Kelly's Kornor

News From The Office Of Senator Kelly Ayotte


Dear Friends,

Please allow me to share an update on some of my recent work representing New Hampshire in the United States Senate.

As you know, with over $14 trillion in debt, our country continues to face a significant fiscal crisis. Before the Senate's recent adjournment, I was pleased to join with my fellow Republican senators to highlight the urgent need for bold action to put our fiscal house in order. If you missed it, I outlined my approach to this critical issue in a Union Leader op-ed piece last Sunday - "No more borrowing without some cuts."

During the Senate's state work period, I've traveled across New Hampshire to meet directly with Granite State citizens. The feedback I've heard from workers and small business owners is critical to helping me effectively represent the interests of the people of New Hampshire in Washington - and I will bring their concerns to Senate debate in the weeks and months ahead.

Please read on for recent news from my office.


On The Road With Kelly

Understanding that the best advice and input comes from Granite Staters, Kelly has spent time traveling across New Hampshire visiting business owners, talking with groups, and meeting with public officials.

Continuing to make stops up and down the state, last week her list of visits included appearances in Portsmouth, Exeter, Durham, Londonderry, Manchester and Bedford. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, she delivered the keynote address at the New Hampshire National Guard's Annual Convention and later in the week visited the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Kelly was honored to be named as a "Champion for Children" by the Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham Country.

At a recent ceremony in Exeter, the group highlighted her work to improve the investigation and prosecution of child abusers, as well as the treatment of child abuse victims - including her efforts as New Hampshire's Attorney General to help establish and support Child Advocacy Centers to investigate child abuse across the state.



Kelly Says Debt Crisis Requires Presidential Leadership

Continuing her efforts to cut out of control deficits and debt, Kelly recently joined several Senate Republican leaders for a press conference in the Capitol to call on President Obama to put forth a serious debt reduction plan.

Putting the stakes into perspective, she highlighted the reality that failure to put America's fiscal house in order will have serious consequences for future generations. She said, "We're ready to work with [the president] to put our country on a responsible path, because it's not just about us. It's about my six-year old, my three-year old and parents across this country that are concerned about what we are leaving for our children and our grandchildren."

Kelly Tells CNN: No Tax Increases

Appearing earlier this month on CNN's John King USA, Kelly made it clear that President Obama's recent call for tax hikes is a non-starter.

Standing up for small business owners in New Hampshire and nationwide, she made it clear: "Many small business owners, in fact, a huge chunk of them in this country, those taxes go through their personal incomes and we're talking about taxing small businesses at a time when we need them to grow and thrive. So, I think it would hurt our economic growth and I wouldn't support that."

Kelly appreciated the opportunity to appear on the show with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), the former director of the Office of Management and Budget.


Standing Up For New Hampshire's Fishermen
Kelly recently brought the concerns of New Hampshire's fishermen to the Senate Commerce Committee. At a meeting of the panel's Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard, she highlighted the burdens that federal catch limits represent for local fishermen.

Questioning NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Kelly noted that, "The catch limits and sectors established by NOAA for the Northeast multispecies fishery management plan have represented significant obstacles for the fishing industry and my beautiful home state of New Hampshire."

In sticking up for the state's fishermen, she explained that NOAA has been measuring fish stocks and catch limit history in New Hampshire based on insufficient records. She pressed the Administrator for answers on how NOAA plans to correct its policies so that fishermen aren't robbed of their livelihood.