By PAULA TRACY, inDepthNH.org

NASHUA – The new Democratic Congresswoman, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire’s District 2, held a virtual town hall style discussion with Granite State residents and mayors from her district from Nashua, Claremont, Franklin, Berlin and Concord on Friday at noon.

The gathering was to hear questions and discuss actions by the new Republican Trump Administration and how they may impact the state.

Meeting virtually with the new Congresswoman, who has succeeded the retiring former Congresswoman Annie Kuster, also a Democrat, callers asked about protecting basic promises to veterans, the developmentally disabled, Social Security and funding for education which Goodlander said were among her top priorities.

She also heard considerable comment from those who are concerned about Trump allowing an unelected billionaire, Elon Musk, to access their sensitive financial and personal information through the government.

Goodlander noted this day was her 35th on this job but is already reacting to Administration initiatives, some of which she said she believes are illegal. 

“I swore an oath to protect and defend our Constitution,” and to work for Granite Staters.

She called the job the honor of her lifetime and stressed communication is key, noting her office phone number 1-603-226-1002, access to her offices on Main Streets in Nashua, Concord and Littleton and in the Cannon Office Building in Washington.

With backgrounds in the Navy and Justice Department as a lawyer, Goodlander said she has the ability to “cut through the noise, use common sense, find common ground and deliver for the state.”

“I will always stand my ground on your behalf,” she said.

She said the courts are an important “backstop” to Trump Administration actions and noted several actions taken in the past two weeks to halt or delay implementation to allow for a legal review. 

But she said people are still feeling a lot of pain and facing a lot of uncertainty now, particularly from executive actions including a freeze on federal funding, proposals for tariffs with Mexico, Canada and China which she said “could end up in a trade war,” to concern about resources for police and teachers, for small businesses that are working hard to keep things afloat, to doctors worried about funding for health care initiatives, it is an uncertain time.

During the hour-long conversation, similar to such town hall sessions Kuster offered during COVID-19, the Congresswoman heard questions and comments from nine constituents of her district, including a former worker for USAID, the wife of a federal employee who has been given a buyout notice, a veteran concerned about the future of the Veterans Administration, a daughter worried about Social Security payments for her mother and violations of her privacy and several mentioning concern for Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency which is not a government agency at all. 

The callers came from Grantham, Center Harbor, Bridgewater and other communities.

Those listening included a number of mayors, including Desiree McLaughlin, mayor of the City of Franklin.

She said she was sitting with several city councilors listening to the questions and heard Goodlander’s responses, which she summarized as the “three L’s.”

McLaughlin said she and some city councilors were hearing that letters, laws and litigation are three “excellent tools” Goodlander uses to ensure democracy.

McLaughlin said at the municipal level there is concern for a pause on federal grant funds which impact education, Medicaid which could be disastrous. 

“We are looking at our exposure,” she said and the next moves along with potential for unfunded federal mandates.

Goodlander said when the federal government does not supply the funding it trickles down to the communities and individuals, and impacts every part of our lives.

The Constitution, she said, could not be clearer about federal funding streams, as it only comes from “law” which is what Congress does, pass laws.

She said she will work to ensure financial data is kept safe. 

Goodlander has signed on to the Taxpayer Data Protection Act and has joined oversight letters “to make sure we are getting the information.”

“We are using every tool we’ve got,” she said, “including litigation.”

Goodlander is offering a newsletter and has a website. Goodlander.house.gov

She noted there are three branches of government,

and the courts will be an important “backstop” for such administrative intrusion.

Goodlander said the efforts to dismantle USAID is a lawless effort.

She indicated a likelihood of continuing such dialogue with her constituents.

“We are eager to bring people throughout the district,” and said she hopes that constituents would reach out to her.