View Kennedy’s remarks here.
BATON ROUGE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today joined a press conference about Hurricane Francine recovery with Governor Jeff Landry, law enforcement and federal and state agency officials.
Kennedy’s key remarks are below:
“There's always something to be grateful for, but that is cold comfort to our people who sustained damage. And we did have damage: A lot of wind, a lot of water, a lot of loss of power.
“We'll get the money that we deserve from the federal government to help us. That's why we pay taxes, whether it's in the form of public assistance, infrastructure repair, personal assistance, mitigation grants.
“I've already started talking to my colleagues. The entire congressional delegation is united on this. I sit on appropriations in the Senate. . . . We do it together with all of us—and we will get the money that we need.”
. . .
“I want to thank the governor. I want to thank his entire team. I want to thank our state and local officials. They are on top of this. . . . The damage would have been much, much worse but for their professionalism, and it also would have been much, much worse but for the investment that Louisiana taxpayers and American taxpayers have made in flood protection. So, thank you, Governor, for including me, and thanks for a great job.”
Watch Kennedy’s full remarks here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) today introduced a resolution to designate the week of Sept. 11 through Sept. 17 as Patriot Week.
“On Sept. 11, 2001, America was forever changed when terrorists took the lives of nearly 3,000 people. Patriot Week helps us to never forget the sacrifices our brave heroes made that day to save lives, and it encourages Americans to reflect on our nation’s great history. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution with Sen. Peters for the sixth consecutive year, and I look forward to my colleagues’ supporting it," said Kennedy.
Patriot Week, which was co-founded by Judge Michael Warren, honors the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, celebrates Constitution Day on Sept. 17 and encourages students to delve into American history.
“Patriot Week is a time to honor those who died during the horrific terrorist attacks on 9/11, and recognize the profound bravery of the first responders and servicemembers who answered the call to defend our nation in one of our darkest moments. Just as we came together in those days following September 11th, this resolution encourages us to always stay unified and remember our core values as Americans, in order to address the challenges we face ahead. I continue to be thankful for Judge Warren’s efforts to help champion this important initiative each year,” said Peters.
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Kennedy urges Pres. Biden to approve Louisiana emergency declaration ahead of Francine’s landfall
Sep 10 2024
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today joined Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Reps. Steve Scalise (R-La.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Julia Letlow (R-La.), Garret Graves (R-La.) and Troy Carter (D-La.) in urging President Joe Biden to quickly review and approve Louisiana’s emergency declaration request in order to provide timely federal assistance to communities impacted by storm Francine.
“In anticipation of landfall as a potential Category 2 hurricane, Governor Landry has requested emergency protective measures (Category B) and direct federal assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The expected impact of this storm requires federal assistance to supplement state and local government response,” the lawmakers wrote.
“The National Weather Service anticipates that Hurricane Francine will bring high winds, heavy rainfall, and a life-threatening storm surge to Louisiana communities. On September 9, 2024, Governor Landry declared a statewide emergency and directed the execution of the State’s Emergency Operations Plan. The State of Louisiana has further determined that this storm is of such magnitude that federal assistance is needed to protect our communities,” they continued.
“We urge you to quickly review and approve the emergency declaration request and coordinate federal assistance. Thank you for your attention to this important matter,” the lawmakers concluded.
The full letter is available here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today released the following statement on the passing of Sybil Morial, the first African-American First Lady of New Orleans and civil rights trailblazer.
“Sybil Morial lived a life of love, courage and service and worked every day to make the promise of America a reality,” said Kennedy.
ZACHARY, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke with constituents at the Zachary Rotary Club about the state of the economy under the Biden-Harris administration and funding victories that he has helped secure for Louisiana.
“Louisianans get up every day and work hard, but thanks to the Biden-Harris administration’s inflation, the American dream is becoming impossible for families to achieve. Our people deserve better than that,” said Kennedy.
On average, inflation has cost Louisiana households $23,954 since 2021, and prices for all consumer goods are now 21% higher in Louisiana than when the Biden-Harris administration took over.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced a $14,844,923 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for Louisiana flood risk reduction aid.
“Repeated flooding has left too many southeast Louisiana communities devastated over the years. This project will help prevent floods near Lake Lery and keep Louisianians safe during inclement weather,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $14,844,923 to restore more than 401 acres of marsh and establish a protective rim around the area’s perimeter to reduce flood risk in southeast Louisiana.
Kennedy in the Ouachita Citizen: Failed Biden-Harris border policies leave Louisiana less safe
Aug 28 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today penned this op-ed in the Ouachita Citizen arguing that the failed border policies of the Biden-Harris administration have left Louisianians less safe. Kennedy detailed several examples of crime in Louisiana that could have been prevented by a secure border.
Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
“Some of the most violent gangs in the world are looking for new turf, and the Biden-Harris administration’s open border policies have made the United States a destination.
“All over the country, law enforcement officers are responding to crimes committed by members of foreign criminal organizations such as El Salvador’s MS-13 and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gangs. These men are the worst of the worst, and some have already begun to appear in Louisiana.”
. . .
“From day one, President Biden and his border czar Kamala Harris have embraced the radical policies of the loon wing of their party, and they rolled out the welcome mat for more than 10 million unvetted foreign nationals to enter the United States.
“They promised to give health care coverage to illegal immigrants during their campaigns. They made illegal immigration easier with nearly 300 executive orders during their first year in office. They ended Title 42. They destroyed the Remain in Mexico policy. They disparaged our border patrol officers. They gave migrants phones, flights and hotel rooms. I could go on.
“Someone writing a how-to guide for illegal immigrant recruitment couldn’t have dreamed up this bad policy playbook.”
. . .
“It’s hard not to conclude that the Biden-Harris administration created this mess intentionally. They opened the border in hopes of getting more votes, and they left Louisianians and Americans to fend for themselves against the most vicious criminals lurking among the masses.
“Louisianians have had enough of the Biden-Harris administration’s border betrayal, and they won’t forget it.”
Read Kennedy’s full op-ed here.
Watch Kennedy’s statement here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today issued the following statement on the third anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. The ill-advised withdrawal left 13 American service members dead and countless Americans stranded under Taliban-rule. The Biden-Harris administration’s withdrawal also allowed the Taliban to gain control of more than $7 billion of U.S. military equipment which included Humvees, attack aircraft, drones and small arms.
“It is a sad day for many American veterans and their families. Today marks three years since the Biden-Harris administration's botched withdrawal—botched withdrawal—from Afghanistan. What an embarrassment.
“Thirteen of our bravest men and women died that day—Americans. Several more troops sustained injuries, and the thousands of American veterans who fought so valiantly in Afghanistan had to witness the Biden-Harris administration make a mockery of their hard work by leaving the country in chaos.
“Neither President Biden nor Vice President Harris has ever apologized. Not once. As we reflect on this anniversary, I want to remind the American people and the people of Louisiana that this devastating withdrawal didn't have to happen. It did not have to happen. We didn't need to lose those 13 brave men and women. We didn't need to abandon our military base and give American Black Hawks to the Taliban, who want to kill Americans, who want to hurt us the entire time we're dying and then want to drink our blood out of a boot.
“None of that had to happen. This all happened because of stunning incompetence. . . . [T]his was caused by the stunning incompetence of the Biden-Harris administration, and that's just a fact. President Biden and Vice President Harris ignored every single warning from their top generals, and they announced to the world that we'd be out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11th.
“They knew it was a bad idea. They had to. And they did it anyway. They ignored those who knew better, and, by ignoring those who knew better, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris delivered these terrorists their biggest win in years—in years. . . .
“[W]hat they did makes me want to heave. I am so sorry for the pain this chaotic withdrawal caused to our brave veterans and to the American people. They deserve better. We all deserve better, and, on this issue, President Biden and Vice President Harris should hide their heads in a bag.”
View Kennedy’s full statement here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke with constituents at the St. Tammany Parish Chamber about their priorities, including delivering economic wins for the area.
“Since the Biden and Harris administration took over, Americans are paying more to live worse. Inflation now costs families in our state an extra $895 a month—and hardworking Louisianians just can’t afford that,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for Louisiana projects through his role as an appropriator, including:
- $328 million from the Department of Transportation in federal highway grants to improve Louisiana’s roads and bridges, including $140 million to widen and improve I-12 infrastructure.
- $136 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Hurricane Ida disaster aid, including $76 million for St. Tammany Parish schools, churches, infrastructure and buildings and $60 million in disaster aid for homeowners through FEMA’s individual assistance.
- $8 million from the Environmental Protection Agency to support the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program.
- $4 million in substance abuse program grants.
Kennedy in the American Press: Biden-Harris administration’s anti-energy policies terrible for Louisiana
Aug 05 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, penned this op-ed in the American Press detailing how the Biden-Harris administration’s anti-energy policies have harmed Louisiana. Kennedy also explained how he has helped push back against these damaging policies.
Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
“If there were a contest to design the worst possible energy policies for Louisiana, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris would win by a mile.
“Their administration’s breathtakingly dumb energy agenda is killing Louisiana jobs, driving up prices, and draining America’s emergency fuel reserves.
“In January, for example, the Biden-Harris administration followed the advice of TikTok activists and paused all new permits for liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminals. The permit prohibition has jeopardized several Louisiana facilities and thousands of jobs, including those at the Calcasieu Pass 2 export terminal in Cameron Parish.
“The LNG permit pause also makes it more difficult for our allies to get American natural gas. Under this administration’s watch, Russia recently surpassed the United States to become the European Union’s top LNG supplier. Apparently, President Biden and Vice President Harris would rather see LNG exported from the Kremlin than Louisiana.”
. . .
“My work in Congress will help mitigate some of the damage the Biden-Harris administration has caused in Louisiana, but the best way to get out of this hole is to stop digging.
“Louisianians and indeed all Americans are beginning to understand that the voting booth is the only place they can go to restore common sense and stop the Biden-Harris administration’s awful energy policies.”
Read Kennedy’s full op-ed here.
