Kennedy champions ROOMIE Act to require in-person work requirements for federal agency employees
Jan 15 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today reintroduced the Reinforce Occupancy Obligations for Maximized Interagency Efficiency (ROOMIE) Act to establish in-person work requirements for employees of federal agencies. The bill would also direct federal agencies to make efficient use of their office space.
“It’s past time that employees of federal agencies work in person. Right now, bureaucrats are wasting office space and Americans’ tax dollars. The ROOMIE Act would save money by demanding efficiency and hard work from federal employees,” said Kennedy.
The ROOMIE Act would:
- Require each federal agency to make sure that at least 80% of its employees work in-person from Monday through Friday of each week.
- Direct federal agencies to use at least 60% of their office space or give up that space so that a private business could purchase or re-lease it for more efficient purposes.
Background:
- A review by the Government Accountability Office found that 17 federal agencies used, on average, 25% or less of the office space they owned or leased.
- The General Services Administration (GSA) found that, when federal agencies underutilize government buildings, the buildings may pose health risks. In several federally controlled buildings, GSA found legionella, a bacterium that can cause infections and death. Legionella can spread easily when water is stagnant because remote workers have left buildings largely unoccupied.
The full bill text is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and colleagues in introducing the Thin Blue Line Act to make the targeting, killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, firefighter or other first responder an aggravating factor when determining whether capital punishment is appropriate.
“Louisiana’s law enforcement officers and first responders put their lives at risk daily to keep our communities safe. They deserve respect. The Thin Blue Line Act would make sure criminals who target them face punishment that matches their crimes,” said Kennedy.
“Violent crimes targeting law enforcement demand immediate action. These crimes should never be tolerated. Every day, members of law enforcement risk their lives to protect our communities and they deserve the full protection of the law. I am proud to introduce this common-sense legislation to ensure that acts of murder or attempted murder against law enforcement will be met with maximum penalties,” said Cruz.
When a jury in a federal case considers whether to impose capital punishment, the jury must consider certain "aggravating" factors.
Current law states that, if the murder victim is a federal law enforcement officer or federal prosecutor, that fact stands as an aggravating factor that supports maximum penalty.
The Thin Blue Line Act would extend the same level of justice to all law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders.
The full bill text is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and colleagues in introducing the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The bill would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home states to exercise those rights in any other state that allows concealed carry, so long as one exercises those rights within the limits of each respective state’s laws.
“The Second Amendment helps protect all of our constitutional rights. This bill would affirm Americans’ fundamental liberties while respecting every state’s right to make their own laws,” said Kennedy.
“The Lone Star State has long championed our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, and gun owners in Texas and across the country should not have that fundamental right violated when they cross state lines. This legislation would reduce unnecessary burdens for law-abiding citizens and allow them to carry a concealed firearm in every state that permits it, and I’m grateful for the overwhelming support from my fellow Republican colleagues on this commonsense bill,” said Cornyn.
This legislation would:
- Allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home states to exercise those rights in any other state that has concealed carry laws.
- Treat state-issued concealed carry permits like drivers’ licenses, allowing an individual to use his or her home-state license to drive in another state while abiding by the speed limit of whatever state that person is in.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America have endorsed this legislation.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) also cosponsored the bill.
Kennedy announces $4.9 million in emergency generator aid for McNeese State University, Lincoln Parish
Jan 07 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $4,857,350 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“When bad weather hits Louisiana, communities rely on emergency generators to get by. This $4.9 million will keep Louisianians safe by helping McNeese State University and Lincoln Parish with generator costs,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $3,253,127 to McNeese State University for the purchase and installation of two generators.
- $1,423,494 to Lincoln Parish for the purchase and installation of 17 generators.
- $180,729 to McNeese State University for management costs associated with generator acquisition and installation.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and colleagues in reintroducing the Laken Riley Act to require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting offenses.
“Laken Riley’s murderer shouldn’t have been in our country committing crimes in the first place. The Laken Riley Act would give ICE the authority it needs to remove illegal criminals and protect Americans. The Senate ought to pass this common-sense bill immediately,” said Kennedy.
The Laken Riley Act is named after a 22-year-old nursing student whom an illegal immigrant murdered. Prior to Riley’s murder, the murderer had been arrested for shoplifting, but ICE did not detain him.
The legislation would require ICE to detain illegal immigrants who commit theft or similar offenses until they are removed from the country. In Nov. 2024, Riley’s murderer was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Laken Riley Act would also ensure that states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who do not enforce immigration law or who violate the law.
“Last year, Laken Riley was stolen from this earth—from her family and friends and from achieving her dreams—by a brutal, heartless killer. Make no mistake—he never should have been in the United States, much less allowed to freely roam American streets after being charged with multiple crimes. Laken’s murder was the direct consequence of willful open border policies,” said Britt.
Background:
- In March 2024, Kennedy and colleagues introduced the Laken Riley Act, but Senate Democrats refused to let Senators vote on the Laken Riley Act as a stand-alone bill.
- In Feb. 2024, Kennedy demanded answers from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about why Riley’s suspected murderer was paroled into the U.S.
- In Nov. 2023, Kennedy helped introduce the Southern Border Transparency Act, which would require the DHS to disclose catch-and-release data, including the number of migrants that the Biden administration has paroled into the country.
The entire Senate Republican Conference has cosponsored the Laken Riley Act for the 119th Congress, including Sens. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Boozman (R-Mont.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Curtis (R-Utah), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has also sponsored the bill.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in introducing the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025. The bill would safeguard Title IX protections for female athletes.
“Men have no business disenfranchising or endangering young women. Letting biological men take the field against girls has cost them victories, scholarships and even their health. This bill would make girls’ sports safe for girls again, and I’m going to do everything in my power to help it pass Congress quickly,” said Kennedy.
“President Trump ran on the issue of saving women’s sports and won in a landslide. 70% of Americans agree—men don’t belong in women’s sports or locker rooms. I have said many times that I think Title IX is one of the best things to come out of Washington. But in the last few years, it has been destroyed. While I’m glad that the Biden administration ultimately rescinded the proposed rule, Congress has to ensure this never happens again. I am welcoming my first granddaughter this spring and won’t stop fighting until her rights to fairly compete are protected. I hope every one of my colleagues will join me in standing up for our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters by voting for this critical bill,” said Tuberville.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act would:
- Ensure Title IX recognizes that gender is based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
- Ban recipients of federal funding from operating, sponsoring or facilitating athletic programs that permit biological males to participate in women’s sports.
Background:
- In Dec. of 2024, Kennedy questioned National Collegiate Athletic Association President Charlie Baker about the organization’s reluctancy to protect women from competing against men in sports.
- In May of 2024, Kennedy penned this op-ed urging Congress to do more to protect women’s sports.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $37,425,524 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Laura badly damaged infrastructure in Jefferson Davis and Cameron Parishes, and Ida hit communities like New Orleans hard the next year. This $37.4 million will help our state cover the costs that Louisiana electrical facilities and hospitals sustained because of these storms,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $33,941,078 to the Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative for emergency protective measures in Jefferson Davis and Cameron Parishes resulting from Hurricane Laura.
- $3,484,446 to the Ochsner Clinic Foundation for repairs to Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans resulting from Hurricane Ida.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $53,080,761 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Ida struck south Louisiana and badly damaged our communities. This $53 million will help Louisianians in Terrebonne and Jefferson Parishes rebuild their hospitals and prepare for future storms,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $44,404,554 to the Terrebonne General Medical Center for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $7,452,630 to Terrebonne Parish for emergency protective measures as a direct result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,223,577 to the Louisiana Children’s Medical Center at the East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, La. for repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
Kennedy announces $23.3 million in emergency generator, flood mitigation aid for Louisiana
Jan 06 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $23,346,471 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Communities across Louisiana are working hard to prepare our state for future floods. This $23.3 million will help Louisiana withstand storms by elevating or demolishing flood-prone structures and installing generators,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $5,693,265 to the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the purchase and installation of 26 generators in the Port of New Orleans, five generators in the New Orleans Public Belt, two generators in Monroe and six generators in Tensas Parish.
- $3,783,382 to Jefferson Parish to elevate 22 structures.
- $2,499,498 to Rapides Parish to elevate 13 structures and acquire one structure.
- $2,405,700 to East Feliciana Parish for the acquisition and installation of 25 generators.
- $2,294,125 to Grant Parish for the acquisition and installation of 27 generators.
- $1,767,926 to the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the purchase and installation of 52 generators to provide backup power to State Police emergency radio communication tower sites.
- $1,620,675 to Jefferson Parish to elevate 11 structures.
- $1,453,775 to Vernon Parish for the acquisition and installation of 14 generators.
- $1,024,937 to Plaquemines Parish for the purchase and installation of a stormwater pump station standby generator.
- $209,704 to Jefferson Parish for management costs associated with structure elevation.
- $138,861 to Rapides Parish for management costs associated with structure elevation and acquisition.
- $120,285 to East Feliciana Parish for management costs associated with generator purchase and installation.
- $114,706 to Grant Parish for management costs associated with generator acquisition and installation.
- $90,002 to Jefferson Parish for management costs associated with structure elevation.
- $72,689 to Vernon Parish for management costs associated with generator acquisition and installation.
- $56,941 to Plaquemines Parish for management costs associated with generator purchase and installation.
Kennedy announces $13 million in Hurricanes Ida, Delta aid for St. James Parish, Oakdale, Westwego
Jan 06 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $13,030,261 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricanes Ida and Delta wreaked havoc on Louisianians’ communities. This $13 million will help cover costs for building repairs in Westwego, Oakdale and St. James Parish,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $7,984,298 to the Westwego Housing Authority for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $3,296,730 to the Housing Authority for the city of Oakdale for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Delta.
- $1,749,233 to the St. James Parish Fire Station Building for permanent repairs as a result to Hurricane Ida.
