Murray, Ayotte Introduce Bill to Combat Military Sexual Assault
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, as the Pentagon's annual report on sexual assault showed an alarming increase in cases, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) introduced the Combating Military Sexual Assault (MSA) Act of 2013. In an effort to reduce sexual assaults within the military and help the victims of this crime, the Combating MSA Act would address a number of gaps within current law and policy and build upon the positive steps the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has taken in recent years. According to DoD estimates, there were about 19,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2011 alone. Of these, 3,192 were reported, leaving thousands of victims to face the aftermath alone as their assailants escape justice. That number rose to 26,000 cases in 2012 with less than 3,400 of those cases being reported.
'When our best and our brightest put on a uniform and join the United States Armed Forces, they do so with the understanding that they will sacrifice much in the na |
Ayotte Reiterates Support for Pease as Air Force Nears Decision on New Tanker
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) expressed continued support for Pease Air National Guard Base and the 157th Air Refueling Wing to receive the KC-46A tanker. In response to questioning from Senator Ayotte, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh affirmed that the KC-46A tanker program remains on track and that a final basing decision is expected this month.
'I just want to applaud you for the transparent and objective process you have applied thus far,' said Ayotte, who also met one-on-one with General Welsh before today's hearing. 'I think it won't come as a surprise to both of you, but both Senator Shaheen and I feel very strongly about the performance of our 157th Air Refueling [Wing] at Pease and we welcome the objective nature of this process, because certainly, Pease has a strategic location only 12 minutes from very important refueling tracks and also an |
Ayotte Presses on with Fight Against Online Sales Tax Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) said she would continue to fight online sales tax legislation, which passed the Senate today by a vote of 69 to 27 and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senator Ayotte has led efforts in the Senate to stop the so-called 'Marketplace Fairness Act' (S. 743) from becoming law.
'The fight doesn't end here,' said Senator Ayotte. 'As this legislation moves to the House, I will continue my efforts to protect New Hampshire's online retailers from being forced to become tax collectors for other states.'
Ayotte has led the fight to protect New Hampshire Internet businesses from online sales tax legislation. She has taken to the Senate floor several times in opposition to this bill, bringing the concerns of New Hampshire online retailers to the debate on Capitol Hill. Last year, she introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that no federal legislation should give states the authority to impo |
Senate Approves Resolution Commemorating Old Man of the Mountain
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate tonight unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the loss of the Old Man of the Mountain, New Hampshire's state symbol.
'We're pleased that the Senate approved this resolution, which is a fitting tribute to the Old Man of the Mountain,' said Shaheen and Ayotte. 'The legacy of the Old Man will live on in the hearts of the people of New Hampshire for generations to come.'
The full text of the resolution follows:
Commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the State symbol of New Hampshire, the Old Man of the Mountain:
Whereas retreating glaciers carved the White Mountains, leaving behind the Old Man of the Mountain (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Old Man'') as a sentinel to gaze across their granite majesty;
Whereas granite ledges formed the profile of the Old Man, framed by the sweeping curve of the shoulder of a m |
