MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today penned this op-ed in The Advocate explaining why Louisianians will continue to stand with Israel until it successfully defeats Hamas. Kennedy argued that nothing could justify the horrific acts Hamas committed against civilians in Israel and that Louisianians see through the anti-Israel spin that has consumed some in Washington.

“I’ve seen a lot of hand-wringing from folks who pretend that there’s some nuance we need to apply to the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7 before we can condemn Hamas and hold its supporters accountable. Many people promoting this idea believe that Israel got what it deserved. These people apparently believe in diversity, equity, inclusion and the right to kill Jews.

“In Louisiana, however, we understand that the men who slaughtered hundreds of young people at a peace concert are the bad guys. The men who raped women next to the bodies of their dead friends don’t deserve to be on this planet. The guys who forced kidnapped Holocaust survivors to pose for photos next to their terrorist captors are in the wrong.”

. . .

“At Louisiana’s Tulane University, activists broke a student’s nose because he opposed their anti-Israel demonstration. These protests didn’t occur in New York City, Cornell or Tulane by accident. Violent protestors targeted these areas because they are home to many Jewish Americans. New York is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, and Tulane—which was the first university in the south to welcome Jewish students—has a student body today that is roughly 40% Jewish.

“When confused activists twist themselves in knots trying to justify the torture, rape and murder of Jews in the Middle East, they are feeding the fires of antisemitism here at home, too.”

. . .

“In Louisiana, we can see through the pseudo-intellectual hand-wringing of Israel’s critics. Hamas brutalized Israeli citizens and then ran home to hide behind their women and children. They are the lowest kind of sadists imaginable.”

. . .

“The world will be safer and more just when Hamas is not in it. By supporting Israel’s efforts, Americans are helping to ensure an attack like Oct. 7 never happens again.” 

Read Kennedy’s full op-ed here.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a Senate Appropriations Committee member,  joined Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and a bicameral group of colleagues in urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to prevent the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing its rule to require more than two-thirds of all vehicles sold in the U.S. to be fully electric in fewer than nine years.

The lawmakers urged Johnson and McConnell to block funding for the mandate by including language from the House Appropriations Committee’s Interior-Environment Appropriations bill, which prevents the EPA from using any funding to implement the rule, in the FY24 government funding package.

“While we are supportive of the free market producing electric vehicles to satisfy a market need, this misguided EPA mandate would have an immediate, detrimental impact on the choices and affordability of cars, trucks, and SUVs available to our constituents,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The EPA’s proposed mandate will increase dependency on supply chains controlled by the Chinese government. Today, up to 90% of the electric vehicle battery supply chain relies on China. The batteries that power electric vehicles require critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and manganese—and China processes 75% of these minerals. Additionally, China controls 76% of global battery cell production capacity. China’s dominance is only expected to continue for the foreseeable future with 67% of all forecasted battery cell manufacturing controlled by China in 2032. In contrast to China, the United States has 7% of global battery production capacity,” they continued.

The lawmakers also noted that the rule would jeopardize America’s national security and limit consumer choice, writing, “Not only would the EPA’s proposed regulation hurt America’s national security, but it would severely limit consumer choice for affordable vehicles that fit the needs of the average American. At a time of inflation, high interest rates, and rising costs, the last thing Americans need is to find both new and used vehicles unaffordable because of an EPA mandate.”

Currently, nearly 4,000 automotive dealers report that their lots are full of electric vehicles that the public does not want. They have asked President Biden for relief from his misguided sales mandate for electric vehicles.

The full letter is available here.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $3,971,292 in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for Louisiana disaster aid.

“Hurricane Laura’s winds, rain and flooding did severe damage to the arts and humanities building at SOWELA Technical Community College. I’m grateful that this $4 million will help them continue to educate Louisianians,” said Kennedy.

The FEMA aid will fund the following:

• $3,971,292 to the Office of Risk Management to repair damages to the SOWELA Technical Community College arts and humanities building caused by Hurricane Laura.

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $3,546,662 in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for Louisiana disaster aid.

“Hurricane Laura devastated south Louisiana, and many communities are still rebuilding. I’m grateful to see that this $3.5 million will help cover the cost of repairing Lake Charles Memorial Hospital,” said Kennedy.

The FEMA aid will fund the following:

• $3,546,662 to the South Louisiana Hospital Association for repairs as a result of Hurricane Laura.