DEMOCRATIC LEADER CUSHING ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TEAM

December 11, 2020 – Today, House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) announced additions to the House Democratic leadership for the 2021-2022 legislative session.

Representative David E. Cote (D-Nashua) will serve as Deputy Democratic Leader. Representative Cote, recently elected to his twentieth term in the House, served as Chair of the House Election Law Committee last term.

Representative Karen Ebel (D-New London) will serve as Democratic Leader Pro Tempore. Representative Ebel, recently elected to her fifth term in the House, served as Deputy Speaker last term.

Representative Marjorie Smith (D-Durham) will serve as Democratic Policy Leader. Now serving her twelfth term in the House, Representative Smith was Chair of the House Judiciary Committee last term.

Representatives Linda Tanner (D-Georges Mills) and Matt Wilhelm (D-Manchester) will serve as Senior Democratic Advisors. Representative Tanner, just elected to her fourth term in the House, served as an Assistant Majority Floor Leader last term. Representative Wilhelm, just elected to his second term, served on the Legislative Administration committee last term.

December 2 Press Conference Pre-Organization Day.

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 8:30am House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing held a press conference to speak about the dangerous actions of the incoming House Republican Majority. Republican leadership did not inform any Democratic members that multiple members of their caucus have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending an in-person reception less than two weeks ago. With the number of cases rising rapidly in New Hampshire, hiding information is negligent and dangerous to communities across the state. Members of the House Democratic Caucus will be weighing their risk in attending knowing that there will be members of the House GOP who were likely exposed and will be there unmasked.

UNMASKED HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUT ENTIRE NH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT RISK FOR COVID-19 EXPOSURE

December 2, 2020 –Today, the House of Representatives met in session at the University of New Hampshire for Organization Day, as is required by the state constitution. Over 100 members chose to forgo attending the in-person session citing health concerns due to COVID-19 exposure by the House Republican caucus, and opted to be sworn in virtually by the Governor and Executive Council tomorrow, Thursday December 3. House Democratic Leader, Representative Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) released the following statement:

“Today, House Republicans put their colleagues, legislative and UNH staff, and all of our communities at risk for COVID-19. An estimated 50 or more House Republicans refused to wear masks today, even after DHHS confirmed that multiple members were exposed to COVID-19 during a caucus event just 12 days ago at McIntyre Ski Area. By DHHS guidelines, their entire caucus should be quarantined and tested before interacting with the public, let alone interacting in a legislative body of 400. The blatant disregard for public health is unconscionable, especially as daily case numbers in New Hampshire are the highest they have ever been.”

“Granite Staters are sick, dying, and struggling to pay bills and provide for their families this holiday season. While Granite State businesses are working around the clock to adhere to ever-changing safety protocols and stay afloat, House Republicans are unabashedly clinging to their senseless and dangerous anti-science narrative. When asked what he would do to enforce masks in the specific mask-compliant seating sections today, Speaker Hinch refused to provide an answer. It is my fervent hope that House Republicans will come together with Democrats to find safe solutions for legislating during a pandemic this year. For the good of the state, this deadly display of partisanship cannot happen again.”

On Background:

• WMUR reported on 12/1 that an unspecified number of Republican caucus members tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after attending an unmasked caucus to elect their nominee for Speaker.

  • Tweet from Adam Sexton: https://twitter.com/AdamSextonWMUR/status/1333785357494611976?s=20

• Rep Andrew Bouldin offered an amendment to House Rules that would have required the Speaker to offer the ability of members to participate in legislative activity remotely. Republican House members voted in a partisan block to deny this rule.