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Democratic

Ann Kuster

Annie Kuster was born and raised in Concord, New Hampshire to a family that taught her the values of kindness and empathy. Growing up, Annie helped her late mother, State Senator Susan McLane, who served in the NH House and Senate for over 25 years and was a pioneer for women in New Hampshire politics. Through that experience, Annie gained an appreciation for the good that government can do for communities and people, and a deep desire to help create positive change for Granite Staters. Her late father, Malcolm McLane, was Mayor of Concord, a New Hampshire Executive Councilor, and served as a prominent attorney for over 50 years.

Kuster is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where she serves on the Health Subcommittee, Energy Subcommittee, and the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee. She is also a member of the House Agriculture Committee, where she serves on the Nutrition, Oversight, & Department Operations Subcommittee, Commodity Exchanges, Energy, & Credit Subcommittee, and Conservation & Forestry Subcommittee.

Conserving Our Environment

In New Hampshire, we are blessed with incredible mountains, lakes, and forests. I come from a family that has a long history of supporting conservation and wildlife in New Hampshire, and I cherished growing up spending time on Newfound Lake and enjoying all four beautiful seasons in the North Country. My family continues to appreciate the natural beauty of our state and I am passionately committed to preserving the pristine environment of the Granite State.

The Granite State is home to two National Parks, one National Heritage Area, eleven National Natural Landmarks, and 22 National Historic Landmarks. This rich natural and historical heritage plays a leading role in the tourism industry that is a main driver of the New Hampshire economy.

Conservation is also a hallmark of New Hampshire history and an important part of managing our forests and farmlands. I believe that we have a generational responsibility to protect our environment and ensure that our children and grandchildren are left with clean air and clean water. But I also believe that this important goal will help us strengthen our economy and create jobs right here in America.

That is why I am working with Republicans and Democrats to find commonsense solutions like these that will continue to grow our economy while preserving the health and beauty of our environment

  • Defending Wildlife Habitat Grants: I introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill to increase funding for grants to protect wildlife habitat in forests and farmlands. Although my amendment did not initially pass in the Agriculture Committee, I continued to work with Republicans and Democrats, and my amendment was passed by the full House of Representatives to ensure that farmers and foresters can still count on the support provided by the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP).

 

  • Protecting Conservation Easements: I am a cosponsor of the Conservation Easement Incentive Act (H.R. 2807) which would make tax deductions and incentives permanent for landowners who permanently retire development rights on their lands. This will help protect forests, fields, and farms in New Hampshire and ensure that we maintain the natural landscape that defines the Granite State.

 

  • Strengthening the Land and Water Conservation Fund: The Land and Water Conservation Fund is an important tool in protecting sensitive lands, wetlands, and water bodies—and at no cost to the taxpayers. I support robust funding for the LWCF and was proud to join many of my colleagues in urging the House Appropriations Committee to support this important program.

 

  • Ensuring the Quality of Our Drinking Water: Clean drinking water is essential to good health. In July 2016, I cosponsored the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act (H.R. 2430), which would invest $20 billion over five years in wastewater infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

 

  • Using Sustainable Energy: I am a cosponsor to a Climate Resolution that supports 50% renewable energy by 2030. This bill expresses the need to establish a national goal of more than 50% clean and carbon-free energy by 2030 for the purpose of avoiding the devastating impacts of climate change.

To further my commitment to conserving our environment, I am also a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus, the High Performance Building Caucus, and the National Parks Caucus.