Annie Kuster

Just last week, I am proud to announce that New Hampshire received $66 million in broadband funding under the American Rescue Plan.

Our forests also remain vulnerable to invasive pests like the emerald ash borer, as well as to the effects, as I have mentioned, of climate change.

Not only does this flexibility cut a lot of unnecessary red tape, it still holds applicants to the same standards.

The good news is that forests are the most powerful clean air technology on Earth, reducing the net amount of CO2 in the atmosphere as the trees grow.

We need to do more to focus our nationwide effort around farm transitions and ensuring that the next generation of farmers get off to the right start.

USDA Rural Development programs across the board have a tremendous impact in my state with broadband, water, energy, housing, and beyond.

I have introduced legislation to make permanent the telephonic signature flexibility, which allows states to process SNAP applications without expensive technology.

For nearly 2 years, our country has been grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, not only the staggering death toll it has caused, but also the devastating impact that it has had on our economy.

Congress has been passing year-to-year riders in appropriations bills to allow low-fat flavored milk, but schools really need the predictability and certainty of knowing what the rules are going to be.

I am also a co-lead of Congresswoman Alma Adams' coming legislation that seeks to combat college hunger by providing enrolled students with access to information about SNAP benefits.

The issues with rising food costs are ones that every family is paying attention to.

I agree, but I have heard from constituents that the ceiling for the Rural Energy for America Program, REAP, needs to be higher and we need to prioritize small farm projects.

In May 2021, I joined 49 other Democratic Members of Congress in signing a letter calling for USDA to dedicate $300 million in relief funding for one on one business technical assistance for farms as well as food businesses.

My legislation will alleviate hunger amongst the most vulnerable students by enabling schools to provide healthy and nutritious meals to children in afterschool care.

I have always been a fierce advocate for dedicated funding for broadband in our rural and Tribal communities.

The coronavirus pandemic has had substantial impacts on farm and food businesses across the nation, from farms and ranches to food hubs and processing facilities.

The good news is provisions in the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure package... are starting to make a tremendous difference.

The transportation sector is the number one source of carbon emissions in the United States, and as we decarbonize our electric grid, transitioning to electric vehicles will help our country reduce carbon emissions and harmful pollutants…

So, in short, we must ensure that rural Americans have just as much incentive to buy EVs as Americans living in cities and suburbs.

I believe there is more that Congress can do to strengthen The Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP, and other USDA programs.

During this holiday season, we are especially reminded of the needs of our fellow Americans who struggle with food insecurity and hunger.

I want to thank you all for the work that you do, and with that, I will yield back.

I have done some of that myself, delivering Meals on Wheels, and it does make such a difference.

This epidemic continues to evolve with stronger, more dangerous synthetic opioids, like fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances.

I want to submit for the record a letter from over 150 advocacy groups and public health professionals in support of bipartisan legislation.