MANCHESTER, N.H. — U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander answered questions from New Hampshire voters Wednesday about issues such as child care costs and affordable housing.

During a taping of “Conversation with the Community,” the Democratic congresswoman said that as the war continues between Israel and Iran, she’s concerned about the risks to U.S. troops, diplomats and civilians in the region.

“My view is that when the president exercises his authority under the Constitution as commander in chief and takes military action that’s not an immediate response to an imminent threat, but that could escalate into an enduring conflict, a war in a region, he is best positioned to have the consent and support and a check of the United States Congress,” Goodlander said.

Facing Granite State voters in a town hall format, Goodlander was pressed about what is being done about the cost of child care. One voter described how his company has been losing workers over the issue.

“We have had two of our last two employees who have chosen to have a child who are no longer with our company because they are stay-at-home moms now, and it’s kind of an untenable situation here,” he said.

“We have child care deserts all across the state,” Goodlander said. “I’m looking to find every creative solution to protect the programs that exist now, the tax credits that could be expanded and really reworked for this moment. But this is a huge priority for me.”

Asked about the housing crisis, Goodlander said she wants to put guardrails on how private equity firms invest in the housing market.

“If you’ve got a single mom with two kids up against a multibillion-dollar private equity firm bidding on a home, that multibillion-dollar firm is going to win every single time,” Goodlander said. “And it’s driving the American dream out of reach for far too many people.”

You can watch “Conversation with the Community” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, immediately following “CloseUp.”

https://www.wmur.com/article/goodlander-child-care-housing-conversation-61825/65106086