Here’s the Granite State guests at the State of the Union

New Hampshire’s congressional delegation is highlighting the important work of state leaders while making statements about their policy work in the Granite State with their choice of guests for this year’s State of the Union address.

Colin Booth

March 7, 2024

President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Washington, as Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., look on. (Jabin Botsford, Pool via AP)

As President Biden prepares to deliver the State of the Union address this evening, New Hampshire’s congressional delegation is making a statement with their choice of guests. Each member has selected individuals whose experiences and advocacy work underscore key issues facing both the state and the nation, ranging from climate resilience and economic support for families to reproductive rights and healthcare access.

Senator Maggie Hassan has invited Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno, an Air Force veteran who also serves as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management in Hampton. He helped lead recovery efforts on the New Hampshire Seacoast after devastating back-to-back winter storms in January. Senator Hassan’s office says his invitation underscores the importance of federal support in enhancing community resilience against severe weather events, and the Senator’s ongoing efforts to secure funding for disaster relief and coastal protections.

Representative Annie Kuster chose Michelle Cilley Foisy, a dedicated advocate for reproductive freedom, as her guest. Cilley Foisy’s presence at the State of the Union is a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles for reproductive rights and access to healthcare in the wake of escalating attacks on abortion and gender-affirming care. Through her guest, Kuster’s office said they hope to highlight the importance of safeguarding personal and reproductive freedoms, underscoring her legislative efforts to protect and expand access to healthcare services.

Representative Chris Pappas is focusing on the economic well-being of New Hampshire families by inviting Amy Gomez, a mother of six from Manchester. Gomez’s story highlights the beneficial impact of the expanded Child Tax Credit, which Pappas supported, on families striving to make ends meet. This choice brings attention to the necessity of continuing and expanding policies that provide financial relief to working families, reflecting Pappas’s commitment to economic support for his constituents.

The Biden–Harris campaign will be holding a number of watch parties across the state in Manchester, Dover, and Keene, with each starting at 8:45 p.m. The New Hampshire events are part of more than 200 watch parties the campaign is holding nationwide.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office has indicated she will not be bringing a guest to the SOTU.

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