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House committee narrowly backs resolution urging Congress to recognize Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor as New Hampshire territory
Summary
After extended testimony and archival evidence presented by the state archivist, the committee voted 8–6 in favor of HR 45, a resolution asking Congress and the president to recognize Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor as lying within New Hampshire. Supporters cited historical seals and archival maps; opponents warned of legal hurdles and fiscal consequences.
A sharply contested committee vote on Jan. 16 produced an 8–6 recommendation to advance HR 45, a resolution urging Congress to recognize the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor as New Hampshire territory.
Representative Barton, prime sponsor, framed the resolution around historical records in the state archives and the imagery on New Hampshire’s seal that depicts the frigate Raleigh. "We would not put another state on our flag and on our seal since 1784," Barton told the committee, and he urged use of archival documents showing New Hampshire’s historical claim to the islands and harbor.
Archivist Ashley Miller said the state archives gathered legislative records and primary sources documenting assertions of state jurisdiction and made them available to the committee. Longtime Portsmouth resident and former shipyard employee Sue Paladora testified that many Granite Staters working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard have paid Maine income taxes despite living in New Hampshire and that historical documents support a New Hampshire claim.
Supporters proposed a two‑track strategy: (1) a short‑term ask that the president issue an executive‑branch action (a directive on duty station/duty‑station reporting) to treat Naval Shipyard duty stations as New Hampshire for payroll and tax purposes, and (2) a request to Congress to consider statutory or boundary actions. Sponsor Barton described a draft transmittal letter and a proposed presidential executive order (to change duty station reporting for federal employees) to accompany the resolution.
Opponents urged caution. Some members referenced a 1977 agreement and a subsequent 2001 matter that complicated litigation prospects; they said Congress and courts have limited appetite to reopen settled boundary disputes and warned of the diplomatic and fiscal consequences. Representative Jones said the state's prior bipartisan effort to keep the shipyard open was an example of effective collaboration with Maine; he worried the resolution could undermine that cooperation.
Committee action: The panel voted 8–6 to recommend OTP and sent the resolution to the House calendar. The committee also discussed but did not approve putting the resolution on the consent calendar.
What’s next: The resolution will be transmitted to New Hampshire’s congressional delegation, the President and other federal actors as listed in the resolution. Supporters said they will also prepare evidentiary materials (legal memorandum and historical packet) to accompany the request.
Who spoke: Representative Barton; Ashley Miller (State Archivist); Sue Paladora (former shipyard employee/historian).
