NRCC - Carol Shea-Porter to Party Bosses: Bring on the Debt

Shea-Porter Backs Debt Ceiling Hike as Democrats Continue to Spend Too Much, Tax Too Much, and Borrow Too Much

Washington- Carol Shea-Porter did everything she could to enable her party’s reckless spending addiction today when she voted to increase the country’s debt limit by about $300 billion, allowing Democrats to pile a new round of wasteful spending onto the backs of American taxpayers.

 “‘In a world of alternatives, that's the one we have,’ said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., acknowledging that the need to revisit so many controversial items early next year will be a huge headache for Democrats, who control Congress.”

“Particularly troublesome is must-pass legislation to make sure the government doesn't default on its obligations when it hits its $12.1 trillion limit on borrowing in the coming days. The bill would boost the ceiling by $290 billion, giving the Treasury another six weeks of borrowing power before Congress will have to act again.” (Andrew Taylor, “House Passes Defense Bill, Rushes Toward Recess,” Associated Press, 12/16/09)

The debt limit hike comes as Democrats attempt to push another ‘stimulus’ spending spree and force their bloated government healthcare takeover through Congress.

 “Lawmakers, with one eye on the door, plan to conclude the day with a vote on a $174 billion jobs bill combining help for state and local governments with spending on infrastructure and extended benefits for the jobless. Half of that comes from diverting money from the Wall Street bailout fund.” (Taylor, 12/16/09)

 “Carol Shea-Porter fits right in with a Democrat-led Congress that spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Americans have had enough of the Democrats’ runaway spending spree, but Shea-Porter just voted to give her party leaders a $300 billion blank check signed by the taxpayers. Shea-Porter should drop her party’s reckless agenda before she spends herself out of office.”

After giving her party the green light for more spending on the backs of New Hampshire taxpayers, will Carol Shea-Porter ever get the message that enough is enough?

Shea-Porter Statement on Jobs for Main Street Act

Congresswoman Shea-Porter released the following statement after voting in favor of the Jobs for Main Street Act:

“I voted against every Wall Street bailout.  I voted to use these funds to ease the pain on Main Street by creating jobs.  While Wall Street did not deserve the help, the people of New Hampshire do.”

Shea-Porter Secures $10 Million for New Hampshire Air National Guard

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter announced that the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 3288), which has passed both the House and the Senate and is now headed to the President’s desk for signature, includes $10,000,000 in funding for the New Hampshire Air National Guard at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth.  This funding was requested and secured by Shea-Porter and will go to constructing a single headquarters facility for operations that will improve communications and efficiency. The Consolidated Appropriations Act passed the House 221 to 202. 

“The New Hampshire Air Guard at Pease will operate more efficiently because of this funding,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter.  “Our local Guard members are essential and we must provide them with the facilities they need.”

A full description of what funding will be used for is below.

Air National Guard - NH  Pease International Tradeport: 10,000,000

This funding request will enable the 157 Operations Group to consolidate its components into a single building, thus improving its command communications and overall efficiency of operations. The fact that not all Operations Group components are co-located in a single facility impacts the efficiency of command communications and operational coordination. The need for consolidation has become acute due to the 24/7 operations tempo required by the unit mission and the impending arrival of an active-duty Wing.



NHDP - Do Senate Candidates Terry Pfaff and Rep. David Boutin Support Republican Plan to Make Health Care Less Affordable

Republican Candidates for Senate District 16 should tell voters where they stand on proposals that would cut 1500+ kids from state's Healthy Kids Silver program and slash Medicaid.

 
Concord -  New Hampshire House Republicans have introduced legislation that would radically cut health services for New Hampshire's seniors, children, and needy citizens.  Two bills - HB1283 and HB1587 - are particularly noteworthy for the severe cuts they make to essential health services for the state's most vulnerable citizens.
 
HB1283 would cut more than 1500 children from Healthy Kids Silver, a program that provides low income families with access to affordable health insurance.  While HB1587 would eliminate funding for prescription drug coverage, wheelchair vans and mental health care, among other services.
 
As of Wednesday, neither Terry Pfaff nor Rep. David Boutin - the two individuals competing to be the Republican nominee for the Senate District 16 special election - had taken a position on the legislation.
 
"Terry Pfaff and Rep. David Boutin should tell the people of district 16 where they stand on the Republican plan to roll back health care for the state's most vulnerable citizens," said Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.  
 
"The Republican proposals would be devastating for struggling families in the district and the voters have a right to know where they stand on these important issues," Richer added.
 
"Governor Lynch, Rep. Jeff Goley, and legislative Democrats have worked hard to balance the budget while protecting essential services like these," continued Richer.  "If elected, will Pfaff and Boutin stand with New Hampshire families and oppose radical Republican proposals like these or side with their party's leadership?"
 
The voters of Senate District 16, which includes Bow, Candia, Dunbarton, Hooksett and Wards 1, 2 and 12 in Manchester, are holding an election to replace former Senator Ted Gatsas who resigned from his seat when he became Mayor of Manchester.  
 
The primary will be held January 12th, followed by the general election on February 16th.  Terry Pfaff and Rep. David Boutin are the two Republicans running for the seat.  Rep. Jeff Goley is the only Democrat in the race.
 
Additional background on HB1587: HB1587 would require the state to eliminate all non federally mandated benefits, including outpatient hospital for mental illnesses; mental health centers; prescription drugs; medical support in the home and durable medical equipment; ambulance services; wheelchair van services; audiology services; optometric services (eyeglasses); psychology; private duty nursing; physical therapy; speech therapy; occupational therapy; medical services clinics; personal care; day habilitation; adult medical day care; crisis intervention; intensive home and community services; child health support services; home based therapy; placement services; private non-medical institutions for children; Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR); inpatient psych facility for individuals under 22 years of age; school based services; home and community based care (HCBC) waiver services (including the Choices for Independent waiver, Acquired Brain Disorder waiver, In-home supports waiver, and Developmentally Disabled)

Shea-Porter Secures More Than $600,000 for First District Police Departments

WASHINGTON, DC  — Today, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter announced that the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 3288), which has passed both the House and the Senate and is now headed to the President’s desk for signature, includes $622,000 in funding for police departments in the First District. This funding was requested and secured by Shea-Porter, and includes $315,000 for the Manchester Police Department, $285,000 for the Rochester Police Department, and $22,000 for the Somersworth Police Department.  The Consolidated Appropriations Act passed the House 221 to 202. 

“Providing funding for public safety must always be a priority,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter.  “The equipment that these police departments will now be able to purchase will enable New Hampshire to remain the safest state in the country.”

Descriptions of how the funding will be used:

Manchester Police Department, Manchester, NH: $315,000

Funds will be used to replace radios and purchase tactical equipment.

Rochester Police Department, Rochester, NH: $285,000

Funds will be used for the acquisition of technology to deal with evolving law enforcement issues.

Somersworth Police Department, Somersworth, NH: $22,000

Funds will be used to purchase portable radios provided to Patrol Officers.