When Annie Kuster was first elected to Congress, she pledged to bring a new approach to Washington. Annie's number one priority is to look out for the best interests of Granite Staters, and she believes Members of Congress must reach across party lines to end the gridlock and dysfunction in Washington.
Annie is a member of the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee, which puts her at the forefront of efforts to improve access to quality affordable healthcare, reduce the costs of prescription drugs and combat climate change.
During her time in Congress, Annie has established a record of putting aside party politics to focus on the issues that matter most to Granite Staters. She's worked with members of both parties to prioritize job creation and economic opportunity, and support New Hampshire veterans, women, students, and seniors.
Annie is committed to strengthening the New Hampshire economy, so that regardless of national trends, the economic security of our Granite State families would always be protected. She is working every day to bring new economic opportunities to New Hampshire families.
In office, Annie has fought to cut taxes for Granite State small businesses, to help them expand and create more jobs. She has hosted a series of job fairs throughout the state, where she connected scores of job seekers with employers looking to hire. And the first bill Annie introduced in Congress would cut taxes for New Hampshire employers who partner with schools to provide job training for Granite State students so they are prepared to join the 21st century workforce.
As the daughter of a WWII veteran and POW, Annie is strongly committed to ensuring our veterans have access to the resources and support they need. She successfully fought for improved access to health services for New Hampshire veterans, including the expansion of a VA clinic in Littleton. She is working to expand access to care so veterans can more easily receive the services they need and deserve. Annie helped pass a package of legislation, including her own bill, to help eliminate the claims backlog for VA benefits. And she worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass into law comprehensive VA reforms to ensure New Hampshire veterans can receive medical care sooner and closer to home.
Annie is a proud New Hampshire native, born and raised in Concord. Her parents were community leaders who taught her the importance of public service through example. Annie's mother, Susan McLane, served in the New Hampshire State Senate and was a fierce advocate for equal rights and a true pioneer for women. Her father, Malcolm McLane, served as Mayor of Concord, was on the Executive Council, and ran for Governor as an Independent in 1972. Annie received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in 1978, and was a member of the third class of women to graduate from the college. She received a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1984, and then went on to work as an adoption attorney for 25 years. A strong advocate for her community, Annie has served on the boards of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, New Hampshire Public Radio, the Capitol Center for the Arts, and Child and Family Services of New Hampshire.
Annie lives in Hopkinton with her husband Brad, an environmental attorney, where they raised their two sons Zach and Travis.
“I believe in less government interference in people’s personal lives, including whom to marry, when and whether to bear a child and how to raise kind and compassionate children.”
What She's Achieved
Annie has helped to deliver millions in funding to support the expansion of broadband internet.
Annie has worked with Republicans and Democrats to improve access to care and services for veterans. She was one of just two Democrats in the House to cosponsor the VA MISSION Act, which expanded access to community care for NH veterans.
Annie has helped deliver millions in funding to support the repaving of roads and repair of bridges in NH, including a $200 million low-interest loan for the expansion of I93.
Annie knows how to bring people together. She is the founder of the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force and the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence.
Annie has advocated for building a clean energy economy to protect our environment, reduce energy costs, and create jobs.
Annie has helped to deliver more than $4 billion in funding to New Hampshire to address both the economic and health consequences of COVID19.