Carol Shea-Porter for Congress
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I have been honored to serve New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, and I have never forgotten that public office is a public trust. I have focused on the need to protect and improve the lives of the other 99 percent of us - those who did not prosper during the Bush administration.


For Immediate Release:

October 30, 2008

Contact: Jamie Radice

603-854-0872

 

Conway Daily Sun Endorses Shea-Porter

 

New Hampshire – The Conway Daily Sun today endorsed Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter for reelection.  The paper cited Shea-Porter's willingness to take tough stands and her strong knowledge of the issues....

Candidate Op-ed (10/29/2008)
 
Candidate Op-ed
By Carol Shea-Porter
The Nashua Telegraph

I have been honored to serve New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District for the past two years. I never forget that public office is a public trust. With every vote I cast, I am deeply aware of my obligation to serve my constituents, my state, and my country. I have focused on the need to protect and improve the lives of the other 99 percent of us – those who did not prosper during the Bush administration.

My colleagues know me for what I do. While I support the war in Afghanistan, I refused to give the Bush administration a blank check for the Iraq war. And though I believe that our government must listen in on suspected terrorist phone calls, anytime and anywhere, without a warrant, I refused to support legislation that would allow the Bush administration to also spy on innocent Americans, because that would violate our constitutional rights.

The people of New Hampshire know who I am...


Nashua Telegraph Endorsement


Two years ago, Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter were swept into Congress as part of an historic Democratic takeover that stretched from the steps of the Statehouse in Concord to the halls of the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Hodes ousted six-term Rep. Charlie Bass – on his second try – in the 2nd District; Shea-Porter unseated Rep. Jeb Bradley, who had represented the 1st District for two terms.

This year, we see no reason for change. Both have demonstrated a genuine commitment...


Shea-Porter best for the 1st  
The Concord Monitor 
 

In her first term, Shea-Porter proved to be a quick study. She hit the ground running. She quickly became known as a friend of veterans and sponsored legislation calling for every state to have at least one full-service veterans hospital, something New Hampshire does not have. She fought to restore habeas corpus protections, to increase federal Pell Grants for needy college students and to allow Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prescription drug prices.

Like Bradley, Shea-Porter excelled at constituent service and accessibility. She supports an end to President Bush's tax cuts, a change that


Firefighters organization gives nod to Shea-Porter
Fosters Daily Democrat

ROCHESTER — The Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire on Tuesday formally endorsed U.S. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter in her campaign for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Our members are middle-class, hard-working people, and Carol represents us and our interests," said Bill McQuillen, the secretary-treasurer for PFNH.

PFNH voted unanimously to endorse Shea-Porter back in May, McQuillen said, citing her work to defend the nation's working class families as the primary reason for the firefighters' overwhelming support.

Shea-Porter and members of PFNH traveled around the state Tuesday, formally announcing the endorsement at PFNH events in Laconia, Manchester and Rochester. District 6 state Senate candidate Jackie Cilley was also endorsed by PFNH at the event in Rochester, held at Granite Steak and Grill on Route 11.

McQuillen said this upcoming election is all about the economy, and, in times like these, Main Street USA begins to feel the crunch, which can lead to municipalities cutting public safety budgets. He added Shea-Porter will fight for Main Street by...


Shea-Porter has earned a second term
Portsmouth Herald Endorsement

 

Earlier this month on these pages, we encouraged U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., of Rochester to vote for the $700 billion financial rescue plan under consideration in Congress. When the bill first came up for a vote in the House, she had joined a unique coalition of conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats to defy leadership of both parties and reject the measure.

 

When it came up for a second vote later in the week...


Shea-Porter gets vote
The Portsmouth Herald
 
PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's Metal Trades Council formally endorsed U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter for re-election Monday at Prescott Park.

"The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a critical part of both our national defense and our local economy," Shea-Porter said. "I will continue to be a strong advocate for the Shipyard in Washington. The Navy knows we have the best shipyard workers in the country and I am honored to receive their endorsement."

"Two years ago, we endorsed Congresswoman Shea-Porter because she had the best vision for working families and we believed in her," said Paul O'Connor, president of the Metal Trades Council. "We were right then and we are right now. The Congresswoman has been a great supporter of the shipyard and we are happy to endorse her."

Since first arriving in Washington...

 
Firefighters endorse Shea-Porter
The Laconia Citizen 
 
When Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter was newly married and living in Maryland with her young sons, she had a fire in her home and local firefighters saved it from flames, arriving there within five minutes. Last Mother's Day, her baby, now a grown-up of 18 years old, had a severe asthma attack and Durham Firefighters saved his life.

On Monday, a grateful and gracious Shea-Porter received the endorsement of...


Shipyard Union endorses Rep. Shea-Porter's bid
Foster's Daily Democrat

PORTSMOUTH — About a dozen Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers sporting "Carol Shea-Porter for Congress" T-shirts gathered at Prescott Park as the Congresswoman received another of what she called "important endorsements."

Paul O'Connor, president of the shipyard's Metal Trades Council, announced Monday afternoon the council's endorsement of Shea-Porter, D-N.H., in her re-election run against Republican candidate Jeb Bradley.

In October 2006, O'Connor said...


Shea-Porter picks up endorsements from Metal Trades Council, local SEIU

The Portsmouth Herald

 

DOVER — Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today is set to receive the endorsement of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard-based Metal Trades Council. Last week she picked up the endorsement from the State Employees Association and the Service Employees International Union.

 

Paul O'Connor, the council president, said the formal announcement at Prescott Park in Portsmouth at 1:45 p.m. reflects union members' belief that the first-term lawmaker still has the "best vision for working families"

 

"We were right then," he said of the union's 2006 support, "and we are right now. Congresswoman Shea-Porter has been a great supporter of the Shipyard and we look forward to endorsing her on Monday."

 

The council noted that earlier this month Shea-Porter successfully secured more than $30 million in funding for the shipyard. The funding contains $20.6 million for the Waterfront Support Facility and $9.98 million for the Consolidated Global Submarine Component.

 

"The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a critical part of both our national defense and local economy," Shea-Porter said. "I will continue to be a strong advocate for the Shipyard in Washington. The Navy knows we have the best Shipyard workers in the country and I am honored to receive their endorsement."

 

The Democrat...


Big day for the Air National Guard
Ground broken for new building
The Portsmouth Herald
October 19, 2008 
 
PORTSMOUTH — "We have hard hats and shovels here, so you don't hurt yourselves," said Col. Richard P. Martell, commander of the 157th Air Refueling Wing, to guests gathered for a ground-breaking event at Pease Air National Guard Base.

The refueling wing held the ceremony on Friday as it looks forward to moving its $7.3 million operational training facility to new digs in 2010.

"It's pretty exciting," said Sherri Pierce, public affairs officer for the Air National Guard at the Tradeport. "Building 16, where we are currently located, was built in the 1950s. It has gone through some structural changes, but it still looks like the old Air Force building."

Martell said one of the most important improvements for the Guard will be in...


Bradley says he can’t make debate in Conway

The Conway Daily Sun

CONWAY — Jeb Bradley, whose  dismal showing in a 2006 debate in Conway helped open the door for Democrat Carol Shea-Porter’s upset victory, turned down a rematch with Rep. Shea-Porter Sunday at Conway Elementary School.
 
First District Congresswoman Shea- Porter is still planning to attend and will instead host...

Federal heating aid to double 
New Hampshire will receive $47.7 million
The Concord Monitor 
 
The federal government will send New Hampshire almost twice as much low-income home-heating aid as last year, according to the offices of the state's U.S. senators.

New Hampshire will receive $47.7 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, compared with $25 million last winter. State officials...


Support Carol Shea-Porter
Hampton Union

Harry Truman was one of the 20th century's greatest presidents. He was a champion of the middle class and a plainspoken man who told the truth. And one of his best lines was, "I wonder how many times do you have to be hit on the head before you figure out who's hitting you? It's about time the people of America realize what the Republicans have been doing to them." It was true in Truman's time, and it's even truer today....
Shea-Porter used an earmark earlier this year to secure $233,000 in federal funds to ensure the center will remain open full-time for three years. The teen center was closed for more than two weeks this summer after the City Council could not find money in the budget to

Until the nation’s economic crisis leapt to the forefront a few weeks ago, New Hampshire seemed up for grabs politically this fall, and Shea-Porter was believed to be in trouble. But in a district that Bush won by 3 points in 2004, Obama is now leading by 7 points, according to SurveyUSA. That has helped stabilize Shea-Porter, who toppled Bradley by 2 points two years ago despite being outspent more than 3-1.

Polls tighten in New Hampshire

'Monitor' survey shows Dems remain in lead

(Concord Monitor, Sept.26)

Democrats hold leads in all of New Hampshire's major political races, a new Monitor poll shows, but several contests remain tight and multiple results fall inside the margin of error. In almost every race, the poll shows women breaking for Democratic candidates and providing them with their leads.

In the presidential race, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama leads Republican Sen. John McCain, 48 to 44 percent, according to the poll of 600 likely voters conducted by Research 2000 from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24. The poll, which has a 4-point margin of error, adds to a growing picture of a neck-and-neck race in the state: Of seven New Hampshire polls released this week, McCain has the edge in two and Obama in five.

Pollster Del Ali said he didn't see any evidence of a boost for McCain among women from his selection of Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor, as a vice presidential nominee. The poll had women choosing Obama over McCain 52 to 39 percent, while men picked McCain over Obama 49 to 44 percent.

"If there was a bounce among women, we sure didn't pick it up," Ali said. "The only thing she's done is energize the Republican base. But in terms of energizing women, all she's done is energize them to vote Democrat."

University of New Hampshire pollster Andy Smith framed the gender gap he saw in his poll the opposite way. "We're seeing the gender gap stronger among men in favor of Republicans," he said.

The UNH poll released this week showed Republicans polling a few points higher in every race. Smith saw a couple of potential reasons for that: The UNH poll dates included a weekend, which Smith said can be a better time to reach GOP voters. Also, the UNH poll was conducted entirely last week, from Sept. 14 to Sept. 21, largely before the proposed $700 federal bailout of Wall Street dominated the news. National polls have shown that voters tend to favor Democrats on the economy.

In the state's Senate race, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen leads Republican Sen. John Sununu, 50 to 41, with 2 percent choosing Libertarian Ken Blevens and 7 percent undecided. Shaheen, a former governor from Madbury, has led in polls for more than a year, though several polls showed her margin shrinking over the summer. The last time the Monitor polled the race, in July 2007, Shaheen led Sununu 56 to 34.

The Monitor poll has women granting Shaheen her entire margin. Men split evenly between Sununu and Shaheen, 46-46, but women break for Shaheen, 54 to 36 percent.

Ali sees a silver lining for Republicans in the 1st Congressional District, but the news there for the GOP isn't as good as it once was. The poll had incumbent Rep. Carol Shea-Porter...

Congress antes up on home heating-CONCORD MONITOR
Move follows state's increase to fuel aid

By SARAH LIEBOWITZ Monitor staff    
September 26, 2008 - 12:00 am

Things are looking up this week for New Hampshire's fuel assistance program for low-income residents.
 
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved $5.1 billion in federal spending for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP. According to Democratic Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, New Hampshire would get at least $34 million of the $5.1 billion the House passed.

Federal legislation would aid disaster victims in N.H.-CONCORD MONITOR
Tornado hit areas may see tax reimbursement


Homeowners and businesses affected by this summer's tornado and floods may get a little relief come tax time.

Members of New Hampshire's Congressional delegation are supporting federal legislation that would increase income tax deductions for those struggling to rebuild. Volunteers who helped disaster victims would also be eligible for increased mileage reimbursement when they file.

Not just Granite Staters would benefit. The bill applies to taxpayers in any community declared a federal disaster area between Jan. 1 and the end of 2011. U.S. Reps. Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter, both Democrats, voted for a the legislation last night.


"Congresswoman Shea-Porter has been a very effective advocate for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which I visited at her invitation earlier this year," said Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "Congresswoman Shea-Porter's efforts were instrumental in securing funding for the Waterfront Support Facility in this year's defense authorization bill."

Cyclists, walkers celebrate opening of Seacoast Greenway-PORTSMOUTH HERALD

By

PORTSMOUTH — Bicyclists from around the Seacoast converged at Strawbery Banke Museum Saturday afternoon to celebrate the opening of New Hampshire's segment of the East Coast Greenway.

The Seacoast Greenway trail is the first border-to-border marked cycle route on the entire East Coast.

Scott Bogle, senior transportation planner for the Rockingham Planning Commission, said the three main goals of the East Coast Greenway are to encourage outdoor recreation and healthy living, to support greener transportation and alternative ways to travel, and to encourage bicycle tourism.

Bogle, who addressed the crowd via a cycle-powered microphone, was accompanied by Mayor Tom Ferrini, Department of Transportation Commissioner George Campbell, New Hampshire Commissioner of Health and Human Services Nick Toumpas and U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, to name a few.

Federal funds save Teen Center

After months of waiting for a final answer on funding, Police Chief Anthony Colarusso said the city finally got the green light for the $223,000 grant through a personal phone call from U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter Thursday night.

Over the past few weeks, three little words have come to represent our nation's energy debate. Overnight, a serious assessment of what we have done wrong over the past 30 years, and what must be done to remedy those mistakes, has been replaced by three simple words -- drill, baby, drill.

As with many slogans, it is appealing yet ultimately dishonest in its simplicity.

Shea-Porter bill would ensure NH vets care

Associated Press - September 10, 2008 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter is urging her House colleagues to ensure New Hampshire veterans have access to in-state medical care.

Shea-Porter testified Tuesday before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in support of her legislation, the Veterans Equity Act. The bill ensures veterans in the 48 contiguous states access to at least one full service Veterans Administration hospital or to comparable services provided by contract. New Hampshire is....

DOVER — Despite talk of Congress taking a vacation while Americans found themselves in the middle of one crisis after another during the month of August, U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter said she hadn't even touched a toe to the water this summer and hasn't even had time to buy a new bathing suit.

In fact, the First District U.S. congresswoman said she's been working overtime over the past month and is worried about the high level of cynicism surrounding the notion that not enough work goes on in Washington.

Bill Duncan: Carol Shea-Porter is the veterans' best friend in the 1st District
The Union Leader

I'm a Vietnam veteran, Annapolis graduate and proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, but I disagree with almost everything in Paul Chevalier's July 23 column supporting Jeb Bradley.

If Chevalier and other past VFW officers want to support someone who aligns with their views, that's fair enough. But to completely misrepresent Jeb Bradley and Rep. Shea-Porter's records and then give the impression that it's a VFW endorsement -- all in one essay -- is just too much.

To take just one example, Chevalier asserts that Jeb Bradley helped "fix" the problem created when retired military personnel could not concurrently receive earned retirement pay and disability compensation for injuries that occurred as a result of service. Chevalier's incorrect assertion is a cruel joke on any disabled retired service member. This "concurrency problem" is not fixed. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter is co-sponsoring important legislation to do that, but it will be a long, hard fight against solid Republican opposition.

And that's just the beginning. Chevalier covers all the same misrepresentations Bradley's speeches do, and even does it in the same order. Jeb and his friends employ the practiced fabrications on which he and George W. Bush have based their campaigns -- that a vote against President Bush's misguided Iraq war is a vote against the troops. This is an unfortunate and twisted assertion. Many people feel that support for the troops actually means voting to bring them home safely and treat them right when they get here. That's what Shea-Porter has...

New Hampshire Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter uses her time in Washington to stand up for our nation’s military families and veterans. Shea-Porter has just introduced a critical piece of legislation, the "Protecting Military Family Financial Benefits Act"(H.R. 6774).

"Our men and women in uniform deserve to know that if something happens to them, their children will be taken care of," said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. "The Protecting Military Family Financial Benefits Act will help ensure that our service members who are single parents have appropriate survivor benefits."
DURHAM, N.H. -- U.S. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter met with current participants in the University of New Hampshire's Upward Bound program Monday as she was thanked for her support of the federal program that helps high school students succeed in higher education. Congresswoman Shea-Porter was instrumental in ensuring U.S. Department of Education funding for the program continued.

Dan Gordon, director of UNH's Upward Bound program, noted that while the program 'has generally had the support of New Hampshire elected officials (Shea-Porter) has actively advocated for the needs of our students' and truly understands that one's ability to learn is not determined by financial status alone.

HARD-WORKING Americans are suffering at the pump. With gas pushing $5 a gallon, parents, seniors, small business owners and students are struggling everyday to make ends meet. If we do not act now, the price of gas will continue to spiral out of control. By fall, many will also be suffering in their homes because the price of home heating oil has also skyrocketed.
LAST WEEK, the House passed an updated version of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It contained many important provisions that will help U.S. intelligence agencies fight terrorism. But it also included a clause that could undermine a key tenet of American democracy.
Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Shea-Porter spoke about original legislation she has introduced in the House, the Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act (H.R. 5155). The bill would remedy the current policy that requires the government to recover debts owed by the estates of soldiers killed in combat. The bill would explicitly prohibit the Secretary of the Veterans Administration from collecting those debts.

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter voted for the second time in two days in favor of legislation that would extend unemployment benefits to workers whose unemployment benefits have run out. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 274 to 137.

“People who have lost their jobs are having a harder time finding new ones,” Shea-Porter said. Anyone who has ever had trouble finding a job knows why this legislation is so important. People still need to pay their rent and take care of their children.”
The New Hampshire Alliance for Retired Americans, a retiree advocacy organization, announced recently that it has awarded Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter a 100% rating for her voting record on seniors’ issues.
The poll had incumbent Rep. Carol Shea-Porter edging former representative Jeb Bradley by a single point, 44 to 43 percent. That is well within the poll's margin of error of the congressional race surveys, which had a sample of 300 likely voters, of 6 percent.

Federal heating aid to double (October 16, 2008)
New Hampshire will receive $47.7 million
 
 
The Concord Monitor
 
The federal government will send New Hampshire almost twice as much low-income home-heating aid as last year, according to the offices of the state's U.S. senators.

New Hampshire will receive....

Big day for the Air National Guard
Ground broken for new building
The Portsmouth Herald
 
PORTSMOUTH — "We have hard hats and shovels here, so you don't hurt yourselves," said Col. Richard P. Martell, commander of the 157th Air Refueling Wing, to guests gathered for a ground-breaking event at Pease Air National Guard Base.

The refueling wing held the ceremony on Friday as it looks forward to moving its $7.3 million operational training facility to new digs in 2010.

"It's pretty exciting," said Sherri Pierce, public affairs officer for the Air National Guard at the Tradeport. "Building 16, where we are currently located, was built in the 1950s. It has gone through some structural changes, but it still looks like the old Air Force building."

Martell said one of the most important improvements for the Guard will be in security.

"In the post 9/11 environment, Building 100 will bring us inside the base," Martell said.

Martell said the two buildings outside the base perimeter will be returned to the government and then offered to the public for sale and development, giving the public a return in revenue.

Several dignitaries were...

Shea-Porter delivers  (October 16, 2008) 
 
First District Rep. Carol Shea-Porter has delivered just what she promised when we elected her: hard work and excellent representation for the citizens of New Hampshire, especially those who have been neglected and hurt by Bush administration policies.

Most recently, she delivered for fellow citizens with her legislation to...

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