“Oil and gas jobs remain a vital part of Louisiana’s economy, and factors outside workers’ control are jeopardizing those jobs. The simplest, smartest lifeline we can extend to the oil producers is pressing pause on the royalties the federal government charges them.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has spoken with Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to request that he temporarily suspend royalty payments from oil and gas producers to the federal government.

“Oil and gas jobs remain a vital part of Louisiana’s economy, and factors outside workers’ control are jeopardizing those jobs. The simplest, smartest lifeline we can extend to the oil producers is pressing pause on the royalties the federal government charges them. Families and independent producers have worked long and hard to support America’s energy independence. They deserve a little flexibility in return,” said Kennedy.

Low barrel prices are putting enormous strain on the state’s oil industry, and Kennedy reached out to the Interior Secretary in an effort to preserve countless Louisiana jobs. Many oil producers operating in the Gulf of Mexico would benefit from a suspension of royalty payments, including small and medium-sized companies.

Kennedy also spoke recently with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the U.S., urging her to end the disagreement with Russia that has helped send oil prices plummeting.

“These medical projects will benefit people all over Louisiana. I’m glad to see HHS support critical health services and research for our communities, especially in tough times like our state is facing today.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $8.9 million in funding from the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to maintain health services and support new medical research.

“These medical projects will benefit people all over Louisiana. I’m glad to see HHS support critical health services and research for our communities, especially in tough times like our state is facing today,” said Kennedy.

Projects include:

• $4 million will help fund Head Start and Early Head Start programs for the Kingsley House in New Orleans.

• $2.25 million will help fund the graduate medical education payment program at Children’s Hospital New Orleans.

• $1.2 million will help fund the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board’s Head Start program.

• $631,968 will help fund exploratory research at Tulane University in New Orleans on HIV contributions to heart and lung comorbidities.

• $516,323 will help fund Tulane University’s look at immunopathogenesis in fungal asthma.

• $335,191 will help fund the Appletree program at the Louisiana Department of Health, which forms public health responses to hazardous waste sites.

“People’s lives and their livelihoods depend on a swift, comprehensive response to this pandemic. . . . The CARES Act is the best path open to preserving and reviving our economy as we battle the coronavirus in Louisiana communities and around the country.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, along with additional emergency funding.

“The coronavirus has hit Louisiana hard and nearly ground the gears of our economy to a halt. People’s lives and their livelihoods depend on a swift, comprehensive response to this pandemic. The size and scope of spending in this bill is significant, but inaction in the face of this unprecedented challenge would be reckless.

“The CARES Act is the best path open to preserving and reviving our economy as we battle the coronavirus in Louisiana communities and around the country. Of course, this bill is far from perfect, but it gives families, workers and employers the resources they need to be resilient.

“This virus poses a unique health risk, and we know that poverty can also threaten lives. Understanding that, I voted today to protect the wellbeing of Louisianans now and into the future by investing in medical services, families, workers and businesses,” said Kennedy.

The CARES Act includes significant provisions to protect the health and wellbeing of Louisianians. These include resources for medical care, small businesses, workers and key industries.

Medical care:

• The CARES Act provides coronavirus testing at no cost to patients and requires private insurance plans to cover testing costs,
• ensures the coronavirus vaccine is free to recipients,
• includes $117 billion for hospitals and veterans’ health care,
• includes $11 billion for vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other preparedness measures,
• includes $4.3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
• includes $1.5 billion for state and local health responders,
• includes $45 billion for the FEMA disaster relief fund and
• includes $16 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile to improve access to supplies needed for national security and pandemic recovery.

Small businesses:

• The CARES Act includes $450 billion for loans, loan guarantees and investments to support eligible businesses, states and municipalities,
• authorizes main street lending at the Federal Reserve to be leveraged up to $4 trillion,
• allows small businesses to delay paying payroll taxes,
• provides $350 billion in guaranteed Small Business Administration loans for businesses and non-profits with 500 or fewer employees, including those who are self-employed or part of the gig economy, allowing funds to pay employee salaries, wages, cash tips, sick leave, employee group health care benefits and insurance premiums, retirement contributions and covered leave,
• offers loans immediately and would waive affiliation rules for small businesses in the hospitality and restaurant industries, certain franchises and businesses receiving financing through the Small Business Investment Company program and
• waives the early withdrawal penalty for qualified retirement accounts up to $100,000 for reasons related to the coronavirus.

Workers:

• The CARES Act provides $1,200 checks to individuals and $2,400 to couples in low- and middle-income households, with payments increasing by $500 per child per household,
• makes more workers eligible for unemployment benefits and provides them with $600 per week for up to four months, allowing the Department of Labor to approve funds for states lacking the resources to make these payments,
• provides $1.5 billion to support economic development grants for areas impacted by the coronavirus,
• provides $1 billion in loans to the rural business and industry loan guarantee program,
• provides $300 million to provide direct financial assistance to all manner of fishers, fishery participants and communities that have been affected by the coronavirus and
• provides $25 million for the learning, telemedicine and broadband grants program.

Key industries and state and local governments:

• The CARES Act establishes a $500 billion economic stabilization fund to support industries, states and cities,
• includes $150 billion to supplement state and local government budgets,
• provides an estimated $1.8 billion to Louisiana to fund coronavirus-related assistance,
• provides $25 billion in collateralized loans for airlines and
• provides $17 billion in collateralized loans for businesses critical to maintaining national security.

“The federal and state governments are committed to doing whatever it takes to protect local communities from the coronavirus—and to doing it quickly. This $31 million grant could increase medical services and supplies for Louisiana communities in order to slow the spread of this disease and care for those affected by the virus.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced a $31 million FEMA grant to the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness in response to the coronavirus.

“The federal and state governments are committed to doing whatever it takes to protect local communities from the coronavirus—and to doing it quickly. This $31 million grant could increase medical services and supplies for Louisiana communities in order to slow the spread of this disease and care for those affected by the virus,” said Kennedy.

President Trump declared a national emergency on March 13 to protect public health and safety in response to the coronavirus. The grant comes under the authority of the Stafford Act. It could be used to support emergency protective measures, including emergency medical care, medical sheltering, general health communications and the distribution of supplies.