Guinta: We, the People

By U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta

Over time, our nation’s representative democracy has faced many challenges; however, we have never backed down and we have always remained resilient. As Americans we believe deeply in the principles upon which our nation was founded. And, those principles and actions of our Founding Fathers still ring true three hundred plus years later. Their view of a Congress which reflected the hopes and dreams of its people is one that is as important today as the day it was conceived.

Imagine a Congress that functions effectively. Imagine a Congress that hears from you daily; and, as a result, devises legislative solutions based on your individual needs and from your own experiences.

This is my view of an effective government; and, it is why I recently launched the “We the People” Initiative. It is only with your help, that our nation can once again begin to reflect the will of its people.

With your help and the feedback from key organizations and stakeholders, we have been able to author and unanimously pass two pieces of legislation this year - including an amendment to prevent the closure of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and an amendment to increase funding for our nation’s drug courts.

From now on, our office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And, even better, we’ve made sharing your thoughts with our office one step easier. Moving forward, I encourage you to email me at wethepeople@mail.house.gov or call or text 603.250.6850 to share your thoughts with me.

From your suggestions, we will look to tailor legislation to meet your needs. The “We the People” Initiative is open to all Granite Staters; and, I look forward to being able to connect with you in an easier and more immediate way. And, I’m happy to share that so far, we’ve had great successes.

It’s because of your thoughts and ideas that Congresswoman Annie Kuster from New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District and I joined forces to introduce H.R. 941 – a bipartisan bill to make the Veterans Choice Card program permanent. The Granite State is home to one of the largest populations of veterans; and, this legislation not only helps our state’s veterans but also the thousands of other veterans seeking care.

It’s because of our state’s recreational fishermen that I joined Congressman Bill Keating from Massachusetts to introduce H.R. 2106 – the Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act – a bipartisan bill to increase the stock of our nation’s fisheries by providing grants to research, monitor and manage our state’s fisheries. New Hampshire’s fishing industry has been a steady source of revenue and jobs for our local economy for over 400 years; and, I’m urging Washington to join my fight in protecting our fishermen from the multiple hurdles they face due to the heavy hand of government.

It’s due to the countless healthcare professionals, our state’s law enforcement community and others that our office authored and introduced an amendment that passed by a unanimous vote to increase funding for our nation’s drugs courts. As you know, New Hampshire is currently facing a drug epidemic, and is resulting in shattered lives while costing taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Drug courts are proven to be one of the most effective intervention programs to treat addiction, reduce overcrowding in jails, and most importantly, to save lives.

It’s because of our state’s families who have been decimated by opioid use and abuse that I am currently drafting a bill to help victims of drug abuse get back on the path to success while reducing addiction, crime and restoring families.

It’s because of our state’s families and their loved ones affected by mental illness that I am working diligently with my Granite State colleague U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, stakeholders and policymakers to gather feedback for drafting a bill to fix our broken mental health system.

It’s because of our state’s commitment to the brave service men and women that an amendment I drafted to prevent any closures of military bases passed unanimously in the House of Representatives just last month. This is in direct response to the constant threat Portsmouth Naval Shipyard faces despite for more than 200 years being of vital importance to our state’s economy and national security.

Above all, it’s because of you that we are able to be effective on your behalf. However, the work goes on and we still have much left to accomplish. I need your help to encourage and spread the word about our “We the People” Initiative so that our state can create an example of constituent-focused, successful policy making.

Our office remains your office. To send your thoughts and feedback to how I can best serve you, please email me at wethepeople@Mail.house.gov or call or text me at 603-250-6850.

U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, R-NH, represents New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District.