Senator Hassan Votes to Approve Final Version of Bipartisan Funding Bill that Includes Critical New Hampshire Priorities

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan today voted to approve the final version of a bipartisan appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019 that provides funding for critical New Hampshire priorities, including combating the opioid crisis, Veterans Affairs, military construction, energy and water infrastructure, and more. After years of resorting to continuing resolutions, this is the first time in more than 10 years that the Senate has followed the regular appropriations process, sending more than one appropriations bill to the President’s desk before the end of the fiscal year.

“This bipartisan legislation will strengthen critical New Hampshire priorities including supporting our veterans, boosting opioid treatment, investing in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and our National Guard, fixing our water infrastructure, expanding opportunity in rural communities, and much more,” Senator Hassan said. “We know that we have far more work to support our selfless veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms, but this bill is a step in the right direction. I urge the President to sign this bill without delay, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure that New Hampshire communities have the federal resources and support they need to thrive.”

New Hampshire Priorities Included in This Bipartisan FY2019 Appropriations Bill:

• Includes $400 million to boost opioid prevention and treatment efforts, including building on the VA’s Opioid Safety Initiative and working to ensure that non-VA providers supporting veterans Community Care programs are following the VA’s safety and prescribing protocols  
  • The funding is a result of Senator Hassan’s work on the Common Sense Caucus where they secured an additional $6 billion to combat the opioid crisis in the budget deal reached in February. As part of those efforts, Senator Hassan worked to ensure that states hardest hit by the epidemic, such as New Hampshire get their fair share of funding
• Strengthens support for veterans, including investing in VA medical care, addressing homelessness among veterans, and processing claims
• Provides $161 million for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which is vital to strengthening national security in New Hampshire and across the country
• Supports New Hampshire’s National Guard by providing $12 million for the Pembroke New Hampshire National Guard Readiness Center
• Invests in rural communities through regional commissions, including the Northern Border Regional Commission
• Funds water and energy infrastructure projects to help ensure that communities are more resilient to the changing climate and that infrastructure meets the needs of people in the 21^st century innovation economy
• Includes prioritizing emergency dredging for Hampton Harbor, which Senator Hassan has been a strong advocate for

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