Senator Hassan on criticism from Sununu about infrastructure money: “Those attacks are bad faith attacks because, overall, New Hampshire is getting more per person from this Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill than over half of the other states. If the New Hampshire Republicans had had their way, New Hampshire wouldn’t be getting any of this funding.”
In an interview with WGIR’s Chris Ryan, Senator Maggie Hassan voices her disappointment that the Senate had to vote again last night to raise the federal debt ceiling; clarifies her position on President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda; expresses her reservations about President Biden resuming student loan debt payments on February 1st; explains her support of the NDAA-National Defense Authorization Act; and answers criticism from Governor Sununu that the Infrastructure Bill doesn’t spend enough on the Granite State.
Senator Hassan expressed her frustration that the debt ceiling issue has to be voted on every month and doesn’t get resolved permanently. This monthly exercise in brinksmanship is a distraction from the important work that the Senate needs to address.
“It shouldn’t take this much work. It used to be a straightforward, bipartisan commitment to living up to our obligations and making sure that our economy was strong.”
When Senator Hassan was asked if she and other moderate senators were hiding behind the more public opposition from Democratic Senators Manchin and Sinema to the Build Back Better Plan, the Senator stated her support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Build Back Better Plan.
The Senator explained that she considers the Infrastructure Bill as a vital first step which needs to be completed by this spending legislation which contains provisions which will lower costs for families which earn under $400,000.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is an absolutely critical bill to create good paying, blue collar jobs and making sure that we are positioned for the 21st century economy.”
Senator Hassan believes that second phase of the President’s plan must now be implemented. The goal is to get people back to work and to lower costs for working families.
The Senator highlighted provisions which will lower the cost of prescription drugs, continue the child tax credit, improve job training, and lower the cost of childcare. In addition, there are efforts to fight climate change.
Another important concern for Senator Hassan is to tighten up the tax laws so that billionaires and corporations pay their fair share of taxes.
Senator Hassan favors better communication and latitude in enforcement when the pause in student loan payments ends on February 1st.
The $768 billion NDAA-National Defense Authorization Act passed the Senate by an 88-11 margin. Senator Hassan is especially hopeful that our quantum science research and innovation will be improved in order to meet cyber security threats from China and Russia.
Senator Hassan supported the bill which addresses several important issues, such as: China and other countries will be held accountable for flooding our country with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids; the dedication of a memorial for the War on Terrorism on the National Mall in Washington; and the National Guard will be able to use its expertise to deal with cyber threats on critical infrastructure.
In the last segment of the interview, Senator Hassan responds to criticism from Governor Sununu and other Republican leaders in the state who have claimed that the Senator could have done a better job in getting more funds from the Infrastructure Bill for the Granite State.
“Those attacks are bad faith attacks because, overall, New Hampshire is getting more per person from this Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill than over half of the other states. If the New Hampshire Republicans had had their way, New Hampshire wouldn’t be getting any of this funding.”