Shaheen Meets with Moms Demand Action to Discuss New Gun Safety Law in Manchester
Shaheen & Mayor Craig meet with advocates from Moms Demand Action in Manchester
Shaheen & Mayor Donchess tour Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter Spring Street facility to highlight $900K Congressionally Directed Spending award
Shaheen delivers remarks during 64th ARS Return Ceremony at the Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington
(Manchester, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig met with members of the gun violence advocacy group, Moms Demand Action, to talk about gun violence prevention and reform efforts in New Hampshire. Shaheen discussed her work to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and what this historic legislation that was recently signed into law means for Granite State communities.
“Today, I met with incredible women and volunteers from Moms Demand Action in Manchester to talk about commonsense measures needed to address gun violence in New Hampshire and across the country. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which I supported and was recently signed into law, made important progress to keep guns out of the wrong hands and create safer communities, but our work is far from over,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’ll keep working to curb senseless gun violence and bolster gun safety protection measures.”
Shaheen has been a strong advocate for gun violence prevention efforts. She has long pushed to expand federal background checks for all gun sales, close what is commonly referred to as the ‘boyfriend loophole’ and prevent convicted stalkers from buying a gun. Shaheen also released a statement criticizing Governor Sununu and New Hampshire Republicans for their extreme bill – now law in New Hampshire – that prohibits the State from enforcing any federal statute, regulation or Executive Order related to measures to stem the epidemic of gun violence.
Later in the afternoon, Shaheen stopped by the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter (NSKS)’s Spring Street facility, joined by Mayor Jim Donchess, following her successful work to secure $900,000 to support renovations. She secured this funding through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process as a senior appropriator who helped write the annual government funding legislation. Due to rising inflation rates and other economic challenges brought on by the pandemic, the project would not have been possible without this CDS funding. The award will help cover the increasing costs of constructing a new emergency shelter that will include a 48-bed family shelter, an 18-bed shelter for single men, a 14-bed shelter for single women and 11 studio apartment units for permanent, supported housing. The facility will also accommodate in-house physician equipment for onsite medical support and two spacious, flexible classrooms for a wide range of supportive programs for NSKS clients and community members.
“The pandemic exacerbated housing insecurity, and those effects are still being felt by families across New Hampshire. That’s why I helped secure $900,000 for this transformative expansion project in Nashua through the annual funding legislation I helped write,” said Senator Shaheen. “The need for shelter space and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Nashua is acute, and I appreciate the critical work NSKS does on the frontlines to support vulnerable Granite Staters.”
As a senior appropriator, Shaheen used her role to push for local projects in New Hampshire through the CDS process, which allows federal elected officials to work with local stakeholders to direct investment to projects that provide assistance to Granite State communities. In total, Shaheen helped secure $68,797,000 for New Hampshire in fiscal year 2022.
Also today, U.S. Senators Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, alongside U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01), welcomed the 64th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) back to the Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington. The lawmakers delivered remarks at the ceremony and met with New Hampshire National Guard leadership and service members.
“I was honored to take part in today’s ceremony welcoming the 64th Air Refueling Squadron back to Pease after more than two years away,” said Senator Shaheen. “The men and women of the 64th have played a vital role in safeguarding our national security, and today was an important opportunity to thank them for their service and discuss critical priorities for the New Hampshire Air National Guard like continuing to expand the operational use of the 157th Air Refueling Wing’s KC-46s. As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I’ll continue to advocate for the investments needed at Pease and advance the Granite State’s leading role in supporting our national defense.”
“It was an honor to welcome the 64th Air Refueling Squadron back to Pease and back to the Granite State today,” said Senator Hassan. “The fact that the KC-46 is stationed here reaffirms the excellence, ingenuity, and hard work of all those who serve at Pease – and I have been proud to work with our Congressional Delegation to ensure that the men and women who serve here at Pease have the resources, equipment, and support that they need to complete their vital mission.”
“It was an honor to join the Airmen and families of the 64th Air Refueling Squadron today to welcome them back to New Hampshire,” said Representative Chris Pappas. “Their role in the Total Force Initiative, working alongside the New Hampshire Air National Guard, is of critical importance as they lead the future of air refueling. We’re grateful to have their talent and skills back in New Hampshire now that they’ve returned, and I look forward to continuing to do all I can to support their work on the KC-46.”
Senators Shaheen and Hassan have worked to support Pease Air National Guard Base and secure necessary investments in equipment and funding to help the Air Base continue its critical mission. Thanks to strong advocacy by Senator Shaheen, then-Governor Hassan, and the New Hampshire National Guard, Pease was selected as the Air Force’s first Air National Guard KC-46 main operating base, an economic benefit to Pease and the surrounding community. As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Shaheen tirelessly advocated for the return of the 64th ARS, including by protecting the Air Force’s legacy tanker divestment efforts in the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act which allowed the 64th to return to Pease. Additionally, Senators Shaheen and Hassan worked with the rest of the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation to secure critical funding for construction projects at Pease, including reconstructing Pease’s runways.
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