New Hampshire

State Senators:

Maggie Hassan (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2017

Full Name: Margaret Wood Hassan
Date of Birth: February 27, 1958
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Maggie Hassan was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Lincoln, Massachusetts. She attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in History from Brown University in 1980. Hassan received her Juris Doctor from the Northeastern University School of Law in 1985.

Personal Life: Maggie Hassan is married to Thomas Hassan, and they have two children. The family resides in Newfields, New Hampshire. Known for her dedication to public service and her pragmatic approach to governance, Hassan continues to work towards policies that benefit all Americans and uphold the values of fairness and opportunity.

Early Career: After law school, Hassan worked as an attorney for Brigham and Women’s Hospital and later as Associate General Counsel for Community Health Plan. She also served as an attorney at the Boston firm of Palmer & Dodge.

Political Career:

Public Service: Hassan’s public service career began with her work in state government, where she served as a member of the New Hampshire State Senate from 2004 to 2010. She was Senate Majority Leader from 2008 to 2010. Hassan focused on issues such as healthcare, education, and job creation.
Governor of New Hampshire: Elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2014, Hassan served as the 81st Governor of New Hampshire. As governor, she prioritized expanding Medicaid, improving the state’s infrastructure, and supporting economic development. Hassan played a key role in negotiating a bipartisan budget that included funding for substance abuse treatment and prevention programs.
U.S. Senate: In 2016, Hassan was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Senator Kelly Ayotte. She was re-elected in 2022. As a senator, Hassan focuses on issues such as healthcare, education, veterans’ affairs, and cybersecurity. She is known for her bipartisan approach and efforts to find common ground on key issues.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Finance
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Joint Economic Committee
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control

Legislative Achievements:

Healthcare: Hassan has been a strong advocate for healthcare access and affordability. She worked on legislation to combat the opioid crisis, protect Medicaid expansion, and lower prescription drug costs.
Education: Hassan supports improving education funding and access. She has pushed for policies to reduce student loan debt and expand early childhood education.
Economic Policies: Hassan focuses on job creation, small business support, and infrastructure investment. She has supported legislation to boost economic growth and enhance workforce development.
National Security: Hassan advocates for strong national security measures, including cybersecurity protections and veterans’ services. She has worked on legislation to enhance border security and improve the functioning of the Department of Homeland Security.
Social Justice: Hassan is a proponent of equal rights and social justice. She supports women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and voting rights, and has championed policies to address discrimination and promote civil liberties.

Senator Maggie Hassan is known for her bipartisan approach to governance, with a focus on healthcare, education, and national security. Her background as Governor of New Hampshire and extensive legal and public service experience shape her legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where she continues to advocate for policies that benefit her constituents and the nation.

Committees

Finance: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the economic direction of a country or region by influencing fiscal and monetary policies that impact individuals, businesses, and governments.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP): Committee addresses issues related to health care, education, employment, and retirement policies.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee plays a critical role in shaping policies related to national security, ensuring effective and efficient government operations, and maintaining oversight of federal agencies and programs.

Veterans’ Affairs: Oversees veterans’ benefits, medical care, and assistance in transitioning to civilian life.

Joint Economic Committee: Bipartisan committee composed of members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This committees’ role is to inform Congress about the state of the economy and provide policy recommendations to address economic challenges and opportunities. Its work helps shape economic policy and legislation in the United States.

United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control: Committee plays a role in shaping U.S. drug policy and enhancing efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse on both national and international levels.

Voting patterns

Senator Tester has a voting record that aligns with his focus on supporting veterans, healthcare, environmental protection, and economic policies.

Key Voting Patterns:

Healthcare and Reproductive Rights:

Healthcare Access: Hassan is a strong advocate for expanding healthcare access and reducing costs. She voted for the “American Rescue Plan Act” (H.R.1319), which included provisions to expand Medicaid and lower healthcare costs.
Reproductive Rights: Hassan supports reproductive rights and has consistently voted to protect and expand them. She voted for the “Women’s Health Protection Act” (S.1975) to codify the right to access abortion services.

Education:

Student Loan Relief: Hassan supports measures to alleviate student debt and improve access to education. She voted for the “Build Back Better Act” (H.R.5376), which included provisions for increasing funding for higher education and reducing student loan debt.
Early Childhood Education: Hassan advocates for expanding access to early childhood education. She voted for the “Child Care for Working Families Act” (H.R.1364) to increase funding and support for childcare services.

Economic Policies:

Job Creation and Infrastructure: Hassan focuses on job creation and infrastructure investment. She voted for the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” (H.R.3684) to modernize infrastructure and create jobs.
Small Business Support: Hassan supports small businesses and has voted for legislation to provide financial assistance and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses.

National Security and Defense:

Cybersecurity: Hassan prioritizes cybersecurity and has supported legislation to enhance protections against cyber threats. She voted for the “Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act” (H.R.1731) to improve information sharing on cyber threats.
Veterans’ Services: Hassan is committed to supporting veterans and has voted for various bills to improve veterans’ healthcare and benefits, including the “VA MISSION Act” (S.2372).

Social Justice and Civil Rights:

Voting Rights: Hassan is a proponent of expanding and protecting voting rights. She voted for the “For the People Act” (H.R.1) to enhance voting rights and address campaign finance reform.
Equality: Hassan supports LGBTQ+ rights and voted for the “Equality Act” (H.R.5) to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Senator Hassan’s voting record reflects her commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic growth through equitable policies, comprehensive healthcare access, a balanced national security approach, strong environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights.

Full Name: Cynthia Jeanne Shaheen
Date of Birth: January 28, 1947
Birthplace: St. Charles, Missouri

Early Life and Education: Jeanne Shaheen was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and grew up in various places as her father served in the military. She attended high school in Pennsylvania and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 1969. Shaheen later received a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Mississippi in 1973.

Personal Life: Jeanne Shaheen is married to Bill Shaheen, an attorney and former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. They have three daughters and several grandchildren. The family resides in Madbury, New Hampshire. Known for her dedication to public service and her pragmatic approach to governance, Shaheen continues to work towards policies that benefit all Americans and uphold the values of fairness and opportunity.

Early Career: After completing her education, Shaheen worked as a high school teacher and later became involved in local politics. She managed several political campaigns and served as a small business owner, running a jewelry store with her husband, Bill Shaheen.

Jeanne Shaheen (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2009

Political Career:

New Hampshire State Senate: Elected in 1990, Shaheen served in the New Hampshire State Senate until 1996. She was known for her work on education, healthcare issues and economic development.
Governor of New Hampshire: In 1996, Shaheen was elected Governor of New Hampshire, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She served three terms from 1997 to 2003. As governor, Shaheen prioritized education reform, expanded kindergarten programs, and worked on initiatives to improve the state’s economy. She also focused on healthcare access and environmental protection.
U.S. Senate: In 2008, Shaheen was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Senator John E. Sununu. She was re-elected in 2014 and 2020. As a senator, Shaheen has been a strong advocate for military families, small businesses, and renewable energy. She is known for her bipartisan approach and efforts to find common ground on key issues.

Committee Assignments:

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Committee on Appropirations
Committee on Armed Services
Committee on Foergin Relations
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Chairman)
Select Committee on Ethics

Legislative Achievements:

Energy and Environment: Advocates for responsible development of energy resources and significant forest management reforms. Sponsored the most significant public lands bill for Montana in over 30 years.
Healthcare: Supports market-based healthcare reforms and has voted against the Affordable Care Act. Emphasizes reducing prescription drug prices and increasing competition in the healthcare market.
Economic Development: Focuses on job creation and economic growth through tax cuts and deregulation. Supports policies that benefit small businesses and foster a favorable business environment.
National Security: Strong proponent of national defense and cybersecurity measures. Consistently votes for the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) to ensure robust funding for the military.

Senator Shaheen is known for her dedication to healthcare reform, education, economic development, and national security. Her background as a former governor and extensive experience in public service shape her legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where she continues to advocate for policies that benefit her constituents and the nation.

Committees

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission. This is a U.S. government agency that monitors and promotes the following in Europe and surrounding areas: Human Rights, Democracy, Military Security, Economic Cooperation, and Humanitarian Issues. The commission includes members from the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and executive branch, and it conducts various activities to inform U.S. policy and ensure adherence to international agreements.

Appropriations: Committee members manage and oversee federal budget to ensure government funds are allocated and spent properly.

Armed Services: Oversees military operations, defense policies, and the Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Foreign Relations: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, providing a check on the executive branch’s conduct of international relations, and ensuring that America’s global engagements reflect the values and interests of its citizens.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee plays a crucial role in advocating for the needs of small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating an environment conducive to small business success and economic growth.

Select Committee on Ethics: Committee plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the Senate by ensuring that all members and staff adhere to the highest ethical standards. It operates with a bipartisan approach to uphold the ethical principles and accountability of the legislative body.

Voting patterns

Senator Shaheen has a voting record that reflects her commitment to healthcare reform, education, economic growth, national security, and environmental protection.

Key Voting Patterns:

Healthcare and Reproductive Rights:

Healthcare Access: Shaheen is a strong advocate for expanding healthcare access and affordability. She voted for the “American Rescue Plan Act” (H.R.1319) to provide COVID-19 relief and support healthcare systems. She also supported the “Affordable Insulin Now Act” (H.R.6833) to cap insulin prices.
Reproductive Rights: Shaheen supports reproductive rights and has consistently voted to protect and expand them. She voted for the “Women’s Health Protection Act” (S.1975) to codify the right to access abortion services and supported the “Right to Contraception Act” (H.R.8373).

Education:

Student Loan Relief: Shaheen supports measures to alleviate student debt and improve access to education. She voted for the “Build Back Better Act” (H.R.5376), which included provisions for increasing funding for higher education and reducing student loan debt.
Early Childhood Education: Shaheen advocates for expanding access to early childhood education. She voted for the “Child Care for Working Families Act” (H.R.1364) to increase funding and support for childcare services.

Economic Policies:

Job Creation and Infrastructure: Shaheen focuses on job creation and infrastructure investment. She voted for the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” (H.R.3684) to modernize infrastructure and create jobs.
Small Business Support: Shaheen supports small businesses and has voted for legislation to provide financial assistance and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. She voted for the “Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act” (H.R.266).

National Security and Defense:

Cybersecurity: Shaheen prioritizes cybersecurity and has supported legislation to enhance protections against cyber threats. She voted for the “Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act” (H.R.1731) to improve information sharing on cyber threats.
Veterans’ Services: Shaheen is committed to supporting veterans and has voted for various bills to improve veterans’ healthcare and benefits, including the “VA MISSION Act” (S.2372).

Energy and Environment:

Environmental Protection: Shaheen supports renewable energy development and stringent environmental regulations. She voted for the “Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act” (H.R.4447) to advance clean energy technologies and supported the “Climate Action Now Act” (H.R.9) to keep the U.S. in the Paris Agreement.

Senator Shaheen’s voting record reflects her commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic growth through equitable policies, comprehensive healthcare access, robust national security, strong environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights.