Contact: Ryan Mahoney, ryan@amplifynh.org
Ayotte The Absentee Governor
While New Hampshire Faces Crisis After Crisis, Ayotte Hides
CONCORD, NH – As New Hampshire grapples with mounting economic uncertainty, skyrocketing costs, federal job cuts, and risks to health and safety, Governor Kelly Ayotte has yet to offer a response to the growing crises that could devastate New Hampshire families, instead remaining silent, cowering in the shadows, abdicating her responsibility as a leader and defender of her New Hampshire constituents.
Meanwhile U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan along with Congressman Pappas and Congresswoman Goodlander have met the moment by advocating vocally for Granite Staters—voicing concerns in committee hearings, floor remarks, local and national interviews, and highlighting their concerns with their announced guests to this evening’s Joint Address to Congress. Amplify New Hampshire Executive Director Ryan Mahoney issued the following statement:
“While New Hampshire families face serious threats to their jobs, health, and economic security, Governor Ayotte’s silence speaks volumes about her priorities — putting loyalty to the Trump Administration ahead of advocating for the well-being of Granite Staters. While our US Senators and members of Congress are stepping up to protect Granite Staters, Governor Ayotte is nowhere to be found. Barely three months into the job and Kelly Ayotte has already abandoned her responsibility to fight for New Hampshire’s best interests.”
In case you missed it, here’s what’s happening in New Hampshire and Washington this week—all of which Ayotte has remained radio silent on:
Federal Job Cuts Threaten the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – The Department of Defense and DOGE have told employees to report five accomplishments from this week amid hiring freezes and fears of layoffs. While the Shipyard is appealing to the White House to save their jobs, Senators Shaheen and Hassan and Congressman Chris Pappas are pushing back against the proposed cuts. Governor Ayotte has yet to comment on the looming threat to one of New Hampshire’s largest economic engines. In 2015, she proved she’s capable of advocating to protect the shipyard, but for some reason, has chosen not to in 2025.
Stock Market Tumbles After Trump Tariff Announcement – The market took a dramatic plunge yesterday following President Donald Trump’s revival of sweeping tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China that will continue to expand in the coming weeks. Trump’s decision resulted in retaliatory 25% tariffs from Canada. New Hampshire exports $1.4B in goods to Canada, making up nearly 19% of all New Hampshire exports and resulting in 182,000 New Hampshire jobs. The tariffs and retaliation are expected to cost middle-class Granite Staters $1,100 per year, including $375 more in winter home heating oil, our largest import. Meanwhile, Senator Shaheen is bringing a New Hampshire business owner hurt by the tariffs as her guest to Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.
Ayotte’s Budget Skyrockets Medicaid Premiums While Expanded Medicaid Is At Risk – Reports indicate that Governor Ayotte’s budget proposal would force some Medicaid recipients to pay $3,396 per year in premiums after no premium costs in years prior. At the same time, proposed federal cuts to Medicaid funding could trigger New Hampshire’s automatic elimination of expanded Medicaid, leaving 60,000 Granite Staters without health insurance. Ayotte expressed “uncertainty” about the future of expanded Medicaid instead of providing certainty. Senator Hassan, who has been leading the fight to protect Medicaid, is bringing a New Hampshire Medicaid recipient to the Joint Address to Congress to highlight the real-life consequences of these cuts.
Flu Cases Rise in NH as FDA Delays Next Year’s Flu Vaccine – With flu cases surging across New Hampshire, the FDA’s recent meeting cancellation—ordered by the Trump administration—risks delaying next year’s flu shot production. Ayotte has had nothing to say about this public health threat.
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About Amplify New Hampshire
Amplify New Hampshire is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization founded to keep Granite Staters informed of the decisions made in local, state, and federal government that will impact their lives and empower them to enact change. For more information, visit amplifynh.org.