Senator Hassan Releases End of Year Round Up for 2... | U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire (2024)

WASHINGTON – As 2022 comes to a close, the office of Senator Maggie Hassan released key highlights from the second year of the 117th Congress.

“2022 was a boon for bipartisanship, and a powerful reminder of what we as a country can achieve when we come together to find common ground. I have always sought to follow the example of Granite Staters who every day set aside differences to solve problems – and by doing so, we have passed critical legislation to address some ofthe most pressing challenges that we face as a nation,” said Senator Hassan. “As I begin my second term in Congress next year, I look forward to continuing to build bipartisan cooperationto support the needs of families and our economy. And as we look to 2023, I wish my fellow Granite Staters happy holidays and a wonderful New Year.”

Watch Senator Hassan’s 2022 recap video here.

By the Numbers

• 74,000+ responses to constituent emails, letters, and calls
• 9 million: The number of surprise medical bills prevented to date by Senator Hassan’s bipartisan No Surprises Act that went into effect this year
• 1 POW/MIA flag returned to its rightful place at Arlington National Cemetery’s administration building
• 6 birthday cards sent to Granite Staters on their 100th - and 109th birthday! - by Senator Hassan
• #1 most bipartisan Senator according to the Lugar Center-Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy
• Nearly 75 percent of bills and resolutions introduced by Senator Hassan had a Republican cosponsor
• 12 seconds: Fastest mini-crossword completed by Senator Hassan

10 Key Accomplishments

1. Investing in American Manufacturing & Research: Senator Hassan and colleagues passed into law the bipartisan , which strengthens our economic and national security by providing critical investments in semiconductor manufacturing and research and development in the U.S. The law will help ensure that the U.S can outcompete China while lowering costs for families and strengthening our supply chains.
2. Combating the Opioid Epidemic: This year’s government funding bill includes Senator Hassan’s bipartisan Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which eliminates an outdated requirement, the ‘x-waiver,’ that limits the number of medical practitioners who can prescribe life-saving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
3. Delivering Comprehensive Care for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Substances: A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Hassan and her colleagues worked to develop and pass into law the PACT Act, which fundamentally reforms and improves how veterans exposed to toxic substances receive health care and benefits from the VA.
4. Improving Mental Health Support for Young People: The President signed into law a bipartisan bill from Senator Hassan and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to strengthen mental health resources for young people and help prevent youth suicide. Senator Hassan introduced the bipartisan STANDUP Act after students across New Hampshire reached out to Senator Hassan about the urgent need to address mental health challenges and expand access to resources for young people.
5. Reforming the Postal Service: Senator Hassan and colleagues' bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act is now law. It eliminates requirements that have decimated the Postal Services’ finances, increases transparency and accountability at the agency, guarantees mail delivery six days a week, and strengthens support for postal workers. In her remarks to the press, Senator Hassan said, “Granite Staters – especially in rural areas – know that a dependable Postal Service is essential for local communities to thrive, and today’s bill is a testament to the progress that we can make when we come together.”
6. Lowering Prescription Drug Costs: The Inflation Reduction Act included a number of key provisions that Senator Hassan pushed for to take on Big Pharma and address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs, including allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices – which will bring down the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries and help drive down prices across the board – and capping out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare prescription drugs.
7. Protecting Fundamental Freedoms: Senator Hassan celebrated and helped pass the Respect for Marriage Act to enshrine marriage equality into law. In her statement, Senator Hassan noted New Hampshire’s proud legacy: “As the first state in our country to legalize same-sex marriage without the force of a court order, New Hampshire has long led the fight for marriage equality. Today’s signing is the culmination of efforts by advocates working to secure these freedoms for decades, and I’m proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in celebration.”
8. Standing Up to Those Who Enabled the Opioid Epidemic: Senator Hassan and colleagues’ bipartisan legislation to address conflicts of interests in federal contracting - such as McKinsey’s past work with the FDA and opioid manufacturers – will soon become law. In her advocacy for the legislation, Senator Hassan noted the bill’s importance: “This bipartisan bill will ensure that companies that work for the federal government are acting in the best interest of the American people – not Big Pharma.”
9. Helping Veterans Make the Transition to Civilian Life: President Biden signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Hassan to strengthen the Solid Start program, which contacts every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty service to check in and help connect them to VA programs and benefits. In addition, the year-end funding bill includes a bill Senator Hassan introduced with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to designate one week per year as “Buddy Check Week.” The bill is modeled after the American Legion’s “Buddy Check National Week of Calling” that connects veterans to other veterans in order to better ensure that they receive the support that they need.
10. Addressing Gun Violence: The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes a number of measures to address gun violence that Senator Hassan has long pushed for, including: Incentives for states to pass and administer extreme risk protection laws, protecting survivors of domestic violence by closing the “boyfriend loophole,” and enhancing background checks as well as investing in mental health supports and services in schools and communities.

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