In an interview with Chris Ryan and Justin McIsaac, Senator Maggie Hassan discusses the need for a comprehensive COVID relief plan which addresses the many aspects of the economic and health problems caused by the pandemic, comments about the second impeachment trial of President Trump, supports President Biden’s record use of executive orders, and states her support for President Biden’s shutting down the Keystone Pipeline and other climate change initiatives.
Senator Hassan is encouraged by yesterday’s meeting of Republican Senators with President Biden. She feels that bipartisan support and input will be important in crafting a relief package which will address the following: provide a steady and ample supply of COVID vaccinations; get schools and daycare up and running; and provide financial aid to businesses and individuals who have been affected by COVID shutdowns.
The Senator is certain that Congress and the Biden Administration must produce legislation which goes beyond the stopgap emergency bills of the last year.“We are hearing from businesses, schools, and the community at large that they need some predictability for planning. If we are going to rebuild, we need a plan that lasts a while, so that people can rely on it and the resources that are being promised.”
The second impeachment trial of President Trump begins next Monday, Senator Hassan hopes that the House Managers will do a good job of presenting the evidence against President Trump. The Senate can then deliberate about the terrible events on the January 6th attack on the Capitol and quickly come to a decision about President Trump’s involvement in the attack. Then, the Senate can return to its work of approving appointments to the Biden Administration, crafting a COVID relief plan, and other needed legislation.
Senator Hassan is not concerned about the record number of executive orders which President Biden has issued because she has confidence in him and his team. She points to orders that she has called for which have reinstated the portions of the Affordable Care Act and reimbursement for the deployment of the National Guard in providing COVID-19 relief.
The Senator is very concerned about the climate change crisis. She is confident that the Biden Administration has a plan to address this crisis and to create job clean energy jobs.