Senator Hassan Statement Following President Biden’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) issued the below statement following President Biden’s State of the Union address. The Senator brought as her virtual guest Gray Chynoweth, CEO of Minim, Inc., an innovative consumer technology business headquartered in Manchester. Like many businesses across the country, Minim, Inc. has experienced supply chain bottlenecks that have impacted its operations, and Gray has spoken about the need for Congress to pass legislation that Senator Hassan is working on to invest in American manufacturing and supply chain resiliency. 

“We have seen strong job growth and economic recovery coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Granite Staters are still facing higher prices from the grocery store to the gas pump, and we must work together to lower costs. I appreciated the President’s focus tonight on the work ahead to reduce prescription drug costs, lower oil and gas costs, and address child care costs. But we must do more to fix a broken system that has allowed bad actors to go unchecked and drive up the cost of basic goods from necessary medications to gasoline. 

“As we tackle rising costs for families, we must stay clear eyed about the threat that China poses to our economy. Economic security is national security, and we must work together to invest in American innovation and manufacturing – which is a key priority for consumer tech company Minim, Inc., of Manchester and its CEO Gray Chynoweth, my virtual guest. In the past year, we have seen the impact of supply chain disruptions on our economy, and I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on comprehensive legislation to outcompete China and strengthen our supply chains. Along with the bipartisan infrastructure law, this legislation will lay the foundation for making sure that New Hampshire and our country are ready for the challenges ahead. 

“Among the priorities that the President discussed, it was also important that he addressed the substance misuse crisis and the mental health crisis facing our country. We must continue to fund efforts to address these critical, interconnected issues that the pandemic has exacerbated. And in particular, I urge Congress to come together to pass my bipartisan legislation, the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, to allow health care providers to more effectively treat patients suffering from substance use disorder. 

“And, as always, I join the President in my gratitude for the service and sacrifice of America’s service members, veterans, and military families. We made a promise to be there for them, and one part of keeping that promise is providing veterans with the health care that they need, including for toxic substance exposure. 

“We tackle all of these challenges in the face of Russian aggression. Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is a direct threat to the Ukrainian people and to peace, freedom, and security in every corner of the world. Ukraine is a sovereign nation – a democratic nation – and President Biden tonight underscored our commitment to supporting Ukraine, and working with our allies to counter and isolate Putin and his cronies.

“The State of the Union must always serve to unite our country and remind us of the common goals that tie us together. I remain steadfast in my commitment to working across party lines to find bipartisan solutions to the challenges that we face at home and abroad and to keep our country safe, secure, and free.” 

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