Kennedy, Republican colleagues call out Democrats’ political meddling in oil and gas mergers
Mar 28 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and 34 other Republican colleagues in calling on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan to conduct a fair and unbiased review of recently announced oil and gas mergers.
On Nov. 1, 2023, Senate Democrats requested that the FTC investigate major energy acquisitions while citing misleading and false allegations, including that companies are discrediting “climate science” through oil and gas production. In their letter, Republicans explain that conducting an investigation based on Democrats’ unfounded claims would be an FTC overreach, but demand that any such investigation must be unbiased.
“We write to urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to follow the law and the facts in its review of the recently announced oil and gas industry mergers. As is the case with any merger review, including those in the industrial sector, mergers must be assessed under a fair and unbiased standard grounded in sound economics and law that protects American consumers, and does not impose policy preferences to further political ends,” the senators wrote.
“Unfortunately, some of our Democratic colleagues do not want you to apply relevant facts or antitrust precedent fairly to these mergers, as demonstrated through their letter. Their letter makes specious and speculative claims about what these mergers would allegedly portend for ‘climate science’ and ‘climate legislation,’ among other things. . . . Incredibly, the letter also asked the FTC to simply ignore the parties’ plan to produce an additional one billion barrels of oil over the life of the assets beyond what could be achieved if the parties acted separately. In other words, the letter deliberately ignored evidence of what would be a clear benefit to consumers, workers, and our nation’s energy security: greater production,” they continued.
“We respectfully request that the FTC conduct a fair and unbiased review of these mergers that is rooted in the facts, economic realities, and precedent. The oil and gas industry (like any other industry) should not be subject to unfair investigations or heightened antitrust scrutiny in order to further a political agenda that seeks the end of fossil fuel production,” the senators concluded.
Full text of the letter is available here.
Kennedy announces $15 million in Hurricane Laura aid for Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative
Mar 28 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $15,010,476 in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Laura hit southwest Louisiana and damaged Louisianians’ electrical network. This $15 million will help the Jefferson Davis Electric system get repairs so that power can run smoothly in our communities,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $15,010,476 to Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative, Inc. for system-wide electrical infrastructure repairs as a result of Hurricane Laura.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $5,204,785 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Flood damage to a home or business is not only a nightmare, but it’s also dangerous. This $5.2 million will support flood protection for folks in Calcasieu Parish as well as building demolition to keep Louisianians safe in Vernon Parish,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $3,106,068 for Calcasieu Parish for the construction of four regional detention ponds to alleviate flooding to residential communities across the parish as well as management costs associated with the grant.
- $2,098,717 for Vernon Parish for the acquisition and demolition of eight properties with flood damage as well as management costs associated with the grant.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and colleagues in introducing the bipartisan North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) to reauthorize $65 million in funding to protect America’s wetlands.
“Louisiana’s wetlands are a big part of our state’s outdoor sportsman culture and geographical beauty. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is an important step to preserve our wildlife and protect our environment’s natural defense system,” said Kennedy.
“We owe it to our kids and grandkids to ensure they can inherit the full breadth of American wildlife and the wetlands that sustain them. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to bolster our nation’s most successful wetlands restoration program. By reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, this legislation will improve access to clean drinking water, invest in our thriving multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy, and conserve New Mexico’s wildlife and the habitats they depend on for future generations,” said Heinrich.
Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) cosponsored the legislation.
Background:
- Congress first passed the NAWCA in 1989 to provide federal cost-share funding to projects that conserve North America’s waterfowl, fish and wildlife resources.
- NAWCA funding helps support activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and photography across all states.
- NAWCA funding generates an average of two additional dollars for every federal dollar. Over the program’s history, federal grants totaling more than $2.1 billion have spurred $4.3 billion for NAWCA projects through matching and non-matching funds.
- NAWCA funding also supports an average of 7,500 jobs each year and more than $5 billion in annual economic activity.
Full text of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today announced that his office will host a passport acceptance event with the New Orleans Passport Agency for constituents to obtain or renew their passports.
Date: April 11, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: 7932 Wrenwood Blvd., Suites A and B, Baton Rouge, La.
In 2023, thousands of Americans experienced delays in passport processing due to backlogs at the Department of State.
“My staff is working with our local passport agency to help constituents apply for and renew their passports so that Louisianians can enjoy their summer travel plans without unexpected delays,” said Kennedy.
Although appointments are not required, applicants can contact Kathy Manuel at (337) 541-7990 or Christy Tate at (337) 541-7991 to schedule an appointment ahead of the event.
Applicants must bring the following items with them:
- Completed passport application
- Passport photo
- Government-issued I.D. or driver’s license
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Check or money order only
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $12,570,868 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“When Hurricane Ida hit, she battered community buildings and local infrastructure that folks in southeast Louisiana have had to rebuild. This $12.6 million will support the recovery work that Jefferson and Terrebonne Parishes have been doing for the last two-and-a-half years,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $5,949,347 to Terrebonne Parish for damages to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $3,984,666 to the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association for the permanent restoration of the system-wide electrical transmission and distribution lines and associated equipment as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $2,636,855 to Jefferson Parish for the replacement of Fire Station #11 as a result of Hurricane Ida.
Kennedy announces $7.7 million in Hurricane Ida, Laura aid for Calcasieu, Lafourche, Terrebonne Parishes
Mar 25 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $7,714,438 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Ida ripped through Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes, and Hurricane Laura wreaked havoc in Calcasieu Parish. This $7.7 million will help Louisianians in south Louisiana continue restoring their communities,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $2,796,235 to the Lafourche Parish Hospital Service District #1 for reconciliation of management costs incurred as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $2,385,389 to the Terrebonne Parish for replacement of the Agriculture Center Office as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,368,847 to the Terrebonne Parish Recreation District #4 for the replacement of the Grand Caillou community pool as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,164,967 to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for building repairs as a result of Hurricane Laura.
WASHINGTON – The Senate passed legislation from Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) that would protect two hydropower construction projects in the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway on Louisiana’s Red River.
“Hydropower is an important part of our all-of-the-above energy policy, and these projects would bring construction jobs to our state. It would be foolish to allow supply chain issues from the pandemic to derail Louisiana’s hydropower developments. With this extension, Louisiana would be able to bring these two projects online to provide additional sources of reliable, clean energy to Louisianians,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy’s bill would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend hydropower construction permits for both projects. This will provide both of Louisiana’s Red River projects with additional time to begin construction in order to bring these projects online.
“Hydropower is reliable, safe, and responsible. The federal government should be enabling projects, not standing in the way. Today’s actions are bipartisan, pro-jobs, and pro-American energy. I’m glad to see Congress cut the red tape holding up the Red River and Overton Lock projects,” said Cassidy, who introduced the bill with Kennedy.
The bill from Kennedy and Cassidy now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Background:
- In the United States, companies must secure a permit from FERC to begin construction on dams and other hydropower facilities. FERC’s hydropower construction permits expire after just 10 years. The COVID-19 pandemic caused many unforeseen delays due to supply chain issues and high labor costs. In turn, many projects will require more than 10 years to reach completion.
- Louisiana is home to two developing hydropower facilities located on the J. Walter Bennett Waterway along the Red River. Construction of the two facilities would bring hundreds of jobs to northwest Louisiana.
- Hydropower is an affordable, reliable and clean energy source that can strengthen the power grids in Louisiana and beyond. Without Kennedy’s bill allowing FERC to extend their construction permits, Louisiana project managers would not be able to bring these facilities online to power the surrounding communities.
- As the top Republican on the Senate’s Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee, Kennedy has expanded America’s hydropower capabilities. The FY 2024 Energy and Water appropriation package included $440 million in investments for the nation’s dam and levee infrastructure, including $36.5 million Kennedy secured to reinforce the Boggs Lock and Dam on the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway.
- Senate Democrats initially blocked a bill that would have granted FERC the ability to extend permits for any hydropower construction projects that suffered pandemic-related delays. Kennedy helped spearhead negotiations with his Democratic colleagues to pass this narrower legislation to ensure that these Louisiana projects could receive the permit extensions they need to reach completion.
Full text of the bill is available here.
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to the confirmation of Adeel Mangi to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Kennedy warned that Mangi’s ties to extremist groups make him unfit for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench.
Key excerpts from Kennedy’s speech include:
“I [think] any fair-minded person would have to conclude that, over the past several years, President Biden has nominated some people to the federal bench who, quite frankly, are not qualified to judge a pie contest.”
. . .
“With respect, the president’s pick of Mr. Adeel Mangi is frankly one of his worst. Mr. Mangi is affiliated with an organization that calls itself the, quote, ‘Alliance of Families for Justice.’ . . . In fact, Mr. Mangi is not just affiliated with this group: He’s on their advisory board.
“One of the Alliance’s founders was a member of a domestic terrorist organization. What does that mean? One of the Alliance’s founders was convicted of murdering police officers in cold blood. . . . Now the Alliance [of] Families for Justice—on whose board Mr. Mangi [sat]—advocates for the release of people who kill cops.”
. . .
“Now, by itself, Mr. Mangi’s work for and with this organization that I refer to as the ‘Alliance’ should be disqualifying, but there is more. . . . Mr. Mangi also served on the advisory board of another group, and this group calls itself, quote, the ‘Center for Security, Race and Rights.’ . . . This organization is steeped in hatred and antisemitism.”
. . .
“On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Mr. President, Mr. Mangi’s Center for Security, Race and Rights . . . sponsored an event entitled, [quote], ‘Whose narrative? 20 years since 9/11, 2001.’ This event, the purpose of this event, was to blame America and blame Americans for 9/11. That’s why they held the event.
“This event and the speakers there blamed, quote, ‘U.S. imperialism’—not the terrorists—‘U.S. imperialism’ for the 9/11 attacks that killed thousands of innocent American citizens.
“And the event featured some of the most despicable speakers that even the most fertile imagination would be challenged to come up with. One of those speakers [was] Mr. Sami Al Arian. Mr. Al Arian was convicted of providing support to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
“Another speaker, [Dr.] Rabab Abdulhadi has ties to terrorist hijackers.
“A third speaker, Mr. Hatem Bazian, publicly called for an intifada in the United States.”
. . .
“Now, Mr. Mangi claims that he didn't know about this event—that’s what he told us in committee, but his Center has a long, long history of sponsoring vile, hate-filled events, and that’s just a fact. That’s not rhetoric. That’s just a fact.
“Are we really expected to believe that Mr. Mangi had no idea what the Center was up to? He sat on its advisory board.”
. . .
“Now, let’s talk about the director of the Center on whose advisory board Mr. Mangi sat. The director also has a vile history of bad behavior. . . . The director says that she is, quote, ‘in awe’—in awe—‘in awe of the Palestinian struggle to resist violent occupation, removal, erasure and the expansion of Israeli settler colonialism.’
“‘Israeli settler colonialism.’ Hamas murdered, raped, maimed Jewish men, Jewish women, little Jewish children, and, according to Mr. Mangi’s organization’s director, it’s Israel's fault.
“The Center’s director describes [her]self as being in respectful ‘awe.’ I think the vast majority of Americans would describe themselves as being nauseated.
“The Center’s director, of whom I speak, also personally recruited Mr. Mangi to serve on the Center’s advisory board. Again, are we really expected to believe that Mr. Mangi didn't know about the director’s vile behavior? Did Mr. Mangi not even run a single Google search on this person?
“Now, on top of all that . . . I do not believe that Mr. Mangi told me the truth in our Judiciary hearing, Mr. President. When I asked him about his involvement with this radical organization, Mr. Mangi told me he only provided, quote, ‘advice on academic areas of research’ . . . but it turns out he was also funneling money to the organization—tens of thousands of dollars from himself and from his law firm.”
. . .
“Some senators have suggested that asking Mr. Mangi questions about his involvement with these organizations [is] ‘Islamophobic.’ One of my colleagues . . . said that certain Republican members of the committee, quote, believed that he, referring to Mr. Mangi, must be a terrorist because he’s a Muslim.
“Wow. That got my attention. That’s not true. I believe that Mr. Mangi is not qualified to be a federal judge because he supports organizations that celebrate people who kill law enforcement officers. He supports organizations that hate Americans, and he supports organizations that hate Jews.”
. . .
“When President Biden has nominated quality people—qualified people—to serve on the federal bench, I’ve supported them regardless of their race, regardless of their gender, regardless of their religion.”
. . .
“Just a few years ago, for example, I voted to confirm one of President Biden’s nominees: Mr.—now judge—Mr. Zahid Quraishi. Mr. Quraishi happened to be, at the time, the first Muslim-American federal judge. I voted for him, [and he is] doing a great job.
“Unlike Mr. Mangi, Judge Quraishi [was] not on the board of an organization that celebrates and advocates for the release of cop killers. He was not on the board of an organization that sponsors anti-American events and blames 9/11 on American imperialism.
“Judge Quraishi was qualified and is qualified to serve on the federal bench. Mr. Mangi is not. He’s just not. That’s not Islamophobia, Mr. President. That’s just a fact, and I think anyone who’s being honest with themselves—particularly if you go look at the confirmation hearings and read the evidence—I think any person who’s being honest with themselves will agree.”
Background:
- Mangi served on the advisory board of the Center for Security, Race and Rights at Rutgers Law School from 2019 to 2023. During his time on the advisory board, the Center sponsored several radical events, including an event titled “Whose Narrative? 20 years since September 11,” which analyzed the “exceptionalization of 9/11/2021.” The event featured commentary from several radical speakers, including:
- Sami Al-Arian, a man who pled guilty to conspiring to provide services to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist group.
- Rabab Abdulhadi, a professor who has ties to a terrorist hijacker.
- Hatem Bazian, a co-founder of Students for Justice in Palestine, who previously called for intifada in the United States.
- The Center’s staff has expressed antisemitic viewpoints. For example, the Center’s director issued a statement saying she was “in awe of the Palestinian struggle to resist violent occupation, removal, erasure, and the expansion of Israeli settler colonialism.”
- In addition to serving on its advisory board, Mangi donated roughly $6,500 to the Center. Patterson Belknap, Mangi’s law firm, also donated roughly $13,000. Mangi did not disclose these financial contributions to the Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing.
- In 2019, Mangi joined the advisory board of the Alliance of Families for Justice (AFJ), an anti-law enforcement group. AFJ has lauded cop killers as “freedom fighters” and routinely advocates for their parole. Additionally, AFJ established a fellowship in honor of its co-founder, Kathy Boudin, a member of the Weather Underground terrorist group who participated in a robbery that left a security guard and two police officers dead.
- Several law enforcement organizations have opposed Mangi’s confirmation, including the National Sheriffs’ Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Trooper’s Coalition and the Rockland County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association—the association that represented the officers killed in the robbery committed by the AFJ’s co-founder.
- Kennedy voted in committee (May 2021) and on the Senate floor (June 2021) to confirm Zahid Quraishi, who is the first-ever Muslim-American federal judge.
Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.
Watch Kennedy’s full remarks here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and colleagues in hosting a press conference on the Laken Riley Act, which Kennedy helped introduce in the Senate.
The Laken Riley Act would require the Biden administration’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain illegal immigrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting offenses until they are removed from the country.
Illegal aliens have victimized people in Louisiana. Last month, law enforcement in Louisiana arrested an illegal immigrant for allegedly stabbing a man while robbing him and for raping a 14-year-old girl. Kennedy called on President Biden to “stop putting out a welcome mat for criminal aliens who sneak into America and victimize innocent people.”
Kennedy’s key remarks are below.
“In opening up the southern border—and that’s clearly what President Biden and the Democrat Party [have] done—he and they have clearly summoned spirits that they can’t control.”
. . .
“Many, many members of the Democratic Party believe that vetting people at the southern border is racist. Most Americans don't agree with that. They think it's prudent.”
. . .
“The [Laken] Riley Act is yet one more attempt by the Republican Party to try to stem the chaos at the border, and—make no mistake—the border is chaotic by design.
“The Democratic Party, led by President Biden, now clearly believes in no distinction between legal and illegal immigration. If—according to the Biden administration—if you are a Nigerian doctor or a German engineer and you want to come to the United States legally and you filled out all the forms and you've undergone the vetting and you're waiting patiently in line, you're a chump. You're a chump because this administration believes there should be no distinction between legal and illegal immigration.
“There’s another provision in the [Laken] Riley Act that you should pay very close attention to because it would be far reaching, and that is this [bill] would create a cause of action for a state—probably through its attorney general—that can prove damage to sue federal officials who do not enforce America's immigration laws.”
Background:
- In February, Kennedy demanded answers from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about why Riley’s suspected murderer, José Ibarra, was paroled into the U.S.
- Earlier this month, Kennedy called for the Senate take up impeachment charges against Mayorkas. The House of Representatives charged Mayorkas for his failure to make case-by-case parole determinations for illegal immigrants.
- In Nov. 2023, Kennedy helped introduce the Southern Border Transparency Act, which would require the DHS to disclose its catch-and-release data, including the number of migrants that the Biden administration has paroled into the country.
Watch Kennedy’s full remarks here.
