Jeanne Shaheen

Seventeen Democratic senators joined their Republican colleagues on Monday and voted to confirm Lori Chavez-DeRemer as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Labor.The Democrats who voted with the administration: Ruben Gallego (Arizona), Mark Kelly (Arizona), Adam Schiff (California), Michael Bennet (Colorado), John Hickenlooper (Colorado), Jon Ossoff (Georgia), Raphael Warnock (Georgia), Gary Peters (Michigan), Elissa Slotkin (Michigan), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada), Jacky Rosen (Nevada), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Mark Warner (Virginia), and Tim Kaine (Virginia).Twenty-nine Democrats opposed the nomination and only three Republicans voted “no,” meaning that the nomination would have advanced with the 50 Republican “yes” votes even if every Democrat had voted “no.” Instead, the Democratic votes gave the majority party bipartisan cover. As labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer is expected to carry out Trump’s anti-labor, anti-worker agenda, like the ongoing purge of hundreds of vital government employees under Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency.President Donald TrumpThe vote stands in contrast to the Democratic Party’s repeated claims that they are united in opposition to Trump and his agenda. In fact, at the Senate level, the party has voted again and again to confirm Trump’s nominees and has supported legislative maneuvers allowing votes on nominees that they oppose in a final vote.Despite warning signs like Trump’s past political and policy failures (see: his entire first term) and his racist, destructive rhetoric (see: his entire life), a significant portion of the Democratic Party has empowered him with their Senate votes. Then they eventually regret it. For instance, multiple senators have now gone on the record to say their votes to confirm Secretary of State Marco Rubio (every Senate Democrat voted for him) was a mistake.The cover offered for Chavez-DeRemer is that her record is not as anti-labor as Trump’s, and that she made some statements during her confirmation hearing that offered a moderate stance on labor issues. (However, she does oppose a minimum-wage increase). But like Trump’s other nominees, such as Linda McMahon at the Department of Education and Sean Duffy at the Department of Transportation, Cabinet secretaries are ultimately tasked with executing Trump’s vision.Democrats have faltered in opposition to Trump. Party leadership has chastised a few breakaway members for being strident in speaking out against Trump’s abuses, and have favored a less confrontational approach even as Trump and Musk have thrown out decades of American traditions and values.Trump didn’t need the Democratic Party to install another friendly face in the federal government, but Democrats helped him anyway.Campaign Action

Janice Kelble bundled up to brave the biting wind Friday morning. At the intersection of Pleasant and South streets, in front of the James Cleveland Federal Building in Concord, she held up a sign to passersby that targeted Elon Musk: “Billionaires are the real parasites.”

Sens. Ossoff and Shaheen explained why they had voted with all Democrats to block a bill to bar males from women’s sports.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is expected to announce later this month whether or not she’ll seek a fourth six-year term representing New Hampshire in the Senate when she’s up for re-election next year.

White House trade adviser and ex-convict Peter Navarro told Fox News’ Bret Baier on Wednesday, that “Canada has been taken over, Bret, by Mexican cartels. They bring up these pill presses and printers, and the medicines that they fake, you can’t tell the difference.”Navarro was running interference for his boss, who walked back his big trade war tariffs against Canada and Mexico in less than 48 hours. (Though he continues to flip-flop on the tariffs at a breakneck pace.) President Donald Trump chose to continue his attack on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—after folding like a cheap suit—by claiming that fentanyl smuggling was an enormous problem along the Canadian border. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, only 43 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the Canadian border in 2024. During that same period, more than 21,000 pounds were seized along the Mexican border. So, of the more than 21,043 pounds of fentanyl seized at our country’s borders in 2024, approximately 0.2% of it came through Canada.Navarro’s wonderlandian assertion was quickly parroted, albeit with less hyperbole, by Trump’s other minions. White House press secretary, and front-facing lie machine, Karoline Leavitt had this to say when she was presented with those facts by Senior White House Correspondent for NBS News Gabe Gutierrez.Gutierrez: Respectfully. It's just 43 pounds that were found last year. That's less than a carry-on suitcase. Is that a lot of fentanyl compared to, say, Mexico? The vast majority of the fentanyl is brought in through Mexico, not Canada. So what else does Canada need to do?Leavitt: Well, I just told you, last year alone, there was a 2,000% increase in illegal fentanyl. If you're asking me, you're asking me for what the president's justification is for these tariffs. It's not up to you. You're not the president, Gabe.”xxYouTube VideoCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick performed even less coherently when asked about the incongruity by CNBC. “I think autopsy deaths, as horrible as that is, should be the statistic,” Lutnick said, but when pressed, added: “Remember, the process in America for tariffs is that the president launched a study. And those are the rules of tariffs in America.” Huh?xxYouTube VideoIn 2019, the Treasury Department deemed “the most common distribution method” for fentanyl into our country was by way of China and the mail. The Biden administration had been making headway on an agreement to get help from China on their end.On Thursday, bipartisan legislation was introduced by Sen. Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho, and Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, that targets fentanyl coming into the U.S. by way of China and Mexico. The bill looks to expand the authority to sanction “state-owned or state-controlled Chinese entities, including banks,” according to the Associated Press.For his part, Trump has pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the notorious creator of Silk Road—an online marketplace for criminal activity—who prosecutors described as being “the kingpin of a worldwide digital drug-trafficking enterprise.” So much for being tough on drugs.Trump calls himself a king. But we know we are not a nation of kings—and we never will be. Get your Daily Kos T-shirt or hat to spread the message and wear it with pride: No Kings.

The measure would have the U.S. track more chemicals that can be used to make methamphetamines.

A temporary hiring freeze — and the prospect of a slashed civilian workforce — are raising fears among labor leaders and the state’s congressional delegation.

Democrats used the overnight Senate session as a platform for their outrage over what President Donald Trump has wrought.

President Donald Trump has done nothing but inflict harm and terror since reentering the White House in January, and history suggests he’ll face a backlash in the 2026 midterm elections.Historically, the president’s party usually loses congressional seats in midterm elections. In 2018, halfway through Trump’s first presidency, the public slapped the Republican Party with a 40-seat loss in the House, ultimately leading to years of hearings and two impeachments. In 2022, while Democrats beat expectations, they still lost enough House seats to slip into the minority. Ironically, that bodes well for their chances of retaking the House in 2026, especially given their dominance in a recent special election.However, the Senate is another matter entirely. This past week, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report released its early Senate ratings for the midterms, which suggest the GOP majority will be impenetrable.Republicans hold 22 seats that are up for reelection, and 19 are listed as solidly Republican, meaning those seats are all but certain to remain in the GOP’s hands (short of a miracle or a Mark Robinson-type figure running). An Ohio seat held by Sen. Jon Husted, who replaced Vice President JD Vance, is rated as “likely” Republican, meaning Democrats have a chance, if a slim one, of picking it up. After all, the party hasn’t won a statewide race in Ohio since 2018. xDatawrapper ContentBut two races “lean” toward Republicans, according to Cook. That means they should be the best pickup opportunities for Democrats. They are held by Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. While the races could be grabbable, Collins won her 2020 reelection by 8.6 percentage points, despite that Democrat Joe Biden won Maine by 9 points in that same election. Meanwhile, Trump has carried North Carolina thrice.There’s also Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who looks likely to retire. But he represents a deep-red state that Trump carried by more than 30 points in 2024.Worse, in the 2026 same midterm, Democrats face a tough Senate landscape. According to Cook, the party will defend two “toss-up” seats, and both are in states Trump won last year: Georgia (Sen. Jon Ossoff) and Michigan (an open seat now that Sen. Gary Peters is retiring). Then there’s Minnesota. Democratic Sen. Tina Smith announced on Thursday that she would not seek reelection. Of course, Democrats have a deep bench of good prospective candidates for this seat, and Cook rates it as a “Likely Democratic” seat, but the party will no longer have the advantage of an incumbent running and Republicans will probably spend big on the race. Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of MinnesotaDemocrats also face a potentially competitive race in New Hampshire. While incumbent Democrat Jeanne Shaheen comfortably defeated her Republican opponent by nearly 16 points in 2020, Trump came within 3 points of winning the state in 2024. Due to that, Cook rates the seat as only “Lean Democrat.”What complicates matters further for Democrats is that their toss-up and “lean” seats are arguably more vulnerable than either of the “Lean R” seats held by Republicans. That means the odds are higher that the GOP will keep or even increase its Senate majority in 2026. It’s also important that Democrats don’t lose sight of other states where the president came within 10 points of winning in 2024: New Jersey (Sen. Cory Booker), New Mexico (Sen. Ben Ray Luján), and Virginia (Sen. Mark Warner). While Cook rates these seats as “Solid Democratic,” the party should at least be cautious and, at the very least, not express annoyance toward voters who simply want them to put up a fight.Indeed, Democrats will have a lot on their plate in 2026. And it doesn’t help that polls show their voters aren’t too pleased with them, while Trump 2025 is so far stronger than he was in 2017. As CNN reported earlier this week, Trump’s second-term approval rating had been in the green for his entire term so far—while he had only 11 such net-positive days during his first term.The good news, of course, is that Democrats are primed to take back the House due to Republicans’ precarious majority, which currently sits at 218 seats to Democrats’ 215. (Two vacancies, previously held by Republicans, are expected to go to the GOP once their special elections happen.) Unseating the GOP’s House majority will be especially easy if Trump’s approval fades (as it should) and if people turn on his policies. But even if Democrats retake the House, that would make for a divided Congress, and the Senate arguably matters more. A compliant, GOP-controlled Senate will steadily confirm Trump’s judicial appointments (including potential Supreme Court vacancies). Trump likes to keep score, too, so he will likely try to confirm more judges than Biden did when Democrats had control of the Senate.Still, a divided Congress is better than a united Republican-led Congress that’s slinging a wrecking ball into the federal government.Campaign Action

On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen join Margaret Brennan.

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith’s (D) decision to not run for reelection in 2026 is adding another headache for Democrats trying to win back control of the Senate in two years. Smith became the second Senate Democrat to announce their retirement in the past few weeks after Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) also decided against seeking another [...]

"Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan speaks with ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who is in Germany for the Munich Security Conference. Watch the interview that aired on Feb. 16, 2025.

“USAID is a criminal organization,” declared billionaire Elon Musk over the weekend. “Time for it to die.”

The odds of a government shutdown are surging as President Trump battles Democrats over efforts to freeze funding and Republicans brawl internally over the size and scope of potential cuts. With a mid-March deadline fast approaching, negotiators on Capitol Hill have yet to agree on the top-line numbers to guide the extension of federal funding [...]

Criticism and concern spread across both sides of the aisle Tuesday following President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. “will take over the Gaza Strip.”

At 27 years of age, New Hampshire’s Karoline Leavitt made international headlines this week with her first formal briefing in the White House.

Democrats said that as written, the ICC sanctions bill would backfire on U.S. allies and companies.

Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters will not seek re-election to a third term when his current one expires in January 2027, leaving open a senate seat in a state Donald Trump won.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) used a rare emergency meeting on Friday to make a plea for unity, but Democrats have a tactical problem he can't avoid.Why it matters: Schumer can't guarantee the votes to give Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) the time and leverage to negotiate with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on the upcoming ICC sanctions bill.Democratic senators know they're stronger when they stick together, especially on procedural votes.But many senators have a greater interest in voting for GOP legislation that can help them win reelection in Trumpy states.Zoom in: Democrats didn't resolve any of their short- or long-term strategic differences in Friday's 90-minute meeting, which Axios scooped was coming in Hill Leaders.After the meeting, senators were extremely reluctant to discuss the open rift in their party. They emerged stone-faced and weren't in the mood to talk.Staff weren't allowed to attend the strategy session.Between the lines: Schumer approached the meeting with a message of kumbaya, according to a source briefed on the session.To give her room to negotiate, Shaheen needs Democrats to send a clear signal that they oppose the current version of the bill — and are prepared to vote it down.Shaheen is the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Cotton introduced the ICC sanctions bill in the Senate.But lawmakers emerged from the meeting without a clear strategy on how to approach the ICC measure, which has splintered progressives and moderates.Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) told Axios after the meeting "all I can tell you is that Jeanne Shaheen is in the middle of negotiations."The bottom line: Schumer has a handful of moderates who are up for reelection next year, and they will face pressure to back some GOP legislation.Schumer allowed Democrats to vote their conscience on the Laken Riley Act, the GOP's first border crackdown bill of the new session.With a dozen Democratic votes for the procedural vote, Republicans passed the bill without any changes to the legislation.

Some high-profile meetings in the nation’s capital this week by former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown are fueling more speculation that the Republican from Rye will launch a 2026 run in New Hampshire for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by former governor and longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

The Laken Riley Act would require the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes

Rubio says his top priority is the United States as the nation's top diplomat.

Rubio has said the CCP is his top focus, which he defined as 'the most potent and dangerous, near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted.'

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, here at a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Friday, is up for reelection in 2026.

The former Fox News co-host attended his confirmation hearing to potentially become the next secretary of defense. Get the status on his nomination.

Past controversies have hounded Hegseth, including allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking and derisive views about women in military combat roles.

Democrats aren’t very good at learning lessons. But there are some things even they can figure out.

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, here in the Senate subway in the U.S. Capitol in December, faces a competitive reelection next year. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The Concord Police Department starts 2025 with several positions still vacant.Deputy Chief Steve Smagula hopes funding from Congress – $73,000 that’ll be used for evidence recovery technology and training – will help attract more candidates to work...

Several senators join the Appropriations, Judiciary, Finance, Foreign Relations, and Commerce Committees, where they will gain new influence over policy.

In February 1975, two months after Jimmy Carter announced he would seek the Democratic presidential nomination, he arrived at the aptly-named Carter Hill Road home of Concord Monitor editor Thomas W. Gerber for an informal gathering.The hill Carter...

Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown continued to tease a return to politics over the weekend, and he now says he’s doing the early legwork required before deciding whether to hang up his guitar and seek another senate term.

The former Bay State politician thinks his native New Hampshire deserves more than the all-Democrat delegation has given.

President-elect Donald Trump opposes a short-term bill or CR to fund the government and avoid a shutdown, throwing Congress into chaos days before the deadline.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will unveil on Wednesday his list of Senate Democrats who get top committee positions, Axios has learned.Why it matters: These Senate Democrats will Schumer's top lieutenants to fight against Republican nominees and legislative priorities starting next year.The assignments:Sen. Amy Klobuchar, AgricultureSen. Patty Murray, AppropriationsSen. Jack Reed, Armed ServicesSen. Elizabeth Warren, BankingSen. Maria Cantwell, CommerceSen. Martin Heinrich, EnergySen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Environments and Public WorksSen. Ron Wyden, FinanceSen. Jeanne Shaheen, Foreign RelationsSen. Bernie Sanders, Health, Education, Labor and PensionsSen. Gary Peters, Homeland SecuritySen. Mark Warner, IntelligenceSen. Dick Durbin, JudiciarySen. Kirsten Gillibrand, AgingSen. Jeff Merkley, BudgetSen. Maggie Hassan, Joint EconomicSen. Alex Padilla, RulesSen. Ed Markey, Small BusinessSen. Richard Blumenthal, Veterans' AffairsSen. Chris Coons, EthicsSen. Brian Schatz, Indian Affairs

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, talks about U.S. involvement in the Middle East, the incoming Trump administration and more.

The race for key Senate contests in 2026 is already getting underway, with a few major potential candidates hinting they may join the race. Republicans won back control of the Senate in the 2024 elections in early November, picking up four seats for a 53-47 majority in the body, the largest margin for either party [...]

Reports of Musk's interactions with Russian officials date back to 2022

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has taken on a large role in President-elect Donald Trump's orbit.

Votes are still being counted in some states across the country, and some races have yet to be called in the 2024 election.But in New Hampshire, the campaign spotlight will quickly shift to the state’s 2026 Senate election, which will likely be one of...

At the New Hampshire Veterans Home, time is marching on for men who served in World War II.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, are poised to lead Senate Foreign Relations next year. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)