Senator Shaheen Hosts a Series of Discussions with New Hampshire Stakeholders Highlighting Impact of Potential Republican-Forced Government Shutdown

Shaheen at the Waypoint offices in Concord with New Hampshire Charitable Foundation President/CEO Dick Ober [left] and Waypoint President/CEO Borja Alvarez de Toledo [right].

(Washington, D.C.) -- U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) hosted a series of discussions with a small business and community leaders to highlight the potentially devastating impacts of a Republican-led government shutdown on New Hampshire. Senator Shaheen met with stakeholders in Portsmouth, Concord and Bedford.

“After traveling around the state and speaking with small business, nonprofit and housing stakeholders that would be affected by a potential government shutdown, one thing was clear: a shutdown would be a huge financial strain on Granite State organizations,” said Senator Shaheen. “An unnecessary and completely avoidable shutdown would cause uncertainty for business owners and employees and would impact the most vulnerable Granite Staters, cutting them off from vital services they need.”

“The Senate has proven that we can work in a bipartisan manner to pass funding bills,” the Senator continued. “House Republican leadership should stick to the deal they negotiated with the President in May regarding spending levels and Speaker McCarthy should not allow a group of Republican extremists to succeed in shutting down the government, which would cost billions of dollars and cause unnecessary harm to Americans everywhere.”

Shaheen’s first stop was at Appledore Marine Engineering in Portsmouth, where she met with their leadership team to discuss how federal contractors can be negatively impacted by a government shutdown. Appledore has projects that could be affected by a shutdown, including work they do for the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy.

Shaheen then met with representatives from New Hampshire nonprofit organizations at Waypoint’s offices in Concord. At Waypoint, she heard from various nonprofit leaders about how a potential shutdown would impact the functions of their various organizations, as well as the Granite Staters who need their services. Specifically, the organizations expressed concerns that a shutdown will result in delays in funding they rely on to support our most vulnerable citizens and possible cuts to critical energy, education and nutrition programs.

"As a nonprofit, we are dependent on federal funds to keep our important work going. Since 75% of our expenses go towards paying staff, we might not have the resources to pay our employees and run necessary programs that are a lifeline for many NH residents," said Borja Alvarez de Toledo, M.Ed., President/CEO, Waypoint.

Shaheen finished her day by meeting with community leaders at New Hampshire Housing in Bedford to discuss the impact of a potential shutdown on the state’s response to the housing crisis and the operations of public housing authorities, developers, renters, homeowners and other stakeholders.

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