well as law enforcement, to save more lives.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-legislation-to-study-impact-of-toxins-on-family-members-of", "House Passes Legislation to Study Impact of Toxins on Family Members of Servicemembers", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs, welcomed the passage of the Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016. This legislation would support important programs at the Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs (VA) to increase access to healthcare for veterans, address veteran homelessness, and improve education benefits for veterans. The legislation also includes a provision similar to the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016, legislation cosponsored by Kuster.\n\u201cAs the daughter of a World War II veteran and a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, supporting those who have served in uniform and their families is one of my top priorities,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cSadly, at many times throughout history our men and women in uniform have been exposed to toxic chemicals as a result of their service.\u00a0Thousands of servicemembers have faced serious medical challenges due to toxic chemicals such as Agent Orange. It\u2019s critical that as we honor their service we look further down the line and identify risks to the children and grandchildren of those exposed to such chemicals.\u201d\nThis provision would direct the VA to perform research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of children or grandchildren of servicemembers exposed to toxic chemicals during their service. The Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016 will next move to the Senate for final passage.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/on-house-floor-congresswoman-kuster-calls-for-senate-passage-of-21st", "On House Floor, Congresswoman Kuster Calls for Senate Passage of 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "You can watch the full video here.\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today on the House floor, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, called for the Senate to promptly pass the 21st Century Cures Act, legislation that includes $1 billion in funding to support efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic. Last month, Kuster led\u00a0a letter to House and Senate leadership\u00a0calling for the inclusion of funding to address the opioid crisis.\n\u201cSadly, last year in my home state of New Hampshire we had the third highest opioid overdose rate per capita in the entire country,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cBut this crisis is not unique to my state. Across America, communities and families are shaken from the deaths of loved ones due to overdose. Opioid addiction is truly a national public health crisis. As founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I urge the Senate to promptly pass this important bill.\u201d\nThe Cures Act authorizes a total of $1 billion including $500 million in each of Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018 to address the opioid epidemic. The funds are to be provided to state agencies that are on the frontlines of the effort to combat the opioid crisis. The grants will be awarded directly to the states and are intended to supplement existing efforts funded via grants previously provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Those programs are broadly applicable to treatment, prevention, education, and recovery.\u00a0 All states will be entitled to funding, but the amounts will be prioritized by incidence and prevalence of opioid abuse and addiction.\u00a0\nCongresswoman Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts.\nKuster has hosted numerous roundtables with law enforcement, treatment providers, and recovery experts throughout New Hampshire and brought the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic to New Hampshire for a\u00a0field hearing\u00a0to hear directly from local stakeholders. She supported the passage of 18 legislative items targeting the opioid epidemic, many of which were\u00a0championed by the Task Force\u00a0that Kuster co-founded. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was\u00a0appointed to the conference committee\u00a0tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) \u2013 a role typically reserved for more senior members.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-announces-lottery-system-for-inauguration-tickets", "Kuster Announces Lottery System for Inauguration Tickets", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster announced that her office is launching an online lottery system for those who live in New Hampshire's 2nd District and are\u00a0interested in attending President-Elect Trump\u2019s Inauguration in Washington, D.C.\nTo enter the online lottery system, Granite Staters should visit http://kuster.house.gov/serving-you/2017-presidential-inauguration-tickets and complete the online form.\nTickets are limited, and there is no guarantee that everyone who enters the lottery will receive one. There is a limit of 4 tickets per request, and the deadline to apply is Monday, December 12th. \u00a0\nThose chosen in the lottery will be notified well in advance of the Inauguration,\u00a0and will receive additional information on how to pick up their tickets upon arrival in Washington. Please note that tickets cannot be mailed to constituents. Those not receiving tickets will also be notified.\nAnyone receiving tickets for the Inauguration will be responsible for his or her own travel and expenses. Historically, the day of the Inauguration has been very cold and wet. Furthermore, tickets will likely be standing, not seated. The crowds will be very large, and guests will likely be outside in the cold for many hours prior to the start of the ceremony.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-house-passage-of-21st-century-cures-act", "Kuster Applauds House Passage of 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "**Legislation will provide $1 billion in funding to address the opioid epidemic**\n**Kuster, co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Address the Heroin Epidemic, urged House and Senate leadership for the inclusion of funding**\n(Washington, DC)\u00a0 - This evening, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, welcomed the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in the House of Representatives. The legislation includes $1 billion in funding to support efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic. The 21st Century Cures Act is comprehensive legislation intended to improve and coordinate medical innovation and research at the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\u00a0Earlier this month, Kuster led a letter to House and Senate leadership calling for the inclusion of funding to address the opioid crisis.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve long known in New Hampshire that the opioid epidemic needs to be treated like the public health emergency that it is, and today the House of Representatives said in a resounding voice that it agrees,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThe Cures bill that we\u2019ve passed will provide critical funding to those on the frontlines of this crisis and help states support recovery, treatment, and prevention efforts, while making important advances in groundbreaking medical research. I\u2019m especially encouraged that New Hampshire will have broad discretion to use this funding in ways that best reflect the needs of our state. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to follow suit and pass this bill so we can get it to the President\u2019s desk as swiftly as possible.\u201d\n\u201cNew Hampshire is currently in the grips of a devastating opioid epidemic,\u201d said Linda Paquette, the Executive Director of New Futures. \u201cThe solutions to effectively addressing this crisis include increasing the capacity of law enforcement to cut off the flow of drugs into our state, and increasing access to prevention, treatment and recovery services for people suffering from Substance Use Disorders. It is well-established that these services are effective in reducing the harm caused by the disease of addiction, but a lack of adequate funding for them in the Granite State has significantly impeded our ability to turn the tide on the epidemic. The 21st Century Cures Act will provide New Hampshire with desperately needed resources to ensure that addiction is prevented and people in need of services are able to access them. Congresswoman Kuster has been relentless in her efforts to find solutions to the opioid crisis. New Futures applauds her efforts to ensure passage of the 21st Century Cures Act and looks forward to continuing to work with her to end the crisis.\u201d\nNew Futures is a statewide organization that works to prevent and reduce drug abuse across New Hampshire.\nThe Cures Act authorizes a total of $1 billion including $500 million in each of Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018 to address the opioid epidemic. The funds are to be provided to state agencies that are on the frontlines of the effort to combat the opioid crisis. The grants will be awarded directly to the states and are intended to supplement existing efforts funded via grants previously provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Those programs are broadly applicable to treatment, prevention, education, and recovery.\u00a0 All states will be entitled to funding, but the amounts will be prioritized by incidence and prevalence of opioid abuse and addiction.\u00a0\nCongresswoman Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts.\nKuster has hosted numerous roundtables with law enforcement, treatment providers, and recovery experts throughout New Hampshire and brought the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic to New Hampshire for a\u00a0field hearing\u00a0to hear directly from local stakeholders. She supported the passage of 18 legislative items targeting the opioid epidemic, many of which were\u00a0championed by the Task Force\u00a0that Kuster co-founded. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was\u00a0appointed to the conference committee\u00a0tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) \u2013 a role typically reserved for more senior members.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-backed-legislation-to-help-veterans-find-employment-and-receive", "Kuster-Backed Legislation to Encourage Veteran Employment and Support Veteran Healthcare Passes House", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Committee on Veteran\u2019s Affairs, welcomed passage of two pieces of legislation to recognize businesses that provide economic opportunities for veterans and improve their access to healthcare services. The HIRE Vets Act of 2016, passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives, would honor employers who excel at recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans in the private sector by awarding a medallion in recognition of their efforts. The No Hero Left Untreated Act, which also passed the House, would establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that enables veterans to receive promising new neurological\u00a0treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, chronic pain, and opioid addiction. Kuster cosponsored both pieces of legislation, which now move on to the Senate for consideration.\n\u201cToday we demonstrated that supporting our veterans is not a Republican or Democratic issue, it\u2019s an American issue,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cOur veterans have risked their lives to serve us and it\u2019s our responsibility to serve them when they return home. Recognizing employers who recruit, hire, and retain qualified veterans will help to encourage other businesses to follow their lead. Furthermore, we need to ensure that veterans receive the best treatment for the wounds of war both seen and unseen. The HIRE Vets Act will help more veterans access good jobs, and the No Hero Left Untreated Act is important for developing innovative treatment options for PTSD and other brain injuries. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act quickly to get these commonsense pieces of legislation signed into law.\u201d\nThe daughter of a World War II veteran, Kuster has served on the U.S. House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee since taking office in 2013. As Ranking Member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, she has pushed for increased transparency at the VA and has long fought to ensure New Hampshire veterans receive the benefits and access to services they deserve. Kuster has also held a series of roundtables throughout the state with veteran service organizations and local veterans to hear directly from them about how Congress can best serve their needs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-calls-on-senate-and-house-leadership-to-include-funding-in", "Kuster Calls on Senate and House Leadership to Include Funding in Upcoming Legislation to Address the Opioid Crisis", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, along with Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), has led a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, urging the inclusion of desperately needed funding in the 21st Century Cures legislation to support those on the frontlines of the opioid crisis. 21st Century Cures will provide funding for the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and offers a unique opportunity to provide resources to address the opioid epidemic.\n\u201cToday, 78 people will die of a heroin or opioid overdose,\u201d wrote the Members. \u201cThis epidemic rages on across the United States, and local law enforcement and public health agencies are overwhelmed by need.\u00a0 It is our responsibility to provide them with the resources they desperately require to save lives and repair their communities. We continue to hear from leaders in law enforcement and in addiction recovery who say they are unable to provide assistance to needy residents because they lack the funds.\u201d\nThe letters continues, \u201cIt is crucial that we treat the opioid epidemic like the emergency that it is, and ensure that those responding to the crisis have the resources they need now. We cannot sit idly by any longer as family after family is torn apart by an unnecessary tragedy while skilled officials are standing at the ready to intervene.\u201d\nThe letter was signed by 23 members of Congress.\nCongresswoman Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was\u00a0appointed to the conference committee tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) \u2013 a role typically reserved for more senior members.\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below:\n\u00a0\u00a0\nDear Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell,\nToday, 78 people will die of a heroin or opioid overdose. This epidemic rages on across the United States, and local law enforcement and public health agencies are overwhelmed by need.\u00a0 It is our responsibility to provide them with the resources they desperately require to save lives and repair their communities. We continue to hear from leaders in law enforcement and in addiction recovery who say they are unable to provide assistance to needy residents because they lack the funds.\nAs you complete work on the 21st Century Cures legislation, we write to encourage you to include immediate funding to combat heroin and opioid addiction and overdose in this package. Knowing that Cures will likely be one of the final pieces of legislation that Congress acts on this year, we hope you will consider this a final opportunity to take needed action to combat this crisis.\nAs you know, this spring, both chambers passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 by an overwhelming bipartisan majority, and while it authorizes important efforts to improve treatment for addiction and respond to the crisis, it lacks any funding to support these programs. During conference discussions for CARA, representations were made from the Majority chairs in both chambers that funds would be appropriated in FY2017. H.R. 4447, which has 40 House cosponsors, provides a solid framework for these necessary resources. We continue to fervently support appropriating additional emergency funds to aid this effort and support the goals of CARA.\nIt is crucial that we treat the opioid epidemic like the emergency that it is, and ensure that those responding to the crisis have the resources they need now. We cannot sit idly by any longer as family after family is torn apart by an unnecessary tragedy while skilled officials are standing at the ready to intervene. We have the ability and obligation to provide them with the resources they need.\u00a0 Please take this opportunity to provide immediate funding to combat the opioid addiction and overdose crisis that continues to devastate American communities.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-release-of-addiction-report-by-us-surgeon-general", "Kuster Applauds Release of Addiction Report by U.S. Surgeon General", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, released the following statement on the U.S. Surgeon General\u2019s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health released today:\n\u201cToday\u2019s report on addiction, issued by the U.S. Surgeon General, is an important step toward improving the response to the opioid epidemic. Here in New Hampshire, we\u2019ve seen first-hand the devastating impact of addiction and know that we cannot simply arrest our way out of this crisis. Addiction is a disease, and it\u2019s long past time we treat it like one. We need to expand access to treatment and recovery services and improve awareness and prevention efforts. As the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I\u2019m committed to working with Republicans and Democrats to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and get desperately needed funding to those on the frontlines of the crisis.\u201d\nCongresswoman Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-attorney-general-janet-reno", "Kuster Statement on the Passing of Former Attorney General Janet Reno", "2016-11-07", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Concord, NH) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the death of former Attorney General Janet Reno:\n\u201cJanet Reno was dedicated to public service; breaking barriers by serving as the first female attorney general in our country\u2019s history. When she was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s Disease in 1995, she didn\u2019t slow down. Instead, she continued her service as Attorney General and remained active in political life after leaving office. \u00a0My thoughts and prayers are with Janet\u2019s family, friends, and coworkers as they mourn her passing and reflect on her remarkable life.\u201d \u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-calls-on-appropriations-committee-to-assist-struggling-dairy", "Kuster Calls on Appropriations Committee to Assist Struggling Dairy Farms", "2016-11-04", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) wrote to the House Appropriations Committee with 15 other members of Congress, calling for action to assist struggling American dairy producers. Over the past two years, dairy producers have experienced a significant drop in milk prices, increasing the challenges that many American dairy producers are facing.\n\u201cAs you continue to work on appropriations legislation for Fiscal Year 2017, we write to request your assistance for American dairy producers who have been struggling with near-record low milk prices and unstable domestic and international market conditions,\u201d wrote Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cSpecifically, we request the Committee to explore reimbursement options for enrolled producers within the Margin Protection Program (MPP), remove a funding prohibition currently in place within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and direct the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) to conduct a survey of state average feed costs.\u201d\nThe dairy industry has an impact of $141 million on the state and local economies, providing over 3,500 jobs and more than $19 million in income for working families. The Margin Protection Program is a voluntary program that makes payments to participating farmers if their margins decrease to a certain level. This program has failed to accurately measure the costs of feed in New England, which has had an adverse effect on our dairy producers by distorting margins and discouraging their participation in the program.\nThe full text of the letter is available here and is included below:\n\u00a0\nDear Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Lowey, Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member Farr:\nAs you continue to work on appropriations legislation for Fiscal Year 2017, we write to request your assistance for American dairy producers who have been struggling with near-record low milk prices and unstable domestic and international market conditions.\u00a0 Specifically, we request the Committee to explore reimbursement options for enrolled producers within the Margin Protection Program (MPP), remove a funding prohibition currently in place within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and direct the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) to conduct a survey of state average feed costs.\u00a0\u00a0\nOver the past two years, dairy producers have experienced a 40 percent drop in milk prices which has tightened cash flow on farms and compounded the problems that American dairy producers are facing.\u00a0 Severe drought has impacted regions throughout the country, forcing farmers to pay record-high prices for feed, while exports from the European Union to the United States have surged as a result of Russia\u2019s embargo of most European dairy products, contributing to the current oversupply of milk.\u00a0 Many dairy farms in our districts are selling milk below the cost of production and are teetering on the balance of closing their doors.\nOur concerns are heightened by challenges that have arisen with the Margin Protection Program. As you know, this federal safety net is designed to provide financial assistance to enrolled farmers when times are tough.\u00a0 Unfortunately, dairy producers are slipping through the safety net and not receiving the support they need.\u00a0 This has been particularly apparent for producers in states with high feed costs where, despite low farm milk prices, MPP payments were not triggered due to the program\u2019s reliance on a National Average Feed Cost formula.\u00a0 Though the USDA collected $73 million nationwide in premium payments in 2015,\u00a0 only $700,000 was returned in payments to producers, which discouraged farmers from buying higher levels of coverage in 2016.\u00a0\nDespite current budgetary constraints and the need for future statutory changes to the MPP, we believe that there are key measures that can be taken in appropriations legislation for FY17 that will provide critical near-term support to dairy farmers and pave the way for longer-term sustainability in the industry.\u00a0 In the short-term, we request that the Appropriations Committee explore ways to partially or fully refund payments for the farmers who have poured millions of dollars into MPP and received little financial support in return.\u00a0 This measure would be particularly meaningful for producers who have experienced near-record drought conditions this year and have tight cash flow margins on their farms. While we understand that this request may prove difficult to execute, we hope that the Committee can understand the frustration and disillusionment of cash-strapped farmers who lost thousands of dollars expecting financial protection that was never provided.\nAdditionally, we respectfully request that spending legislation for FY17 not include any provision preventing the USDA from implementing clause 3 of Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935 or from engaging in surplus removal or price support activities under section 5 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act.\u00a0 Such provisions currently limit the Secretary of Agriculture\u2019s ability to provide emergency support to dairy farmers.\u00a0 Lifting this ban would allow the Secretary more flexibility to respond to the current crisis.\nTo address long-term structural changes to the MPP, we request that $3 million within the budget of the National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) be used to conduct a survey of average feed costs by state. NASS has determined that this survey would take 18-24 months to complete, and the information gathered in this survey would provide critical data for USDA and Members of Congress to consider for the next Farm Bill. The National Average Feed Cost formula must be changed to reflect the higher regional feed costs that are associated with greater transportation, labor and energy expenses, and this survey is an important step towards achieving a fairer program that works for producers in every corner of the country.\u00a0\u00a0\nThank you for your consideration of these requests. We look forward to working with the Committee in service of America\u2019s dairy farmers.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sincerely,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Ann McLane Kuster\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Member of Congress\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-state-representative-angeline", "Kuster Statement on the Passing of Former State Representative Angeline Kopka", "2016-11-02", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Concord, NH) \u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the death of former State Representative Angeline \u201cAngie\u201d Kopka:\n\u201cAngie Kopka lived a remarkable life full of devotion and service to her family, her community and her state. Over her 100 years, Angie was a successful realtor, a committed member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, and a lifelong Nashua resident.\u00a0 More than that, she was a loving wife, mother of two children, grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of three.\u00a0 My condolences go out to Angie\u2019s loving family and the entire Nashua community as they mourn her passing and reflect on her incredible life.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-tours-groveton-mill-discusses-north-country-jobs", "Kuster tours Groveton Mill, discusses North Country jobs", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Groveton, NH) \u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) toured the Groveton Mill and discussed efforts she has led to return jobs to the mill site and throughout the North Country. Kuster\u2019s visit came a week after Vermont-based NSA Industries announced it would expand to the Groveton Mill site, bringing as many as 60 jobs. During her visit, Kuster met with site owner Bob Chapman, as well as town officials and regional planners, to discuss these new jobs and plans to continue the redevelopment of the mill.\n\u201cThe progress we have seen here at the Groveton Mill is a clear sign the North Country is open for business,\u201d Kuster said.\u00a0 \u201cI am proud to have worked with leaders from throughout the region to bring jobs back to the area.\u00a0 I want to thank Bob Chapman, NSA Industries, and everyone else involved in this project for sharing my commitment and helping to bring jobs and opportunity back to the North Country.\u201d\nIn addition to Chapman, Kuster met today with site manager Mike Sterling, Mark Butterfield of NCIC, Town Grant Writer Robin Irving, and Town Selectman Jim Tierney.\nIn November 2014, Congresswoman Kuster and Chapman convened a working group of federal, state and local planners to develop plans to redevelop the mill, which closed in 2008, costing the North Country more than 300 jobs.\u00a0 Over the coming months, the group applied for and secured more than $1 million in federal grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, and the Northern Border Regional Commission, and this past year, the group proposed and passed a town warrant article for $400,000 to restore water and sewer service to the site.\u00a0 These efforts paved the way for NSA Industries, based in St. Johnsbury, VT, to expand its metal fabricating and machining operations to Groveton, a village within the Town of Northumberland.\u00a0\nAs the representative for New Hampshire\u2019s 2nd District in Congress, Kuster has worked tirelessly to advance economic development in the North Country and throughout the Granite State.\u00a0 She worked to support businesses by extending freight rail service and improving broadband service throughout the region.\u00a0 Last month, Kuster introduced the Export Promotion Act, which will help businesses cut through red tape and sell across international borders, and earlier this year, she introduced the Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act, which would streamline commerce activities and expand trade opportunities for Granite State businesses.\u00a0\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-calls-on-house-leadership-to-aid-servicemembers-ordered-to-pay", "Kuster Calls on House Leadership to Aid Servicemembers Ordered to Pay Back Bonuses", "2016-10-27", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Yesterday, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) signed onto a bipartisan letter to House Leadership urging the quick advancement of legislation that would provide a permanent solution to the financial burden facing thousands of servicemembers and veterans of the California National Guard. The servicemembers and veterans were ordered to repay large enlistment bonuses after a federal audit found paperwork errors committed by the California National Guard when awarding bonuses.\n\u201cYears after receiving enlistment bonuses, these men and women are being asked to pay back the bonuses they improperly received through no fault of their own,\u201d the letter states. \u201cThis is no way to treat our brave servicemembers. Thankfully, the Department of Defense announced that it would suspend these bonus collections and develop a streamlined process. While this is a positive step, Congress must remain vigilant and work with the Department to find a permanent solution to end unfair bonus recoupments and make servicemembers whole.\u201d\nThe daughter of a World War II POW and a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, Kuster has long fought to ensure New Hampshire veterans receive the recognition, benefits, and access to services they deserve. She was instrumental in the fight to pass comprehensive legislation in 2014 to overhaul the VA and ensure veterans could always access treatment and care in a timely manner. As a result of her leadership, she was selected to serve as the lead Democrat on the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.\n\u00a0\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below:\n\u00a0\nDear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, and Whip Hoyer:\nToday, we write regarding the urgent matter impacting thousands of members of the California National Guard. Years after receiving enlistment bonuses, these men and women are being asked to pay back the bonuses they improperly received through no fault of their own. This is no way to treat our brave servicemembers. Thankfully, the Department of Defense announced that it would suspend these bonus collections and develop a streamlined process. While this is a positive step, Congress must remain vigilant and work with the Department to find a permanent solution to end unfair bonus recoupments and make servicemembers whole.\nAs reported by the Los Angeles Times, \u201cnearly ten thousand soldiers, many of whom served multiple combat tours, have been ordered to repay large enlistment bonuses \u2014 and slapped with interest charges, wage garnishments and tax liens if they refuse.\u201d The overpayments were discovered after a federal audit found paperwork errors committed by the California National Guard when awarding enlistment bonuses. Those responsible pleaded guilty and were held accountable.\nThe vast majority of those who served in the California National Guard bear no responsibility for the mistakes and misconduct that led to these payments. It is unfair and unacceptable to hold them accountable a decade later. Basic contract law dictates that if a member of the National Guard was offered a reenlistment bonus or other benefits and incentives in exchange for agreeing to serve another enlistment and deploy to war, that member should receive the bonus money and benefits if they fulfilled the terms of their enlistment. Even if those bonuses and benefits offered by the Guard were unauthorized, the Army would be contractually liable for paying the bonuses to the Guard members because they signed reenlistment contracts and agreed to put their lives on the line under a belief that they would receive the bonuses and incentives offered to them for their service and sacrifice.\nGuard members who received bonuses in good faith should not be required to go through a lengthy and frustrating appeals process that damages their credit and causes undue stress on Guard members and their families. They should not be forced to file a lawsuit to enforce their rights under the reenlistment contract they signed after honorably serving and deploying to war. The LA Times story highlights cases in California, servicemembers could be facing this same issue across the country. Although the full scale of this matter is still unclear, the National Guard Bureau has acknowledged that overpayments have occurred in every state during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Any permanent solution should also make servicemembers whole who have already repaid the Department.\nWe ask for your continued attention to this matter so that Congress will be ready and willing to act should the Department need additional guidance or authority to end the unfair recoupments for those who acted in good faith and make servicemembers whole. Thank you for your attention to this issue and we look forward to your response.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-promotes-addiction-recovery-through-health-accounts-act", "Kuster Promotes Addiction Recovery through Health Accounts Act", "2016-10-20", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) promoted bipartisan legislation that would help families pay for the high costs associated with drug treatment. The Addiction Recovery through Family Health Accounts Act (H.R. 6262), which Congresswoman Kuster joined Congressman Tom MacArthur (NJ-03) to help introduce, would permit family members to use funds in employer-based health accounts and flexible savings accounts to pay for addiction treatment for any relative, even if they aren\u2019t a dependent.\u00a0\n\u201cAcross New Hampshire and the country, the opioid epidemic is devastating communities and families,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cYet, only one in ten Americans seeks the treatment they need to overcome substance use disorder. While I\u2019m thankful that treatment options are becoming more readily available, many families still struggle to access those options because of rising health care costs. That\u2019s why I am proud to cosponsor the Addiction Recovery through Health Accounts Act (H.R. 6262). We must ensure families have the flexibility and choice to use all available resources to protect their families from this deadly epidemic.\u201d\n\u201cThe heroin epidemic in South Jersey is damaging our communities and changing families forever,\u201d said Congressman MacArthur. \u201cWe have to fight this epidemic together, and the first step in this process is making sure individuals seeking treatment have the resources available to do so. A focus on treatment and recovery is incredibly important as we tackle this challenge together. Thank you to my colleagues Congresswoman Annie Kuster and Congressman Seth Moulton for partnering with me on this important fix. We are all united behind the need to take strong, effective, immediate action on this crisis. Bottom line, these families deserve our support and we are here to help.\u201d\nAs the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire. She has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts, and has heard directly from stakeholders across the state. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was\u00a0appointed to the conference committee\u00a0tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-nsa-industries-plan-to-expand-bring-jobs-to-the", "Kuster statement on NSA Industries plan to expand, bring jobs to the North Country", "2016-10-19", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Groveton, NH) \u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement in response to NSA Industries\u2019 announced plans to expand to the Groveton Mill site, bringing as many as 60 jobs to New Hampshire\u2019s North Country.\u00a0 For years, Congresswoman Kuster has led the effort to redevelop the mill to spur job growth and economic development in Coos County and throughout northern New Hampshire.\n\u201cFor too long, the North Country has watched as its mills and businesses have closed their doors,\u201d Kuster said. \u201cNSA Industries\u2019 expansion to the Groveton Mill sends a clear message that the North Country is open for business.\u00a0 I am proud to have worked with leaders from throughout the region to bring this employer to town, and I look forward to continuing our work together to bring jobs and opportunity to the North Country.\u201d\nIn November 2014, Congresswoman Kuster and mill-site owner Bob Chapman convened a working group of federal, state and local planners to develop plans to redevelop the mill, which closed in 2008, costing the North Country more than 300 jobs.\u00a0 Over the coming months, the group applied for and secured more than $1 million in federal grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, and the Northern Border Regional Commission, and this past year, the group proposed and passed a town warrant article for $400,000 to restore water and sewer service to the site.\u00a0 These efforts paved the way for NSA Industries, based in St. Johnsbury, VT, to expand its metal fabricating and machining operations to Groveton, a village within the Town of Northumberland.\u00a0 The company announced its expansion plans on Wednesday.\n\u201cThis is the first of hopefully many more businesses yet to come. This will bring 60 new jobs to town and hopefully new families,\u201d said Selectman Jim Tierney.\u00a0 \u201cThe Town of Northumberland and its residents warmly welcome NSA Industries to Groveton.\u201d\n\u201cI am grateful for all the assistance I have received from Congresswoman Kuster and the rest of the federal delegation,\u201d said Bob Chapman the property owner. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m particularly thankful for the Congresswoman\u2019s assistance in securing funding to complete the rail upgrades that will lead to the mill site.\u201d\nAs the representative for New Hampshire\u2019s 2nd District in Congress, Kuster has worked tirelessly to advance economic development in the North Country and throughout the Granite State.\u00a0 She worked to support businesses by extending freight rail service and improving broadband service throughout the region.\u00a0 Last month, Kuster introduced the Export Promotion Act, which will help businesses cut through red tape and sell across international borders, and earlier this year, she introduced the Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act, which would streamline commerce activities and expand trade opportunities for Granite State businesses.\u00a0 \u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-fda-improvements-to-labeling-regulations", "Kuster Statement on FDA Improvements to Labeling Regulations", "2016-10-13", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) welcomed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA\u2019s) decision to improve its labeling regulations, and in a letter to the FDA, called for further improvement to warnings that appear on opioid medications. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Kuster introduced Carl\u2019s Law (H.R. 5601), which would require any medication that contains an opiate to include a warning on its label identifying the presence of opioids and the possibility for drug-seeking behavior.\n\u201cWith the FDA\u2019s decision to inform consumers of the potential dangers of combining medications containing opioids with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, patients will be equipped with more information to ensure use of prescription opioids will be safe and effective,\u201d Congresswoman Kuster wrote to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf. \u201cHowever, I welcome the opportunity to work with the FDA to further improve the warnings that appear on opioid medications. While the combination of opioids with other drugs like benzodiazepines is a significant cause of accidental overdose, it is certainly not the only cause of overdose nor the only danger associated with prescription opioid use.\u201d\nAs the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire. She has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts, and has heard directly from stakeholders across the state. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was\u00a0appointed to the conference committee\u00a0tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).\nThe full text of the letter is available below:\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Dr. Robert Califf, M.D.\nCommissioner\nFood and Drug Administration\n10903 New Hampshire Avenue\nSilver Spring, MD 20993\n\u00a0\nDear Commissioner Califf,\nIn light of the startling findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing accidental overdose as the leading cause of injury-related adult deaths, I welcome the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s August decision to improve its labeling regulations.\nIt\u2019s important that labels communicate the full dangers associated with opioid use. With the FDA\u2019s decision to inform consumers of the potential dangers of combining medications containing opioids with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, patients will be equipped with more information to ensure use of prescription opioids will be safe and effective. This decision by the FDA acknowledges the importance of providing information to prevent accidental opioid overdoses.\nHowever, I would welcome the opportunity to work with you to further improve the warnings that appear on opioid medications. While the combination of opioids with other drugs like benzodiazepines is a significant cause of accidental overdose, it is certainly not the only cause of overdose nor the only danger associated with prescription opioid use. Labels should reflect all information necessary for American consumers to make an informed decision on the use of their prescription drugs. The pain reduction power of opioids comes with drawbacks and dangers that demand stronger warnings to consumers.\nThe case of my constituent Carl Messinger is a troubling and illustrative example for the necessity of improved label warnings. Carl was a recovering heroin addict who, after visiting a doctor for a respiratory illness, was prescribed cough syrup that contained the opiate codeine. Unfortunately, Carl was unaware that the medication he received from his doctor contained an opiate. The cough syrup led to his relapse. Tragically, Carl used heroin shortly afterward and died from an injection of pure fentanyl.\nCarl Messinger\u2019s tragic death could have been prevented if the label warning identified on the bottle the presence of opiates and the risk of inducing drug-seeking behavior. Opiates can be powerfully addictive, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the dangers of opioids are clearly identified by the labels for prescriptions that contain them. These labels are the last line of defense against a potentially life-threatening mistake.\nIn June 2016, I introduced a bill in Carl\u2019s honor, H.R. 5601, Carl\u2019s Law. This legislation would require any medication that contains an opiate to include a warning on its label identifying the presence of opioids and the possibility for drug-seeking behavior. My bill was recently introduced in the Senate by my New Hampshire colleagues Senators Shaheen and Ayotte. Yet, legislation is not the only recourse for this change. The FDA has the ability to institute a rule that would resolve this issue.\nI urge the Food and Drug Administration to consider adopting a rule that would require inclusion onto the label of the end-user\u2019s immediate container information regarding the presence of an opiate and the possibility for drug-seeking behavior. I believe the FDA can adopt a rule requiring this change by using the same regulatory power the FDA used to require the warning for opioid use with benzodiazepines. Title 21, Section 355(o)(4) of U.S. Code empowers the FDA to include \u201cnew safety information\u201d into drug labeling as they come to light. The proliferation of prescription opioid abuse and accidental overdose in recent years constitutes \u201cnew safety information\u201d as intended by statute. This warning could have saved Carl Messinger\u2019s life and it could save countless other recovering addicts.\nThank you for your time and consideration of this letter.\n\u00a0\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\nAnn McLane Kuster\nMember of Congress\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-signing-of-the-survivors-bill-of-rights-act", "Kuster Statement on Signing of the Survivors' Bill of Rights Act", "2016-10-12", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Concord, NH) - U.S. Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement on the signing of the Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016 into law by President Obama:\n\"The signing of the Survivors' Bill of Rights Act into law is an important step toward improving our justice system for survivors of sexual assault. I've pushed for this legislation because survivors face enough hurdles without also having to worry about whether they will be supported by the criminal justice system. I will continue to fight to ensure that survivors know they are not alone and can have confidence that they can achieve justice.\"\nThe\u00a0Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016, cosponsored by Kuster, would codify rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to a medical forensic examination without charge. The legislation would also protect evidence, such as rape-kits, from being destroyed without notice or before the statute of limitation on a crime has lapsed.\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-passing-of-former-israeli-prime-minister-and", "Kuster Statement on Passing of Former Israeli Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement on the passing of former Israeli Prime Minister and President, Shimon Peres:\n\u201cShimon Peres was an exemplary leader and a true champion of peace. His courage and dedication should serve as an inspiration to us all, and I hope the world can continue to expand upon his extraordinary vision. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel during this difficult time.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/survivors-bill-of-rights-act-heads-to-president-s-desk", "Survivors Bill of Rights Act Heads to Presidents Desk", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Video of Kuster\u2019s floor remarks is available\u00a0here\n(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) welcomed final passage in the Senate of the Survivors\u2019 Bill of Rights Act, legislation cosponsored by Kuster in the House that would codify rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to a medical forensic examination without charge. The legislation would also protect evidence, such as rape\u00a0kits, from being destroyed without notice or before the statute of limitation on a crime has lapsed. The\u00a0Survivors\u2019 Bill of Rights Act\u00a0will now head to President Obama\u2019s desk for his signature.\u00a0\n\u201cSurvivors of sexual assault face far too many obstacles without also having to worry about whether they will be supported by the criminal justice system,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThe\u00a0Survivors\u2019\u00a0Bill of Rights Act\u00a0is a significant step toward ensuring that survivors are able to pursue justice without unnecessary burdens hindering their efforts, and I\u2019m pleased it will be heading to the President\u2019s desk for his signature. It\u2019s long overdue that we change the culture around sexual assault, and I know that we are on the right path to do just that.\u201d\nCongresswoman Kuster has long been a champion for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Earlier this month,\u00a0Kuster took to the House floor\u00a0to honor the incredible courage and strength of Chessy Prout, who was sexually assaulted by an upperclassman at her boarding school when she was 15 years old. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Kuster shared her own\u00a0\u00a0personal experiences\u00a0involving sexual assault on the House floor. She also joined with 17 other Members of Congress to\u00a0read on the House floor Emily Doe\u2019s open letter\u00a0describing her attack and ensuing trial \u2013 which marked the first time a victim\u2019s statement has been read in full in the House chambers.\nA longtime cosponsor of the\u00a0Campus Accountability and Safety Act, which would require schools that receive federal funding to strengthen prevention, education, and reporting measures, Kuster is also helping to introduce new legislation\u00a0with her colleague from California, Representative Jackie Speier:\u00a0the\u00a0Safe Transfer Act, which would strengthen measures to increase transparency for students when perpetrators transfer to their campuses, and the\u00a0No Funding for Sexual Harassers Act, which would require schools found guilty of violating Title IX, a statute used in part to evaluate schools that are mishandling sexual assault cases, to report these violations to grant-making agencies, like NASA and the NSF. Both of these bills would help enhance accountability and improve transparency on college campuses.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-introduces-bill-to-encourage-stem-education-prepare-students-for", "Kuster Introduces Bill to Encourage STEM Education, Prepare Students for Jobs of Tomorrow", "2016-09-27", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) introduced legislation to provide new resources for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects in early childhood education. The Early STEM Achievement Act would create a competitive grant program within the Department of Education to assist early childhood STEM programs and train educators to teach STEM subjects, helping prepare children for the workforce of tomorrow.\u00a0\n\u201cWe need to prepare young people for the jobs of the future that will drive economic growth in New Hampshire and nationwide,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cUnfortunately, we are not doing enough to train students in the skills they need. We must ensure all students have access to STEM programs so they are prepared to compete in the 21st century economy. I will continue to work to provide students in the Granite State with STEM education opportunities that will inspire and prepare them for success.\nNumerous studies have highlighted the benefits of quality early childhood education. For example, research has shown there are lower high-school dropout rates among children who participate in early childhood education programs, demonstrating that the positive results continue for many years. Additionally, STEM lessons support skills like resourcefulness, persistence, and problem-solving ability\u2014all crucial to the 21st century workforce. Kuster is committed to increasing funding for STEM education and other efforts to help students gain the 21st-century skills they need.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-calls-for-criminal-investigations-into-potential-perjury-by-va", "Kuster Calls for Criminal Investigations Into Potential Perjury by VA Witnesses", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, is calling on Attorney General Loretta Lynch to launch investigations into whether former VA construction chief Glenn Haggstrom and other VA officials committed perjury in statements before Congress regarding the Aurora, Colorado VA\u00a0medical center. The bipartisan letter follows a scathing report by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) on cost overruns and mismanagement at the center. Kuster was joined on the letter by senior members of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee including Chairman Miller and Acting Ranking Member Takano.\n\u201cThe reports of mismanagement and severe cost overruns at the VA facility in Colorado are incredibly serious and must be thoroughly investigated,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cIf VA officials misrepresented the situation in Colorado to Congress or attempted to mislead the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee they must be held responsible. Our veterans deserve better, and I will continue to fight to clean up the problems that plague the VA so that veterans can access the care they need.\u201d\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\n\u00a0\nSeptember 22, 2016\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Loretta E. Lynch\nAttorney General\nUnited States Department of Justice\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\n\u00a0\nDear Attorney General Lynch,\nThis is a formal referral for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct a criminal investigation into whether current and former VA officials, and Mr. Glenn Haggstrom, the former Principal Executive Director of the VA Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, committed perjury, misled or withheld information from Members of Congress, or made otherwise unlawful statements in testimony and communications relevant to the construction of the Aurora, Colorado VA Medical Center.\u00a0 The Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs has been investigating issues surrounding this project for many years.\u00a0 We have held numerous hearings where VA representatives have testified about the issues that led to this project ultimately becoming approximately $1 billion over budget and years behind schedule.\u00a0 Prior to December 2014, when the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals found that VA breached its contract with the prime contractor on the project, VA representatives consistently downplayed and disputed substantiated cost overruns in Aurora and other major construction projects, in hearings and in public statements.\u00a0 Many Committee members have stated for years that VA witnesses\u2019 hearing testimonies regarding these overruns were false, and we are concerned that these witnesses intentionally withheld information or provided knowingly false testimony during hearings before this Committee.\u00a0\u00a0\nYesterday, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report substantiating many of the issues uncovered by this Committee, and it also highlighted that at least one VA official, Mr. Glenn Haggstrom, possessed information on the rising cost of construction that was contrary to testimony he provided in many of these hearings.\u00a0 Regarding Haggstrom, the OIG found,\nAlthough the former Principal Executive Director of the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, Mr. Glenn Haggstrom, possessed information that the Denver project was moving toward significantly exceeding the budget, he did not share this information with Congress while testifying in May 2013 and April 2014\u2026. Mr. Haggstrom possessed information that construction project was exceeding the budget, on both occasions when he testified before Congress, VA maintained that KT was contractually bound to complete the project within the ceiling price of $610 million contained within SA-07.\nAt issue are statements made at three hearings by Haggstrom and/or Ms. Stella Fiotes, Executive Director of VA\u2019s Office of Construction & Facilities Management.\u00a0 Notably, in every invitation to testify at Committee oversight hearings, all witnesses, including those representing VA, are reminded that the testimony they will provide will be subject to sections 1001, 1505, and 1621 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.\u00a0 Relevant excerpts of those hearings are attached to this letter.\u00a0\nAs such, we respectfully request that you open an investigation to determine whether Haggstrom and/or Fiotes made unlawful statements (perjury or otherwise) in providing false testimony in the three subject hearings.\u00a0 Additionally, we request that, if during the course of your investigation you find evidence that misleading or otherwise unlawful statements were made to Congress, your investigation include a determination of whether any VA official instructed VA representatives to make otherwise unlawful statements or provide misleading information to this Committee.\u00a0 If you determine that Haggstrom and/or Fiotes did in fact make an unlawful statement, or that others conspired with, instructed, or encouraged them to do the same, we request that you pursue immediate prosecution.\nPlease note that the Committee has issued a subpoena to the department regarding an Administrative Investigation Board report concerning the Aurora construction project.\u00a0 As such, we would ask you to begin conducting this investigation after VA has fully complied with the subpoena, which has a full and final production date of Wednesday, September 28, 2016.\u00a0 We ask this to eliminate any attempt by VA to cite a concurrent investigation as a means to withhold documentation from either your office or the Committee.\u00a0 If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Jon Towers, Majority Staff Director, at (202) 225-3527.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-calls-for-increased-accountability-at-the-va-following-office-of", "Kuster Calls for Increased Accountability at the VA Following Office of Inspector General Report Detailing Mismanagement", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, is calling for a hearing and further investigations into mismanagement that led to the Aurora, Colorado VA construction project to be more than $800 million dollars over budget. Yesterday, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report that cited communications failures by senior officials, contracting officers, and design & engineering officials. While many VA projects do not face these challenges, too often at the VA communications failures on acquisition lead to project delays, wasted tax payer dollars, and worse care for our veterans.\u00a0Earlier this year, Kuster participated in a field hearing in Denver, Colorado and expressed concern about reports of cost overruns and the impact they could have on veterans\u2019 care.\n\u201cIt\u2019s wholly unacceptable that communications failures would lead to a more than eight hundred million dollar cost overrun at the VA facility in Colorado,\u201d said Kuster. \u201cThis is just another example of gross mismanagement by senior VA officials. We need to strengthen protections for whistleblowers so that when VA employees see problems they don\u2019t fear reprisal for coming forward. As Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee, I will continue to advocate for accountability for those who have violated the trust of our veterans or misled investigations of our committee.\u201d\nSpecifically, the OIG report confirms that contracting officers (COs) at the VA can lack adequate authority to ensure projects adhere to the specifications and requirements of a contract.\u00a0In Aurora, COs presented their concerns to design officials who subsequently overrode those concerns and pushed forward with a bloated and overdesigned facility blueprint. When that design inevitably led to cost overruns, the VA attempted to falsely claim the contractor mismanaged the project and that the VA would only pay what was stipulated in the contract. It\u2019s critical that the VA learn the lessons of Aurora to strengthen its projects across the system to protect tax payer dollars and improve access to care for our veterans.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kuster-acting-ranking-member-takano-release-statement-regarding", "Rep. Kuster, Acting Ranking Member Takano Release Statement Regarding Inspector General Report on Greater Colorado VA Construction", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and\u00a0Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano, released the following statement after the VA Office of Inspector General published its report on the construction of the Greater Colorado VA Medical Center.\n\u201cThe VA Inspector General report on the construction of the\u00a0Greater Colorado VA Medical Center\u00a0is an infuriating read for anyone committed to caring for our veterans and protecting American taxpayers. The report confirms that the project\u2019s significant cost overruns and timing delays were completely avoidable and resulted from failures in leadership at the highest levels of the VA. We are deeply disappointed in the senior officials who failed to fulfill their obligation to serve veterans.\n\u201cThis episode highlights the need for VA to develop and train strong senior leadership. It also demonstrates the importance of empowering employees at every level to speak out when they witness poor performance or misconduct.\n\u201cAccording to the report, previous testimony given to Congress about the project may have included deliberate misrepresentations of fact. Anyone who lies in their testimony to this Committee must be held accountable. We call on the Department of Justice to conduct a thorough investigation into the testimony of Glenn Haggstrom as well as other VA officials who may have distorted or withheld information from Congress.\n\u201cWe also call for a hearing of the Full Committee of the House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs to examine the details of this report. It is vital that we learn the lessons of this failed project to ensure it never happens again.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-announces-legislation-to-promote-business-exports", "Kuster Announces Legislation to Promote Business Exports", "2016-09-19", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Nashua, NH)\u00a0\u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) joined business leaders at Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. to announce the introduction of her new legislation the Export Promotion Act, which will make it easier for businesses to sell across international borders. Her bill will consolidate many of the export assistance programs under the Department of Commerce to improve access to resources for small businesses that are seeking to grow their exports or begin exporting.\n\u201cExports hold so much potential for small businesses in New Hampshire to increase their revenue and reach new customers,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cUnfortunately, too many small businesses find it difficult to navigate the maze of agencies and programs set up to support export efforts. My bill would help create a one-stop shop for small businesses seeking assistance to increase their exports. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy in the Granite State, and if we can make it easier for our companies to sell overseas they will continue to grow and create jobs.\u201d\n\u201cIt was a pleasure to host Congresswoman Ann Kuster and Zenagui Brahim, President of the NH Manufacturing Extension Partnership,\u201d said Chris Hawekotte, President of Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. \u201cThe employees of GSSI were excited to learn about the Export Promotion Act, and we are hopeful that it will simplify the export of our products and support our efforts to pursue new markets worldwide. \u201d\u00a0\n\u201cAmerican businesses are fortunate that there are a variety of resources available to assist them in exporting; however, these resources are spread across an array of federal agencies, making it challenging for exporters\u2014especially smaller businesses\u2014to identify and access them,\u201d said James T. Brett, President & CEO of the New England Council. \u201cIn this legislation, Representative Kuster has put forth a commonsense, practical approach to streamlining and improving access to these federal resources, which will in turn enable more businesses to export, create jobs, and drive economic growth.\u201d\nWhile federal programs promoting exports have a noble objective, they are strewn across more than a dozen different departments and federal agencies. This results in an overly complex and inefficient bureaucracy that does not maximize the effectiveness of these services.\nKuster\u2019s legislation would specifically:\n Eliminate overlapping programs and redundancies of federal export assistance to maximize limited federal resources.\n\tEnable more efficient metrics to measure the effectiveness and accessibility of export assistance.\n\tCreate a \u201cone-stop-shop\u201d to cut bureaucracy and red tape for businesses seeking export assistance.\n Since taking office, Kuster has prioritized efforts to\u00a0boost exports\u00a0and\u00a0create jobs and opportunity for middle class families\u00a0in New Hampshire. She was vocal about the need to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank and brought together New Hampshire businesses to call for reauthorization of the Bank.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-house-passage-of-va-accountability-first-and-appeals", "Kuster Applauds House Passage of VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 U.S. Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, applauded\u00a0yesterday\u2019s passage of the bipartisan VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016. This important legislation would increase accountability for VA employees responsible for mismanagement or poor performance at VA facilities. It would also address the benefit appeals wait time which can currently be up to five years. Appeals reform provides veterans more options to expedite their appeal including a process developed by the group Disabled American Veterans.\u00a0Additionally, the bill includes an amendment that would improve access to recreational equipment for disabled veterans.\n\u201cThe fact of the matter is the status quo at the Department of Veterans Affairs is not acceptable,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cWe\u2019ve made significant progress in addressing the issues that plagued care for our veterans within the VA, but there is much more to be done. This is an important step toward ensuring that those who are to blame for problems within the VA are held responsible.\u201d\nThe legislation would authorize the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fire, remove, or demote VA employees for performance of misconduct. It would also allow the secretary to reduce benefits of Senior Executive Service employees convicted of a crime and recoup bonuses paid to VA employees if deemed appropriate. Importantly, the legislation also puts in place special protections for whistleblowers to ensure their willingness to raise concerns about mismanagement at the VA.\nCongresswoman Kuster has served on the U.S. House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee since taking office in 2013, and she helped oversee the investigation into the mismanagement scandals at the VA in 2014. As a result of her leadership on veterans\u2019 issues, Kuster was selected last year to serve as the Ranking Member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee.\u00a0 As Ranking Member, she pushes for increased transparency at the VA and helps to lead the charge in Washington on the need to improve access to care for veterans across the country. The daughter of a WWII veteran, Congresswoman Kuster has long advocated for the needs of New Hampshire veterans, and she frequently holds veteran roundtables, forums, and job fairs for Granite State veterans across the district.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/on-house-floor-kuster-honors-courage-strength-of-sexual-assault-survivor", "On House Floor, Kuster Honors Courage & Strength of Sexual Assault Survivor Chessy Prout", "2016-09-14", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) took to the House floor to honor the incredible courage and strength of Chessy Prout, who was sexually assaulted by an upperclassman at her boarding school when she was 15 years old. Last month, Chessy, now 17, went public on the TODAY Show with her story to bring to light the pervasive issue of sexual assault, and to let other victims know they are not alone. She has also launched an Internet campaign, featuring the hashtag #IHaveTheRightTo, to empower sexual assault survivors.\n\u201cChessy\u2019s willingness to publicly share her story lets other survivors know that they, too, can come out of the shadows and are not alone,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cSpeaking out against the painful ordeal Chessy went through took a huge amount of strength and courage. Like so many people, I am inspired by her actions, and I hope that they empower other survivors to come forward.\u201d\n\u201cWe are grateful to Congresswoman Kuster for her support and kindness and for also having the courage to champion the rights of child sexual assault victims,\u201d said the Prout family.\n\u201cThe NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence applauds both Congresswoman Kuster and Chessy Prout for courageously sharing their stories in an effort to help survivors of sexual violence know that they are not alone,\u201d said Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Policy at the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. \u201cTheir words have great impact on victims who have suffered sexual violence and gives voice to \u00a0those who are too often silenced.\u201d\nWithin ten days of starting her #IHAVEARIGHTTO social media campaign, Chessy has had over 5 million impressions and has empowered other young survivors to come forward.\nIn her remarks, Kuster highlighted the need to finalize the Survivors\u2019 Bill of Rights, which is close to reaching President Obama\u2019s desk. This legislation would codify rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to a medical forensic examination without charge. It would also protect evidence, such as rape kits, from being destroyed without notice or before the statute of limitations on a crime has lapsed.\nCongresswoman Kuster has long been a champion for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Kuster shared her own \u00a0personal experiences\u00a0involving sexual assault on the House floor. She also joined with 17 other Members of Congress to\u00a0read on the House floor Emily Doe\u2019s open letter\u00a0describing her attack and ensuing trial \u2013 which marked the first time a victim\u2019s statement has been read in full in the House chambers.\nA longtime cosponsor of the\u00a0Campus Safety and Accountability Act, which would require schools that receive federal funding to strengthen prevention, education, and reporting measures, Kuster is also helping to introduce new legislation\u00a0 with her colleague from California, Representative Jackie Speier; the\u00a0Safe Transfer Act, which would strengthen measures to increase transparency for students when perpetrators transfer to their campuses, and the\u00a0No Funding for Sexual Harassers Act, which would require schools found guilty of violating Title IX, a statute used in part to evaluate schools that are mishandling sexual assault cases, to report these violations to grant-making agencies, like NASA and the NSF. Both of these bills would help enhance accountability and improve transparency on college campuses.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-leads-bipartisan-letter-to-house-leadership-calling-for-budget", "Kuster Leads Bipartisan Letter to House Leadership Calling for Budget Anomalies to Address Opioid Epidemic", "2016-09-13", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 Last night, U.S. Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, led a bipartisan letter with 38 Representatives to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urging the use of budget anomalies to fund efforts to address the opioid epidemic. Earlier this year, Kuster helped pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which takes important steps toward addressing the opioid epidemic. Unfortunately, CARA does not appropriate new funding to support those on the frontlines addressing the opioid addiction crisis. Budget anomalies would give agencies discretion to use diverted funds for efforts that address addiction under a continuing resolution until Congress approves a new appropriations bill.\u00a0\n\u201cHeroin and prescription opioid misuse is devastating communities nationwide,\u201d the Representatives wrote. \u201cAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), currently more than 129 Americans die every day as a result of drug overdoses and the epidemic is worsening.\n\u201cRecognizing American lives hang in the balance, we request consideration for appropriation anomalies in negotiations of a continuing resolution that reflect the advances made in the FY17 subcommittee bills, which address opioid enforcement, prevention, treatment, research, and recovery efforts. Funding as appropriated in FY16 simply does not reflect the current intent of Congress or come close to addressing the life-saving needs of our communities.\u201d\nAs the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire. She has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts, and has heard directly from stakeholders across the state. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was\u00a0appointed to the conference committee tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below:\n\u00a0\nSeptember 12, 2016\n\u00a0\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The Honorable Paul D. Ryan \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Speaker \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Minority Leader\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 U.S. House of Representatives \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 U.S. House of Representatives\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Washington, D.C. 20515\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Washington, D.C. 20515\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nDear Mr. Speaker and Madam Leader,\n\u00a0\nHeroin and prescription opioid misuse is devastating communities nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), currently more than 129 Americans die every day as a result of drug overdoses and the epidemic is worsening. This crisis is exacerbated by the increased use of a deadlier and more potent opioid known as fentanyl, which is driving the majority of fatal overdoses. At the same time, the lack of resources, treatment options, research funding, and drug education impedes efforts to resolve the crisis.\nEarlier this year, Congress acted with overwhelming support to give law enforcement, healthcare providers, caregivers, and educators more resources to better do their jobs. Passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) shows Congress\u2019 bipartisan commitment to resolve this epidemic by providing grants to communities to fight substance use disorder.\nAdditionally, the House Appropriations Committee reflected many of the advances developed in CARA that address needed heroin and opioid funding changes in several of the FY17 subcommittee bills reported out of Committee.\u00a0 However, these funding adjustments will not be reflected in a continuing resolution, whether short or long-term, hamstringing our national response for Americans suffering and dying from heroin and opioid addiction. Congress\u2019 inability to finish the appropriations process threatens to leave embattled communities without the funding and assistance they need to save lives.\nRecognizing American lives hang in the balance, we request consideration for appropriation anomalies in negotiations of a continuing resolution that reflect the advances made in the FY17 subcommittee bills, which address opioid enforcement, prevention, treatment, research, and recovery efforts. Funding as appropriated in FY16 simply does not reflect the current intent of Congress or come close to addressing the life-saving needs of our communities.\nThrough the comprehensive and targeted approach reflected in the FY17 bills, which leverage evidence-based law enforcement initiatives, treatment, and support for recovery, we can reverse the skyrocketing number of heroin and prescription opioid overdoses and deaths. We hope you will prioritize this request and grant these life-saving anomalies to ensure timely and adequate help for our communities that suffer daily the burdens of prescription opioid and heroin abuse.\nThank you for your consideration.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Sincerely,\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Rep. Annie Kuster\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Frank Guinta\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Marcy Kaptur\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Patrick Meehan\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Steve Knight\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Tim Ryan\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Katherine Clark\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Cheri Bustos\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Debbie Dingell\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. John Larson\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Grace Meng\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Niki Tsongas\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Steve Israel\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. David Cicilline\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Jim Himes\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Bill Keating\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Seth Moulton\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Paul Tonko\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Elijah Cummings\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Elizabeth Esty\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Brian Higgins\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Richard Neal\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Chellie Pingree\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Richard Hanna\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Rick Nolan\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. DelBene\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Keith Rothfus\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Tom MacArthur\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Gerry Connolly\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Julia Brownley\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Carolyn Maloney\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Joe Crowley\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. James P. McGovern\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Chris Van Hollen\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Bruce Poliquin\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rep. Marcia Fudge\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-calls-for-action-from-agriculture-secretary-to-support-new", "Kuster Calls for Action from Agriculture Secretary to Support New Hampshire Dairy Farms", "2016-09-09", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack calling for action to protect struggling New Hampshire dairy farmers. Over the last year, New Hampshire dairy farmers have faced a number of significant challenges that have impacted their bottom lines and threatened the industry as a whole. The letter follows a forum Kuster held last month in Claremont to hear directly from dairy farmers about the challenges that are facing the dairy industry.\n\u201cI urge you to use any existing authority within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide emergency relief funding to dairy producers who have been suffering from a perfect storm of low milk prices, unstable market conditions and a historic drought,\u201d wrote Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThe health and strength of New Hampshire\u2019s dairy industry is critically important to the Granite State\u2019s overall economy. New Hampshire\u2019s hardworking dairy farmers and families have experienced tough times these past few years, and they need our immediate help to ensure that New Hampshire\u2019s rich agricultural history continues with success. I request USDA take swift action and employ all available measures to financially support struggling dairy producers in the coming months.\u201d\nThe dairy industry has an impact of $141 million dollars on the state and local economies, providing over 3,500 jobs and more than $19 million in labor income.\nThe full text of the letter is available here and is included below:\n\u00a0\nSeptember 9, 2016\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack\nSecretary of Agriculture\nU.S. Department of Agriculture\n1400 Independence Avenue, SW\nWashington, DC 20250\n\u00a0\nDear Secretary Vilsack:\n\u00a0\nI write today to express my grave concerns about the challenges that many New Hampshire dairy producers have been experiencing as a result of near-record low milk prices, as well as troubling domestic and international market conditions.\u00a0 In just the first eight months of this year, New Hampshire has lost 16 percent of its dairy farms, and further closures threaten the vitality of our dairy industry for years to come.\u00a0 I urge you to use any existing authority within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide emergency relief funding to dairy producers who have been suffering from a perfect storm of low milk prices, unstable market conditions and a historic drought.\u00a0 In addition, I request your guidance in determining what mechanisms are in place within the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help farmers adapt to the increasingly extreme weather we are experiencing in New Hampshire and to insure that adequate resources are deployed to serve drought stricken farmers.\nWhile the recent announcement that USDA will purchase $20 million in commodity cheese products was encouraging news for dairy producers, the steep decline in milk prices and slim dairy margins requires additional support from USDA in the form of financial assistance or other market injections.\u00a0 Many dairy farms in my district are teetering on the balance of closing their doors or continuing to sell milk below the cost of production; this reality has left some dairy farmers unable to meet financial obligations, and has led to farmers selling off assets and consolidating their operations.\u00a0 Additionally, the unprecedented drought conditions that have gripped New Hampshire for most of the summer have led to significant crop losses and further\u00a0 strained farm incomes.\u00a0 As USDA begins to budget for Fiscal Year 2018, I request that your Department examine how much discretionary funding within Section 32, will be available to provide support to producers in areas with severe drought conditions.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nFurthermore, I have heard from dairy farmers across New Hampshire that the Margin Protection Program (MPP) is simply not working for their dairy operations.\u00a0 With the significant drop in milk prices per hundredweight and higher feed costs that farmers in the Northeast experience, the recent allocation of $11.2 million in nationwide payments to MPP participants amounted to less than $10,000 for New Hampshire.\u00a0 While long-term structural changes need to be made to MPP to improve enrollment figures and better reflect the actual feed costs that producers incur, I am concerned that producers all across the country are slipping through the safety net. I request that your department consider short-term funding measures to MPP participants as a way to help shrinking farm incomes and encourage more robust participation as the 2017 enrollment period progresses.\nNew Hampshire\u2019s dairy industry comprises approximately one-third of all agricultural sales in the state, and 70% of farm land supports dairy farming.\u00a0 The health and strength of New Hampshire\u2019s dairy industry is critically important to the Granite State\u2019s overall economy. New Hampshire\u2019s hardworking dairy farmers and families have experienced tough times these past few years, and they need our immediate help to ensure that New Hampshire\u2019s rich agricultural history continues with success.\u00a0 I request USDA take swift action and employ all available measures to financially support struggling dairy producers in the coming months.\n\u00a0\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\nAnn McLane Kuster\nMember of Congress\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/at-house-veterans-affairs-committee-hearing-kuster-highlights-efforts-to", "At House Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing, Kuster Highlights Efforts to Improve Health Care for Veterans", "2016-09-07", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the lead Democrat on the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, took part in a hearing to discuss healthcare for veterans at the VA and how to improve access to care. The hearing focused on \u201cThe Commission on Care and the Future of the VA Healthcare System\u201d a report mandated by the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014.\nDuring her statement, Kuster highlighted two pieces of legislation that would advance improvements to access to healthcare and treatment for veterans. Kuster discussed the Helping Our Veterans With Chronic Pain and Opioid Addiction Act,\u00a0which would establish pilot programs to facilitate the coordination of care and case management to veterans in need of chronic pain management, including veterans suffering from opioid dependency. Kuster specifically pointed out that past reliance on certain metrics for addressing pain had led to increased prescribing of opioids and that her legislation would encourage alternative methods of pain treatment.\nKuster also highlighted the Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015 which would create a pilot program within the VA to provide educational assistance to former medics and corpsmen for education and training as physician assistants in the VA.\nYou can watch Congresswoman Kuster\u2019s full remarks here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-drinking-water-infrastructure-forum-in-nashua", "Kuster Hosts Drinking Water Infrastructure Forum in Nashua", "2016-09-07", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Nashua, NH \u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) brought together leaders from federal, state and local environmental agencies, public health organizations, and experts from across the Nashua area to discuss the health of New Hampshire\u2019s drinking water infrastructure. The forum allowed stakeholders to discuss the importance of maintaining quality water infrastructure for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes in local communities. This is the third stop on a \u201cwater tour\u201d Congresswoman Kuster has been holding since reports that water in Litchfield, New Hampshire contained higher-than-safe levels of PFOA.\n\u201cWater infrastructure plays a critical role in New Hampshire\u2019s ability to support families and attract businesses in our communities.\u00a0 This infrastructure supports recreational, residential, and business opportunities that are integral to the success of the Granite State\u2019s well-being and economy. What\u2019s more, we must ensure that no local residents are EVER in danger of drinking contaminated water,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cI organized today\u2019s forum to bring key stakeholders together, so we could identify a path forward to guarantee necessary maintenance to of our state\u2019s water infrastructure. We must ensure our communities have access to high-quality drinking water for generations to come. By tackling this issue proactively, we will best protect our communities from water crises down the road. \u201d\nDuring the briefing, Congresswoman Kuster questioned officials about the possible environmental and health impacts of aging drinking water health and systems, as well as the next steps to ensure that Granite Staters are adequately protected from the possible health issues that can result from older water infrastructure. Kuster was joined by Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess; Jane Downing, Associate Director of Drinking Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Brandon Kernen, Manager of Hydrology and Conservation Programs for the N.H. Department of Environmental Services; Larry Goodhue, CEO of the Pennichuck Corp.; and Rob Warner, the State Director of the League of Conservation Voters, among others.\u00a0 Participants also discussed the status of water systems in the area, and how they can be updated and maintained to avoid public health concerns in the years to come.\n\"While we take clean drinking water for granted, the United States is facing a drinking water crisis resulting from decades of ignoring and underinvesting in our aging water infrastructure and drinking water protections,\u201d said Rob Werner, of the League of Conservation Voters. \u201cThe EPA estimates that over $600 billion is needed to meet our drinking and wastewater needs over the next 20 years, yet Congress appropriates only\u00a0$2 billion per year. \u00a0It's time for Congress to close this funding gap in order to protect the public health of the American people. We thank Congresswoman Kuster for holding this forum and for her leadership on this important issue.\u201d\nKuster is committed to ensuring that communities across the Granite State have access to safe and reliable drinking water, This spring, she met with environmental experts and local officials after water samples in southern New Hampshire revealed elevated levels of PFOA, a possible carcinogen, in the area around the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastic plant in Merrimack. In May, Rep. Kuster wrote to the EPA urging the Agency to expeditiously release a public health advisory for PFOA and PFOS chemicals, which have been found in many private wells in the Southern tier. Many New Hampshire residents rely on private wells for drinking water, and are concerned about the potential long-term health impacts of exposure to unsafe levels of these chemicals. Kuster will continue to meet with communities across the state to discuss their efforts to maintain healthy water infrastructures.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-house-passage-of-survivors-bill-of-rights-act", "Kuster Applauds House Passage of Survivors' Bill of Rights Act", "2016-09-06", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 This evening, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) applauded House passage of legislation to establish basic rights for survivors of sexual assault. The Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016, cosponsored by Kuster, would codify rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to a medical forensic examination without charge. The legislation would also protect evidence, such as rape-kits, from being destroyed without notice or before the statute of limitation on a crime has lapsed. \u00a0\n\u201cSurvivors of sexual assault face far too many obstacles without also having to worry about whether they will be supported by the criminal justice system,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThe Survivors' Bill of Rights Act is a significant step toward ensuring that survivors are able to pursue justice without unnecessary burdens hindering their efforts. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to change the culture around sexual assault so that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve.\u201d\nCongresswoman Kuster has long been a champion for victims and survivors of sexual or domestic violence. She joined with 17 other Members of Congress to\u00a0read on the House floor Emily Doe\u2019s open letter\u00a0describing her attack and ensuing trial \u2013 which marked the first time a victim\u2019s statement has been read in full in the House chambers. Congresswoman Kuster and her colleagues took this action a step further by\u00a0describing their own personal experiences\u00a0\u2013 or those of their loved ones \u2013 involving sexual assault to demonstrate that Emily Doe is not alone, and that steps must be taken to stop sexual violence in our society.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/congress-in-your-corner/catching-up-with-annie/campus-sexual-assault-update", "No More Silence", "2016-09-01", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hi Everyone,\nThe beginning of the school year is an exciting time for young people in New Hampshire and across the country. When students arrive on New Hampshire campuses this fall, it should be a time for making new friends, focusing on their academic studies, and exploring extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, the issue of sexual assault is plaguing schools across our nation. That\u2019s why last week, I visited Keene State College to discuss their commitment to improving the safety of their student body. I was encouraged by what I heard at Keene State; here the administration, community, and most importantly students are taking a stand and changing the culture around sexual assault on campus.\nYou can read more about my visit in the Keene Sentinel:\u00a0Keene State holds forum on campus sexual assault\nThis is a very personal issue for me, and earlier this summer\u00a0I took to the House floor\u00a0to share my own story. Telling my story was not easy, but it was necessary. If a young girl like \u201cEmily Doe\u201d of the Stanford rape case could have the courage to stand up, face the world, and say that what happened to her was not okay, I wanted to support her in the best way I could. And that meant coming forward and sharing my own experiences, in order to highlight that - while not always as extreme as what happened to Emily Doe - every woman has faced experiences that are unacceptable, and never should have been allowed to happen.\nSadly, my story is not unique, and it\u2019s shared by far too many young people across the nation. Last year, St. Paul\u2019s School in Concord made the news when a graduating senior was charged with sexually assaulting a younger student. Due to state laws, the victim\u2019s name was kept anonymous, but just this morning,\u00a0Chessy Prout spoke out on the Today Show, revealing her identity to the world and speaking out against the painful and public ordeal she went through.\nIn her interview Chessy said, \u201cI want other people to feel empowered and just strong enough to be able to say, \u2018I have the right to my body. I have the right to say no.\u2019\u201d\nI could not agree more with those powerful words.\nWe need to change the way we think and talk about this issue, and Chessy\u2019s bravery should be an example to us all. Everyone should feel safe on their campuses, and I applaud the work being done at Keene State College and look forward to continuing to work with colleges, universities, and all school campuses across New Hampshire to end campus sexual assault.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-usda-pilot-program-to-provide-transitional-housing-in", "Kuster Applauds USDA Pilot Program to Provide Transitional Housing in New Hampshire for People in Recovery", "2016-09-01", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH\u00a0\u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) welcomed today\u2019s announcement by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that New Hampshire has been chosen to host two USDA pilot programs that will improve access to affordable transitional housing to people in recovery for substance use disorders. One of the programs, announced today by the USDA, would make USDA owned properties available for purchase at below market value rates to qualified non-profits providing housing to homeless people in recovery.\u00a0The other pilot program would increase access to affordable USDA rental units by making rental assistance available if they are occupied by a person taking part in a drug court program.\n\u201cNo one can be successful in recovery from a substance use disorder if they don\u2019t have a place to safely and comfortably call home,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cAs I\u2019ve met with treatment providers and recovery experts throughout New Hampshire, I\u2019ve heard time and time again about the challenges of finding housing for those in recovery. Today\u2019s announcement by Secretary Vilsack is an important step toward supporting all aspects of the recovery process.\u201d\nAs the cofounder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Congresswoman Kuster has been leading the charge to address the opioid addiction epidemic in New Hampshire. She was instrumental in the fight to pass 18 bills in the House to address the opioid crisis as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was appointed to the conference committee that worked to combine the House bills with a Senate counterpart to produce the final version of CARA that was signed into law.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-pushes-legislation-to-prevent-veteran-opioid-addiction-at-white", "Kuster Pushes Legislation to Prevent Veteran Opioid Addiction at White River Junction VA Medical Center", "2016-08-31", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "White River Junction, VT\u00a0\u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today met with administrators, medical professionals, and veterans from White River Junction VA Medical Center to discuss her legislation to ensure veterans\u2019 pain is treated safely and effectively and that opioid addiction is being addressed within the veterans community. The Helping Our Veterans With Chronic Pain and Opioid Addiction Act, would establish a minimum of five pilot programs that would facilitate the coordination of care and case management to veterans in need of chronic pain management, including veterans suffering from opioid dependency.\nThe bill is modeled partially after the work of Dr. Julie Franklin at White River VAMC, and would create a pilot program to examine pain management practices and develop new techniques in five states.\n\u201cMany of our men and women in uniform suffer from chronic pain when they return home from their service, which puts them at risk of becoming addicted to opioid pain medications,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThe work being done at White River Junction VA Medical Center to use alternative treatment methods to deal with chronic pain should serve as an example around the country. My legislation would help to expand on the good work being done at White River Junction and help to address the treatment of chronic pain and the risk of addiction for veterans.\u201d\nAs a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Congresswoman Kuster has been steadfast in her efforts to address the heroin and opioid crisis and to ensure that veterans have the assistance they need to deal with the pain they face responsibly. Kuster\u2019s bill would also require all VA healthcare facilities, Vet Centers, and other VA facilities\u00a0to carry naloxone or other medication for reversal of opioid overdose. The VA would be required to ensure all VA employees are trained to use the medication.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-welcomes-fda-policy-to-require-labeling-of-prescription", "Kuster Welcomes FDA Policy to Require Labeling of Prescription Medications Containing Opioids", "2016-08-31", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) welcomed today\u2019s announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it would begin requiring warnings for medications that contain opioids. The outcome of this policy change mirrors legislation Kuster introduced earlier this year, known as Carl\u2019s Law, which\u00a0would require opioid medication to include a warning label if the drug contains opiates that could cause drug-seeking behavior.\u00a0The FDA announcement addresses the potentially deadly risk of combining medications containing opioids with other types of drugs. In the coming weeks, Kuster will push for the risk of \u201cdrug seeking behavior\u201d to be included in the consideration of labels.\nKuster\u2019s legislation was introduced on behalf of Carl Messinger, a Granite Stater who died of a fentanyl overdose after he relapsed when he was prescribed an opiate medication while in recovery by a physician unaware of his history of addition. If Carl\u2019s medication had featured a warning label, his relapse and death could have been prevented.\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement by the FDA is welcome news and will help ensure that those in recovery are not unintentionally exposed to an opioid that could cause a relapse,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cI\u2019ve been vocal about the need for labeling of medications containing opioids since I learned of the tragic passing of Carl Messinger, a young man from Holderness in recovery whose life was cut short after he was prescribed a cough medicine that \u2013 unbeknownst to him \u2013 contained opiates. This is a commonsense reform that will prevent similar tragedies from taking place in the future.\u201d\nIn its announcement of the policy the FDA said, \u201cToday\u2019s actions are one of a number of steps the FDA is taking as part of the agency\u2019s Opioids Action Plan, which focuses on policies aimed at reversing the prescription opioid abuse epidemic, while still providing patients in pain access to effective and appropriate pain management.\u201d\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts. As the cofounder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she was instrumental in the fight to pass 18 bills in the House to address the opioid crisis, and in recognition of her leadership on this issue Kuster was recently\u00a0appointed to the conference committee\u00a0tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which will combine these 18 House bills with a Senate counterpart.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-granite-state-dairy-farmers-to-discuss-challenges-facing", "Kuster Hosts Granite State Dairy Farmers to Discuss Challenges Facing Industry", "2016-08-29", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Claremont, NH\u00a0\u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, gathered dairy farmers from around New Hampshire to discuss the challenges that are facing the dairy industry. Over the last year, New Hampshire dairy farmers have faced a number of significant challenges that have impacted their bottom lines and threatened the industry as a whole. The low price of milk combined with the ineffectiveness of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)\u2019s Margin Protection Program has created difficult conditions, forcing as many as 18 commercial farms to close their barns.\n\u201cDairy farms in New Hampshire are facing an uphill battle as they work to overcome low milk prices, high feed costs, and historic drought,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThis industry makes important contributions to our state\u2019s economy and we need to support it with commonsense, effective policies. I appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from hardworking Granite State dairy farmers about how we can do more to support their industry at the federal level.\u201d\nThe dairy industry has an impact of $141 million dollars on the state and local economies, providing over 3,500 jobs and more than $19 million in labor income. The Margin Protection Program is a voluntary program that makes payments to participating farmers if their margins decrease to a certain level. This program has failed to accurately measure the costs of feed in New England, which has had an adverse effect on our dairy producers by distorting margins and limiting their participation in the program.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-usda-disaster-designation-to-assist-nh-farmers", "Kuster Statement on USDA disaster designation to assist NH farmers", "2016-08-19", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)\u2019s announcement that eight New Hampshire counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas, stemming from losses suffered because of freeze and\u00a0 unseasonably warm temperatures in February, March and April of this year.\n\u201cI am committed to making sure New Hampshire\u2019s farmers have access to the federal assistance they need and deserve, and I have fought to do just that through my work on the House Agriculture Committee,\u201d Congresswoman Kuster said. \u201cI welcome today\u2019s decision to designate eight New Hampshire counties as primary natural disaster areas. The Granite State is suffering from a\u00a0historic drought, and many of our famers and communities are hurting as a result. As I\u2019ve visited farms across our state, I have heard directly from New Hampshire farmers and agriculture leaders about the challenges the drought has created for them. I look forward to working with the USDA and Granite State farmers to ensure they receive the funds they need quickly and efficiently to mitigate crop losses.\u201d\nToday\u2019s announcement affects Belknap, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan Counties. Carroll and Coos were named contiguous disaster counties.\u00a0 Farmers in these counties are now eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans.\nA member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congresswoman Kuster has long fought for measures to help New Hampshire\u2019s farming industry.\u00a0 She has learned about the impact of drought conditions during recent visits to DS Cole Growers in Loudon, Dimond Hill Farm in Concord and Normanton Grass-fed Beef in Litchfield, among other farms.\u00a0 And she has advocated for increased federal assistance through outreach to the USDA and the N.H. Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food.\nCongresswoman Kuster encourages farmers who need assistance with the application process to contact her Concord office at 603-226-1002.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-annie-kuster-calls-for-increased-infrastructure-funding", "Congresswoman Annie Kuster Calls for Increased Infrastructure Funding During Tour of I-93 Expansion Project", "2016-08-18", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WINDHAM, N.H. \u00a0\u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) continued her call for increased federal investment in transportation infrastructure during her tour of the I-93 expansion project in New Hampshire\u2019s southern tier.\u00a0\nEarlier this year, Kuster helped secure $200 million in federal funds to help complete the I-93 project.\u00a0 This funding, a low-interest through the federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, will also help repair as many as 24 Red List bridges and pave approximately 1,100 miles of roads all across the state.\u00a0\n\u201cOur roads and bridges are absolutely critical to the success of the Granite State economy,\u201d said Kuster. \u201cInvesting in construction projects like the I-93 expansion not only protects the safety of our travelers, it supports our businesses and creates jobs. I thank the N.H. Department of Transportation for all it does to serve the people of New Hampshire, and I will continue to push the federal government to better support important projects like this one.\u201d\nKuster is a co-sponsor of the Infrastructure 2.0 Act, legislation.\u00a0 This legislation would create a national infrastructure bank to finance construction projects across the country, and would use the repatriation of overseas corporate earnings to fund our federal highway programs.\n\u201cAcross New Hampshire and all around our country, more and more roads and bridges are falling into disrepair.\u00a0 This endangers residents and blocks economic development,\u201d Kuster said. \u201cWe must work with our local communities to help repair these critical passageways and help our economy thrive.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-provides-legislative-update-on-opioid-epidemic-during-visit-to", "Kuster Provides Legislative Update on Opioid Epidemic During Visit to Plymouth", "2016-08-17", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Plymouth, NH\u00a0- Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) met with medical providers, first responders, prevention advocates and other stakeholders to discuss efforts to curb the growing opioid addiction epidemic in the Plymouth area and throughout New Hampshire.\u00a0 The meeting was part of a series of regional briefings Kuster has held across the state to discuss the recently passed Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), and other efforts she has led in Congress to address the heroin crisis.\u00a0\nDuring the meeting, Kuster discussed resources included in CARA, and she highlighted her legislation, Carl's Law, which would require medication containing opioids to have a warning label on the bottle. Carl's Law is named for Carl Messinger\u00a0of Holderness, who overdosed after having his addiction triggered by using a prescribed medication that unknowingly contained codeine.\n\"Communities across our state are hurting,\" said Kuster. \"Addiction is taking lives all around us and we need to do a better job of raising awareness and supporting those in recovery. CARA is an important step forward, but we need additional measures such as Carl's Law to slow the spread of addiction and protect those in recovery. I want to thank Sue Messinger for her strong advocacy on this issue and for so bravely sharing her story.\"\nKuster was joined at the briefing by Plymouth Police Chief Steve Lefebvre, Deputy Fire Chief Tom Morrison, Deb Naro, Executive Director of Communities for Alcohol- and Drug-free Youth, Brit McDonald, Chief Medical Officer at Speare Memorial Hospital, and Carl\u2019s mother Sue Messinger, among others.\u00a0\n\u201cI am grateful to Annie for setting up these round table discussions with regard to the opiate epidemic,\u201d said Sue Messinger. \u00a0\u201cIt is a great way for the Plymouth community to hear about what changes are being made at the federal level to combat this epidemic, but also for local groups to discuss new programs that are available to people who are dealing with drug addiction. Our many thanks go out to Annie Kuster for hosting these important discussions.\"\nThe Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), cosponsored by Kuster, was signed into law by President Obama last month, and makes important reforms such as: improving access to life-saving medication like buprenorphine by allowing nurse practitioners to administer the drug, creating new grant programs for treatment facilities, and investing in lifelong recovery efforts. Kuster, who has helped lead the fight in Washington for additional funding to address the heroin crisis in New Hampshire, convened today's meeting in Plymouth.\n\u201cAs we know all too well, the opioid addiction epidemic is taking a devastating toll on our state, killing loved ones and tearing apart communities,\u201d Kuster said. \"The CARA legislation marked a step forward in the battle against the opioid crisis, but it's clear from what I heard today that much more must be done. We need to come together in Congress and pass desperately needed emergency funding so that those working on the ground to address the epidemic have the resources they need.\"\nAs the cofounder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Congresswoman Kuster was instrumental in the fight to pass 18 bills in the House to address the opioid crisis. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was appointed to the conference committee\u00a0that worked to combine the House bills with a Senate counterpart to produce the final version of CARA that President Obama signed into law.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-critical-funding-to-new-hampshire-from-the-northern", "Kuster Applauds Critical Funding to New Hampshire from the Northern Border Regional Commission", "2016-08-02", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced that the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has awarded federal grant funds to 11 development projects throughout New Hampshire\u2019s Second Congressional District.\u00a0 These grants, which total more than $1.4 million, will help to spur economic and community development, and to address some of the most pressing challenges, including opioid mis-use and veteran homelessness, facing the North Country and other rural regions around the Granite State.\u00a0 The grants will support projects Kuster has long championed, including a housing project for homeless veterans in Plymouth; the newly opened Lebanon campus of River Valley Community College, and the expansion of Friendship House, a substance abuse recovery center in Bethlehem, among others.\n\u201cI applaud the Northern Border Regional Commission for awarding several Economic and Infrastructure Development Investment awards to New Hampshire organizations and municipalities,\u201d\u00a0 Kuster said. \u00a0\u201cUnder the leadership of Federal Co-Chair Mark Scarano, the NBRC has provided critical funding for economic development projects in the Northeast that have created jobs right here in the Granite State.\u00a0 From helping create over 50 units of affordable, permanent housing for our veterans in Plymouth, to funding the expansion of a recovery center in Bethlehem that will service individuals affected by substance mis-use, the NBRC\u2019s announcement of over $1.4 million to New Hampshire will give our rural communities and organizations the resources they need to succeed.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\nIn total, NBRC awarded more than $7.4 million in grants to projects throughout the commission\u2019s service areas in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and New York.\nAmong the projects receiving NBRC funds:\n The N.H. Department of Resources & Economic Development will receive a $42,000 grant to help create a five-year economic development strategy for the State of New Hampshire.\n\tThe Town of Northumberland will receive $200,000 to help provide water and sewer infrastructure to aid the redevelopment of the former Groveton mill site.\n\tThe Town of Littleton will receive $110,000 to help construct a new multi-modal trail to connect the existing regional system within the River District Revitalization project.\n\tThe Grafton Regional Development Corporation will receive $50,000 for improvements to the Enterprise Center in Plymouth.\n\tThe Town of Ashland will receive $250,000 to fund a new sewage receiving station.\n\tRiver Valley Community College will receive $50,000 to complete renovations of its new Lebanon Academic Center.\n\tThe City of Berlin will receive $250,000 to help develop a new multi-use trail and river walk in the downtown area.\n\tThe University of New Hampshire will receive $145,000 to continue the N.H. Broadband Mapping & Planning Program.\n\tSoldier On will receive $250,000 to help develop 52 units of affordable, permanent housing for veterans in Plymouth.\n\tTri-County CAP will receive $60,500 to help fund needed expansions to the Friendship House, a residential program for those affected by substance mis-use in Bethlehem.\n\tFriends of Wentworth Park will receive $42,500 to help fund the relocation and completion of a newly restored wooden covered bridge in Wentworth.\n Created by the 2008 Farm Bill, the Northern Border Regional Commission is a Federal-State partnership that is comprised of a Federal Co-Chair and the Governors of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. \u00a0The Commission was established to organize federal funding towards specific State economic and community development projects in rural parts of the Northeast.\u00a0 The investments made by the NBRC have the direct impact of creating jobs, supporting community-oriented projects and attracting private investments that will help organizations and municipalities meet their funding objectives.\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/during-visit-to-litchfield-farm-kuster-announces-new-bipartisan-bill-to", "During visit to Litchfield farm, Kuster Announces New Bipartisan Bill to Improve Access to Farm Conservation Programs", "2016-07-20", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Litchfield, NH \u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) joined with local farmers, state officials, and other agriculture leaders to announce the introduction of her bipartisan Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act during a visit to Normanton Grass-fed Beef in Litchfield. Kuster\u2019s bill would cut red tape and increase savings for local farms like Normanton\u2019s by improving access to farm conservation programs administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).\u00a0\n\u201cNew Hampshire has a proud history of farming and conservation, and I was pleased to visit Normanton\u2019s farm today to discuss my bipartisan legislation, which will help our local farmers preserve their farmland without sacrificing their bottom line,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cUnder the current law, small farmers who organize themselves as a business for tax and liability purposes are unfairly caught up in an annual reporting regulation that is time consuming, difficult to navigate, and costly to comply. My bill would lift this burdensome regulation, ensuring that small farmers are not unduly harmed by the current annual reporting statutes. I thank Congressman Rick Crawford for joining me in the introduction of our bill, and I thank Steve Normanton for giving us a tour of his farm and outlining exactly why this bill is so important to small farms like his.\u201d\nKuster\u2019s bill would reform a current law that inadvertently prevents many small farmers from participating in programs with cost-share payments, which help farmers afford the cost of implementing conservation measures.\u00a0 It would lift burdensome regulations that act as a barrier to entry for NRCS contracts.\u00a0\nDuring today\u2019s visit to Normanton\u2019s, Kuster toured the farm and heard directly from Steve Normanton and Rick Ellsmore, from the Natural Resources Conservation Services, about how her bill would help local farmers. Kuster was also joined on the tour by Jennifer Gornnert, the Director of the Division of Regulatory Service with N.H. Department of Agriculture, and Roger Noonan, the President of the New England Farmers Union.\nA member of the House Agriculture Committee, Kuster has long fought for measures to help New Hampshire\u2019s small farming industry. In 2014, Kuster successfully fought against federal rules that would have placed burdensome regulations on small New Hampshire farms and forced many out of business. Kuster\u2019s Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act would similarly remove red tape for farmers and help them more easily access federal resources to boost their success.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-presents-nashua-wwii-veteran-with-military-medals", "Kuster Presents Nashua WWII Veteran with Military Medals", "2016-07-20", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Nashua, NH \u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) held a ceremony in honor of 90 year-old Arthur Shea, a World War II veteran who was awarded four medals and two buttons for his service during WWII, but never received them. Congresswoman Kuster\u2019s office located the awards for Mr. Shea, and presented them to him during Wednesday\u2019s ceremony.\nArthur Shea joined the Navy at 17 and served as a Gunner\u2019s Mate during WWII. He served in the Mediterranean and the Pacific, and exhibited incredible skill and bravery in the face of extreme danger. Although he was awarded four medals and two buttons for his service, he never received the physical awards. His daughter contacted Congresswoman Kuster\u2019s office to seek her help in securing the awards for her father.\n\u201cAs the daughter of a WWII veteran, I know firsthand the importance of honoring our selfless veterans who risked so much to fight for the ideals we hold dear. Arthur Shea demonstrated incredible courage and valor while fighting for our country in WWII, and it\u2019s heartbreaking that he never received the medals he was awarded for his bravery,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cThat\u2019s why I was so honored to track down Mr. Shea\u2019s awards and present them to him during this surprise ceremony today. It was truly touching not only to get a chance to be the one to finally recognize Mr. Shea for his service, but to also see the dedication of his family, who is so proud of their father and all he\u2019s done both for them and for his country. I thank Mr. Shea again from the bottom of my heart for his service. He has done the Granite State proud!\u201d\u00a0\nAfter the war, Mr. Shea returned to New England and he and his wife Mary bought their first home in Bedford, MA in 1958. A man with incredible work ethic, after retiring from his longtime job with the MBTA, he commuted from his home in Hudson, NH to work part-time these last 29 years at a local grocery store. He only recently retired this year, at the age of 90, and he remains beloved by the store workers and clientele. Mr. Shea currently resides at Nashua Crossing Senior Living in Nashua, which is where Wednesday\u2019s ceremony took place.\u00a0\u00a0\nDuring the ceremony, Arthur Shea was joined by his proud family. Congresswoman Kuster and Dave Kenney, Navy veteran and Chairman of the State Veterans Advisory Council, gave remarks to honor his brave service. Kuster presented Mr. Shea with the following awards: \u00a0\n World War II Victory Medal\n\tAmerican Campaign Medal\n\tAsiatic\u2013Pacific Campaign Medal\n\tEuropean\u2013African\u2013Middle Eastern Campaign Medal\n\tHonorable Service Lapel Button\u00a0\n\tU.S. Honorable Discharge\u00a0Button \n The daughter of a World War II veteran and a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, Kuster has long fought to ensure New Hampshire veterans receive the recognition, benefits, and access to services they deserve. She was instrumental in the fight to pass comprehensive legislation in 2014 to overhaul the VA and ensure veterans could always access treatment and care in a timely manner. As a result of her leadership, she was selected to serve as the Ranking Member (lead Democrat) on the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. She is currently working on projects to provide housing for homeless veterans, and she\u2019s held a number of job fairs and forums aimed at ensuring veterans can make a smooth transition to civilian life after serving. Kuster has also held a series of roundtables throughout the state with veteran service organizations and local veterans to hear directly from them about how Congress can best serve their needs.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kuster-and-congressman-guinta-host-joint-briefing-on", "Congresswoman Kuster and Congressman Guinta Host Joint Briefing on Homeland Security and Fighting Drug Trafficking", "2016-07-19", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH\u00a0\u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster and Congressman Frank Guinta hosted a joint briefing for local New Hampshire law enforcement, where they brought in representatives from the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) to describe ongoing efforts to protect homeland security, stop drug trafficking, and prevent terrorist attacks. EPIC works to provide crucial resources to local law enforcement agencies throughout the country by sharing data and analysis. During today\u2019s briefing, New Hampshire law enforcement officials were given an opportunity to learn more about how to take advantage of the services and intelligence EPIC provides.\n\u201cThese are trying times, and our country faces a number of threats, both foreign and domestic. Particularly here in New Hampshire, we face an ongoing heroin and opioid epidemic that is taking the lives of our loved ones, and creating an unstable and often dangerous working environment for our law enforcement,\u201d said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. \u201cI was proud to help bring the El Paso Intelligence Center to New Hampshire, so our local law enforcement members could learn how to take advantage of the intelligence sharing services that EPIC offers. By working together, we can win the fight to get these deadly drugs off our streets, and keep our communities safe from dealers, traffickers, and any other individuals who wish us harm.\u201d\nThe EPIC mission, as defined by its 2000 General Counter-Drug Intelligence Plan, is to \u201csupport U.S. law enforcement, and interdiction components through the timely analysis and dissemination of intelligence on illicit drug and alien movements, and criminal organizations responsible for these illegal activities.\u201d After 2001, the Center expanded its reach to include the investigation and prevention of terrorist attacks. Now labeled an \u201call-threats center,\u201d during the briefing today EPIC Acting Section Chief John H. Block and Agent John Lawson gave a presentation to local law enforcement members about how they can take advantage of the services offered by EPIC and its agents. These services include, but are not limited to, the sharing and dissemination of analysis and data on illegal drugs, human trafficking, terrorism, and other security matters.\nKuster and Guinta were joined at the briefing by senior law enforcement officials from the Nashua, Salem, Northwood, Concord, Windham, and Keene police departments, as well as by representatives from the NH Association of Police Chiefs, the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency (HIDTA), the DEA Clandestine Lab Enforcement Team, and the New Hampshire Department of Justice.\nCongresswoman Kuster has a longstanding record of working to keep New Hampshire communities safe. She has helped lead the fight in Congress for additional resources for law enforcement officials working to stop the flow of drugs into the state, and she has participated in ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Keene, Nashua, and Franklin, which provided her with an up-close look at the challenges facing law enforcement.\u00a0 As the co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she has led the charge in Congress to bring additional awareness to this issue, and she continues to hold a series of regional briefings around the district to ensure the voices of local stakeholders and affected community members are heard.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-campus-sexual-assault-summit-in-concord", "Kuster Hosts Campus Sexual Assault Summit in Concord", "2016-07-19", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH \u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) gathered college and university administrators, advocates, students, and state leaders for a summit to discuss how to best address and prevent campus sexual assault at a forum devoted to the topic. A large majority of New Hampshire colleges and universities were in attendance.\n\u201cWhen students arrive on the campuses of New Hampshire\u2019s colleges and universities, they should be able to focus on their academics and extracurricular activities without fearing for their safety,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cUnfortunately, much work remains to be done to completely eradicate incidences of sexual assault from our schools, but here in New Hampshire I was glad to hear from a committed group of administrators and advocates working to make that vision a reality. There is important work being done on campuses across the state, and I convened today\u2019s summit so that we can discuss this work, pinpoint best practices, identify areas for improvement, and elevate campus safety everywhere. Conversations like today\u2019s are difficult, but I am confident that together we will be able to improve campus safety for students across the Granite State.\u201d\u00a0\nDuring the summit, Kuster shared information about her current legislative efforts in Congress to help curb sexual assault on campus. A longtime cosponsor of the Campus Safety and Accountability Act, which would require schools that receive federal funding to strengthen prevention, education, and reporting measures, Kuster is also helping to introduce new legislation\u00a0 with her colleague from California, Representative Jackie Speier; the Safe Transfer Act, which would strengthen measures to increase transparency for students when perpetrators transfer to their campuses, and the No Funding for Sexual Harassers Act, which would require schools found guilty of violating Title IX, a statute used in part to evaluate schools that are mishandling sexual assault cases, to report these violations to grant-making agencies, like NASA and the NSF. Both of these bills would help enhance accountability and improve transparency on college campuses.\nKuster was joined at the summit by Allison Power-Bernal of the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Tom Horgan of the New Hampshire College and University Council, and Kathy Kimball of the New Hampshire Attorney General\u2019s Office Sexual Assault and Resource Team (SART) Program. She was also joined by representatives from Dartmouth College, Franklin Pierce University, Keene State College, New England College, Plymouth State University, Rivier University, UNH, and others\nCongresswoman Kuster has long been a champion for victims and survivors of sexual or domestic violence. She joined with 17 other Members of Congress to read on the House floor Emily Doe\u2019s open letter describing her attack and ensuing trial \u2013 which marked the first time a victim\u2019s statement has been read in full in the House chambers. Congresswoman Kuster and her colleagues took this action a step further by describing their own personal experiences \u2013 or those of their loved ones \u2013 involving sexual assault to demonstrate that Emily Doe is not alone, and that steps must be taken to stop sexual violence in our society.\u00a0 Kuster recently held a roundtable discussion on campus assault in the Upper Valley, and will continue to convene conversations on the topic around the state.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-drinking-water-infrastructure-forum-in-keene", "Kuster Hosts Drinking Water Infrastructure Forum in Keene", "2016-07-18", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Keene, NH \u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) gathered leaders from federal, state and local environmental agencies, public health organizations, and experts from across Cheshire County to discuss the current state of New Hampshire\u2019s drinking water health and infrastructure. The forum allowed stakeholders to discuss the importance of maintaining quality water infrastructure for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes in local communities. This is the second stop on a \u201cwater tour\u201d Congresswoman Kuster has been holding since reports that water in Litchfield, New Hampshire contained higher-than-safe levels of PFOA.\n\u201cWater infrastructure plays a critical role in New Hampshire\u2019s ability to attract and retain both families and businesses in our communities. This infrastructure supports recreational, residential, and business opportunities that are integral to the success of the Granite State\u2019s well-being and economy. What\u2019s more, we must ensure that no local residents are EVER in danger of drinking contaminated water,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cI organized today\u2019s forum to bring key stakeholders together, so we could identify a path forward to guarantee necessary maintenance to of our state\u2019s water infrastructure. We must ensure our communities have access to high-quality drinking water for generations to come. By tackling this issue proactively, we will best protect our communities from water crises down the road. \u201d\nDuring the briefing, Congresswoman Kuster questioned officials about the possible environmental and health impacts of aging drinking water health and systems, as well as the next steps to ensure that Granite Staters are adequately protected from the possible health issues that can result from older water infrastructure. Kuster was joined by Keene Mayor Kendall Lane; Rob Warner, the State Director of the League of Conservation Voters; Jane Downing, Associate Director of Drinking Water at the Environmental Protection Agency; Kurt Blomquist, Public Works Director for the City of Keene; and Cathy Corkery, Chapter Director for the Sierra Club, among others. Participants also discussed the status of water systems in the area, and how they can be updated and maintained to avoid public health concerns in the years to come.\nKuster is committed to ensuring that communities across the Granite State have access to safe and reliable drinking water, This spring, she met with environmental experts and local officials after water samples in southern New Hampshire revealed elevated levels of PFOA, a possible carcinogen, in the area around the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastic plant in Merrimack. In May, Rep. Kuster wrote to the EPA urging the Agency to expeditiously release a public health advisory for PFOA and PFOS chemicals, which have been found in many private wells in the Southern tier. Many New Hampshire residents rely on private wells for drinking water, and are concerned about the potential long-term health impacts of exposure to unsafe levels of these chemicals. Kuster will continue to meet with communities across the state to discuss their efforts to maintain healthy water infrastructures.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-the-passing-of-commissioner-van-mcleod", "Kuster Statement on the Passing of Commissioner Van McLeod", "2016-07-18", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH \u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement on the passing of New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources Commissioner Van McLeod:\n\u201cWith the passing of Commissioner Van McLeod today, we lost one of New Hampshire\u2019s greatest champions of the state\u2019s vibrant and varied cultural resources. It was always a pleasure to work with Van and his department in our shared efforts to promote the arts, historical resources, and culture. As New Hampshire\u2019s longest serving commissioner, Van leaves an unprecedented legacy of service to the Granite State, and his stewardship of our state\u2019s culture and history will be sorely missed. Van was a very dear friend of mine, and my thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Joan, and his loved ones during this difficult time.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/congress-in-your-corner/catching-up-with-annie/a-new-milestone", "A New Milestone", "2016-07-14", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hello, everyone:\nWhat a week! For too long, communities across New Hampshire and the country have been suffering from the ongoing opioid epidemic. Our law enforcement, medical and treatment providers, recovery services, and local advocates are working harder than ever to serve and protect our communities, but they need more support. And last week, we took a crucial step forward towards providing them with the support they need.\nAs the co-chair and co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Ive been working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that Granite Staters have the supports they need to effectively stem the epidemic. From going on ride-alongs with police departments across the state to hosting regional briefings and hearing directly from stakeholders, I have taken the feedback Ive gathered to help guide my work and promote action at the federal level.\nIn recognition of my leadership and commitment to combatting the opioid epidemic, I was recently appointed to the Conference Committee with producing a final bill of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), critical legislation that Ive been fighting for that will support a number of important initiatives. These initiatives will include increasing access to life-saving medication like buprenorphine by allowing nurse practitioners to administer the drug; creating new grant programs for treatment facilities that are desperately in need of funds; investing in lifelong recovery efforts; and authorizing $180 million for community members tackling the epidemic on the ground.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMeeting with White House officials to discuss efforts to stem the opioid epidemic\n\t\t\t\n\t\tWhen the committee met last week, I urged my colleagues to put aside their party differences and vote for CARA, which will have a tremendous impact on communities across the country. With more Americans now dying of drug overdoses than car accidents, this was not a time to play partisan politics, and Im so pleased my colleagues took the advice of my Task Force and came together to pass this bill with strong bipartisan support.\nIm also incredibly excited to announce that the White House has adopted a key proposal first put forth in legislation I introduced with my Republican colleague from West Virginia, Alex Mooney. The bill, which had 43 bipartisan cosponsors, would fix a glitch in the Affordable Care Act that indirectly incentivizes doctors to prescribe more opioid pain medication than necessary, and I have been pushing the White House to take immediate action to make these changes.Prescription drugs play an enormous role in the heroin epidemic; far too many individuals struggling with addiction were first introduced to their drug of choice through legally-prescribed medication. Thats why its imperative that we take steps to reform prescribing practices to cut down on over-prescribing and safeguard our communities. I applaud the White House and HHS for adopting the Mooney-Kuster proposal, which will help undo this completely unnecessary and harmful policy.While I remain disappointed that this legislation did not include emergency funding to address the epidemic, the funding authorizations and programs it does include are vital to the success of our efforts to stop the opioid epidemic. I will continue to fight for additional emergency funding through the house appropriations process.\nThe passage of CARA and the adoption of Mooney-Kuster are important milestones in our fight to end the opioid epidemic, but our work is far from done. I remain committed to helping end the epidemic once and for all, and I look forward to my continued work with Granite Staters to make that happen.\nAs always, thanks for all that you do to make New Hampshire such a wonderful place to live.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kuster-introduces-bill-to-help-veterans-suffering-from", "Congresswoman Kuster Introduces Bill to Help Veterans Suffering from Opioid Dependency and Chronic Pain", "2016-07-14", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to help address pain management for veterans dealing with chronic pain issues, including those who are dependent on opioids. Kuster has served on the House Veterans Affairs Committee since taking office, and as co-founder and chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she is deeply committed to ensuring veteran pain is treated safely and effectively, and that veteran addiction is being addressed without putting those receiving care at risk. Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-06) is the lead Republican sponsor of the legislation.\nThe Helping Our Veterans with Chronic Pain and Opioid Addiction Act of 2016 would create a pilot program in five states to examine pain management practices and develop new techniques for treating pain. These pilot programs will help local VAs cut down on opioid overprescribing and reduce veteran addiction, while continuing to provide adequate pain management. The pilot programs will be launched in states that are considered high-need, such as New Hampshire.\nAs the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Ive heard far too many stories of veterans dealing with chronic pain issues who are not offered alternative pain management methods as part of their treatment, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. While chronic pain cannot be taken lightly, it is important that VA doctors are prescribing with care, and are working to find the right balance for their prescriptions. Whats more, weve seen a number of innovative new approaches to treating pain, particularly at the White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont, and patients should be offered these options in addition to opioids. The pilot programs created by this bill will provide crucial evidence-based research that will benefit every American community working to stop the opioid epidemic. I urge my colleagues to immediately pass this bill into law.\nThis bill was partially inspired by the work of Dr. Julie Franklin, a White River Junction VA Medical Center doctor who treats New Hampshire veterans. Dr. Franklin has taken an innovative approach to pain management, and through her work and research she has been able to reduce the number of her patients relying on opioids by nearly 50 percent. Kuster has met with Dr. Franklin multiple times in her capacity as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic.\nThrough many months of holding hearings and speaking to VA officials, it appears that the first line of treatmentfor pain managementis toprescribe opioids, said Rep. Mike Coffman, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.This legislation is an important step to ensure that our nation's veterans receivetheproper pain managementtreatmentsthroughtheVA, while also ensuring that opioids arenotoverprescribed.\"\nIn addition to creating five pilot programs, the bill Kuster introduced today will instruct the VA to conduct an assessment of its ability to provide services related to substance use disorder and manage chronic pain without the long-term use of opioids. The VA will also be required to learn more about evidence-based methods for safely reducing dose and duration of opioids, and to assess how well the VA is currently ensuring veterans in need of opioid dependency treatment are placed in treatment programs. The VA would also assess the ability of non-VA providers to supplement that care.\nCongresswoman Kuster has served on the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) since taking office in 2013, and she is the current Ranking Member of the HVAC Committee on Oversight and Investigations. She has long advocated for increased research into new pain management practices, particularly for veterans dealing with chronic pain, in order to cut down on addiction among the veteran community. Earlier this year, she and Congressman Coffman, Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, held a field hearing in New Hampshire to hear directly from local physicians, the VA, and community stakeholders about best practices for the management of veteran pain issues. In addition, Kuster was instrumental in the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) in the House, legislation to holistically address the opioid epidemic.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kuster-introduces-legislation-to-help-granite-staters-gain", "Congresswoman Kuster Introduces Legislation to Help Granite Staters Gain Coding Skills for 21st Century Jobs", "2016-07-11", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today announced the introduction of H.R. 5696, The Coding Technology Improvement Act, a new bill to allow coding technology programs to receive funding through the Department of Education. Currently, only accredited universities may receive such funding, but a number of innovative new institutions are offering high-quality programs that propel students into high-paying jobs in the coding arena. This bill would provide these programs with the federal support they need to expand and continue to offer skill-training to interested students.\n\u201cAcross New Hampshire, students are already beginning to take advantage of innovative coding and software courses, which prepare them for first-rate careers in this 21st Century industry. With far too many Granite Staters underemployed and seeking ways to acquire the skills necessary for today\u2019s high tech jobs sector, we should ensure that programs like these are given the federal funding they need. This will allow these programs to expand and offer courses to every student interested in pursuing a career in coding,\u201d said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. \u201cThat\u2019s why I was proud to introduce this bill, which will make federal funding possible. I urge my colleagues to join with me and pass this bill into law.\u201d\nAll across the country, \u201ccoding boot camps\u201d and other innovative education providers are partnering with colleges and universities to offer students specialized courses in coding that will equip them with skills necessary to compete in a 21st century economy. In fact, the University of New Hampshire and Southern New Hampshire University are partnering with non-traditional education providers like the Flatiron School to prepare students for high-quality careers in software development and information technology. Kuster\u2019s bill would allow these programs to apply for federal education grants.\nSince taking office, Kuster has long prioritized efforts to increase access to workforce development and job training programs for Granite Staters. The first bill she introduced in Congress would provide a tax credit for businesses that partner with community colleges to create programs that teach students industry-specific skills. Kuster has also held a series of job fairs across the state, many of which feature skill-training programs for event attendees. What\u2019s more, she\u2019s the author of an Economic Jobs and Opportunity Agenda, which outlines a number of steps Congress and local businesses can take to better prepare the Granite State workforce for 21st Century jobs.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/congress-in-your-corner/catching-up-with-annie/july-grants-newsletter", "July Grants Newsletter", "2016-07-07", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hello, everyone!\nBelow is a list of new federal grant announcements that I wanted to share with you today. My office aims to help Granite Staters become aware of funding opportunities and will be sending out grant newsletters like this every few months.\u00a0\nPlease look through the list to see if there is anything that applies to your work. The links should lead you to more information on how to apply.\nMy office would be happy to provide support for your application.\u00a0 Please feel free to contact my district offices\u00a0for more information about how to obtain a letter of support from the Congresswoman for your application.\nThanks for all that you do to make New Hampshire such a wonderful place to live!\u00a0\nAnnie\nCommerce\nU.S. Department of Commerce\nName: Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development \u2013 2016-NIST-NICE-01\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: July 12, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: n/a\nEstimated Total Program Funding: n/a\nFor more information, go to: http://csrc.nist.gov/nice/ffo/documents/ffo2016.pdf\n\u00a0\nEnergy\nU.S. Department of Energy\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nName: Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute for Reducing Embodied-energy of Materials and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) in Manufacturing - DE-FOA-0001594\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: September 28th, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: 1\nEstimated Total Program Funding: $70,000,000\nFor more information, go to: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/default.aspx#FoaIda1ab41d9-cb57-4413-a9da-fbfb23bc5c73\n\u00a0\nEnvironment\nU.S. Department of Agriculture\nName: New Hampshire ACEP-WRE Implementation Assistance- USDA-NRCS-NH-16-05\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: July 25th, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: 5\nEstimated Total Program Funding: $236,667\nFor more information, please contact my office for the PDF.\n\u00a0\nHealth & Human Services\nU.S. Department of Health and Human Services\nName: Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants- HHS-2016-ACF-OHS-HP-1181\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: August 25th, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: 75\nEstimated Total Program Funding: $135,000,000\nFor more information, go to: https://ami.grantsolutions.gov/HHS-2016-ACF-OHS-HP-1181\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nHousing & Urban Development \n\u00a0\nU.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development\nName: HUD Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program \u2013 FR-6000-N-06\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: July 19, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: 20\nEstimated Total Program Funding: $58,000,000\nFor more information, go to: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail/nofa16/cctacb\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nHumanities\n\u00a0\nNational Endowment for the Humanities\nName: Humanities Collections and Reference Resources \u2013 20160719-PW\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: July 19, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: n/a\nEstimated Total Program Funding: n/a\nFor more information, go to: http://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/humanities-collections-and-reference-resources\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLabor\n\u00a0\nU.S. Department of Labor\nName: America\u2019s Promise Job Driven Grant Program - FOA-ETA-16-12\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: August 25, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: 40\nEstimated Total Program Funding: $100,000,000\nFor more information, go to: https://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/FOA-ETA-16-12.pdf\n\u00a0\nU.S. Department of Labor\nName: ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grants- FOA-ETA-16-13\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: September 7th, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: 33\nEstimated Total Program Funding: $50,500,000\nFor more information, go to: https://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/FOA-ETA-16-13.pdf\n\u00a0\nTransportation\n\u00a0\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nName: Snowmobile Safety and Access Programs- DTFH6116RA00009\nCurrent Closing Date for Applications: July 13th, 2016\nExpected Number of Awards: 1\nEstimated Total Program Funding: $500,000\nFor more information, contact Angela.Jones@dot.gov or visit www.grants.gov and search the CDFA number 20.219.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kuster-applauds-hhs-decision-to-implement-kuster-bill-to", "Congresswoman Kuster Applauds HHS Decision to Implement Kuster Bill to Reform Prescribing Practices", "2016-07-06", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) applauded the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for implementing measures she and her Republican colleague from West Virginia, Alex Mooney, first put forth in their Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) Act (H.R. 4499).\u00a0 The bill, which had 43 bipartisan cosponsors, would fix a glitch in the Affordable Care Act that indirectly incentivizes doctors to prescribe more opioid pain medication than necessary, and Congresswoman Kuster has been pushing the White House to take immediate action to make these changes.\u00a0\n\u201cPrescription drugs play an enormous role in the heroin epidemic; far too many individuals struggling with addiction were first introduced to their drug of choice through legally-prescribed medication. That\u2019s why it\u2019s imperative that we take steps to reform prescribing practices to safeguard our communities,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cOne of the most egregious examples of this is a legislative glitch that links Medicare reimbursement rates to a patient\u2019s reported pain level, which could inadvertently incentivize doctors to prescribe more pain medication than may be necessary to improve their level of reimbursement. I was proud to join with my colleague from West Virginia to help introduce legislation to undo this glitch, and I urged the White House to take immediate steps to do the same. I applaud the White House and HHS for following our lead and taking steps today to undo this completely unnecessary and harmful policy.\u201d\n\u201cThe Department of Health and Human Services announced that they are implementing the important policy changes contained in the PROP Act. Since I first introduced it in February, I have been calling for Congress to pass my common sense, bipartisan legislation, which puts doctors, not the federal government, in control of opioid prescribing decisions. This change in policy is an important part of the fight against opioid abuse. I would like to thank all 43 cosponsors of my bill in the House and Sen. Johnson and Sen. Manchin for introducing companion legislation in the Senate in our successful effort to help put an end to opioid abuse,\u201d said Rep. Alex Mooney.\nStudies have shown that many individuals struggling with addiction to opioids and heroin were first started on the path to addiction after becoming dependent on prescription drugs. A provision in the Affordable Care Act links some types of payment for doctors (Medicare reimbursement rates) to the self-assessed pain levels of the doctors\u2019 patients. Such linkage can lead to over-prescribing opioids when other options might be available. The PROP Act would remove this clause, and Kuster has discussed this issue with Administration officials to ask for their support in unlinking the payment rates from pain level surveys.\u00a0 Despite this important action by the Department of Health and Human Services, Reps. Kuster and Mooney will continue to work to codify this important legislation into law.\nAdditional information about the Administration\u2019s announcement today can be found here.\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts. Kuster has met with medical experts across the state and attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Keene, Nashua, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing communities. She continues to hold a series of regional briefings around the district to ensure the voices of local stakeholders and affected community members are heard. As the cofounder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she was instrumental in the fight to pass 18 bills in the House to address the opioid crisis, and in recognition of her leadership on this issue Kuster was recently appointed to the conference committee tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which will combine these 18 House bills with a Senate counterpart.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kuster-statement-on-cara-conference-committee-final-report", "Congresswoman Kuster Statement on CARA Conference Committee Final Report", "2016-07-06", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 This evening, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding today\u2019s meeting of the Conference Committee tasked with reconciling House and Senate legislation to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. The co-chair and co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster was instrumental in helping pass 18 bills to fight the epidemic in the House, and the Committee is combining these bills with the Senate\u2019s Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) into final legislation to be passed and signed into law:\n\u201cAs the heroin epidemic sweeps across the nation, devastating our communities through addiction, overdoses, and deaths, I\u2019m proud that my colleagues have been able to come together around specific policy changes to cut this epidemic off at its knees. From increasing access to life-saving medication like buprenorphine by allowing nurse practitioners to administer the drug, to creating new grant programs for treatment facilities that are desperately in need of funds, to investing in lifelong recovery efforts, the final legislation will make important policy changes that are crucial to ending this epidemic.\u201d\n\u201cI am, however, deeply disappointed that some Republicans were unable to put aside partisan differences when it came to the issue of funding. This is a public health crisis, and it must be treated as such; we need to provide states with additional, emergency funding to successfully implement new programs, increase access to treatment, and provide law enforcement with the support they need to get these drugs off our streets. Because the Committee Republicans refused to include emergency funding in the final legislation reported out of our Committee, I did not sign the Conference report, and I will continue to call for more funding to fight this epidemic. However, this legislation does take a number of important steps and provides partial funding, and for that reason I urge my colleagues to vote for its final passage on the House floor.\u201d\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts. Kuster has met with medical experts across the state and attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Keene, Nashua, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing communities. She continues to hold a series of regional briefings around the district to ensure the voices of local stakeholders and affected community members are heard. Kuster was appointed to the conference committee tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) in recognition of her leadership on this issue.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-passage-of-bill-to-strengthen-mental-health-resources", "Kuster Applauds Passage of Bill to Strengthen Mental Health Resources", "2016-07-06", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) applauded the House passage of H.R. 2646, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation that would improve individuals\u2019 and families\u2019 abilities to access critical support services during times of crisis. Kuster is a cosponsor of the bill, which passed the House with a vote of 422-2.\n\u201cWe all know that mental illness is one of the most pressing issues facing our state and our country, though as a society we are often hesitant to address this issue head-on. But as we\u2019ve learned through the ongoing opioid epidemic, addiction and substance use disorder \u2013 the issues that are grabbing our headlines \u2013 are more often than not connected to mental illness as co-occurring disorders. We owe it to the estimated eight million individuals living with co-occurring disorders, as well as their families, to change the culture and ensure folks have access to the care and support they deserve. I am proud to support this legislation and urge my Senate counterparts to swiftly pass the bill.\u201d\n\"I applaud Representative Kuster's important work on mental illness. She certainly has a grasp of the challenges mental health presents for many people and families in New Hampshire and her commitment to find solutions. She is a respected, compassionate and informed voice on mental illness. Her bipartisan support for H.R. 2646 is another demonstration of her willingness to advance sound public policy without regard to the partisan divide,\" said John Broderick, former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court and a co-chair of the Campaign to Change Direction New Hampshire.\nKuster has long advocated for expanding access to mental health services. Last spring, Kuster hosted a bipartisan Mental Health Summit, a first-of-its-kind event that brought together medical providers, advocates, legislators, and local leaders to discuss initiatives to improve the mental health system in New Hampshire. This May, Congresswoman Kuster joined with state leaders to launch the first ever state chapter of Change Direction, a mental health education initiative which will spread awareness of the five signs of mental illness.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-white-house-action-to-help-curb-opioid-addiction-0", "Kuster Statement on White House Action to Help Curb Opioid Addiction", "2016-07-06", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the White House\u2019s decision to raise the cap on the number of patients to whom doctors are allowed to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication to ease opioid cravings that helps individuals transition into recovery.\u00a0 The move will permit doctors who are licensed to prescribe the drug to treat as many as 275 patients per year \u2013 up from 100 previously. As the Co-founder and Co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster has long called for this change, and she applauds the White House for taking action on her request:\n\u201cI\u2019ve traveled the state of New Hampshire hearing directly from advocates, stakeholders, medical professionals, and individuals both in recovery and attempting to access recovery services, and one of the top issues I\u2019ve heard is that there\u2019s a lack of access to medication that can help curb cravings and ease an individual into recovery. I\u2019ve long called for the White House to allow more doctors to prescribe buprenorphine, and I\u2019ve fought for passage of legislation that would do just that. I applaud the White House for taking action on my request today.\u201d\n\u201cRaising the cap on the number of patients to whom each doctor can prescribe this life-saving medication will go a long way towards ensuring that Granite Staters and Americans across the country can get the help they need to overcome addiction and go on to lead happy, healthy lives. Now, as a member of the Conference Committee that will report out final legislation to additionally address the opioid epidemic, I urge for the inclusion and passage of a bill that will also allow nurse practitioners to administer this medication, thereby widening the scope and allowing even more Americans to access the medication they desperately need in order to escape a life of addiction.\u201d\u00a0\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts. As the co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she was instrumental in the fight to pass 18 bills in the House to address the opioid crisis, including H.R. 4981, the Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Expansion and Modernization Act, which also would raise the cap on patients, and additionally allow nurse practitioners to become certified to administer buprenorphine. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster is serving on the conference committee tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which will combine these 18 House bills with a Senate counterpart.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/congress-in-your-corner/catching-up-with-annie/catching-up-with-annie", "Catching Up with Annie", "2016-06-30", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hello, everyone!\u00a0\n\u00a0\nIt has been an exciting few weeks in Congress and across the Granite State, and I wanted to give you a quick update on some important work that I\u2019ve been doing on your behalf:\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSitting Down for Gun Safety\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSitting with colleagues on the House floor to demand a vote on gun safety bills.\n\t\t\t\n\t\tI was horrified and heartbroken by the brutal attack that took place in Orlando, Florida on June 12. With 49 Americans dead and many more wounded, I joined the nation in mourning the lives lost as a result of extremism and terror. Tragically, these incidents are becoming all too common across America. We cannot stand idly by without taking action to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. While I am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and New Hampshire\u2019s historic tradition of gun ownership for law abiding citizens, it is high time that Congress takes action to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists with evil intent so we can protect our communities.\n\u00a0\nI was therefore proud to join my colleagues in a historic sit-in on the House floor to demand a vote on legislation that would prevent suspected terrorists from buying guns, and would expand background checks. Congress and leaders across the nation will not tolerate these attacks on the American spirit, and I will keep fighting to keep our communities safe from acts of senseless violence.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nProtecting our Students and Campuses\u00a0\nWith over one-in-five women undergraduate students reporting that they were sexually assaulted while enrolled at a college or university, campus sexual violence continues to disrupt far too many lives across the country each and every year. After hearing the brave words of the Stanford rape case\u2019s \u2018Emily Doe,\u2019 I was inspired to elevate the national conversation about sexual assault however I could, so these women could come out of the shadows and we could work together to put an end to sexual violence. Earlier this month, I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues to read Emily Doe's\u00a0statement\u00a0publically \u2013 the first time in history a victim\u2019s statement has ever been read on the House floor \u2013 and enter it into the Congressional Record.\u00a0Adding to this dialogue also meant finally coming forward and sharing my own experiences, in order to highlight that \u2013 while not always as extreme as what happened to Emily Doe \u2013 every woman has had experiences that are unacceptable and never should have been allowed to happen. I did not share my experiences because they were remarkable or unique. Sadly, I shared them because they are far too common.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTalking with educators, students, and advocates during the roundtable in Lebanon.\n\t\t\t\n\t\tThat\u2019s why on Monday, I convened a roundtable discussion with educators, students, and advocates from across the Upper Valley to continue this important conversation, in hopes of identifying the best approaches to tackling sexual violence, as well as changing the way we think and talk about this issue in our society. It was a powerful and productive discussion, and I look forward to bringing what I learned with me back to Congress, where I will be pushing a number of new bills I\u2019ve helped introduce to require schools to\u00a0 take steps to curb\u00a0 sexual assault on campus.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nIntroducing Legislation to Save Lives\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAnnouncing \"Carl's Law\" at HOPE for New Hampshire Recovery\n\t\t\t\n\t\tAs Granite Staters with substance use disorder come forward to seek treatment, we must offer full support throughout the recovery process \u2013 and we must work to prevent inadvertent exposure to substances that could prove to be fatal for an individual in recovery. I crafted my most recent legislation to combat the opioid epidemic, entitled Carl\u2019s Law, after learning about Carl Messinger\u2019s story. Carl was a young man from Holderness in recovery whose life was lost after he was prescribed a cough medicine that \u2013 unbeknownst to him \u2013 contained opiates and sent him into relapse. His relapse and overdose could have been prevented had he only known what was in that medicine bottle, and my heart breaks for his mother and all the families across the Granite State who have dealt with similar situations.\nThis week, I was so proud to have Carl\u2019s mother, Susan, and state leaders by my side as we announced Carl\u2019s Law, critical legislation that will help prevent Carl\u2019s story from happening again by requiring drug companies to put a warning label on any medication containing opiates disclosing the presence of opiates and the risk to individuals with a history of addition. I\u2019m so grateful for Susan\u2019s courage, strength, resilience, and deeply-felt commitment to protecting others from the devastating experience of losing a loved one to a deadly substance. I urge my colleagues in Congress to swiftly pass this lifesaving bill.\u00a0\nAs always, thanks for all that you do to make New Hampshire such a wonderful place to call home!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-announces-legislation-in-honor-of-local-granite-stater-to-improve", "Kuster Announces Legislation in Honor of Local Granite Stater to Improve Opioid Prescribing Safety", "2016-06-28", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH \u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster joined with medical professionals and leaders in the fight against the opioid epidemic to announce her bill known as Carl\u2019s Law \u2013legislation that would require opioid medication to include a label warning if the drug contains opiates that could cause drug-seeking behavior. The Congresswoman introduced this legislation on behalf of Carl Messinger, a Granite Stater who died of a fentanyl overdose after he relapsed when he was prescribed an opiate medication while in recovery by a physician unaware of his history of addition. If Carl\u2019s medication had featured a warning label, his relapse and death could have been prevented.\n\u201cAs \u00a0Granite Staters with substance use disorder come forward to seek treatment, we must offer full support throughout the recovery process \u00a0\u2013 \u00a0and we must work to prevent inadvertent exposure to substances that could prove to be fatal for an individual in recovery,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cI crafted today\u2019s legislation after learning about Carl Messinger\u2019s story, a young man from Holderness in recovery whose life was lost after he was prescribed a cough medicine that \u2013 unbeknownst to him \u2013 contained opiates. His relapse and overdose could have been prevented had he only known what was in that medicine bottle, and my heart breaks for his mother and all the families across the Granite State who have dealt with similar situations. We must take action immediately to prevent Carl\u2019s story from happening again, and I was so proud have Carl\u2019s mother, Susan, by my side today as we announced this important legislation. I thank Susan for her courage, strength, resilience, and deep-felt commitment to protecting others from the devastating experience of losing a loved one to a deadly substance.\u201d\nToday\u2019s announcement, held at Hope for New Hampshire Recovery\u2019s Concord center, brought together state leaders in the recovery, treatment, prevention, and medical communities. Following Kuster\u2019s announcement of Carl\u2019s Law, attendees heard from Sue Messinger, Carl Messinger\u2019s mother; Michele Merritt, New Futures\u2019 Policy Director; and James Potter, the New Hampshire Medical Society\u2019s Executive Vice President. Each speaker highlighted the importance and impact of Carl\u2019s Law, and underscored the sentiment that if this legislation had been in existence during Carl\u2019s lifetime, he could still be alive today.\n\u201cAs many people in recovery will tell you, an illness or injury has the potential to spur a relapse event, which can derail recovery, even for someone with years of sobriety,\u201d said Michele Merritt, Policy Director for New Futures. \u201cThis is due in large part to the prescribing of opiates, and the lack of information made available to patients regarding the addictive nature of some medications. Without this critical information, individuals in recovery, like Carl, are deprived of the ability to make an informed decision about their health. This is simply unacceptable. Carl\u2019s Law is the first step to ensuring every patient, whether in recovery or at risk of developing a substance use disorder, has all of the information needed to make important make healthcare decisions. It is for this reason that New Futures strongly supports Congresswoman Kuster in her efforts to introduce this legislation.\u201d\n\u201cAs we work to stem the opioid epidemic, it is essential that providers and patients have access to the information they need to safely and fully treat substance use disorder,\u201d said James Potter, the Executive Vice President of the New Hampshire Medical Society. \u201cCarl\u2019s Law is an important step forward in that effort, and will help improve patients\u2019 and their families\u2019 understanding of prescription medicine and its potential side effects. The New Hampshire Medical Society looks forward to working with Representative Kuster on this legislation, and thanks the Congresswoman, as well as Sue Messinger, for their commitment to this issue.\u201d\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts. Kuster has met with medical experts across the state and attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Keene, Nashua, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing communities. She continues to hold a series of regional briefings around the district to ensure the voices of local stakeholders and affected community members are heard. As the cofounder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she was instrumental in the fight to pass 18 bills in the House to address the opioid crisis, and in recognition of her leadership on this issue Kuster was recently appointed to the conference committee tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which will combine these 18 House bills with a Senate counterpart.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-discusses-how-to-address-campus-sexual-assault-at-roundtable-in", "Kuster Discusses How to Address Campus Sexual Assault at Roundtable in Upper Valley", "2016-06-27", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Lebanon, NH \u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) brought together leaders working in sexual assault prevention and advocacy from across the Upper Valley to discuss their joint efforts to combat sexual violence on college campuses and in our communities. The roundtable discussion comes less than a week after Kuster shared her own personal experiences with sexual assault throughout her life during a Special Order on the House floor.\n\u201cWith over one in five women undergraduate students reporting that they were sexually assaulted while enrolled at a college or university, campus sexual assault continues to threaten far too many lives across the country each and every year,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cAfter hearing the brave words of the Stanford rape case\u2019s \u2018Emily Doe,\u2019 I was inspired to come forward and share my own experiences with assault for the first time. I did not share my experiences because they were remarkable or unique. Sadly, I shared them because they are far too common. I am proud to have convened today\u2019s discussion so that we can identify the best approach to tackling sexual violence and change the way we think and talk about this issue in our society. I look forward to continuing this important conversation across the Granite State and with my colleagues in Congress.\u201d\nDuring this morning\u2019s roundtable, participants discussed collaborative efforts between WISE of the Upper Valley and Dartmouth College, as well as how schools and community organizations can best coordinate their efforts to provide support and guidance to individuals affected by sexual violence. Kuster was joined at the table by WISE of the Upper Valley Executive Director Peggy O\u2019Neil, WISE Campus Advocate Delaney Anderson, Dartmouth Sexual Assault Counselor Liz Stahler, and local educators and students, among others.\nAlso during the roundtable, Kuster shared information about legislative pushes she is making in Congress to help curb sexual assault on campus. A longtime cosponsor of the Campus Safety and Accountability Act, which would require schools that receive federal funding to strengthen prevention, education, and reporting measures, Kuster is also helping to introduce a number of new bills along with her colleague from California, Representative Jackie Speier; the Safe Transfer Act, which would strengthen measures to make students aware if perpetrators transfer to their campuses, and the No Funding for Sexual Harassers Act, which would require schools found guilty of violating Title IX, a statute used in part to evaluate schools that are mishandling sexual assault cases,\u00a0 to report these violations to agencies that bestow grants upon the schools, like NASA and the NSF. Both of these bills would help enhance accountability and improve transparency on college campuses.\nCongresswoman Kuster has long been a champion for victims and survivors of sexual or domestic violence. She joined with 17 other Members of Congress to read on the House floor Emily Doe\u2019s open letter describing her attack and ensuing trial \u2013 which marked the first time a victim\u2019s statement has been read in full in the House chambers. Last week, Congresswoman Kuster and her colleagues took this action a step further by describing their own personal experiences \u2013 or those of their loved ones \u2013 involving sexual assault to demonstrate that Emily Doe is not alone, and that steps must be taken to stop sexual violence in our society.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-appointed-to-conference-committee-overseeing-addiction-and", "Kuster Appointed to Conference Committee Overseeing Addiction and Recovery Legislation", "2016-05-17", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) was appointed by House leadership to serve on the conference Committee tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), comprehensive legislation to address the opioid epidemic . The conference Committee will be working to reconcile the differences between the Senate-passed CARA and the 18 bills on this topic that passed that passed through the House last week.\nAs co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster was instrumental in bringing together her colleagues to pass these bills last week, and her appointment to this conference Committee is a nod to her exceptional leadership on the House floor last week. Typically, Members with more seniority are selected to serve on conference committees, but House Leadership chose Kuster due to her role in raising awareness about the heroin epidemic and her longstanding work on the issue.\n\u201cWith drug-related deaths on the rise in New Hampshire, I have committed myself to doing all that I can to help our communities address and halt the ongoing opioid epidemic,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cI\u2019ve traveled the state to meet with stakeholders across all sectors, from law enforcement and the courts to medical providers and recovery experts, and I\u2019ve used their feedback to help guide and further my work in Congress. I was proud to help lead the fight in the House to pass legislation to address this crisis last week, and I am honored to be appointed to this conference Committee.\u00a0 This is a position which will allow me to continue advocating for the prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts that are so crucial to putting an end to this epidemic. I look forward to working with my fellow Committee members to swiftly report out comprehensive legislation that will bring much needed relief to communities impacted by the epidemic.\u201d\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in her home state of New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate of the need to pass CARA in order to provide funding for law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts.\u00a0 Last week, known as \u201copioid week\u201d in the House, Kuster supported the passage of 18 legislative items targeting the opioid epidemic, many of which were championed by the Task Force that Kuster co-founded.\nIn New Hampshire, Kuster works to bring together experts from federal agencies to coordinate efforts to fight the epidemic. Last month, she brought the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic to New Hampshire for a field hearing to hear directly from local stakeholders. She has attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Keene, Nashua,\u00a0 and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing local police departments and the communities they serve, and she continues to hold a series of regional briefings around the district to ensure the voices of local stakeholders and affected community members are heard. She thanks House Leadership for today\u2019s appointment.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-manchester-police-shooting", "Kuster Statement on Manchester Police Shooting", "2016-05-13", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH \u2013\u00a0 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement in response to the shooting of two police officers in Manchester early Friday morning:\n\u201cI am incredibly troubled by the shooting of two Manchester Police Department officers earlier this morning. Our law enforcement officials courageously respond to dangerous situations each and every day, and the perpetrators responsible for this unconscionable act of violence must be brought to justice. I send my thoughts and prayers to the two officers who were shot and their families as they recover from their injuries. Additionally, I urge all residents of Manchester to be mindful of their surroundings and take necessary precautions to stay safe until the perpetrators have been apprehended.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/as-opioid-week-in-the-house-continues-kuster-applauds-passage-of-her", "As Opioid Week in the House Continues, Kuster Applauds Passage of Her Amendment to the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act (COARA)", "2016-05-12", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 This evening, Congresswoman Kuster (NH-02) applauded the passage of an amendment she introduced with Congressman Guinta to restore vital grants for recovery and prevention programs to the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act (COARA). COARA is the House companion to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which passed the Senate 94-1 earlier this year. This bill will provide critical Department of Justice Grants to local communities fighting the heroin epidemic. However, the current House version did not include prevention and recovery program grants that were present in the original Senate bill. Kuster\u2019s amendment restores these grants.\n\u201cI\u2019m so proud of my colleagues for coming together this week to pass legislation through the House \u2013 much of which was introduced by my Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic\u00a0\u00a0 \u2013 that will help communities across the country tackle this public health crisis head on. However, we simply cannot address this epidemic without funding, and we cannot address it without acknowledging that we must expand prevention and recovery efforts if we want to put an end to this crisis once and for all. I thank my colleagues in the House for passing both this legislation, which will create DOJ grants to help local communities battling the epidemic, and my amendment, which will restore funding \u2013 as intended by the Senate version of this bill \u2013 for prevention and recovery. Let\u2019s get this signed into law, so our stakeholders on the ground can access the vital resources they need without further delay.\u201d\nCOARA would create $103 million in Department of Justice (DOJ) grants to states and local governments working to stop opioid abuse. It would also establish grant programs for veteran treatment courts, treatment alternatives for incarceration, medication-assisted treatment programs used or operated by criminal justice agencies, interstate prescription drug monitoring programs, the prevention of opioid misuse by juveniles, and other purposes.\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in her home state of New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate of the need to pass CARA in order to provide funding for law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts.\u00a0 She is pleased COARA has passed the House, and she will continue to urge House and Senate leadership to act quickly to make resources available to constituents around the country as soon as possible. Yesterday, Kuster also introduced a bill that would provide an additional $600 million for communities fighting the epidemic, and she will continue to push for increased funding. However, Kuster is pleased that this week, known as \u201copioid week\u201d in the House, a number of bills put forth by Kuster\u2019s Task Force have been passed and will continue to be considered through tomorrow. She thanks House Leadership for bringing her Bipartisan Task Force\u2019s Legislative Agenda to the floor for consideration.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/members-from-areas-hard-hit-by-drug-crisis-introduce-bill-to-provide", "Members from Areas Hard Hit by Drug Crisis Introduce Bill to Provide More Than $1 Billion to Combat Epidemic", "2016-05-12", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Members from communities that have been hardest hit by the growing opioid crisis joined together today to introduce legislation calling for more than $1 billion in funding to combat the epidemic.\u00a0 Led by Representatives Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (NM-3), Annie Kuster (NH-2), Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Joe Kennedy III (MA-4), and Derek Kilmer (WA-6), the Opioid and Heroin Abuse Crisis Investment Act has the support of 90 House Democrats and reflects President Obama\u2019s budget request for much-needed resources to increase treatment programs that will help address the drug crisis.\nIn 2014, 47,055 people died from drug overdose, with opioid overdose accounting for 28,000 deaths, an increase of 200 percent since 2000. With 78 people dying from overdoses of heroin and prescription opioids per day\u2014and deaths from the opioid epidemic surpassing the number of Americans killed in motor vehicle accidents each year\u2014more resources are needed for prevention, treatment, and recovery.\n\u201cThe drug crisis is tearing apart the fabric of communities in New Mexico and across the country,\u201d Congressman Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n said.\u00a0 \u201cWhile there are many dedicated individuals who are working as hard as they can to help our friends and neighbors who are struggling with drug abuse, it is painfully clear that the only way we can make significant progress is by putting in the resources that will make treatment and prevention more accessible and affordable.\u00a0 Right now, too many people who want help and need help simply cannot get it.\u00a0 This legislation, with a commitment to provide robust funding, represents a much-needed step forward that will save lives.\u201d\n\u201cAcross the Granite State and around the nation, far too many Americans struggling with addiction are unable to find necessary treatment options.\u00a0 Our law enforcement officials do not have the resources they need to fight this epidemic and get these drugs off our streets, and community stakeholders and advocates working to tackle this epidemic need our support to get their jobs done.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to support this bill, which will provide over $1 billion dollars to fight the opioid epidemic.\u00a0 We cannot wait to fund these efforts; far too many lives across the nation depend on it,\u201d said Congresswoman Annie Kuster, who is the co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cGrowing up in Baltimore, I saw the destructive nature of opioid and heroin addiction, which destroys lives and tears apart families and communities. \u00a0We can no longer afford to ignore this public health and safety crisis,\u201d Congressman Elijah E. Cummings said. \u00a0\u201cWhile I fully support the package of opioid bills moving through the House of Representatives as a first step, it will take actual funding to attack this crisis\u2014funding that these bills unfortunately do not provide.\u00a0 The bill we introduced today will give our partners on the frontlines the funding they need to fight this epidemic by supporting treatment and recovery, as well as programs to monitor and disrupt the flow of opioids into our communities.\u201d\n\u201cWhen I worked for nonprofit agencies committed to addressing substance abuse, I saw how addiction devastates families,\u201d said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.\u00a0 \u201cIf America is serious about fighting the opioid crisis, if American families are serious about saving the lives of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones, then we must make the necessary robust investments in effective treatment and prevention measures.\u00a0 That is exactly what our bill seeks to do.\u201d\n\u201cEvery single day, an average of three families in Massachusetts lose a father, mother, brother, sister or child to addiction,\u201d said Congressman Joe Kennedy III.\u00a0 \u201cWithout providing the necessary funding, our response to the opioid crisis gripping communities across our country is a half-step at best.\u00a0 While I am encouraged by the bipartisan support for the bills passed in the House this week, any serious policies and programs need real resources behind them to be effective. \u00a0I\u2019m hopeful both sides of the aisle in both chambers of Congress can come together in the coming weeks to fully address an increasingly urgent crisis.\u201d\n\u201cWherever you live too many folks have felt the impact of heroin and opioid abuse,\u201d Congressman Derek Kilmer said.\u00a0 \u201cThis scourge has led to overcrowded jails, overwhelmed medical professionals and emergency responders, and families who simply want to do more to help their loved ones.\u00a0 I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing a bill that invests in programs and professionals that are on the ground helping those struggling with addiction and working to provide lifesaving care.\u201d\nCongresswoman Annie Kuster has long fought for additional federal funding to help local communities fight the heroin epidemic.\u00a0 The comprehensive Opioid and Heroin Abuse Crisis Investment Act calls for $1.16 billion to tackle the roots of the epidemic by providing:\n $930 million to support cooperative agreements with States to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders;\n\t$50 million to expand access to substance use treatment providers;\n\t$12.5 million for DEA heroin enforcement;\n\tStudies of real-world medication-assisted treatment;\n\tAdvancing safe opioid prescribing guidelines;\n\tEnhancement of prescription drug monitoring programs; and\n\tTreatment for prisoners, Second Chance Act grant program funding, and residential substance abuse treatment programs.\n Congresswoman Kuster also introduced a bill yesterday to provide an additional $600 million in funding to fight the crisis. She firmly believes that without additional resources to support new and existing programs, too many people will continue to face challenges accessing care.\nThe full text of the Opioid and Heroin Abuse Crisis Investment Act is available here.\u00a0 In addition to the lead sponsors, the bill is cosponsored by: Pete Aguilar, Karen Bass, Don Beyer, Earl Blumenauer, Brendan Boyle, Corrine Brown, Julia Brownley, G.K. Butterfield, Lois Capps, Michael Capuano, Tony C\u00e1rdenas, Katherine Clark, Yvette Clarke, William Lacy Clay, Steve Cohen, Gerald Connolly, John Conyers, Joe Courtney, Danny Davis, Peter DeFazio, John Delaney, Rosa DeLauro, Debbie Dingell, Tammy Duckworth, Donna Edwards, Anna Eshoo, Elizabeth Esty, Marcia Fudge, Ruben Gallego, Alan Grayson, Al Green, Gene Green, Luis Guti\u00e9rrez, Alcee Hastings, Denny Heck, Michael Honda, Steve Israel, Sheila Jackson Lee, Hakeem Jeffries, Henry \u201cHank\u201d Johnson, Marcy Kaptur, William Keating, Dan Kildee, Ron Kind, Rick Larsen, John Larson, Brenda Lawrence, Barbara Lee, Sander Levin, John Lewis, Ted Lieu, Dave Loebsack, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Stephen Lynch, Sean Patrick Maloney, Doris Matsui, Betty McCollum, James McGovern, Gregory Meeks, Seth Moulton, Grace Napolitano, Richard Neal, Donald Norcross, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Bill Pascrell, Stacey Plaskett, Mike Quigley, Cedric Richmond, Raul Ruiz, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Tim Ryan, Loretta Sanchez, John Sarbanes, Albio Sires, Jackie Speier, Eric Swalwell, Bennie Thompson, Dina Titus, Paul Tonko, Niki Tsongas, Chris Van Hollen, Juan Vargas, Peter Welch, John Yarmuth.\n\u00a0\n#\u00a0 #\u00a0 #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/during-third-day-of-opioid-week-in-the-house-kuster-introduces-amendment", "During Third Day of Opioid Week in the House, Kuster Introduces Amendment to Combat the Heroin Epidemic", "2016-05-11", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) introduced an amendment to H.R. 4641, a bill that would establish an inter-agency task force to review, modify, and update best practices for pain management and prescribing pain medication. Kuster\u2019s amendment would specifically direct the task force to research trends in communities like New Hampshire in which the prescription opioid use and fatality rate exceeds the national average.\n\u201cCoordinating efforts among agencies and stakeholders is one of the most important steps we can take in our fight against the opioid epidemic. The inter-agency task force created by the legislation today was also introduced in my STOP ABUSE Act, and I\u2019m so proud that Members from both sides of the aisle were able to come together and vote in favor of its creation today. There is no silver bullet for solving the opioid crisis; only by combining resources and working together can we take a multi-faceted approach, and pooling resources to share best practices will allow us to streamline the fight and more effectively meet this challenge head on,\u201d said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. \u201cWhat\u2019s more, we need to examine prescribing practices in areas that are being hit particularly hard by the opioid epidemic. Physicians, treatment providers, and all stakeholders should work together to ensure that best practices are implemented and steps are being taken to reduce addiction on every level.\u201d\nThe inter-agency task force to be created by H.R. 4641 would include representatives from HHS, VA, FDA, DOD, DEA, CDC, NIH, ONDCP, HRSA, state medical boards, pharmacists, physicians, and other community stakeholders. Congresswoman Kuster was a leading advocate for the creation of the task force. It was included in her STOP ABUSE Act, which she introduced last year in order to address the opioid epidemic on multiple levels.\nKuster serves as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic, a separate task force including more than eighty Members of Congress. Today, Kuster also applauded House passage of a number of bills that were included as part of this Congressional task force\u2019s recently announced legislative agenda.\n\u201cI\u2019m so pleased the House has moved forward on a number of different measures my Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic has recommended,\u201d said Kuster. \u201cThese bills will take necessary steps to increase access to treatment, expand education and prevention programs, reform prescribing practices, and create new grants and funding sources for communities involved in this fight. We must address this epidemic from a number of different angles, and I applaud my colleagues in the House for putting aside party differences to embrace my Task Force\u2019s bills, which will take us one step closer to putting an end to this epidemic once and for all.\u201d\nBills from Kuster\u2019s legislative agenda that were passed today include: H.R. 4586, Lali\u2019s Law, which would help states increase access to naloxone, a life-saving drug that can counter the effects of an overdose; H.R. 4976, The Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016, which would allow prescriptions to be partially filled at the request of doctors or patients, in order to cut down on overprescribing and the reselling of unused prescription drugs on the street; and H.R. 4981, the Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Expansion and Modernization Act, which would improve access to treatment for those struggling with opioid addiction.\u00a0 Additionally, yesterday the House passed the PROMISE Act, a bill Kuster promoted through her role on the Veterans Affairs\u2019 Committee to improve prescribing practices and prescription drug monitoring at the VA.\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in her home state of New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate of the need to pass legislation to immediately fight the epidemic. She is pleased that this week, House leadership has listened to her concerns and dedicated the week\u2019s legislative calendar to bills related to the opioid crisis. A number of additional bills put forth by Kuster\u2019s Task Force will be considered later this week. She continues to urge her colleagues to come together to pass these bills into law.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-introduces-bill-to-provide-600-million-for-the-opioid-fight", "Kuster Introduces Bill to Provide $600 million for the Opioid Fight", "2016-05-11", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) introduced H.R.\u00a05189, the Drug Abuse Crisis Act of 2016. This bill would provide a desperately needed $600 million in federal funding for local communities working to fight the heroin epidemic. Kuster strongly supported the efforts of Senators Shaheen and Ayotte to secure similar funding in the Senate, and she is proud to lead the fight for this funding in the House.\n\u201cAcross our nation, communities are facing a public health emergency. In my home state of New Hampshire, an individual is more likely to die from a drug overdose than from a car accident. This opioid epidemic simply cannot be allowed to continue,\u201d said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. \u201cI\u2019ve held a series of regional briefings across the state where I\u2019ve seen firsthand the superb efforts that local advocates, community members, physicians, treatment providers, and law enforcement members are putting in to tackle this challenge head on. But they cannot do it alone. There are simply not enough resources to go around, and as a result individuals struggling to overcome addiction cannot access the treatment they need, and our law enforcement officers do not have enough resources to go full steam ahead and interdict these drugs before they reach our streets. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to lead the fight for this crucial funding in the House, and that\u2019s why I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to come together to address this public health crisis now, and give our communities the support they need. Too much is at stake to do otherwise.\u201d\u00a0\nThis week, a number of important bills to address the heroin epidemic are expected to pass through the House. The Drug Abuse Crisis Act would provide $600 million to fund these proposals, and help ensure that they can be properly implemented. The funding in H.R. 5189 would be completely offset and would come at no extra cost to taxpayers.\nCongresswoman Kuster has been helping lead the fight in Congress to increase resources for states fighting the opioid epidemic. As co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she has put forth a number of legislative proposals to address the opioid crisis \u2013 many of which are in the process of being passed in the House this week. However, Kuster believes all efforts to address the crisis must be supported with adequate funding, which is why she introduced H.R. 5189 today.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/during-opioid-week-in-the-house-kuster-applauds-house-passage-of-the", "During Opioid Week in the House, Kuster Applauds House Passage of the First Bill in her Task Forces Legislative Agenda", "2016-05-10", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 This evening, Congresswoman Kuster (NH-02) applauded the passage of the PROMISE Act, a bill to improve prescribing practices and prescription drug monitoring at the VA. The bill was part of the Legislative Agenda announced last month by the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, which Kuster co-founded. Kuster is an original cosponsor of the PROMISE Act.\n\u201cThis week, I\u2019m proud to announce that the House is moving forward on passage of many of the bills I support to address the opioid epidemic, including those my Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic announced last month as part of our Legislative Agenda. The PROMISE Act is one of those bills, and it will take important steps to help improve prescribing practices at the VA by\u00a0 expanding the VA\u2019s Opioid Safety Initiative, ensuring providers are properly trained, creating pain management teams at each facility, and expanding VA use of state prescription drug monitoring programs,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cAs Ranking Member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I brought the Subcommittee to New Hampshire for a hearing on pain management best practices and reducing prescription drug addiction among our veterans. This bill takes a great step in the right direction by implementing a number of suggestions that came out of that hearing, and I applaud its passage today. However, we cannot stop here. I urge my fellow members of Congress to put aside party difference and vote for passage of the myriad of bills my Task Force has put forth this week to address the crisis on a broader scale; our constituents cannot wait.\u201d\u00a0\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in her home state of New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate of the need to pass legislation to immediately fight the epidemic. She is pleased that this week, House leadership has listened to her concerns and dedicated the week\u2019s legislative calendar to bills related to the opioid crisis. A number of bills put forth by Kuster\u2019s Task Force will be considered this week, and she continues to urge her colleagues to come together to pass these bills into law.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-jobs-and-opportunity-fair-in-nashua", "Kuster Hosts Jobs and Opportunity Fair in Nashua", "2016-05-06", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Nashua, NH Yesterday and today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted a jobs and opportunity fair in Nashua. Kuster has held a series of job fairs across the state to help connect local job seekers with employment opportunities.\nAcross the Granite State, far too many families are still struggling to get by, and underemployment remains an issue, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. We need to make sure our workers can access the skill-training they need to secure 21st century jobs, which is why my jobs fair this week not only featured employers, but also workforce development programs that can help open the doors to new employment opportunities for workers of all education levels, ages, and skill sets. I was so proud to see job seekers connecting with employers and educators at this weeks fair, and I thank all the participants for helping to make it a great success.\nKuster has hosted a series of jobs fairs all across the district to help connect job seekers with new employment options. The Nashua jobs fair was one of the largest fairs Kuster has ever hosted, spanning two days and featuring employers from a variety of industries, including health care, retail, manufacturing, social services, and hospitality. Kuster is committed not only to helping unemployed Granite Staters find work, but also to helping connect underemployed constituents with the training programs they need to successfully transition to jobs that are most well-suited for them. As a result, this fair included representatives from education, training, and workforce development organizations, including WorkReadyNH, the Community College System of New Hampshire, the Job Corps Center, Phlebotomy and Safety Training Center, and others. The jobs fair was free and open to the public, and all job seekers in the region were welcomed to attend.\nSince taking office, Kuster has prioritized efforts to foster job creation, grow the economy, and ensure job seekers have the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century economy. The first bill she introduced in Congress would create tax credits for companies that partner with community colleges to provide workers with skill-training specific to their industries, and shes visited a wide variety of businesses through her Congress-At-Your-Company series to hear directly from New Hampshire owners and workers about how Congress can support job creation efforts in the state. This was Kusters eighth job fair.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-visits-phoenix-house-in-keene-to-discuss-recently-announced", "Kuster Visits Phoenix House in Keene to Discuss Recently Announced Legislative Agenda and Tour Facility", "2016-05-04", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Keene, NH This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) visited the Phoenix House treatment center in Keene to discuss her recently announced Legislative Agenda to address the opioid epidemic and the agendas impact on treatment providers in New Hampshire. As a co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster was joined last month by 15 Members of Congress in announcing the legislative package of bipartisan bills, which aims to take a comprehensive approach to stemming the heroin crisis threatening communities in New Hampshire and across the country.\nDuring todays visit, Kuster met with Keene Mayor Kendall Lane, Police Chief Brian Costa, Phoenix House director Amelie Gooding, Cheshire County Administrator Chris Coates, and other community leaders to discuss the agenda, which was shaped in part by feedback she received earlier this year during a regional briefing she hosted at Cheshire Medical Center.\nTodays visit gave me a chance to discuss real steps we can take to address the ongoing opioid crisis that is threatening our state and our communities, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. There is no silver bullet for solving the heroin crisis: we must expand treatment options for those in need; we must find innovative solutions for covering those treatment options, and work with health insurance companies to do so; and we must work together to ensure individuals struggling with addiction have access to lifelong recovery options, including recovery coaches. Last month, I helped introduce a bipartisan Legislative Agenda that addresses many of these issues, but only by coming together as a community  like with events such as todays  can we truly take a multi-faceted approach to putting an end to this epidemic once and for all.\nAt the briefing, Congresswoman Kuster shared details from her recently announced Legislative Agenda, which includes bills to secure federal funding for states fighting the heroin epidemic, expand treatment options, provide additional resources to law enforcement, and promote responsible opioid prescribing practices, among other measures. The briefing gave local experts and stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback on the agenda, and to share their own experiences on the ground combatting the epidemic in the greater Keene area. During her visit today, Kuster highlighted how the agenda will support the efforts of Phoenix House and other organizations that are addressing the opioid epidemic.\nThe work being done at Phoenix House is simply invaluable to the fight against the heroin epidemic, and thats one reason why I was so proud to introduce my Legislative Agenda last week. Organizations like Phoenix House provide critical treatment for individuals struggling with addiction, but these organizations are often severely underfunded. So much more could be done with additional federal funding, and thats one of the main goals of the Legislative Agenda I introduced. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and pass this crucial legislation now, so Phoenix House and other organizations like it can meet the critical need for treatment options that is being felt throughout communities across the country.\nAdditional information about the full Legislative Agenda can be found here.\nCongresswoman Kuster has been leading the charge in Congress on fighting the heroin epidemic. The co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she has introduced numerous bills to address the opioid crisis, including legislation that is part of the Legislative Agenda package. One of the leading advocates for the funding of CARA and other measures to fight the crisis, Kuster recently led a bipartisan letter signed by 60 Members of Congress to the House Appropriations Committee in support of strong funding. In New Hampshire, Kuster works to bring together experts from federal agencies to coordinate efforts to fight the epidemic. She has attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Keene, Nashua, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing local police departments and the communities they serve, and she continues to hold a series of regional briefings around the district to ensure the voices of local stakeholders and affected community members are heard. These experiences help Kuster continue to push her fellow Members of Congress and the White House to support important measures to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-college-affordability-forum-at-conval-regional-high-school", "Kuster Hosts College Affordability Forum at ConVal Regional High School", "2016-05-03", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Peterborough, NH This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted a forum at ConVal Regional High School with students, administrators, and community members to discuss the importance of increasing college affordability. The forum gave students and parents a chance to engage with a panel of key stakeholders in the higher education arena, and discuss initiatives aimed at increasing access and reducing the costs of postsecondary education.\nEveryone knows that a good education is the key to success. Yet far too many families in the Granite State and across the country simply cannot afford to send their children to college, or to fund any postsecondary studies, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. In the land of opportunity, thats simply not right. Thats why Ive been working on a number of initiatives to reduce the cost of college, and Ive held a series of forums at colleges and high schools across the state to bring together stakeholders and families to discuss how we can work collaboratively to ensure families have the support they need to help their children access higher education. I thank all the participants in todays forum for contributing to a robust discussion about higher education costs, and I look forward to bringing their thoughts and comments back to Washington with me, where I will continue to push for measures on the federal level to increase college affordability.\nStudents and parents were invited to attend todays open forum at ConVal High School, where they were encouraged to share their thoughts about how the federal government can help reduce education costs for Granite State families. Kuster was joined at the forum by a number of local education stakeholders who are also working towards this mutual goal: Tori Berube, the Vice President of College Planning and Engagement at the NH Higher Education Assistance Foundation; Tom Raffio, the Chair of the NH State Board of Education; Mark Rubinstein, the President of the Granite State College; Lizbeth Gonzalez, the Vice President for Student and Community Affairs at Nashua Community College; Karen Shedin, the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Rivier University; and a number of counselors and educators from ConVal Regional High School. During the forum, participants and audience members discussed a number of topics, including college and career readiness, financial aid and grant funding, college planning resources, and dual enrollment programs, among others.\nKuster has long fought to ensure that all Granite State students can access the college education and job training necessary to further their careers, including through the critical role she played in creating New Hampshires UNIQUE College Savings Program. During todays forum, she outlined current steps she is taking in Congress to help parents save for their childrens education, and measures she is supporting to ensure students are prepared for college, including her support for the recent reauthorization of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which rectifies many of the flawed provisions implemented under the No Child Left Behind Act. Kuster successfully fought Tea Party attempts to allow student loan interest rates to double back in 2012, and she is currently pushing for legislation that would allow students and their families to refinance their loans at a lower rate. Kuster has held a number of college affordability forums at high schools and colleges across the state, and she works to help students and their families learn about resources that can help them send their children to college.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-visits-farnum-center-north-treatment-center-after-introducing", "Kuster Visits Farnum Center North Treatment Center after Introducing Legislative Agenda to Combat Heroin Crisis", "2016-05-02", "2016", "2016-05", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Franklin, NH  Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) visited Farnum Center North, a recently expanded alcohol and drug treatment center, where she learned about the centers services and discussed her work in Congress to combat the opioid epidemic. Earlier this year, the Center expanded its facility by 21 beds to help meet the growing demand for treatment by Granite Staters battling substance use disorder.\nHere in New Hampshire, we have been hit particularly hard by the opioid epidemic that is sweeping across the country, said Congresswoman Kuster. Facing a perfect storm of extremely high addiction rates and low access to treatment, many Granite Staters living with substance use disorder have struggled to access the resources they need to reclaim healthy, productive lives. Treatment centers like the Farnum North Center are often where individuals first lay the foundation for long-term recovery, and it is of the utmost importance that we increase access to treatment if we are to overcome this epidemic. At the federal level, I have introduced a legislative agenda to help support the expansion of treatment centers and other critical resources, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to pass these measures as soon as possible.\nDuring her visit, Kuster talked with leadership from Farnum North about the critical need for treatment services and met with several clients, who are currently seeking treatment at the center. Kuster was joined by Alex Ray, owner of the Common Man Family of Restaurants, who has long advocated for treatment services and who helped fund the recent expansion of the Center. Kuster was also joined by Larry Gammon, CEO of Easter Seals New Hampshire; Cheryl Wilkie, Senior Vice President of Substance Abuse Services at Easter Seals Farnum Center; and current clients of the Center, among others. While touring the facility, Kuster discussed how law enforcement officials, treatment providers, and prevention advocates can best work together to strengthen the continuum of care.\nAs addiction rates have risen dramatically across the Granite State, Kuster has helped lead efforts to highlight the need for increased attention on the crisis at the federal level through her work in Congress. Just last week, Kuster brought her Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic to New Hampshire for a field hearing to examine the impact of the opioid epidemic on the Northeast. Kuster also recently joined with the other members of her Task Force to unveil 15 pieces of bipartisan legislation to address the opioid epidemic, including through increased funding, expanded access to treatment, and better coordination among federal agencies. Earlier this year, her Task Force hosted a series of speeches on the House Floor to share personal stories of constituents across the country who have been victims of substance use disorder. In the Granite State, Kuster routinely holds regional briefings to hear directly from community members about how she can support on the ground efforts. She has also attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Franklin, Nashua, and Keene providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing law enforcement and local communities. These experiences help Kuster continue to lead efforts in Congress to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-veterans-affairs-subcommittee-approves-kuster-bill-to-help", "House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Approves Kuster Bill to Help Veterans Become Physicians After Serving", "2016-04-29", "2016", "2016-04", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC This morning, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health approved Congresswoman Kusters legislation, H.R. 3974, the Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015. The bill would create opportunities for veteran education and employment, and help solve the primary care provider shortage crisis at the VA. Kuster testified in support of the bill last week during a Subcommittee hearing, where she urged Members of the Subcommittee to consider the legislation.\nOur veterans deserve the utmost highest quality of care when they return home, and yet extreme staffing shortages at the VA have created roadblocks for many of our veterans to receive the health services they need. Thats why last week, I urged the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health to consider my bill, H.R. 3974, which will help address these shortages, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. My bill will help veterans with previous medical or military health experience become physician assistants at the VA after they have served. I thank the Subcommittee for swiftly responding to my request for consideration and for forwarding this bill to the full Committee. I urge Committee Leadership to also schedule a markup of this bill in the full Veterans Affairs Committee and then send it on to the floor for a vote. Our veterans cannot wait.\nKusters bill would help address the staffing shortages currently plaguing the VA, and would offer valuable education and job opportunities for veterans in the civilian workforce. The five-year pilot program this bill would create would offer 35 scholarships per year to veterans to cover the costs of obtaining masters degrees in physician assistant studies or similar areas. Veterans who would qualify for the program are those who have previous medical or military health experience that they gained while serving in the Armed Forces; those who have received a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, masters degree, or post-baccalaureate training in a science relating to health care; those who have participated in the delivery of health care services or related medical services; and those who do not have a doctorate in medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry.\nKuster has served on the House Veterans Affairs Committee since taking office, and she has long advocated for both increased job opportunities for veterans and measures to improve staffing at the VA. She has pushed for legislation to increase contracting opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses, and she has held veteran job fairs for local New Hampshire veterans in various locations across the state. Furthermore, in 2014, she helped introducethe Underserved Veterans Access to Health Care Act, which would have added 2,000 medical residency positions at VA hospitals in communities facing physician shortages. Kuster was also instrumental in the passage of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, which created the Choice Card program and aimed to dramatically increase veteran access to care.\n\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-progress-of-her-task-force-s-legislative-agenda-to", "Kuster Applauds Progress of Her Task Forces Legislative Agenda to Address the National Opioid Crisis in the House this Week", "2016-04-29", "2016", "2016-04", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement applauding House action this week to consider crucially important bills to address the opioid crisis sweeping the nation, including four bills that were part of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemics recently released legislative agenda. Kuster is the co-founder of the Task Force, and she urged House leadership to take swift action to consider these bills last week during a press conference at the House Triangle.\nLast week, the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic was proud to introduce a bipartisan package of bills to immediately address the opioid epidemic that is devastating so many of our families. During our press conference, we impressed upon House Leadership the vital importance of immediately taking up these bills for consideration; far too many lives are at stake to allow this legislation to languish. Im so pleased to announce that four of the bills in our agenda, along with a number of other similar pieces of legislation, have been passed out of committee this week. But we cannot stop here. I urge Leadership to immediately bring these bills to the floor for consideration, and I urge similar consideration of ALL the bills in our Task Forces Legislative Agenda in the coming days. Countless Granite Staters and Americans around the country are in critical need, and we must take action now.\nKuster has helped lead the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in her home state of New Hampshire, and she has been an outspoken advocate of the need to pass legislation to immediately fight the epidemic. This week, a number of bills that she has pushed for were approved by committee, including five from her Task Forces recently released Agenda. These bills include (but are not limited to): Lailis Law, which would help states increase access to naloxone, a life-saving drug that can counter the effects of an overdose; and the Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016, which would allow prescriptions to be partially filled at the request of doctors or patients, in order to cut down on overprescribing and the reselling of unused prescription drugs on the street. A number of other important bills to increase access to treatment, assess best practices for pain management and improve educational prevention efforts across the country were also approved by House committees this week. Earlier this year, the House Veterans Affairs Committee passed another bill on the Task Forces Agenda. That bill was the Promise Act, which would help improve pain management practices and prescription drug management at the VA to help prevent opioid addiction among veterans\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/congress-in-your-corner/catching-up-with-annie/join-me-for-my-biggest-fair-yet", "Join me for my biggest fair yet", "2016-04-26", "2016", "2016-04", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hi Everyone!\n\nNext week, I am hosting a jobs and opportunity fair in Nashua to help connect local residents with jobs and employment and educational opportunities throughout the Granite State. My recent job fair in Lebanon connected over 80 job seekers with employers and skill training programs from across the state, and Im excited to bring my latest fair to the Southern Tier.\n\nThanks to an incredible outpouring of interest, the Nashua jobs and opportunity fair will span two days. Held at the Adult Learning Center at 4 Lake Street in Nashua, the fair will run Thursday, May 5th from 6:30PM to 8:00PM and Friday, May 6th from 10:30AM to 1:00PM. It will feature employers from a variety of industries, including health care, retail, and hospitality, as well as representatives from training and education programs, among others.\n\nAs the Representative for the Second Congressional District, I am committed to helping our local businesses grow and create jobs, and to helping New Hampshire workers gain the \n \n \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \nskills they need to obtain these jobs through workforce development and skill training programs. This jobs and opportunity fair, the eighth I have held, will bring together employers, job seekers, and educators. I hope that you can join me! Job seekers wishing to attend the Jobs and Opportunity Fair can registerhere.\n\nNeed assistance with a federal agency?\n\nOne of the greatest honors I have as a Representative is helping my constituents when they are experiencing trouble with a federal agency. Recently, I was contacted by a constituent named Sgt. Jessica Rider from Penacook who was having a problem with the U.S. Department of the Army. Sgt. Rider needed to store her personal household goods while living in Army barracks but was having trouble finding an affordable option. My staff contacted the U.S. Department of the Army, and worked with the Army Sustainment Command and the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office to rectify the situation and find her the storage she needed.\n\nIf my office may ever be of assistance with a problem you are facing with a federal agency, please contact my staff at 603-226-1002 so we may help you resolve your problem or get you the information you need.\n\n\nThanks for everything you do to make New Hampshire such a wonderful place to live.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-and-guinta-bring-bipartisan-task-force-to-combat-the-heroin", "Kuster and Guinta Bring Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic to Manchester for Field Hearing", "2016-04-25", "2016", "2016-04", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Manchester, NH  This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Congressman Frank Guinta (NH-01) convened a field hearing of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. Entitled, Investigating the Heroin Epidemic and its Impacts on the Northeast, the hearing focused on strategies and best practices for addressing New Englands opioid crisis and ultimately putting an end to the epidemic. Kuster and Guinta, who both represent districts in New Hampshire that have been hit particularly hard by the heroin epidemic, are cofounders and chairs of the Task Force putting on the hearing. They were joined by Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02), whose district has also experienced high overdose rates due to opioid misuse.\nHere in New Hampshire, we have felt the devastating impact of addiction in our communities, said Congresswoman Kuster. Facing a perfect storm of high addiction rates and low access to treatment, we have lost a record number of lives in recent years due to drug overdose. By bringing the Task Force to New Hampshire, I was proud to help provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders from across the region to learn from one another, so that we can best establish comprehensive solutions to the ongoing crisis. We heard about the challenges our communities are facing, as well as some of the most innovative best practices being implemented across the region. I am so grateful to our witnesses, and our audience members, for taking the time to be a part of todays important conversation. I look forward to bringing this feedback back to Congress, where it will continue to shape my work to strengthen communities in New Hampshire and across the country.\nWhen we started planning this Manchester field hearing, we envisioned a big event. I couldnt be happier so many diverse professionals, as well as concerned Granite Staters, were able to hear a variety of ideas to solve a drug problem affecting nearly all of us, said Congressman Guinta.\nA leading advocate in Washington for additional resources to combat the opioid epidemic, Kuster believes the heroin crisis can only be solved by taking a multi-pronged approach, which requires the coordination of a variety of different stakeholders across New England. Todays field hearing aimed to bring together participants from every community that is working to fight to crisis in order to coordinate strategy. During the field hearing, Congresswoman Kuster and the participants questioned experts from the law enforcement, treatment, and prevention communities throughout three distinct panels. Witnesses included Chief Justice Tina Nadeau, New England HIDTA Director Jay Fallon, Attorney James Vara, police officers, treatment providers, and advocates. The Representatives questions addressed issues surrounding interstate drug trafficking, alternative pain management practices, and preventing the spread of addiction through youth education, among other topics. Participants also discussed the cost effectiveness of drug courts, the challenge of retaining a skilled workforce among treatment providers, and prosecuting drug dealers for overdoses that occur within New Hampshire.\nAs addiction rates have risen dramatically across the Granite State, Kuster has also helped lead efforts to highlight the need for increased attention on the crisis at the federal level through her work in Congress. Just last week, Kuster joined with the other members of her Task Force to unveil 15 pieces of bipartisan legislation to address the opioid epidemic, including through increased funding, expanded access to treatment, and better coordination among federal agencies. Earlier this year, her Task Force hosted a series of speeches on the House Floor to share personal stories of constituents across the country who have been victims of substance use disorder. In the Granite State, Kuster routinely holds regional briefings to hear directly from community members about how she can support on the ground. She has also has attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Nashua, Keene, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing law enforcement and local communities. These experiences help Kuster continue to lead efforts in Congress to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-meets-with-epa-and-local-officials-to-discuss-pfoa-contamination", "Kuster Meets with EPA and Local Officials to Discuss PFOA Contamination", "2016-04-22", "2016", "2016-04", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Litchfield, NH  This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) brought together representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES), and officials from the town of Litchfield to discuss the water contamination issues affecting the area. Earlier this spring, levels of a perfluorochemical known as perperfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, were detected in water samples in Litchfield and surrounding towns.\nThe safety and wellbeing of my constituents is always my top priority, and I am very concerned by the elevated PFOA levels present in well waters of Litchfield and surrounding towns, said Congresswoman Kuster. No one should ever have to worry about the safety of the water that they and their families rely on. I appreciate the immediate and coordinated effort on the part of the EPA, Saint-Gobain, and local officials to ensure that Granite Staters health and wellbeing are not put in jeopardy while the water contamination issue is resolved. As we await the EPAs announcement of suggested limits to PFOA levels in drinking water, I will continue to work with officials to monitor the situation and ensure that residents are adequately protected from these man-made chemicals.\nDuring the briefing, Congresswoman Kuster questioned officials about the environmental and health impacts of PFOA in water supplies, as well as the next steps to ensure that Granite Staters are adequately protected from the possible health issues that can result from exposure to PFOA. Kuster was joined by Bryan Olson, Director of the EPAs Office of Site Remediation and Restoration; Clark Freise, Assistant Commissioner of NH DES; State Senator Donna Soucy; State Representative Frank Byron; and Litchfield Town Administrator Troy Brown, among others.\nIn March, water samples in Merrimack revealed elevated levels of PFOA, a possible carcinogen, in the area around the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastic plant in Merrimack. Further results revealed levels of PFOA ranging from 0 to 1600 parts per trillion (ppt) in private wells from the surrounding area. Chronic exposure to PFOA has been linked to a myriad of health issues, including a number of cancers. The EPA currently does not have an enforceable drinking water standard for PFOA, though a recommended limit is expected to be released soon.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-and-guinta-s-bipartisan-task-force-to-combat-the-heroin-epidemic", "Kuster and Guintas Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic Announces Package of Bills to Address the Crisis", "2016-04-21", "2016", "2016-04", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC This morning, the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, led by Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Congressman Frank Guinta (NH-01), held a press conference where they announced a package of 15 bipartisan bills to address and help ultimately solve the heroin epidemic. In addition to Reps. Kuster and Guinta, 14 Members of Congress, including seven Republicans and seven Democrats, joined the press conference to emphasize the importance of passing this agenda.\nAll across the country, families are losing loved ones to this devastating epidemic. We cannot stand idly by and let this happen. Thats why I was proud to found the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, and thats why Im particularly proud that our members  from both sides of the aisle  were able to join together to release todays legislative package, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. Theres no silver bullet for solving this issue, which is why our legislative package takes a multi-faceted approach to meeting this challenge head on  through increased access to treatment, more support and training for our law enforcement officials, pain management training for our medical practitioners, and of course, funding. Working together across these areas, we can put an end to this epidemic and help struggling families across the country. I urge my colleagues in Congress to fully support our package and pass it quickly through the House.\nThe bills announced today as part of the package take a number of steps to address the heroin crisis, including measures to:\n Reform opioid prescription practices\n\tImprove access to treatment\n\tUpdate Department of Veterans Affairs pain treatment procedures\n\tIncrease access to anti-overdose medications\n\tEncourage proper disposal of unused prescriptions\n\tPromote alternatives to incarceration for low-level drug offenders\n\tStrengthen law enforcement at high-intensity drug trafficking areas\n Additional information about the full legislative package can be found here.\nFormed just last year, the Task Force now counts over 70 Republican and Democratic members from across the country, representing districts on the front lines of this epidemic. The fifteen bills we announced today are the result of careful consideration and cooperation among bipartisan partners. We believe these bills, or versions of them, have a good chance of making it to the House Floor, receiving positive votes, and helping our communities to strike back at heroin. Were urging the relevant committees and House Leadership to quickly move them, said Congressman Frank Guinta.\nCongresswoman Kuster has been leading the charge in Congress on fighting the heroin epidemic. The co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, she has introduced numerous bills to address the opioid crisis, including legislation that is part of todays package. One of the leading advocates for the funding of CARA and other measures to fight the crisis, Kuster recently led a bipartisan letter signed by 60 Members of Congress to the House Appropriations Committee in support of strong funding. Back in the Second District of New Hampshire, Kuster works to bring together experts from federal agencies to coordinate efforts to fight the epidemic. She has attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Nashua, Keene, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing local police departments and the communities they serve, and she continues to hold a series of regional briefings around the district to ensure the voices of local stakeholders and affected community members are heard. These experiences help Kuster continue to push her fellow Members of Congress and the White House to support important measures to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-jobs-and-opportunity-fair-in-lebanon", "Kuster Hosts Jobs and Opportunity Fair in Lebanon", "2016-03-08", "2016", "2016-03", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Lebanon, NH \u2013 Today, as part of her commitment to helping local businesses grow and to supporting a skilled workforce, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted a Jobs and Opportunity Fair in Lebanon. The fair connected local job seekers with employment opportunities and training resources throughout the Granite State.\n\u201cSince taking office, I have worked to support economic growth and employment opportunities for Granite State families,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cDespite a lower than average unemployment rate in New Hampshire, many employees remain underemployed and are forced to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. That\u2019s why we must focus on fostering a skilled workforce that can fulfill the employment needs of our local businesses and help ensure our workers have good, well-paying jobs that adequately support their families. Today\u2019s fair was about connecting job seekers with employers, but it was also about connecting Upper Valley residents with the training resources and education programs they need to meet the demands of expanding businesses in the Granite State. This was a wonderful opportunity to help support our growing economy, and I thank everyone who attended today\u2019s fair!\u201d\nDuring the Jobs and Opportunity Fair, hosted at River Valley Community College in Lebanon, job seekers were able to talk with employers from the health care, construction, and financial industries, among others. Participating employers included Lake Sunapee Bank, Novo Nordisk, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, the Common Man Restaurant, and many others. The fair also featured a variety of workforce development programs, including WorkReadyNH and the Community College System of New Hampshire.\nSince first taking office, Kuster has prioritized efforts to foster job creation, grow the economy, and improve workforce development. Kuster has hosted a series of jobs fairs since taking office, which have helped hundreds of job seekers learn about open positions and professional development opportunities around the state. The Lebanon jobs and opportunity fair gave residents a chance to learn about new opportunities in the area, and provided attendees with a chance to visit with the Congresswoman.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-discusses-importance-of-increasing-college-affordability-during", "Kuster Discusses Importance of Increasing College Affordability during Forum at Alvirne High School", "2016-03-07", "2016", "2016-03", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hudson, NH \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted a forum at Alvirne High School with students, administrators, and community members to discuss the importance of increasing college affordability. During the forum, students and parents engaged with a panel of key stakeholders, who shared initiatives aimed at increasing access and reducing the costs of postsecondary education.\n\u201cFor the Granite State to continue to succeed in the 21st century and beyond, we must ensure that our students have access to quality education and training,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cMoreover higher education must be made more affordable for middle-class families. Today was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the students about their experiences, as well as to discuss how we can make higher education accessible through college savings programs and reasonable loan opportunities. I thank our leaders in postsecondary education and Alvirne High School students for joining today\u2019s important conversation. Education is one of the single most critical investments we can make in our children\u2019s lives, and I remain committed to supporting legislation and initiatives in Congress that will help put higher education within reach for every Granite State student and family.\u201d\nAt today\u2019s forum, students spoke about their own higher education aspirations, as well as their thoughts and concerns regarding college affordability. \u00a0Kuster was joined at the forum by Alvirne High School students and administrators, Granite State College President Mark Rubinstein, representatives from Nashua Community College, Rivier University, and the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation, among others. During the discussion, panelists discussed local initiatives to support college affordability through financial aid awareness and planning services, increased academic preparation and college readiness efforts at the secondary school level, dual admissions with the state\u2019s public two- and four-year institutions, as well as career and technical training options. Kuster also outlined steps she is taking in Congress to help students access postsecondary degrees, including her support for the Every Student Succeeds Act, which rectifies many of the flawed provisions implemented under the No Child Left Behind Act. \u00a0\u00a0\nKuster has long fought to increase the accessibility and affordability of higher education for students throughout New Hampshire. She routinely holds roundtables and forums across the state to hear directly from Granite State students about how she can best support their success in Congress, and she will continue to meet with other students at schools across the Second District.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-convenes-field-hearing-on-opioid-prescribing-and-va-pain", "Kuster Convenes Field Hearing on Opioid Prescribing and VA Pain Management Practices", "2016-03-04", "2016", "2016-03", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH \u2013 Today, Ranking Member Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee (HVAC) Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee for a field hearing in New Hampshire. \u00a0The hearing, entitled \u201cAddressing VA Opioid Prescriptions and Pain Management Practices,\u201d examined current pain management practices within the Veterans Administration and its connection to the ongoing opioid epidemic sweeping across New Hampshire and the rest of the country.\n\u201cAs Ranking Member on the O&I Subcommittee, it was an honor to bring today\u2019s hearing to New Hampshire and to hold this important conversation with some of the Granite State\u2019s most preeminent leaders on pain management in the veteran community,\u201d said Representative Kuster, Ranking Member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on O&I. \u201cWe know that there is an undeniable link between opioid pain medication and heroin use, and it is our duty to protect our nation\u2019s veterans from misguided pain treatment practices that could put them on the path to addiction. The brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces have sacrificed so much to protect our way of life, and we must ensure that they receive medical care that will support a healthy, safe transition back to civilian life. What\u2019s more, this hearing opened a discussion between the VA and community leaders that are also working to address the broader heroin epidemic plaguing New Hampshire. I thank my colleagues and today\u2019s witnesses for taking the time to be a part of today\u2019s hearing.\u201d\n\u201cIt\u2019s clear that VA\u2019s over-reliance on prescription opiates to address chronic pain has been harmful to both veterans and our nation,\u201d said Representative Coffman, Chairman of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on O&I. \u201cIf it is shown that safe and effective alternative treatments are working at White River Junction or at other VA centers, VA should ensure these programs are implemented nationwide.\u00a0 I look forward to continuing to work with Representative Kuster on moving these potentially life-changing treatments forward.\u201d\n\u201cI\u2019d like to thank the House Veterans Affairs Committee for hosting this important field hearing today in New Hampshire, where we have one of the country\u2019s highest proportions of U.S. military veterans,\u201d said Representative Guinta. \u201cIn Congress, my colleagues and I are constantly looking for ways to improve their health care at the Veterans Administration. In the middle of an opiate and heroin epidemic, affecting nearly every demographic, we must be especially careful that vets in need of pain management assistance do not become victims of opiate over-prescription, leading to other forms of drug abuse. As a founding member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I appreciate the opportunity to hear from the experts and to add their advice to legislative solutions in Congress.\u201d\nDuring the hearing, Rep. Kuster and the participants questioned New Hampshire Attorney General Joe Foster, local service organizations committed to helping veterans with substance use disorder, and representatives from the Manchester and White River Junction VA Medical Centers on a variety of topics related to substance use disorder (SUD) and pain management within the veteran community. The participants\u2019 questions addressed issues surrounding access to alternative pain management therapies, best pain management practices within the VA, and possible reduction in the amount of opioids being prescribed to veterans under the VA\u2019s Opioid Safety Initiative, among other topics.\nCongresswoman Kuster has served on the U.S. House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee since taking office in 2013. As a result of her leadership on veterans\u2019 issues, last year Kuster was selected to serve as the Ranking Member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, where she pushes for increased transparency at the VA and helps to lead the charge in Washington on the need to address the heroin crisis. The daughter of a WWII veteran, Congresswoman Kuster has long advocated for the needs of New Hampshire veterans, and she frequently holds veteran roundtables, forums, and job fairs for Granite State veterans across the district.\nAs addiction to opioids has risen dramatically across the Granite State, Kuster has also prioritized efforts to address the opioid crisis by holding regional briefings to hear directly from local community members, and by highlighting the issue at the federal level through her work in Congress. Last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that aims to attack the epidemic from a number of different angles, including through increased grant funding and improved coordination among federal agencies. As co-founder of a Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster brings together experts from federal agencies to coordinate efforts to fight the epidemic. She has also attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Nashua, Keene, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing law enforcement and local communities. These experiences help Kuster continue to lead efforts in Congress to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-introduces-bill-to-increase-trade-opportunities-for-new-hampshire", "Kuster Introduces Bill to Increase Trade Opportunities for New Hampshire Businesses", "2016-03-01", "2016", "2016-03", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) introduced the \u201cPromoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act\u201d in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation would streamline travel and commerce operations between the U.S. and Canada, thereby expanding trade opportunities for Granite State businesses and helping to strengthen our national security. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced companion legislation in the Senate today.\n\u201cSince taking office, I have made job creation and support for local business a number one priority. I\u2019m proud to join with Senator Leahy to introduce this bill, which will increase economic and trade opportunities for New Hampshire companies all across the state,\u201d said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. \u201cWhat\u2019s more, this bill will benefit our tourism sector, which is New Hampshire\u2019s second largest industry. By streamlining travel processes between the U.S. and Canada, my bill will strengthen our national security by helping law enforcement stop individuals who pose a potential threat before they step foot on our soil. This is a win-win all around, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together to pass this important piece of legislation.\u201d\n\u201cI am proud to support the introduction of this important legislation today along with my House and Senate colleagues. This\u00a0preclearance\u00a0agreement\u00a0between Canada and the United States\u00a0promotes travel and trade between our two countries and strengthens security along our border. U.S.-Canada trade supports millions of jobs and generates billions of dollars in revenue every year. This legislation will \u00a0strengthen those ties and provide Customs and Border Protection agents with the tools to keep our nations secure,\u201d said Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.\nThe legislation introduced today paves the way for expansion of preclearance facilities, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at land, rail, marine, and air ports of departure in Canada. The United States currently operates preclearance facilities at 15 airports in six countries, including Canada.\u00a0 These facilities allow travelers to pass through CBP inspections prior to traveling, expediting their arrival in the United States, and protecting national security by preventing those who should not be traveling to the United States from doing so before they arrive.\u00a0\nUnder a new agreement, the United States will expand its preclearance operations in Canada, which will include rail preclearance facilities for the first time. The Leahy-Kuster authored legislation ensures that the U.S. has the legal authority to hold U.S. officials accountable if they engage in wrongdoing while stationed in Canada \u2013 a necessary prerequisite to full implementation of this agreement.\nThe bill was introduced in the House today by Congresswoman Annie Kuster, and in the Senate by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) as the chief Republican cosponsor.\u00a0 The other original cosponsors of the House bill are Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Brian Higgins (NY-26), Dan Benishek (MI-01), Dan NewHouse (WA-04), Kevin Cramer (ND-AL), Rick Nolan (MN-08), Chris Collins (NY-27), and Ron Kind (WI-03).\nSince taking office, Kuster has pushed for increased job creation and economic opportunity for Granite Staters. She is the author of a Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Agenda, a blueprint based on meetings with Granite State residents, families, and business owners that outlines common sense steps to help create jobs in New Hampshire. Through her Congress-At-Your-Company series, Kuster routinely visits small businesses and economic development projects across the state to hear how she can help support their success, and she has hosted a number of job fairs to connect employers with Granite Staters looking for work.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-screening-of-the-ghost-army-in-washington-and-urges", "Kuster Hosts Screening of The Ghost Army in Washington, and Urges Colleagues to Pass her Legislation to Honor Ghost Army Veterans", "2016-02-26", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Last night on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted a screening of the PBS documentary The Ghost Army, which tells the story of a covert World War II unit that contributed to key Allied victories, including the Battle of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine River. \u00a0During the screening, which Kuster cohosted with the documentary\u2019s producer, Rick Beyer, Kuster discussed her legislation to award the members of the Ghost Army with a Congressional Gold Medal to honor their heroic actions.\n\u201cUsing their creative tactics, the Ghost Army was responsible for securing some of the most momentous victories of World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine River,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cLast night, we gathered together to honor these courageous men, including Mickey McKane of Keene, for their service as we viewed the documentary about their heroics. The event last night also served to underscore the importance of giving the men of the Ghost Army the recognition they deserve, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation to award members of the unit a collective Congressional Gold Medal.\u201d\nThe 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also known as the \u201cGhost Army,\u201d used tactical deception to divert enemy troops.\u00a0 Recruited from art and design schools and from advertising agencies, these men created false radio transmissions, along with decoy tanks, planes, and other vehicles to deceive German soldiers, while concealing the true movements of Allied troops.\u00a0 The unit\u2019s activities were classified until 1996, meaning that their heroic actions went largely unrecognized until recently.\u00a0\nThis is the second screening of The Ghost Army that Congresswoman Kuster has co-hosted. The first was held in Keene, New Hampshire, where she honored the achievements of Mickey McKane, a Keene native who served in the Ghost Army. During the screening last night in DC, Kuster and Beyer emphasized the importance of passing legislation to honor the Ghost Army; last year, Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and Kuster, both of whom represent districts that were home to veterans of the unit, introduced H.R. 2170, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act.\u00a0 This legislation would collectively award a Congressional Gold Medal to the unit\u2019s members, providing a long-overdue honor to these courageous, creative individuals.\nCongresswoman Kuster currently serves on the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, and last year she was selected by her colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation.\u00a0 The daughter of a WWII veteran, Congresswoman Kuster has long advocated for the needs of New Hampshire veterans, and she frequently hosts roundtables, forums, and job fairs for Granite State veterans.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hears-from-over-8000-granite-staters-during-telephone-town-hall", "Kuster Hears from over 8,000 Granite Staters During Telephone Town Hall on Combating the Heroin Epidemic", "2016-02-25", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 Last night, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted her tenth telephone town hall since taking office. The tele-town hall gave Second District residents a chance to speak directly with the Congresswoman about the issues that matter to them in New Hampshire. Over 8,000 people joined Congresswoman Kuster on the tele-town hall.\nLast night\u2019s town hall focused specifically on the Congresswoman\u2019s efforts to address the opioid epidemic sweeping across the Granite State. During the call, Kuster discussed her work as the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, and she heard the personal stories of constituents who have been affected by the heroin crisis.\n\u201cFar too many New Hampshire families are struggling with the heroin crisis, and Congressional leaders must hear their voices and join together to meet this challenge head on,\u201d said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. \u201cI\u2019ve been holding regional briefings in towns across the district to hear directly from community members about how Congress can assist their on-the-ground efforts to curb the crisis, and our latest telephone town hall gave me another important opportunity to speak with constituents about how the crisis is affecting them. I plan to share the stories I heard with my colleagues on the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, so we can work together to support local, city, and state efforts to put an end to this crisis once and for all.\u201d\nKuster has prioritized efforts to address the opioid crisis across the state by holding regional briefings to hear directly from local community members, and by highlighting the issue at the federal level through her work in Congress. Last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that aims to attack the epidemic from a number of different angles, including through increased grant funding and improved coordination among federal agencies. As co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster brings together experts from federal agencies to coordinate efforts to fight the epidemic. She has also attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Nashua, Keene, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing law enforcement and local communities. These experiences help Kuster continue to lead efforts in Congress to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-helps-pass-bill-out-of-committee-to-address-veteran-pain", "Kuster Helps Pass Bill Out of Committee to Address Veteran Pain Management and to Monitor Opioid Prescriptions", "2016-02-25", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) helped pass The Promise Act out of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee. The Promise Act aims to increase the safety of opioid therapy among veterans and promote alternative methods of care when possible. As both a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster has helped to lead the charge in the fight against prescription drug addiction in the veteran community. During today\u2019s hearing, Kuster also invited hearing participants to attend the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs field hearing she plans to hold in New Hampshire on March 4th, which will also focus specifically on pain management.\n\u201cI\u2019m so pleased that my colleagues were able to join together from both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation, which addresses one of the most pressing issues facing our veterans communities today: adequately addressing pain issues while at the same time promoting safe practices in regards to opioid therapy,\u201d said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. \u201cNo veteran should be forced to live his or her life in pain, so we must ensure necessary pain management tools are available. However, the VA and DOD must also properly monitor prescriptions at the VA, and ensure doctors have the training, tools, and resources necessary to prescribe safely and help prevent addiction. This bill takes a great step in the right direction, and I urge my colleagues to support it when it comes to a vote on the floor.\u201d\nThe bill that passed out of Committee today would direct the VA and the Department of Defense (DOD) to update their Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain, which would mean additional oversight over the prescribing of opioids for outpatient therapy, and the promotion of alternative methods of treatment when appropriate. The new guidelines would also take into better consideration the treatment of patients with a history of substance use disorder, encourage increased case management for patients transitioning from in-patient to outpatient care, and increase the tracking and monitoring of opioid use among veterans.\nThe bill also includes an amendment introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and cosponsored by Congresswoman Kuster that would require the VA to disclose information to the state controlled substance monitoring programs. This ensures VA doctors are participating in state programs designed to reduce substance abuse.\u00a0 All of these measures are meant to cut down on the number of veterans who fall into the dangerous trap of prescription drug addiction, which can often lead to heroin and other opioid misuse.\u00a0\u00a0\nCongresswoman Kuster has served on the U.S. House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee since taking office in 2013. As a result of her leadership on veterans\u2019 issues, last year Kuster was selected to serve as the Ranking Member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, where she pushes for increased transparency at the VA and increased access to health care and services for veterans across the country. The daughter of a WWII veteran, Congresswoman Kuster has long advocated for the needs of New Hampshire veterans, and she frequently holds veteran roundtables, forums, and job fairs for Granite State veterans across the district.\nAs addiction to opioids has risen dramatically across the Granite State, Kuster has also prioritized efforts to address the opioid crisis by holding regional briefings to hear directly from local community members, and by highlighting the issue at the federal level through her work in Congress. Last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that aims to attack the epidemic from a number of different angles, including through increased grant funding and improved coordination among federal agencies. As co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster brings together experts from federal agencies to coordinate efforts to fight the epidemic. She has also attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Nashua, Keene, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing law enforcement and local communities. These experiences help Kuster continue to lead efforts in Congress to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-passing-of-former-portsmouth-mayor-eileen-foley", "Kuster Statement on Passing of Former Portsmouth Mayor Eileen Foley", "2016-02-22", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH  Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement in response to the passing of former Portsmouth Mayor Eileen Foley:\nI was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of one of New Hampshires finest civil servants, former Portsmouth Mayor Eileen Foley. Throughout her eight terms as city mayor, Eileen worked tirelessly to foster tourism and economic growth and inspired countless individuals with her unwavering dedication to public service. My thoughts remain with Eileens family as we mourn her loss and celebrate her enduring impact on the city of Portsmouth.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-hosts-latest-regional-briefing-in-littleton-on-combatting-the", "Kuster Hosts Latest Regional Briefing in Littleton on Combatting the Opioid Epidemic", "2016-02-19", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Littleton, NH This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) brought together stakeholders from the Littleton area to discuss their joint efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in the North Country. Todays briefing was the latest in a series that Congresswoman Kuster has held on this topic around the state. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, a group she helped found last year.\nIn every corner of the state, families are losing loved ones to the devastating opioid epidemic. No family is immune, and we must work together to put an end to this scourge on our communities once and for all, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. I was so pleased to get a chance to meet with local community members in Littleton today, all of whom are dedicated to helping those in need and eradicating the epidemic that is hurting our families. I will take their thoughts with me back to Washington, where I will share their stories with my colleagues on the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic.\nDuring this mornings roundtable, Kuster was joined by Littleton Regional Healthcare CEO Warren West, Littleton Police Chief Paul Smith, Littleton Fire Chief Joseph Mercieri Jr., and State Representative Linda Massimilla, as well as medical providers, treatment providers, town officials, and local advocates, among others. Together, briefing participants discussed the impact of heroin addiction on the North Country, as well as the specific steps Littleton and surrounding towns are taking to put a stop to the growing epidemic throughout the region. Kuster also shared information about her work on the Congressional Task Force and her recent legislative efforts. Last week, Kuster cosponsored the Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) Act, which would fix a glitch in the Affordable Care Act that indirectly incentivizes doctors to prescribe more opioid pain medication than necessary, and last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that aims to attack the epidemic from a number of different angles, including through increased grant funding and increased coordination among federal agencies. She is also pushing for federal emergency funding for states that need more resources to stem the epidemic. \nTodays event is the latest in a series of regional briefings on the opioid epidemic that Congresswoman Kuster has held with stakeholders across the Second District. Kuster uses the information she gathers at these briefings to inform her federal-level efforts to fight the opioid epidemic. In addition to her series of briefings, Kuster has gone on ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Nashua, Franklin and Keene. These ride-alongs provide the Congresswoman with a direct look at the challenges facing law enforcement and local communities. Kuster has taken these conversations with her back to Washington, where she continues to lead efforts to bring an end to the opioid crisis in New Hampshire.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-keene-mayor-pat-russell", "Kuster Statement on the Passing of Former Keene Mayor Pat Russell", "2016-02-19", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Concord, NH  This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the passing of former Keene Mayor, Pat Russell:\nI join all in Keene in mourning the loss of a great leader and true friend, former Mayor Pat Russell. Pat and her husband Ron were passionate public servants who believed they could make a difference in their community and their state. I will miss Pat's hearty laugh, but mostly I will miss her wisdom and advice. My thoughts and prayers are with the Russell family.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-holds-briefing-in-plymouth-to-discuss-combating-opioid-epidemic", "Kuster Holds Briefing in Plymouth to Discuss Combating Opioid Epidemic", "2016-02-18", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Plymouth, NH  Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) sat down with stakeholders from the greater Plymouth area to discuss best practices and ongoing challenges in combating the opioid epidemic. Kuster currently serves as co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Task Force to End the Heroin Epidemic, and she has been holding a series of regional briefings throughout the Second District since the beginning of this year.\nIf we are to put an end to the opioid epidemic, we need to ensure that the perspectives of local, city, state, and federal parties are considered as we search for comprehensive, lasting solutions, said Congresswoman Kuster. Today, I was proud to bring together stakeholders from a variety of different sectors to share best practices, as well as to discuss how I can help from the federal level to tackle the ongoing challenges in their communities. As the co-chair of a bipartisan task force dedicated to ending the heroin crisis, I look forward to sharing todays conversation with my colleagues as we continue working to address the heroin crisis through our efforts in Congress.\nCongresswoman Kuster wasjoined for this discussion, held at Speare Memorial Hospitals Bolder Point location, by Plymouth Police Chief Stephen Lefebvre, Bristol Fire Chief Steve Yannuzzi, and Plymouth State University Dean of Students Jeff Furlone, as well as medical providers, treatment providers, and local advocates, among others. During the briefing, participants discussed the impact opioid addiction has had on the Plymouth community, as well as the specific steps Plymouth and surrounding towns are taking to put a stop to the growing epidemic throughout the region. Kuster also discussed her work in Congress on this issue, including her work on the Task Force and her recent legislative efforts. Last week, Kuster cosponsored the Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) Act, which would fix a glitch in the Affordable Care Act that indirectly incentivizes doctors to prescribe more opioid pain medication than necessary. Todays event comes on the heels of yesterdays briefing in Nashua and is the latest in a series of regional briefings on the opioid epidemic that Congresswoman Kuster has held with stakeholders across the state. Kuster will bring these conversations with her back to Congress to help guide her work on the Task Force.\nKuster has prioritized efforts to address the opioid crisis across the state by convening events on substance use disorders and by highlighting the issue at the federal level through her work in Congress. Last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that aims to attack the epidemic from a number of different angles, including through increased grant funding and increased coordination among federal agencies. As co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster works to bring together experts from federal agencies to coordinate efforts to combat the epidemic. She has also spoken at forums and attended briefings and ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Nashua, Keene, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing law enforcement and local communities. These experiences help Kuster continue to lead efforts in Congress to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-applauds-passage-of-three-bills-she-cosponsored-to-honor-nation-s", "Kuster Applauds Passage of Three Bills She Cosponsored to Honor Nations Veterans", "2016-02-10", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCCongresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) is applauding the passage of three bills she cosponsored to improve services for our nations veterans and commemorate American heroes. A member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the daughter of a WWII veteran, Kuster has long fought for the rights of American veterans, and for better access to medical services and benefits.\nOur veterans made extreme personal sacrifices to serve and protect our nation, and we must make sure their needs are met when they return home, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. From ensuring they can receive the training they need to successfully transition back to civilian life, to providing top-notch mental health services for those dealing with the after-effects of the stressors of service, to memorializing our fallen heroes of 9/11, these bills honor the service-men and women of this country. I was proud to push for passage of these bills, and Im proud of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to approve these bills on the House floor.\nThe three bills cosponsored by Kuster that passed last night will improve services for veterans in a number of ways. H.R. 2360, the Career Ready Student Veterans Act, will help ensure that educational and training programs serving our nations veterans meet state accreditation standards, protecting the quality of education provided for veteran students. H.R. 2915, the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, will direct the VA to identify suicide prevention programs that are proven to be most effective for female veterans in order to ensure the unique needs of women veterans are more effectively addressed. H.R. 3036, the National 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center Act, will designate the September 11th Memorial at the World Trade Center as a national memorial, thereby awarding a grant of up to $25 million per fiscal year for the maintenance of the site.\nCongresswoman Kuster has served on the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee since taking office in 2013. As a result of her leadership on veterans issues, last year Kuster was selected to serve as the Ranking Member of the Veterans Affairs Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, where she pushes for increased transparency at the VA and access to health care and services for veterans across the country. The daughter of a WWII veteran, Congresswoman Kuster has long advocated for the needs of New Hampshire veterans, and she frequently holds veteran roundtables, forums, and job fairs for Granite State veterans across the district.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-calls-for-comprehensive-action-to-combat-zika-virus", "Kuster Calls for Comprehensive Action to Combat Zika Virus", "2016-02-10", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  In response to the emerging Zika virus outbreak, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) called upon President Obama and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take additional steps to address the recent outbreak of the virus abroad and prevent its spread in the United States.\nThe Zika virus has rapidly emerged as one of the most pressing public health concerns facing this country, said Congresswoman Kuster. It is critically important for us to take necessary action to combat the spread of this dangerous virus. I was proud to be joined by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in calling for increased federal resources to improve public awareness about the virus, and to facilitate the development of a vaccine that could protect the health and wellbeing of countless Americans.\nKuster sent letters to both President Obama and the FDA calling for comprehensive action that will support additional research into combating the Zika virus. In her letter to President Obama, Kuster urged the Administration to increase public education efforts, explore preventive measures, and increase funding for Zika research, among other efforts. Additionally, Kuster was joined by representatives from both sides of the aisle in calling upon the FDA to add the Zika virus to the Neglected Tropical Disease list. The addition of the Zika virus to this list would facilitate research into effective vaccines and treatments, in order to prevent the further spread of the dangerous disease. The full text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-cosponsors-bill-to-help-prevent-prescription-drug-addiction", "Kuster Cosponsors Bill To Help Prevent Prescription Drug Addiction", "2016-02-09", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to End the Heroin Epidemic, proudly helped introducethe Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) Act. The bill, which is also sponsored by Congressman Alex Mooney (WV-2), would fix a glitch in the Affordable Care Act that indirectly incentivizes doctors to prescribe more opioid pain medication than necessary.\nAround the country, families are losing loved ones to the devastating opioid epidemic that is sweeping across the nation. Far too many of those individuals struggling with opioid and heroin addiction first started after developing a dependence on prescription drugs, said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. Thats why Im a proud cosponsor of the Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing Act, which will help encourage doctors to use best-practices when prescribing medication, in order to prevent patients from starting on the dangerous path towards addiction. We must put an end to this epidemic once and for all; I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and pass this important legislation without delay.\nIn recent years, heroin and opioid addiction has risen dramatically across the nation, and the epidemic has hit New England states like New Hampshire particularly hard. Studies have shown that many individuals struggling with the epidemic were first started on the path to addiction after becoming dependent on prescription drugs. A provision in the Affordable Care Act links Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors to patients self-assessed pain levels, which can lead to over-prescribing opioids when other options might be available. The PROP Act would remove the link between the self-assessment and Medicare reimbursement rates.\nAs the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster has helped lead efforts to put an end to the epidemic. Earlier this year, she hosted a Special Order in the House to urge her colleagues in Congress to take action; during the Special Order, she and 10 of her colleagues shared on the House Floor the stories of Americans who have been affected by the crisis. Last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that addresses several aspects of combatting the growing heroin epidemic across the country, including the establishment of the Interagency Task Force on Heroin Addiction, the reauthorization of vital drug crisis grants, and the revision of treatment administration guidelines for individuals who are unable to receive take-home treatment, among other provisions. She has also hosted a series of regional briefings across the state to bring together city, state, and federal stakeholders to discuss solutions on the local and federal level, and she has participated in numerous ride-a-longs with members of local law enforcement to get a firsthand look at the challenges they face battling this epidemic and keeping our communities safe.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-urges-house-budget-committee-to-prioritize-funding-to-curb-heroin", "Kuster Urges House Budget Committee to Prioritize Funding To Curb Heroin Epidemic", "2016-02-03", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) testified in front of the House Budget Committee to underscore the importance of increasing funding to address the opioid epidemic in the FY2017 budget.\nFar too many families in the Granite State and across the country are losing loved ones due to heroin use. This is not a partisan issue; representatives from both sides of the aisle must come together to put an end to this crisis once and for all. Today, I urged the Budget Committee to prioritize funding for the health care providers, treatment centers, specialists, and law enforcement officials who are working tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe and help those struggling with addiction. Yesterdays proposal by the President to increase funding by $1.1 billion was a good step in the right direction; we must ensure this funding is incorporated into the final budget and properly allocated to states like New Hampshire, where we have the nations highest per-capita addiction rate, but the second-lowest treatment capacity. I thank the Budget Committee for hearing my remarks today.\nAs the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster works to bring together experts from numerous federal agencies to coordinate efforts to combat the epidemic. Earlier this year, she hosted a Special Order in the House to urge her colleagues in Congress to take action; during the Special Order, she and 10 of her colleagues shared on the House Floor the stories of Americans who have been affected by the crisis. Last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that addresses several aspects of combatting the growing heroin epidemic across the country, including the establishment of the Interagency Task Force on Heroin Addiction, the reauthorization of vital drug crisis grants, and the revision of treatment administration guidelines for individuals who are unable to receive take-home treatment, among other provisions. She has also hosted a series of regional briefings across the state to bring together city, state, and federal stakeholders to discuss solutions on the local and federal level, and she has participated in numerous ride-a-longs with members of local law enforcement to get a firsthand look at the challenges they face battling this epidemic and keeping our communities safe.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-white-house-proposal-to-increase-funding-to-fight", "Kuster Statement on White House Proposal to Increase Funding to Fight the Heroin Epidemic by $1.1 Billion", "2016-02-02", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the Presidents proposal to increase funding to address the opioid epidemic in his 2017 Budget:\nThe heroin epidemic is taking a devastating toll on thousands of families in the Granite State and across the country. As the cofounder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I have long urged the President and Congress to increase funding for this fight. We must ensure that states, advocates, city officials, and medical providers have the resources they need to provide treatment, recovery, support, and life-long care for those suffering from addiction. Whats more, we must increase support for law enforcement officials and first responders, who are risking their lives every day as they work to keep opioids off the street and prevent more senseless deaths from overdose. I thank President Obama for listening to the recommendations of my task force when he proposed an additional $1.1 billion in his budget to go towards fighting this epidemic, and I will not stop working to ensure this proposal is reflected in the final budget process and that it adequately benefits the most at-need states like New Hampshire. \nThe proposal released today by the White House requests an additional $1.1 billion to address the epidemic. Among other things, the proposal would: direct $1 billion in mandatory funding over two years for expanded access to treatment for heroin and prescription drug use; allocate $920 million for states to increase access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders; and provide $50 million in National Health Service Corps funding to increase the accessibility of substance use treatment providers. Approximately 700 providers of medication-assisted treatment and behavioral health treatment in areas across the country lacking in this type of care will be supported by this funding. Additional information about the proposal can be found here.\nCongresswoman Kuster plans to testify in front of the Budget Committee tomorrow at 12:15 PM in order to express the importance of including funding for the opioid epidemic. While the Presidents budget proposal is hopeful news, Kuster will continue to work to ensure that this funding becomes a reality and that New Hampshire will receive much-needed federal funds to put an end to the epidemic sweeping across the state.\nAs the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster works to bring together experts from numerous federal agencies to coordinate efforts to combat the epidemic. Earlier this year, she hosted a Special Order in the House to urge her colleagues in Congress to take action; during the Special Order, she and 10 of her colleagues shared on the House Floor the stories of Americans who have been affected by the crisis. Last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that addresses several aspects of combatting the growing heroin epidemic across the country, including the establishment of the Interagency Task Force on Heroin Addiction, the reauthorization of vital drug crisis grants, and the revision of treatment administration guidelines for individuals who are unable to receive take-home treatment, among other provisions. She has also hosted a series of regional briefings across the state to bring together city, state, and federal stakeholders to discuss solutions on the local and federal level, and she has participated in numerous ride-a-longs with members of local law enforcement to get a firsthand look at the challenges they face battling this epidemic and keeping our communities safe.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-anniversary-of-lilly-ledbetter-fair-pay-act-becoming", "Kuster Statement on Anniversary of Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Becoming Law", "2016-01-29", "2016", "2016-01", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act being signed into law on this date seven years ago:\nSeven years ago, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. This legislation was made possible by the courageous acts of a female worker who stood up against pay discrimination and paved the way for other women across the country to fight back against inequality. The law in her name goes a long way towards helping women receive the equal pay for equal work that they deserve  but as women in New Hampshire and across the country continue to make only 78 cents to every mans dollar, theres still so much more we need to do. I urge my colleagues in the House and the Senate to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill I cosponsored that will further Lilly Ledbetters vitally important work, and help reduce the pay gap between men and women. \n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-passing-of-former-concord-mayor-martin-gross", "Kuster Statement on Passing of Former Concord Mayor Martin Gross", "2016-01-28", "2016", "2016-01", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the death of former Concord Mayor Martin Gross:\nI am saddened to hear of the loss of a dear friend and community leader, Martin Gross, former Mayor of Concord. Martin was a premier lawyer and highly regarded political strategist for generations of New Hampshire politicians. I am grateful for his wisdom, guidance and support over the past 40 years. My heart is with his wife Deirdre and his many, many friends.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 106, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "NH", "p2": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=NH&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 106, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=NH&year=2016&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=NH&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 106, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=NH&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=NH&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "NH", "label": "NH", "count": 106, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=NH&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 106, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=NH", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2016-01-28,http~3A~2F~2Fkuster~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fkuster-statement-on-passing-of-former-concord-mayor-martin-gross", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=NH&year=2016&_next=2016-01-28%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fkuster~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fkuster-statement-on-passing-of-former-concord-mayor-martin-gross&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 99.82049791142344, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}