Chris Pappas, Democrat (incumbent)

Residence: Manchester

Experience: U.S. House (2018-present); Executive Councilor (2012-18); NH House (2002-06); co-owner, Puritan Backroom Restaurant; treasurer, Hillsborough County.

Education: Harvard University

Position on issues

Presidential action to bar asylum-seekers from U.S.: No response

Congressional action to limit asylum-seekers: No response

Abolish I.C.E.: No response

Limit aid to Israel: "America’s support for the people of Israel must remain firm in the face of the gravest threat to their existence in a generation, and I will never back down from our bipartisan security commitments to Israel. This legislation does absolutely nothing to help Israel and is a cynically partisan move by Speaker [Mike] Johnson and Republicans who spent months blocking a comprehensive security package. There is simply no time for politics when it comes to U.S. foreign policy, our national security interests, and the assistance required to defeat Hamas and support innocent civilians. I remain concerned by President [Joe] Biden’s intention to delay certain weapons shipments to Israel and the message that sends to Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist proxies. America must never neglect our obligation to support our allies in their times of need." (Candidate website, 2024)

Military aid to Ukraine: "I have continuously said that we should be taking every step possible to support Ukraine and punish [Vladimir] Putin, and speeding the delivery of weapons systems and military assistance to Ukraine is essential," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "The passage of this legislation will deliver critical support to Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty, and I urge the president to sign it into law swiftly to ensure aid reaches Ukraine as soon as possible." (Candidate website, 2024)

Increase military aid to Taiwan: "As Taiwan continues to face threats to its security and sovereignty, the United States must reaffirm our support for and long-term cooperation with Taiwan," said Congressman Pappas. "This legislation would prioritize Taiwan’s resiliency in the face of potential conflicts and expedite the delivery of much-needed resources to ensure they have the capability to defend themselves effectively." (Candidate website, 2024)

"Military-style" firearms ban: In Congress, Chris will: Support universal background checks for all gun purchases; Support a ban on the sale of assault weapons including the AR-15; Support a ban on the sale of bump stocks and high capacity magazines; Support a red flag law that would allow family members and the justice system to intervene and prevent someone from doing harm to themselves or others. (Candidate website, 2018)

More federal enforcement of retail crime: No response

Marijuana legalization across U.S.: Every candidate [including Chris Pappas] said they would vote to declassify marijuana from its current schedule 1 illegal drug status. (Seacoastonline, 2018)

Revise Section 230: No response

Extend Trump tax act: No response

Expanded child tax credit: The program where New Hampshire families received checks as part of the enhanced child tax credit has come to an end. News 9 asked the state's congressional delegation about continuing the tax credit. ... Democrats U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Annie Kuster, and Rep. Chris Pappas said they support efforts to extend the enhanced credit. (WMUR, 2022)

Support further Fed interest rate hikes: "I will say this, the Biden administration and the Fed were late in recognizing the problem of inflation. They considered it to be transitory at a time where it was really beginning to hurt families and small businesses here in new Hampshire. The Fed's working to play catch up because they have most of the tools when it comes to monetary policy. And unfortunately, you know, we're now just seeing interest rates begin to rise and the impact of their action taking hold." (WMUR, 2022)

Decrease tariffs on imports: No response

Cap prices increases by large businesses: "I’ve been pushing for legislation to crack down on price-gouging, provide a gas tax holiday, and lower prices at the pump," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "The last thing Granite Staters need right now is even higher prices at the gas pump, and we must use every resource available to bring down costs for our families and small businesses. It’s unacceptable that while Americans struggle to make ends meet gas and oil companies are taking advantage of international crises to make record profits. The price of crude oil fell last month, yet the prices consumers pay at the pump continued to rise. We have to put an end to this corporate profiteering and give families relief." (Candidate website, 2022)

Budget cuts to match new spending: "As a small business owner, I know what it means to be fiscally responsible, and I understand the importance of ensuring working families are taken care of first. It’s critical that Congress creates a bipartisan commission that identifies ideas that can help us drastically reduce the deficit and put us on the path to a more sustainable future. I will work to shore up foundational programs that Americans rely on like Social Security and Medicare and ensure that the biggest corporations and super-wealthy are paying their fair share." (Citizens Count, 2022)

Raise taxes to reduce budget deficit: "I have been a strong supporter of commonsense solutions that would cut taxes for small businesses and working families by expanding the Child Tax Credit, restore research and development deductions for small businesses, repeal the federal excise tax on trucks, and reduce burdensome red tape for online businesses. We need to create a tax code that works for working families and supports small businesses. That’s why I won’t support any legislation increasing taxes on those making less than $400,000 a year and why I’ll continue fighting for bipartisan tax solutions to lower costs for working people." (WMUR, 2024)

Revise Jones Act: At a WMUR debate Pappas said, "The fact is, we became a net exporter of energy at the end of the Obama administration and we still are today. But I want to take concrete steps beyond this political talking points that can help New Englanders, can help Granite Staters this winter. And that's why I'm urging the Biden administration to reduce exports, providing new flexibilities for shipping in this country with a waiver for something called the Jones Act will help us have the resources and drive down costs." (WMUR, 2022)

Raise Social Security retirement age: "I also don't support raising the retirement age, because I think that hits working people at a much greater rate, and I think we've got to be cognizant of those people that work hard their entire lives and the benefits that should be there for them." (NH Institute of Politics Debate, 2018)

Means testing for Social Security: "We've got to stop these efforts that are seeking to privatize it or to means-test benefits. I think those are very dangerous strategies that are going to erode the program over time." (NH Institute of Politics Debate, 2018)

Raise income cap for Social Security tax: No response

Privatize Social Security: In Congress, Chris is working to create economy opportunity by ... fighting efforts to privatize Social Security and Medicare and working to strengthen these programs that are essential to the health and well-being of current and future retirees. (Candidate website, 2020)

Federal abortion ban: No response

Federal right to abortion before 24 weeks: "Every woman deserves the right to make her own decisions about her body, her family, and her future. The overturning of Roe v. Wade and recent extremist attacks on reproductive health care are threatening women’s most basic freedoms and their lives. Granite Staters have made it clear — they do not want politicians involved in their personal health care decisions. I’ll keep fighting to safeguard reproductive freedom and stop extremists from turning back the clock on women’s rights." (WMUR, 2024)

Exclude transgender women from sports: "Banning trans women and girls from participating in sports and allowing schools to directly discriminate against students on the basis of their gender identity would do lasting harm not just to them, but our communities as a whole," said Congressman Pappas. "I strongly oppose this legislation, which is the latest in a series of bigoted, harmful attacks on the transgender community. All students deserve the opportunity to participate fully at school, including in school sports, and I remain committed to ensuring every student has a safe, inclusive school environment." (Candidate website, 2024)

Medicare for All, opt-in: "I'm signing onto legislation that would create a public option on the exchange and also legislation that would lower the eligibility age for Medicare," he said. "I would like to see people that are near retirement age be able to buy in to the program." (NHPR, 2019)

Medicare for All, automatic enrollment: No response

Increase oil and natural gas leases on public land: At a debate hosted by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce in October, Pappas said, "The big oil companies have thousands of leases available to them that they have underutilized and they've worked not to bring production back in the way that they could have post pandemic when production was dialed way back instead. They want to keep prices artificially high so that they can reap record profits at our expense. So this is not just the case where the government can turn on the faucet, we need the private sector to step up to the plate and sacrifice some of their profits and stock buybacks and do the right thing by the American people to make sure the supplies are there." (WMUR, 2022)

Tax carbon emissions: "But I think we do need a more robust debate around climate issues, including a proposal like a carbon tax. It's not an idea that I've signed on to at this point in time. But I think it needs to be part of the full discussion." (NHPR, 2020)

Electric vehicle mandate for automakers: No response

Add U.S. term limits: "I don't support term limits," Pappas said. "And I think that we have elections every two years here in New Hampshire. We're one of the most representative states, and an election is the best term limit you can ask for. What's interesting about the office I serve in, a member of Congress in New Hampshire's 1st District, we haven't had someone serving two consecutive terms since 2008, so it's been a while. I think there is a lot of power the people have in New Hampshire." (WMUR, 2022)

Abolish federal departments: No response