U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was in Portsmouth last week to tout the accomplishments of U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and the rest of the Democratic Congress. Appearing in Portsmouth Public Library on the afternoon of Aug. 8, the San Francisco Democrat credited Shea-Porter with taking a lead role in supporting legislation to improve healthcare, the economy, education, energy policy and national defense.

But, as Pelosi sought to ensure that Shea-Porter is reelected in 2008, N.H. Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen lashed out at Shea-Porter and fellow N.H. Rep. Paul Hodes for invariably voting with Pelosi. “Shea-Porter and Hodes have become the Pelosi Twins. Instead of being independent voices for New Hampshire, they’ve been rubber stamps for Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership in Washington,” Cullen stated in a release. “I challenge Rep. Hodes and Rep. Shea-Porter to name just two points on which they disagree with Speaker Pelosi. Just two, to show they have any independence at all,” he added. 

Asked about Cullen’s comments, Shea-Porter made no attempt to refute the chairman’s accusations. “I just say, ‘Thank you for noticing,’” she quipped. “I vote with the speaker because she’s right.”

Pelosi later stepped in to temper that statement, stressing that Shea-Porter and the other Democratic representatives in Congress have independent voices that reflect the interests of their districts. “We don’t want any rubber stamps in the Democratic Party.  It’s not our way,” she said. “Frankly, I’m voting with Carol. She’s leading the way.”

According to Cullen’s release, a review of 846 Congressional votes in 2007 shows that Shea-Porter and Hodes voted identically 98 percent of the time, and with Pelosi 99 percent of the time.

Speaking to a packed room of supporters and media members in the library’s Levenson Room, Pelosi discussed many of those votes and detailed some of the legislation Shea-Porter has supported on the House floor. She began by listing some of the challenges currently facing the nation. Foremost among those challenges, she said, is the war in Iraq. She called for the redeployment of troops from Iraq, but stressed the need for national defense and the protection of civil liberties. “As we protect and defend the American people, we must protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” she said, drawing applause and shouts of approval from the audience.

Pelosi cited a number of “historic” bills Shea-Porter has supported during her first year in office. She noted that Congress managed to raise the minimum wage for the first time in the last 10 years, increasing it from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over two years. She also made note of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which is aimed at ending wage inequities and workplace discrimination against women.

Pelosi said Shea-Porter is working to rewrite the No Child Left Behind legislation to improve education for children. “This bill will be so different, we’re thinking of giving it a new name,” she said. She also noted that Shea-Porter cosponsored the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, which she said represents the largest investment in higher education since the G.I. Bill.

Pelosi also commended Congress for passing a Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill that would increase the VA budget by $6.7 billion above the fiscal year 2007 level. The sum is $3.8 billion higher than President Bush’s FY 2008 budget request and represents the largest single increase to the VA budget in 77 years.

Shea Porter supported legislation aimed at ensuring that 5 million more children who are eligible for healthcare receive access to benefits. The bill also protects benefits for the 6 million children currently enrolled for health coverage.

Pelosi spoke at greater length about legislation Shea-Porter has supported regarding energy policy. She spoke about a multi-faceted bill that would reduce carbon emissions by 10.4 billion tons through 2030. According to Pelosi, the bill would reduce emissions by an amount equal to taking all motor vehicles off the nation’s highways for one year. It also calls for federal government operations to be carbon-neutral by 2050.

Shea-Porter has long been vocal in her opposition to the war in Iraq, which Pelosi called the biggest ethical issue facing Congress. “She speaks with a gentle voice, but a strong one, against that war,” Pelosi said.

Shea-Porter, who is from Rochester, defeated Republican Jeb Bradley in fall 2006 to become the first New Hampshire woman ever to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. During her campaign, she referred to herself as a candidate “for the rest of us,” and Pelosi said she has lived up to that title. “You should see how proud she is of representing all of you,” Pelosi told the crowd.

Shea-Porter could face stiff competition from Republicans in the 2008 election. N.H. Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen recently announced his resignation and is rumored to have his eyes on a Congressional seat, and Bradley might attempt to recover his former seat.