U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) said that it was an honor to be sworn in for a second congressional term but added that the ceremony was marked "with a kind of soberness" because of the problems the country is facing.

"There was a lot of joy, naturally, but it was mixed in with a kind of soberness as well because we really do have quite a few problems on our plate, but the team's in place and the will to cooperate is there and I'm expecting that we're going to have a good two years," Shea-Porter said in an interview with PolitickerNH.com.

On the day she was sworn in, Shea-Porter reintroduced legislation that would establish a full-service Veterans Administration hospital in New Hampshire or allow veterans to seek local health care services without going to a VA center.

"I want our veterans to have a full service hospital, like in every other state, or to have access to local health care. I think it's a gross injustice and I am committed to fixing it," Shea-Porter said.

Shea-Porter said that progress has been made towards bringing a VA hospital to New Hampshire and said she thinks her bill will help further that progress. Currently New Hampshire veterans must go to hospitals in either White River Junction, Vermont or Jamaica Plains in Boston.

Shea-Porter also said that she was looking forward to working with U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury).

"It's going to be an absolute delight. I'm thrilled she's going to be in office," Shea-Porter said.

She added, "I have every reason to believe that she's going to be just stellar in the Senate."

Shaheen, the former governor, was ousted Republican Sen. John Sununu in November to become the first Democratic United States Senator from New Hampshire in 30 years.