WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, secured language to require the General Services Administration and the federal courts to submit a plan to Congress for building a new courthouse in Lake Charles, Louisiana following the severe damage Hurricane Laura did to the Edwin F. Hunter, Jr. U.S. Courthouse.

“I saw firsthand how Hurricane Laura wrecked Lake Charles, and I’ve been fighting for a new federal courthouse since then. I’m glad to see the federal courts there get the green light they need to rebuild as the Lake Charles community keeps putting the pieces back together after a wicked hurricane season,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy also worked with the General Services Administration to identify the appropriate resources for building a new courthouse in Lake Charles.

The appropriations bill requires the General Services Administration to submit a plan within 150 days of the passage of the bill that “fully meets the operational needs of the Federal courts” through the new Lake Charles facility.