Shaheen Attends Ribbon Cutting for UNH Laboratory Expansion She Helped Fund, Discusses Career in Foreign Policy at St. Anselm’s, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

(Concord, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee , visited the University of New Hampshire’s Jackson Estuarine Laboratory to celebrate the facility’s expansion before traveling to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics in Manchester for a discussion on the state of foreign policy with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and World Affairs Council of New Hampshire. Shaheen finished the day in Concord, where she met with the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence before being honored for her decades of advocacy on behalf of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Photos from today’s event can be found HERE. A recording of Senator Shaheen’s discussion can be found HERE. In Durham, Senator Shaheen attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at the University of New Hampshire to celebrate the expansion of its Jackson Estuarine Laboratory. The Jackson Estuarine Laboratory is located on the shores of Great Bay Estuary, one of the largest estuaries in Northern New England, and it supports research efforts into coastal ecosystems, environmental quality and the connection between watershed and human health. As then-Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen secured $3.8 million in federal funding to support the project, which includes a 4,500 square foot expansion, the construction of a new high bay space for marine operations and upgraded amenities and facilities to support data collection, student training and innovation. “The work done at the University of New Hampshire’s Jackson Estuarine Laboratory has been indispensable in advancing critical research that allows us to better understand our coastal ecosystems in New Hampshire and around the world,” said Senator Shaheen. “I was proud to help secure over $3 million in federal funding for this lab and ensure it has the resources it needs to continue its groundbreaking work, and it was great to see the facility improvements behind this project earlier today. I know this expansion will lead to new breakthroughs for building resiliency in our estuarine and coastal systems. I can’t wait to see all that lies ahead.” As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Shaheen has a long track record of ensuring New Hampshire receives its share of federal funding to support projects across the Granite State. In this year’s Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill, Shaheen secured $26.8 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) , including funding to expand research capacity and support coastal and estuarine research. Then, in Manchester, Senator Shaheen traveled to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College where she delivered keynote remarks before participating in a panel discussion hosted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire. In her remarks, Shaheen highlighted how America’s foreign policy directly impacts New Hampshire and the importance of American leadership abroad. Then, in a panel discussion alongside former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William B. Taylor, Shaheen and Taylor shared their key insights on some of the most pressing issues in foreign policy, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and the future of American foreign policy. “From high prices due to the President’s war in Iran to an unnecessary trade war with our Canadian neighbors, we’re seeing firsthand under this Administration how America’s actions overseas have a direct impact right here in New Hampshire,” said Senator Shaheen . “American leadership abroad should be about making life better and safer for our loved ones and neighbors here at home—that’s been one of the guiding lights throughout my career in the Senate. It was great to join a discussion at the Institute of Politics today about the importance and future of American leadership abroad and the role Congress can play to address global challenges.” As Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Shaheen is the top Democratic voice on foreign affairs in the United States Senate and fights to protect and advance American interests abroad and conducts critical oversight of the Trump Administration's foreign policy. In her role, Shaheen leads diplomatic efforts to strengthen key alliances, promote economic development and bolster democratic institutions across the globe. Senator Shaheen has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since 2009 and is the first woman to serve as Ranking Member of the Committee. Shaheen concluded the day in Concord with the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Shaheen met with local advocates and staff from the Coalition to hear about their critical work to prevent intimate partner violence and support survivors. Shaheen was also honored with the Coalition’s Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her leadership and unwavering advocacy for survivors during her decades-long career in public office. Lyn Schollett, Executive Director of the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, presented Shaheen with the award in front of a crowd of survivors, crisis partnership advocates and community partners, all of whom convened to commemorate Shaheen’s legacy. “It has been one of the privileges of my time in the Senate to work with advocates and survivors of domestic and sexual violence to increase federal support for prevention efforts, secure funding for resources like safe housing and strengthen the justice system so that these individuals can seek accountability,” said Senator Shaheen. “Organizations like the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence are integral to this effort, which is why it was particularly humbling to receive their Lifetime Achievement Award. The fight to ensure survivors can get justice and are treated with dignity and respect will take all of us working together, and I’m so proud of the progress we have made. Although my time in the Senate may be coming to a close, I will always stand up for survivors.” Across her time in the United States Senate, Shaheen has remained an unyielding advocate for survivors of sexual harassment and assault and intimate partner violence (IPV). In the Senate, Shaheen spearheaded the groundbreaking Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act to create the first-ever federally codified rights specifically for sexual assault survivors, allowing survivors the opportunity to enforce those rights in federal court. Earlier this month, Shaheen commemorated the 10-Year Anniversary of her bill being signed into law by former President Barack Obama. Shaheen continues to lead efforts in the Senate to protect survivors, including with her Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act , the Protect Moms from Domestic Violence Act and the Fair Housing for Survivors Act . Shaheen has also utilized her senior role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure historic levels of funding for grants authorized by the Violence Against Women Act to protect survivors. ###