WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and several other Republican colleagues in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin calling on him to suspend the security clearance of a senior Defense Department official who allegedly participated in an information operation on behalf of the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
“We are concerned that an individual who previously served as part of an Iranian Foreign Ministry information operation is currently serving in a senior Department of Defense position. We urge you to take immediate action to ensure that the Department has not been compromised,” the senators wrote.
The senators cited a recent report from Semafor that revealed that Ariane Tabatabai, a senior adviser in the Office of the Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security at the Department of Defense, participated in an Iranian government-linked initiative to improve Iran’s image on global security issues, including its nuclear program, in 2014. The senators questioned why the Biden administration dismissed concerns about Tabatabai’s ties to Iran as “smears and slander” when appointing her to work within the Defense Department.
“The fact that the Department initially responded to these latest allegations by rushing a full-throated defense of Ms. Tabatabai, rather than taking the time to ensure that our national security has not been compromised, suggests that you are protecting hiring missteps rather than prioritizing national security,” said the senators.
Kennedy and his colleagues requested more information on the Defense Department’s process of vetting Tabatabai, including whether she disclosed her ties to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and other prominent Iranian officials in her security clearance disclosures.
In addition to Kennedy and Wicker, Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) signed the letter.
Read the letter here.
Kennedy, Cruz, colleagues introduce amendment to add border security to continuing resolution
Sep 30 2023
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in introducing an amendment to add the Secure the Border Act to the continuing resolution the Senate is considering.
“By allowing deadly fentanyl and dangerous criminals to flow into America, Pres. Biden is failing to uphold his primary duty to protect Americans and enforce the law. The Biden Border Crisis has made it more crucial now than ever before that funding for our government includes a border security plan that looks like someone designed it on purpose—and that is what this amendment provides,” said Kennedy.
“It is imperative that any government funding bill include real border security measures. The Secure the Border Act would stop the Biden Border Crisis dead in its tracks and halt the invasion at our southern border. I am proud to be the Senate lead of the most comprehensive border security bill in decades, and it should be added to the continuing resolution to ensure that our government is enforcing the law,” said Cruz.
The Secure the Border Act is the Senate companion bill to H.R. 2, which the House of Representatives has passed. The bill would resume construction on the southern border wall, tighten asylum standards, criminalize visa overstays, increase the number of Border Patrol agents, prohibit DHS from using its app to assist illegal aliens and more.
The Secure the Border Act would:
- Require DHS to resume border wall construction.
- Tighten asylum standards.
- Narrow DHS’s parole power.
- Criminalize visa overstays.
- Require the return of all unaccompanied migrant children who do not express credible fear or are not trafficking victims.
- Increase the number of Border Patrol agents.
- Prevent Border Patrol agents from processing apprehended aliens.
- Stop non-governmental organizations from receiving federal funds to facilitate illegal immigration.
- Limit DHS’s use of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One App to cargo.
- Require all employers to electronically verify worker immigration status.
- Require CBP to certify that it has access to criminal history databases of all countries of origin and transit for aliens encountered.
Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) Mike Lee (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) are also co-sponsoring the amendment.
Full text of the Secure the Border Act is available here.
Senate again blocks Kennedy’s bill to extend National Flood Insurance Program for three months
Sep 29 2023
Watch Kennedy’s remarks here.
WASHINGTON – The Senate today blocked Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) legislation to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for three months. This was Kennedy’s third attempt this month to pass a bill to protect the program.
“Protecting 5 million Americans and half-a-million Louisianians from a lapse in their flood insurance is an overwhelmingly bipartisan issue—especially in the midst of hurricane season. It’s reckless to block this simple solution the day before coverage could lapse,” said Kennedy.
The extension would have ensured the NFIP continues to protect existing and new policy holders until Dec. 31, 2023.
Background:
- On Sept. 28, 2023 the Senate blocked Kennedy’s bill to protect flood insurance for three months from passing on the Senate floor. The bill would have extended the NFIP through Dec. 31, 2023.
- On Sept. 13, 2023 the Senate blocked Kennedy’s NFIP Extension Act of 2023 from passing on the Senate floor. The bill would have extended the NFIP through Sept. 30, 2024.
- In July 2023, Kennedy first introduced the NFIP Extension Act of 2023 to ensure that the program would not lapse on its expiration date.
- In June 2023, Kennedy helped introduce the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act to reauthorize the NFIP for five years and cap annual policy premium hikes.
- In 2019, Kennedy’s National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2019 became law.
- In 2018, Kennedy’s first National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act became law.
- In addition, Kennedy has helped ensure that multiple continuing resolutions to fund the federal government have included an extension of the NFIP.
Watch Kennedy’s full remarks here.
Text of the NFIP Extension through 2023 Act is here.
Kennedy statement on Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Sep 29 2023
WASHINGTON –Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) released the following statement on the loss of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Kennedy and Feinstein led the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development together in addition to serving on the Judiciary Committee.
“Sen. Feinstein cared about her country and her state. We didn’t agree politically, but she was a delight to serve with. I so valued our friendship and am praying for all of her loved ones,” said Kennedy.
WASHINGTON – The Senate today blocked Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) legislation to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for three months.
“Five million Americans and half-a-million Louisianians rely on the National Flood Insurance Program to protect their homes and businesses. It’s regrettable and dangerous that the path to extending this crucial coverage was blocked today,” said Kennedy.
The extension would have ensured the NFIP continues to protect existing and new policy holders until Dec. 31, 2023.
Background:
- On Sept. 13, 2023 the Senate blocked Kennedy’s NFIP Extension Act of 2023 from passing on the Senate floor. The bill would have extended the NFIP through Sept. 30, 2024.
- In July 2023, Kennedy first introduced the NFIP Extension Act of 2023 to ensure that the program would not lapse on its expiration date.
- In June 2023, Kennedy helped introduce the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act to reauthorize the NFIP for five years and cap annual policy premium hikes.
- In 2019, Kennedy’s National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2019 became law.
- In 2018, Kennedy’s first National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act became law.
- In addition, Kennedy has helped ensure that multiple continuing resolutions to fund the federal government have included an extension of the NFIP.
Watch Kennedy’s full remarks here.
WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) today welcomed the appointment of a Lead Inspector General (IG) to provide focused oversight of America’s aid to Ukraine. Kennedy and Sinema led the effort in Congress to install a Special IG in Ukraine who could provide comprehensive oversight to ensure America’s friends in Ukraine use taxpayer-funded aid efficiently and effectively in their fight against Russia’s illegal invasion
“America’s aid to Ukraine isn’t charity; it’s an important investment in our national security. I’m pleased that the Department of Defense has listened to our proposal and selected a Lead Inspector General to ensure that every dollar the American taxpayers sent to Ukraine is used to deter Russia’s aggression,” said Kennedy.
“As America stands with Ukraine and ensures it has the tools and resources necessary to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war, we’re glad the Administration listened to our calls and appointed a Lead Inspector General to provide critical oversight of our aid,” said Sinema.
Background
The Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General announced on Saturday that Robert Storch would be the Lead IG overseeing aid to Ukraine. The United States has provided at least $113 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion began in February 2022.
Kennedy and Sinema have consistently advocated for the installation of a dedicated IG to track American aid to Ukraine, including:
- Introducing the Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act, a bill that would have provided $20 million to the Department of Defense to install a Special IG for Ukraine, in February 2023.
- Leading a letter in June 2023 asking the Special IG for Afghanistan Reconstruction, John F. Sopko, to provide insight on the importance of having dedicated oversight in Ukraine.
- Publishing this op-ed in USA Today in June 2023 calling on Congress to work together to install a dedicated IG to provide comprehensive oversight on our aid to Ukraine.
- Sponsoring an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in July 2023 based on the Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act to select a Lead IG to provide full-time oversight of aid in Ukraine.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced the AGOA Extension Act of 2023, a bill that would extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through September 2045. The AGOA has been key in helping the United States work with sub-Saharan Africa to facilitate trade, reduce poverty, promote democracy and counter China’s growing influence in the region.
“The African Growth and Opportunity Act has been the cornerstone of economic ties between the United States and Africa. Over the next two decades, the AGOA will play a pivotal role in helping Americans deter China’s growing influence throughout the region. This extension would allow the United States to keep working closely with African nations to grow our economies, reduce poverty and ensure that American values prevail in the region,” said Kennedy.
Background:
Congress first enacted the African Growth and Opportunity Act in 2000. The program encourages African countries to adopt market-based economies, support democracy and protect due process and the rule of law.
In turn, AGOA-eligible nations receive duty-free access to thousands of products in the U.S. market. Today, 36 countries are eligible for AGOA benefits. The AGOA has also supported nearly 120,000 jobs in the United States.
The AGOA Extension Act of 2023 will extend the program for 20 years to 2045. Congress last extended the AGOA in 2015 by 10 years, authorizing the program through 2025.
Full text of the AGOA Extension Act of 2023 is available here.
Kennedy urges Congress to remain focused on inflation: “We should keep our eye on the ball”
Sep 27 2023
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today called on his colleagues in Congress to address high inflation, as it remains a serious problem for Louisiana families. During a speech on the Senate floor, Kennedy noted that Louisianians are paying an average of $798 more every month because of the inflation that has occurred under President Joe Biden’s watch.
Key comments from Kennedy’s remarks include:
“My purpose in rising today, Mr. President, is to suggest that we should keep our eye on the ball. We are faced with many difficult issues in the Senate today. We always are. But I think that's especially true today. . . But I don't want my colleagues to forget about one of the most important issues of all facing the American people today, and that is the cost of living in our extraordinary country.”
. . .
“I say this with no joy whatsoever: Inflation in America today is man-made, and that man's name is President Joe Biden. In my state, where the mean household income is $55,000, the average [Louisiana] family is paying $800 a month more—a month, not a year, a month—more to live in this wonderful country as a result of Bidenomics. That's $9,600 a year that a family of four making $55,000 a year has to find.”
. . .
“Falling inflation just means prices are still going up every month, every day, but they're not going up as fast as they were. We call that disinflation.
“Falling inflation also means that prices overall are not going down. (That's deflation.) My point is, even though inflation is falling—and I am so glad it is—all that means is that prices are not going up as fast as they were and we're going to be stuck with these high prices. They're going to be permanent even if inflation goes to zero.”
. . .
“We have a lot of the issues that we're struggling with right now, but among the five things that moms and dads in America worry about when they lie down to sleep at night and can’t is the cost of living in our wonderful country. . . President Biden's inflation is strangling a free people. The American people deserve better, and I don't want us to lose sight of that fact as we grapple with other issues.”
Watch Kennedy’s full remarks here.
Kennedy, Tillis introduce legislation to bring accountability, transparency to CFPB salaries
Sep 26 2023
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in introducing the CFPB Pay Fairness Act of 2023, which would increase accountability at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by requiring the agency to pay its employees according to the same standards that apply to other federal employees.
“The CFPB’s funding scheme reveals much about what’s wrong with big government. Our bill would do away with the CFPB’s unfair pay advantage and begin to put the agency’s staff on equal footing with other hardworking federal employees,” said Kennedy.
“Those who created the CFPB continually sought to remove the agency from meaningful oversight and provide it with preferential treatment, all the way down to ignoring the widely-used federal government GS pay scale for CFPB employees. This legislation is a common-sense step to reigning in exorbitant pay at the CFPB and restoring parity among federal agencies,” said Tillis.
The CFPB’s funding mechanism operates outside the regular congressional oversight process. As a result, many CFPB employees receive salaries comparable with those of members of Congress and cabinet secretaries. The CFPB Pay Fairness Act of 2023 would give the CFPB 90 days to bring its employee salaries in line with the General Schedule (GS) pay scale for federal employees.
Full text of the CFPB Pay Fairness Act of 2023 is available here.
WASHINGTON – The Senate today unanimously passed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement (SALE) Act. The legislation would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release previously auctioned spectrum in order to expand 5G broadband access to rural communities.
“My 5G SALE Act provides Americans with access to broadband by giving the FCC the authority to finish transferring previously auctioned spectrum to companies that offer 5G coverage. The House should move quickly to send this bill to the president’s desk so that the job providers who depend on wireless communications in Louisiana and across America can continue to support rural economies,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy questioned FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing about the commission’s lapsed authority to transfer spectrum licenses already sold at auction. The 5G SALE Act would temporarily grant the FCC auction authority it needs to complete spectrum transfers, which would allow broadband services to provide greater 5G network coverage to Americans in rural areas.
Background:
In 2022, the FCC auctioned off roughly 8,000 licenses to grant companies access to America’s broadband spectrum. These licenses are the only way companies can legally use the radio waves that deliver 5G to customers. These wavelengths are therefore highly valuable.
During the period between when companies paid for their licenses and when the FCC should have parceled the licenses out, Congress failed to reauthorize the FCC’s ability to auction off licenses altogether. Now, each company that bought spectrum in that auction is waiting to receive its transfer. Despite payments being complete, the FCC says it no longer has the authority to grant those licenses.
Kennedy’s legislation would grant the FCC a one-time, temporary authority to issue licenses purchased in auctions that were held before March 9, 2023 (when the FCC’s Congressional authorization ended).
Full text of the 5G SALE Act is available here.
