WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) spoke on the Senate floor this week about the devastating impact of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ so-called criminal justice reform program on crime victims and, in particular, one Louisiana family.

“I am so sorry that a family lost a child to the reckless actions of a drunk driver.  I’m even more sorry that the drunk driver served a minimal amount of time in prison because of Gov. Edwards’ criminal release program.  This is just one example of how this program is failing families across Louisiana, and it should serve as a warning,” said Sen. Kennedy.

Gary Prince, of Loreauville, wrote to Sen. Kennedy about his devastation after his son’s killer was released early from prison through Gov. Edwards’ program.  Prince’s son, Jordan, was just 18 years old when King Ellis, whose blood alcohol level was double the legal limit, drove the wrong way on Highway 90 near New Iberia and crashed into Jordan’s car.  The head-on collision killed Jordan, who had just graduated from high school. 

Ellis served just 18 months of his 15-year prison sentence.   He received an early release despite being arrested on Medicaid fraud charges while in prison.

Here is an excerpt of Mr. Prince’s letter to Sen. Kennedy:

“My son was a good kid!  He had a bright future!  He wanted to follow in my footsteps and become a machinist … My family deserves better than this.  I want you to know that when I say my prayers at night, I pray for a better Louisiana.”

Letter from Gary Prince to Senator Kennedy

Dear Senator Kennedy,

My name is Gary Prince and my youngest son Jordan was killed by a drunk driver in May of 2015. He was only 18 years old and had just graduated high school 12 days before this accident. The man that killed him was driving the wrong way on Highway 90 near New Iberia and crashed into my son head on. His blood alcohol level was .16 which is twice the State's legal limit. He was sent to jail on March 23, 2017 with a sentence of 15 years which 8 years was suspended. Because of John Bel Edward's Justice Reinvestment Initiative, this person that killed my son was released on September 11th of this year. He served only 18 months in jail! This blows my mind!

Because the blood alcohol level was not high enough (below .20) his offense was considered a non-violent offense which made him eligible for early release. There is a state law (RS 14:32.1) which states that anyone convicted of DUI w/vehicular homicide with a blood alcohol level of .15 or greater has to spend a minimum of 5 years with or without hard labor without the benefit of early release or early parole.

This was not taken into account for this criminal!

I just wanted to tell you that I listened to you on The Moon Griffon Show yesterday and I feel the same way you do. I am terrified of the direction that my State is heading in! I do love Louisiana, but we need change and we need it fast!

My son was a good kid! He had a bright future! He wanted to follow in my footsteps and become a machinist! I've worked hard all my life in the oil business and I pay my taxes! I feel that my family deserves better than this! I want you to know that when I say my prayers at night, I pray for a better Louisiana. A Louisiana that is governed by someone that cares about its’ people and steers it towards a brighter tomorrow and not by someone who opens up terrible wounds and horrible memories like the ones my family has all because of dumb decisions!

I really hope that you consider running for Governor in 2019! We need this craziness in Baton Rouge to end!

Thanks for Listening!

With Warmest Regards,

Gary L. Prince

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in introducing the WALL Act, legislation that will fully fund the border wall along the southern border.  Their legislation is the first bill that will fund the wall by identifying specific funding sources.  

We can certainly afford the construction,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “This legislation will save taxpayers $33 billion simply by ensuring that the taxpayers’ generosity isn’t wasted.  If you want to receive food stamps and other benefits, then you should prove your citizenship.  If you cross the border illegally or overstay your visit to this country, then you should pay a stiff penalty.”

 “President Trump has called for a border wall and I agree,” said Sen. Inhofe.  “As a former builder and developer in south Texas, I know border security is national security and we need to do more to deter the growing numbers of unauthorized immigrants coming across our borders.  That’s why I’ve outlined specific ways to fund the border wall by assessing penalties on illegal immigration and closing loopholes that allow unauthorized immigrants to receive federal benefits.  We’re going to build the wall through reforms that that protect the integrity of hardworking American citizens’ tax dollars.  It’s that simple.”

“The primary responsibility of the federal government is the defense of our nation, which includes strong border security,” said Sen. Rounds.  “The WALL Act will provide full funding for construction of a physical barrier along our southern border to protect against illegal immigration and stop those who wish to do us harm, such as terrorists, gang members and drug dealers, from entering the United States from the south.  It pays for the wall by closing existing loopholes that allow illegal immigrants to receive federal benefits and increasing fines for illegal border crossings and visa overstays.  By funding the wall through increased fines, we prevent any risk of dipping into Department of Defense (DoD) funding, which is already stretched thin.  I thank Chairman Inhofe for his leadership on this effort and I look forward to advancing this proposal in the Senate.”

“I have long called for building a wall as a necessary step in defending our border and stopping the flow of illegal immigration into our country,” said Sen. Cruz.  “The overwhelming majority of Texans and Americans want to see the border secured.  The WALL Act would fully fund the border wall by closing existing loopholes that provide illegal immigrants with federal benefits and tax credits, without affecting the benefits and tax credits used by Americans.”

This legislation will fully fund the president’s $25 billion border wall while providing specific ways to pay for it:  

• Require a work-authorized Social Security Number (SSN) to claim refundable tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit: 
  • Currently only the child needs a SSN, not the parent benefiting from the refundable child tax credit.  The WALL Act would require the parent to have a valid work-eligible Social Security Number.
  • Before 2003, the Social Security Agency did not distinguish between work-eligible and non-work eligible SSNs.  Therefore, there are individuals benefiting from the EITC they are not authorized to receive because they are non-work eligible. 
  • Require welfare applicants (food stamps, TANF, HUD, etc) to verify citizenship:
    • Currently someone only needs to “declare” citizenship and provide a SSN to receive some of these benefits.
    • The WALL Act enhances citizenship verification prior to granting benefits using E-verify and require a work-authorized SSN for eligibility.
    • Increasing the minimum fines on illegal border crossers and establishes minimum penalty for visa overstays. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today thanked the Rev. Tommy Middleton, director of the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, for opening the U.S. Senate in prayer.  The Rev. Middleton was the pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Baton Rouge for nearly 25 years, and he was instrumental in organizing church relief efforts after the 2016 floods.

“Dr. Middleton has been a pillar in the greater Baton Rouge community for years, and it was an honor to have him open the U.S. Senate in prayer, this morning,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “Dr. Middleton has dedicated his career to equipping local churches to prioritize evangelism and missions, and his prayer was a reminder of the great responsibility we have as lawmakers to guard the religious freedoms that allow that work to even take place.  He encouraged us all to act with compassion, encouragement and discernment while walking in Christ-like humility.  I thank him for taking time from his duties in Louisiana to lead us in Washington, D.C.”

Click here or the picture below to watch the Rev. Middleton’s full prayer.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that Louisiana will receive $41 million in Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants for the widening of Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish and for roadwork connected to Port Fourchon.  The Appropriations Committee funds the BUILD grants, and Sen. Kennedy has been working with Transporatation Secretary Elaine Chao to secure the funding through the appropriations committee.  Secretary Chao phoned Sen. Kennedy early this morning to announce the funding.

Sen. Kennedy wrote Secretary Chao in July 2018 about unsafe conditions and bottlenecks along a 3.8-mile segment of Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish.  Four people died in traffic accidents on the stretch of roadway over Memorial Day weekend this year.

The funding for Port Fourchon also is vital to reducing traffic accidents.  A new connector road and lift span bridge will be built to divert traffic from a rural road to a four-lane divided highway.

“The widening of Interstate 12 is critical to public safety.  After the Memorial Day weekend fatalities, I started working with state and local leaders to convince Secretary Chao that this funding was necessary to save lives.  I want to thank St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister and state Sen. Jack Donahue for working tirelessly with me on this project,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “I’m also pleased that we received funding for infrastructure related to Port Fourchon, which plays a vital role in our oil and gas industry and energy economy. Port Commission Executive Director Chett Chiasson’s leadership and hard work on this BUILD grant will do enormous good in our efforts to continue growing our port.”

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