Protecting LIHEAP Funding, Preventing Another Government Shutdown, and More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 16, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — This week, Congresswoman Kuster spoke out against cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that have resulted from across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration. During a visit to Southern New Hampshire Services (SNHS) in Nashua, Kuster underscored the harmful impacts of cutting LIHEAP  for low-income New Hampshire families and urged Congress to restore vital LIHEAP funding.

Later in the week, Kuster helped pass a bipartisan budget agreement that would reverse some of the indiscriminate budget cuts that have hurt families and small businesses, while helping prevent another costly government shutdown. Kuster emphasized that while the deal was far from perfect, it would help restore some normalcy to our budget process and clear the way for Congress to focus on helping create jobs and opportunity for middle class New Hampshire families.

For more on these updates and others, please continue reading below.

Kuster calls for heating funds to be restored
U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster says across-the-board budget cuts are slashing funds for heating assistance, and that is hurting New Hampshire families. Funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has declined in New Hampshire every year since 2008. This year, the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration has cut more than $1.6 million in funding from the program. Kuster visited Southern New Hampshire Services in Nashua on Monday. She called on Congress to pass a responsible budget that restores vital funding for heating assistance. Kuster says the cuts eliminate heating assistance for more than 1,200 low-income New Hampshire households. (Associated Press, 12/10/2013)

Heating fuel assistance funding cuts draw ire of Rep. Kuster
Since registration began earlier this month, about 30,000 households in New Hampshire have applied for fuel assistance…On Monday, Lovett met with Congresswoman Annie Kuster and representatives from Southern New Hampshire Services in Nashua to discuss funding cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program…Kuster said the LIHEAP cuts are leaving low-income families in New Hampshire out in the cold. The sequestration, which has resulted in across-the-board budget cuts, is not an ideal way to budget, she said. “Everyone can agree that there are cuts that can be made elsewhere in the budget,” she said. “I am just outraged that Congress cannot find a way to have a rational budget process.” Kuster is hopeful that a budget agreement will be reached this week, as she called the sequestration “detrimental.” (Union Leader, 12/10/2013)

Budget cuts impact NH fuel assistance
With snow in the air and temperatures dropping, state and federal officials are expressing concern for New Hampshire residents left out in the cold by congressional budget cuts. Lovett and Hennessey joined Congresswoman Ann Kuster, D-N.H., for a roundtable discussion of the issue Monday in Nashua. They were accompanied by Tracy Desmarais, energy and crisis coordinator at SNHS, and Jeanne Agri, child development director at SNHS. Kuster told them she wants to work with her colleagues in Congress to put an end to sequesters and restore funding to programs in desperate need of money. The failure of Congress to reach agreement on the federal budget earlier this year resulted in millions of dollars in program cuts and job losses. “LIHEAP helps some of our state’s most vulnerable children, seniors and families make it through the winter,” Kuster said in a statement. (Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, 12/11/2013)

Heating assistance for low-income families facing more cuts
A federal program that helps more than 1,000 low-income families in New Hampshire pay energy bills is facing a $1.6 million reduction because of the budget-cutting sequester, after five years of reductions that have already cut its funding in half. U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., and officials for the state and Southern New Hampshire Services in Nashua lamented these cuts during a public forum Monday. Kuster called on her Congressional colleagues to restore the heating assistance money, known as LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)… “LIHEAP helps some of our state’s most vulnerable children, seniors, and families make it through the winter,” Kuster said. “It’s unconscionable to cut this vital program for Granite Staters who could go cold without it.” (Nashua Telegraph, 12/9/2013)

Kuster derides LIHEAP cuts that leave low-income New Hampshire families out in the cold
As the cold winter months get underway in New Hampshire and across the country, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today derided cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that have resulted from across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration. During a visit to Southern New Hampshire Services (SNHS) in Nashua, Kuster underscored the harmful impacts of cutting LIHEAP  for New Hampshire families and called on Congress to replace the sequester with a more responsible budget that restores vital funding for heating assistance. “LIHEAP helps some of our state’s most vulnerable children, seniors, and families make it through the winter,” Kuster said. “It’s unconscionable to cut this vital program for Granite Staters who could go cold without it. With a long and cold winter ahead, Congress needs to step up and pass a budget that will restore LIHEAP funding and protect low-income and middle class Granite Staters.” (12/9/2013)

Kuster votes for bipartisan budget agreement
The House overwhelmingly passed a two-year bipartisan budget deal Thursday night. In their final action of the year, the House approved the budget 332 to 94, with 169 Republicans and 163 Democrats voting in favor, and 62 Republicans and 32 Democrats voting against. Earlier Thursday, lawmakers agreed unanimously to approve the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets military pay and policy, and to extend current agricultural policy after negotiators failed to complete a new Farm Bill. “After months of brinksmanship and bitter partisanship, it’s encouraging to see both parties engaged in good-faith budget negotiations,” U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., said in a statement. “This proposal is far from perfect, but it’s a modest first step that will help move us beyond the cycle of manufactured crises and short-term decision-making that has put a drag on our economy and hurt middle class families.” (Union Leader, 12/13/2013)

Kuster launches ‘Holiday Cards for Heroes’
Congresswoman Annie Kuster yesterday announced that she has launched a “Holiday Cards for Heroes” drive at schools in the Second District to help honor New Hampshire’s veterans during the holiday season. Elementary students at participating schools in Nashua and Concord — as well as other interested schools throughout the second district — will make holiday cards for veterans to thank them for their service. Members of Kuster’s staff will pick up cards from participating schools. Kuster, who is a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, will personally deliver the cards to veterans at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton later this month. (Union Leader, 12/12/2013)

Kuster launches “Holiday Cards for Heroes” drive to honor NH veterans
Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today announced that she has launched a “Holiday Cards for Heroes” drive at schools in the Second District to help honor New Hampshire’s veterans this holiday season. Elementary students at participating schools in Nashua and Concord – as well as other interested schools throughout the second district – will make holiday cards for Granite State veterans to thank them for their service to our country. “Our veterans, service members, and their families have sacrificed so much to protect and serve our state and country,” Kuster said. “The ‘Holiday Cards for Heroes’ drive is a great opportunity for young students to learn about New Hampshire’s proud tradition of honoring those who serve and to thank those who have worn the uniform. I encourage schools across the second district to participate and help send a message of thanks to New Hampshire’s veterans this holiday season.” (12/11/2013)

Kuster hosts Exporter Forum to help boost small businesses exports in NH
Sometimes Granite State business owners may have to explain where New Hampshire is, but once they do they often find plenty of opportunity in the global marketplace. “New Hampshire has $3.4 billion a year in exports, and that’s billion with a “B,” said U.S. Rep Annie Kuster, who hosted a forum Friday morning at Nashua Community College for small businesses interested in going global. Business leaders and government agency officials offered information and advice to several dozen local business owners who turned out to learn more about tapping into international markets (Union Leader, 12/7/2013)

Kuster introduces bill to establish a national Renewable Electricity Standard
U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster wants to require utility companies to produce at least 25 percent of their power from renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass by 2025. Kuster is co-sponsoring legislation to create a national Renewable Electricity Standard. She says doing so would help create nearly 300,000 jobs, cut pollution and save consumers almost $100 billion on their utility bills by 2030. According to Kuster, 29 states, including New Hampshire, already have renewable generation standards. (Associated Press, 12/8/2013)

Kuster, NH delegation welcome home troops from Afghanistan
New Hampshire’s elected officials will join the state’s military leaders to welcome home a medevac unit that recently returned from Afghanistan. The 169th MEDEVAC unit went to Afghanistan in September 2012. Made up of National Guard units from New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Missouri, the group became known as “Jigsaw” to reflect the merger of different units. The medics performed 471 lifesaving missions and carried 427 patients to higher levels of care. Soldiers in the unit, which returned in August, earned several medals including Bronze Stars. The ceremony is at 11 a.m. Saturday, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Concord. (Associated Press, 12/7/2013)