WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and 34 colleagues in reintroducing the Back the Blue Act, critical legislation that severely increases penalties for criminals who target law enforcement and gives our officers stronger tools to defend themselves on duty.
“Every day, our nation’s law enforcement heroes put on a badge not knowing when the next call will be, putting their lives on the line to keep our families and communities safe. Anyone who tries to ambush or attack a police officer is attacking the safety and freedom of every American. The Back the Blue Act demands real accountability and equips our officers with stronger tools to protect and serve our communities,” said Kennedy.
“Our law enforcement officers bravely risk their lives daily to protect our communities, and anyone who targets them should be met with the full force of the law, including the death penalty. America was built on the principles of law and order, and this legislation sends a clear message that targeted attacks on law enforcement will not be tolerated, dangerous criminals will be held accountable, and our men and women in blue have our full and unwavering support,” said Cornyn.
The bill delivers major reforms to protect law enforcement by establishing new federal crimes for:
- Killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer—punishable by the death penalty, a 30-year minimum if death results, or at least 10 years otherwise.
- Assaulting a federally funded law enforcement officer, with escalating mandatory minimums based on injury and weapon use. Charges require Attorney General certification.
- Fleeing across state lines to avoid prosecution for killing or attempting to kill a federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer—punishable by a 10-year minimum.
The bill also:
- Makes killing or attempting to kill a law enforcement officer or first responder an explicit aggravating factor in federal death-penalty cases.
- Narrows federal habeas relief for offenders who kill public safety officers, preventing years of repetitive appeals.
- Limits civil damages and attorneys’ fees for injuries sustained while committing felonies or violent crimes.
Strengthens officers’ self-defense rights by allowing qualified personnel to carry firearms into certain federal facilities and jurisdictions where they are otherwise barred.
The Back the Blue Act conveys a clear message: Attacking a law enforcement officer will result in the full, unforgiving weight of federal law. It closes loopholes, cuts off drawn-out appeals, and ensures the men and women who carry the full weight of the badge have every tool they need to defend themselves and the communities they serve.
Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) co-sponsored the bill.
Kennedy first joined Cornyn in introducing the Back the Blue Act in May 2023.
Full bill text is available here.
Read more about the bill in The Daily Wire here.
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) delivered remarks on the U.S. Senate floor regarding the $1 billion welfare fraud scheme that has unfolded in Minnesota. Additionally, Kennedy discussed the cost-of-living in America and urged the Senate to use the reconciliation process to pass legislation to address the lingering effects of inflation.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“Over $1 billion of American taxpayer money has been stolen—just stolen. They can call it fraud, but a better term would be ‘stealing.’ This fraud has been centered in the Somali community in Minnesota. Now, I am not here to criticize the Somali community; I am here simply to describe what happened.”
. . .
“There have been a lot of allegations about racism in these reports. They are saying: ‘Oh, you are just picking on the Somali community.’ I am not, and I don’t think the American people are. I think what they are picking on are crooks. . . . And it is a fact that the politicians, not the employees—the rank-and-file employees in the welfare offices—but the politicians in Minnesota let this happen. It is disgusting. . . . Man, these people ought to all be put in jail, including the politicians.”
After discussing the fraud scheme in Minnesota, Kennedy turned to the topic of affordability in America and called on the Senate to consider a second reconciliation package to pass legislation that could help to mitigate the harm that the Biden administration caused through high inflation.
Key excerpts of that speech are below:
“When moms and dads in America lie down to sleep at night and they can’t, they are worried. They are worried about things like the cost of living. . . . And that is what we ought to be working on, Mr. President. . . . Through reconciliation, which is how we passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, we can pass these measures to increase wages for the American people with a majority vote. We won’t need Democratic votes. That is what we did with the One Big Beautiful Bill, and we can do it two more times before the midterm elections.”
. . .
“I am saying to the powers that be: Pretty please, with sugar on top—I will add a cherry. I have even got an old McDonald’s McRib coupon somewhere, and I will throw that into the mix too. Please bring another reconciliation bill. Please. Let’s deal with the problems that are causing moms and dads to lie awake when they lie down to sleep at night and can’t.”
Watch Kennedy’s remarks regarding Minnesota’s fraud scheme here.
Watch Kennedy’s remarks about reconciliation here.
Kennedy’s Build Now Act moves closer to passage with U.S. House of Representatives introduction
Dec 03 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) Build Now Act, a bill to incentivize new home construction and open the door to homeownership for young Americans, advanced toward Congressional passage with Reps. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Jim Himes’ (D-Conn.) introduction of a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined Kennedy in introducing his original Senate bill.
“If we want to put homeownership within reach for young families, it’s incumbent on the Senate and House of Representatives to work together and take on the red tape that’s brought homebuilding to a grinding halt. I’m thrilled that the Senate has done its part and passed my bipartisan Build Now Act, and I thank Reps. McClain and Himes for working to achieve the same result in the House,” said Kennedy.
“Homeownership, once a hallmark of the American Dream, has fallen significantly in recent decades. I appreciate Senator Kennedy joining me in leading this legislation that provides Americans with more choices, greater affordability, and a real path to homeownership. This is a win-win solution built on common sense, not bureaucracy, ensuring that our local communities can quickly build the stable housing their neighbors deserve,” said McClain.
“Lowering rents and mortgages for the millions of Americans being crushed under high housing costs starts with building more homes. This bipartisan proposal will encourage communities to cut red tape and reward those that construct more housing so that, across this country, we can get back to leveraging our economic might to meet the needs of the American people,” said Himes.
“Americans are suffering under sky-high housing prices caused by a worsening housing shortage. The Federal government should use the tools at our disposal to reward communities that are taking bold action to build more housing and reduce families’ biggest monthly expense. It’s time for Congress to act—and this bipartisan proposal is a call to action to communities across the country to build housing now,” said Warren.
The Build Now Act’s House of Representatives introduction comes in the wake of a November report showing that the average age of a first-time homebuyer had reached a record 40 years old. Previous reporting also revealed that, on an annual basis, new home construction had fallen nearly 5%.
In response, Kennedy’s Build Now Act would tie Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) funding to cities’ rates of homebuilding.
The Build Now Act would:
- Require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to remove 10% of CDBG funding from cities that fail to improve their rate of homebuilding above the national median rate.
- Direct HUD to proportionally reallocate those CDBG funds to cities that exceeded the national median rate of homebuilding. Under the Build Now Act, cities with the highest rates of growth would receive larger shares as funds are reallocated.
- Allow metropolitan areas three years to start building homes before HUD determines their level of CDBG funding.
The Senate Banking Committee voted unanimously to advance the Build Now Act in July 2025. In October 2025, the full U.S. Senate passed the Build Now Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
Full text of the Build Now Act is available here.
View Kennedy’s op-ed on the Build Now Act in The Hill here.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday unanimously passed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) bipartisan bill to amend the federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. Kennedy’s bill, the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025, now moves to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature.
“There’s no reason for Congress to keep around pointless federal requirements that don’t help anybody. My bill, the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act, would remove outdated and overly specific provisions from the FBA Foundation’s federal charter and let the organization handle its own business. I’m grateful to my friends in the House of Representatives for passing this important bill and I look forward to it becoming law,” said Kennedy.
The Federal Bar Association (FBA) Foundation, distinct from the FBA itself, is a charitable organization offering research grants, scholarships and legal programming. Congress first chartered the organization in 1954, and the FBA Foundation must still abide by several outdated federal regulations in its charter, including a requirement that it be based in the District of Columbia.
Kennedy’s bill would remove this requirement, in addition to making other changes that shift authority to the organization’s bylaws.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, supports the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act.
“Senator Kennedy’s bill allows the Federal Bar Association to run more efficiently and helps the organization continue to provide civics education programs to classrooms across the country. We were proud to support it and appreciate the Senator’s great work,” said Jordan.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) cosponsored the bill in the U.S. Senate.
“The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association does great work strengthening our justice system. Our bipartisan legislation now heads to the President’s desk, where it will modernize the Foundation’s structure and allow it to better serve the American people,” said Whitehouse.
In April 2025, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Kennedy’s bill. Kennedy and Whitehouse, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, previously introduced the legislation in 2023.
The FBA Foundation supports Kennedy’s bill.
“The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association is very grateful that the House of Representatives has now approved S. 616, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator John Kennedy that would modify the Foundation’s Congressional Charter for the first time since 1954 and help improve our efficiency in operating this nonprofit institution dedicated to civic education. Thanks to Sen. Kennedy and his lead cosponsor, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the Senate unanimously approved this bill earlier this year. Our Foundation Board of Directors and our robust Federal Bar Association chapters in Louisiana are grateful to Senator Kennedy for taking up this cause three years ago and for working with his colleagues, including Leader Scalise and Chairman Jordan, and to Senator Whitehouse, to ensure Senate and House passage,” said Steve R. Jackson, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Foundation of the Federal Bar Association.
Text of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025 is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, today introduced a proposal to fund American energy and water priorities while taking critical steps to address federal spending in fiscal year (FY) 2026.
“The FY 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill is a responsible step toward cutting bloated spending while bolstering America’s defense and energy infrastructures. It reflects a good-faith effort to live within our means without shortchanging the American people. I’m optimistic about the work ahead to move this critical legislation across the finish line,” said Kennedy.
Overall, Kennedy’s bill would result in a 1.1% reduction in spending for the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, making it the only FY 2026 Senate appropriations bill so far that cuts spending. Kennedy rejected the overall topline given to him by Senate appropriators because he believed he could fund these vital programs with more force and efficiency.
This legislation would increase defense spending by 3%, reaching a $34.353 billion total. To combat the growing federal deficit, the bill would lower non-defense spending to $23.132 billion, a 6.5% spending reduction.
Kennedy’s bill would also ensure that funding for the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers remains robust, allowing states like Louisiana to effectively respond to hurricanes and mitigate flood threats.
Full text of the FY 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill is available here.
Kennedy: Refusing a second reconciliation bill to help the American people is “legislative malpractice”
Nov 20 2025
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) urged Senate Republicans to begin work on a second reconciliation bill in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“Every time I look at or read an article about the One Big Beautiful Bill, I am shocked—though that sounds pejorative, maybe ‘impressed’ would be a better word—at its breadth. . . . It’s just an extraordinary piece of legislation. My only regret with respect to the bill is that we did it without Democratic votes. We did it with all Republican votes. I wish that hadn’t been the case. I wish we had been able to convince some of our Democratic colleagues to join with us.
“Well, the obvious question when I make that statement is: How’d you do that? How’d you get past the filibuster? It takes 60 votes. You don’t have to be an astrophysicist to know that about the United States Senate. Well, as you know, Madam President, we did it through reconciliation. Under reconciliation, only a majority vote is required.”
. . .
“We passed the reconciliation bill on July 1, about five months ago. Something that even members of the media are not aware of is that we have the authority before the midterm elections to do two more reconciliation bills. . . . So, why have we sat around for five months and not started on the second reconciliation bill? I just don’t get it. I don’t get it. I mean, in my opinion, and really, I’m just making an observation. To me, it’s a 12-piece bucket of stupid not to do another reconciliation bill and to waste five months before we even start on a second reconciliation bill, assuming that we get started tomorrow.
“I mean, humans are supposed to have evolved as a species. Why would we not do a second reconciliation bill? Think of what we could do. I mean, moms and dads all across America tonight are going to lie down to sleep, and they won’t be able to. What are they worried about? Well, they’re worried about the cost of housing, for one thing. They’re worried about the cost of home insurance. They’re worried about the cost of flood insurance. They’re worried about the cost of health insurance. We all know that. They’re worried about the cost of living.”
. . .
“If we do not take advantage of this opportunity to lower the cost of living for the American people through reconciliation, when we only need 51 votes to do it, it’s legislative malpractice. It’s legislative malpractice. It is as dumb as a bowl of noodles. So, that’s my plea to my colleagues tonight. . . . We should get started tomorrow.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
Kennedy on President Trump’s plan to sue BBC over maliciously altered video: “I hope he does.”
Nov 20 2025
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) condemned the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for its biased reporting, including its deceptively edited video of President Trump, in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.
Key excerpts of the speech are below.
“The American people were paying a lot for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting before we stopped the subsidies. The American people were paying about $500 million a year. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, they were pikers compared to the BBC.
“In the United Kingdom, every citizen, whether they watch the BBC or not, every citizen has to pay $230 a year. Everybody. It doesn’t matter whether you watch the TV BBC or not. You may just have nothing but streaming services. You still got to pay $230 a year to the BBC. They collect billions of dollars a year. . . . They reach a lot of people, millions and millions of people, not just in the United Kingdom but across the world.
“And it’s important that they be fair, and it’s important that they be balanced, and it’s important that they be accurate. And they’re not. And it’s been a problem for a long time.
“Five or six years ago, at the suggestion of Parliament, which was very upset with the BBC’s bias, they hired a consultant, a smart gentleman. He did a report on how to improve the BBC and make it fairer. It was a huge report. Here is just part of it right here. This isn’t even all of it, but this is just the summary right here. He spent hours and spent a lot of money preparing this report. He sent it to the BBC, and do you know what the BBC did? Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. They just continued on doing what they always do, sucking on their teeth, publishing whatever they want.”
. . .
“Now, look, you might be thinking, Mr. President, you know, what’s the big deal? It’s another country. But it’s not right. We may not be brothers and sisters, but we’re certainly first cousins with the United Kingdom. And BBC broadcasts worldwide, and this is simply not right, when the good people of our cousin country are having to pay 200 bucks a year.
“Now, President Trump has said he’s going to sue the BBC. You know what? I hope he does. I hope he does. This is a disgrace. It’s why I said that it makes me want to stick my head in an oven.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
Kennedy backs Louisiana district judge nominees Van Hook, Crain in Judiciary Committee vote
Nov 20 2025
Kennedy with Van Hook (left) and Crain (right).
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted to advance President Donald Trump’s district judge nominee for the Western District of Louisiana, former acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook, and Trump’s district judge nominee for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice William Crain, to a full U.S. Senate vote.
“Former acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook and Louisiana Supreme Court Justice William Crain are both intelligent and experienced lawyers, and I have every confidence that President Trump made the right choice in nominating them to be district judges in Louisiana. I was pleased to vote with my Senate Judiciary Committee colleagues to advance their nominations to a full Senate vote today, and I’m eager to see them confirmed soon,” said Kennedy.
The Senate Judiciary Committee supported Van Hook’s nomination in a 16-6 vote. The committee also backed Crain’s nomination in a 12-10 vote.
Prior to his nomination to be a district court judge, Van Hook served as acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. Van Hook earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) at the Centenary College of Louisiana and his Juris Doctor (JD) at Louisiana State University (LSU). His background includes vast experience prosecuting and litigating both criminal and civil cases.
Crain has served as an Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court since 2019. He was previously a Judge on Louisiana’s 22nd Judicial District Court and later served as a Judge on the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal. Crain earned both his BA and JD at LSU.
Van Hook and Crain’s nominations will now move to a full U.S. Senate vote.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, introduced the Greenlighting Growth Act, legislation that removes unintended regulatory hurdles that keep small and high-growth businesses from expanding, creating jobs, and spurring innovation. The bill clarifies financial reporting requirements for small public companies and removes unnecessary compliance barriers that have been holding America’s innovators hostage to burdensome red tape.
The Greenlighting Growth Act also strengthens and modernizes federal securities law to ensure that Emerging Growth Companies (EGCs) can continue using the streamlined disclosure rules Congress created under the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Businesses Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012, which assists countless startups in bringing new products, new ideas, and greater job growth to the American people.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy, and they should not be punished for trying to grow. The Greenlighting Growth Act cuts through the Washington noise by removing unintended regulatory roadblocks and keeps America at the tip of the spear when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy’s legislation is the U.S. Senate companion to Rep. Mike Haridopolos’ (R-FL-08) bill, H.R. 3343, which passed out of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee by an overwhelming 49-2 vote on May 20, 2025, and passed the full U.S. House of Representatives on July 20, 2025.
“I am honored to partner with Senator Kennedy on this bill to cut red tape for small and medium-sized companies. Emerging Growth Companies are an engine of innovation and job creation across this country. This legislation removes a needless roadblock and sends a clear message that Congress is committed to smart reforms that reward innovation, fuel growth, and keep America the best place in the world to start and grow a business,” said Haridopolos.
Background:
The Jobs Act of 2012 created the ‘Emerging Growth Company’ designation to help small companies access public markets without drowning in compliance costs. Under current law, EGCs – defined as companies earning less than $1.235 billion annually – can go public using simplified SEC filing requirements, including a two-year audited financial reporting window.
But when these companies try to grow through acquisitions, the law is unclear. The SEC can suddenly demand extra years of audited financial data, slamming the brakes on expansion and injecting costly regulations for small businesses into the process.
The Greenlighting Growth Act ends this ambiguity by providing clear rules, reducing unnecessary compliance burdens, and giving small businesses the freedom to grow expeditiously.
Full text of the Senate bill is available here.
Full text of the House companion bill is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act to stop foreign governments and entities from covertly funding litigation in America’s courts.
“America’s courtrooms belong to the American people—not Beijing, Moscow, or any other foreign government looking to undermine our economic and national security. Right now, hostile foreign nations can pour money into our legal system like it’s a slot machine, hoping to shake loose our military technology, undercut U.S. companies, or push political agendas. The Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act ensures these foreign bad actors cannot sneak through our justice system through the back door,” said Kennedy.
Foreign entities currently inject billions of dollars into U.S. third-party litigation financing to influence case outcomes, pursue strategic geopolitical goals, and target sensitive commercial or military technology. These covert foreign-funded lawsuits can exploit weak disclosure requirements, turning America’s courts into tools for foreign manipulation.
The Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act would:
- Require full disclosure from any foreign person or entity participating in civil litigation as a third-party litigation funder in U.S. federal courts.
- Ban foreign governments and sovereign wealth funds from participating—directly or indirectly—in litigation financing.
- Require the Department of Justice’s National Security Division to track and report on foreign third-party litigation funding throughout the federal judiciary.
In January 2023, Kennedy urged U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to confront the national security risks posed by foreign actors—particularly China—who covertly bankroll litigation in U.S. courts.
“Judges, the parties, and the Justice Department should know if foreign-sourced money is being poured into U.S. litigation against American businesses in exchange for a cut of the settlement or award. By requiring disclosure of foreign-sourced money and prohibiting foreign governments and sovereign wealth funds from investing in lawsuits in the U.S., the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act will help protect U.S. national and economic security. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce thanks Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) for introducing the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act, and we urge Congress to quickly pass it to protect consumers, businesses, and the integrity of our legal system,” said Stephen Waguespack, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform.
“The R Street Institute is happy to see Senator Kennedy reintroduce the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act that will help shine a light on the shadowy funders of third-party litigation, and limit the ability of foreign governments to negatively impact various U.S. industries by tying them up in anonymous third-party litigation. The current third-party litigation status quo lacks much needed transparency, and it could open the door to foreign entities detrimentally impacting our national security. We applaud Senator Kennedy for his leadership on this issue, and R Street is happy to support and endorse this legislative effort again this Congress. We urge more lawmakers to join him in this push for more transparency in our courts,” said Anthony Lamorena, Senior Federal Affairs Manager at the R Street Institute.
Full text of the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act is available here.
