Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) argued that the federal government should stop subsidizing public media programming in Louisiana and elsewhere throughout the country in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“Now, look, you don’t have to be a Latin scholar to see that these articles are biased—every single one of them—at the federal level and at the state and local level in Louisiana. And you know what, that’s the right of these state and local television stations. They have the right to say this stuff, but they don’t have the right to say it with your money.”
. . .
“These folks have the right to publish that, but they do not have the right to publish it with taxpayer money—$500 million a year. And I think you know how I feel. We know how President Trump feels, but I hope the U.S. Congress, in our reconciliation package, abolishes the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and no longer gives them or any media organization in this country a single solitary dime of taxpayer money.
“That’s not the role of the federal government, and—given these kinds of articles—to do so incites the anger of at least half of our country, and that is not right.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
Kennedy blasts NYC public school system for promoting antisemitic toolkit: “Still in disbelief”
Apr 09 2025
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) questioned why the New York City public school system published an antisemitic newsletter that encouraged students to attend a “rage week” against Israel in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“I’m still in disbelief. . . . The New York public schools publish a monthly newsletter. It is called the Office of Student Pathways Newsletter. . . . In the latest newsletter they blasted out, they had one of those bullet points that they made in the newsletter that is kind of—when you look at it on the internet, it is kind of pale blue. You can click on it, and it sends you to another site.
“The bullet point on the newsletter that the public schools of New York sent out was called: ‘Guidelines for teaching about genocide.’ And if you clicked on this phrase in the newsletter, it sent you to another site. Do you know what the site was? ‘Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit.’ The administration of the New York public schools, the largest in the country, is sending this out to its teachers and its students and to the world. If you take a look and you say, ‘What is in this toolkit, this Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit?’ It contains the biggest bunch of antisemitic rot you can imagine.”
. . .
“But then the article goes on to say that it has been discovered that a similar version of the toolkit—this oversight—was published in the newsletter in the prior month. It was in the Oct.-Nov. 2024 newsletter. That document called on all the teachers and all the students in the New York public schools—and everybody else reading the newsletter—it called on them to participate in ‘rage week’ and ‘resist genocide’ by mobilizing on Saturday, Oct. 5, for a ‘day of action’ ahead of the anniversary of Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. That was the date of the terrorist attack on Israel, which apparently the administration of the public schools wants to celebrate.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,055,556 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for generators in Red River Parish, La.
“When disaster strikes, Louisianians rely on back-up power to stay safe. This $1.1 million will help Red River Parish cover these costs and prepare for the next storm,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $1,000,000 for the purchase and installation of 21 permanent generators, switches, foundation pads and security fencing in Red River Parish.
- $55,556 for management costs associated with generator purchase and installation in Red River Parish.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today reintroduced the Targeting Child Predators Act to help stop children from being exploited online.
“Innocent children are uniquely vulnerable to wicked people who commit one of the worst crimes imaginable in the internet’s shadows. Law enforcement should have every resource at their disposal to stop and punish child predators, and this bill delivers a critical tool for the good guys,” said Kennedy.
Current law gives suspected predators opportunity to evade prosecution and criminal accountability when electronic communication service (ECS) providers alert them to potential law enforcement investigations.
When law enforcement investigates online child exploitation cases, they typically match an IP address to a suspected predator. Officials may then use this evidence to obtain a subpoena to collect the name of the person attached to the IP address from an ECS provider.
ECS providers comply with these subpoenas, but often inform users of the search—in these cases, suspected child predators—of the request. Suspects who discover that law enforcement is investigating them regularly erase their internet search footprints, which can make prosecuting online child predators nearly impossible.
The Targeting Child Predators Act would allow law enforcement to block ECS providers from notifying suspected child predators that they are being investigated for at least 180 days if law enforcement certifies that doing so is necessary to prevent destruction of evidence, flight and other misconduct.
Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) cosponsored the bill.
“We live in a digitally dominated world and while there are many positive benefits that come with that, there’s also a dark underbelly. This legislation would support law enforcement’s efforts to mitigate the dangerous threats that lurk behind the screens we look at daily and safeguard Texas children from harm,” said Cornyn.
The Targeting Child Predators Act does not expand what type of evidence law enforcement can collect and allows for judicial review of a nondisclosure requirement attached to a subpoena.
The Child Rescue Coalition, Raven, Major County Sheriffs of America and the National Fraternal Order of Police support the Targeting Child Predators Act.
“The TCPA will streamline data access for law enforcement in child exploitation cases, without compromising their investigations, or repeatedly burdening the Judiciary, enabling quicker investigations to protect and rescue victims from online predators,” said Greg Schiller, CEO, Child Rescue Coalition.
“This bill will prevent tech companies from notifying child predators of subpoena service which will keep vital evidence from being destroyed and increase law enforcement’s ability to rescue victims,” said Jennifer Dunton, Director of Legislative Affairs at Raven.
“MCSA commends Senator Kennedy for introducing the Targeting Child Predators Act. If those who target and exploit children are tipped off when a criminal investigation is underway, they can destroy evidence and as a result complicate the recovery of evidence. This bill would help to minimize this possibility and improve our chances of putting them behind bars. We encourage Congress to act on this important legislation,” said Sheriff Bill Brown, President, Major County Sheriffs of America.
“The ‘Targeting Child Predators Act’ makes a common-sense change that ensures that law enforcement has the necessary time to conduct thorough investigations and build strong cases against offenders. This change would ultimately help remove predators from our neighborhoods and make our internet communities safer for children and families,” said Patrick Yoes, National President, National Fraternal Order of Police.
The full bill text of the Targeting Child Predators Act is available here.
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been taking peace negotiations with Ukraine seriously and warned him not to disrespect President Trump in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“To get respect, you have to act respectfully. To be taken seriously, you have to act seriously. We know that. It is a matter of common sense. President Putin in Russia is not acting with respect toward the United States of America or President Trump. President Putin is not acting seriously.
“I don’t know a single fair-minded person with an IQ above his age who doesn’t want peace in Ukraine. . . . We all want to see peace in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy wants to see peace in Ukraine. President Trump wants to see peace in Ukraine. I thought President Putin did. I am beginning to wonder.”
. . .
“[President Putin] said, ‘I want China to be part of the negotiations and India and Brazil and South Africa’—and get this; this will curdle your lunch—‘North Korea.’ Mama Gump said that stupid is as stupid does. President Putin is not interested in peace.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
Kennedy announces $1.3 million in Hurricane Ida aid for Louisiana Office of Risk Management
Apr 03 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,265,547 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Ida’s storm surge, rains and winds badly damaged facilities in our state. This $1.3 million will help Louisianians cover the cost of office contents that Ida destroyed,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $1,265,547 to the Office of Risk Management to replace office contents that Hurricane Ida damaged.
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) called on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to completely remove Canada’s tariffs on American goods in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor. Kennedy noted that Carney has said he supports free and fair trade and argued that he should drop all tariffs to let American and Canadian companies compete on a level playing field.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“I remember after Hurricane Katrina, which hit my state. It destroyed southeast Louisiana—New Orleans, yes, but many other parts of my state as well—and Mississippi. Canada was the very first country and the people of Canada were the very first people to send disaster relief.”
. . .
“Here’s my point: I don’t want to be at war with Canada. I don’t want to have a trade war with Canada. I want us to continue to be friends. I made this suggestion to the new prime minister of Canada the other day, Prime Minister Carney. I am going to make it again, and I hope, this time, he will take it more seriously. Remember, if you want to be taken seriously, you have to act seriously. If you want respect, you have to act respectfully.
“Prime Minister Carney, you say that President Trump is not a fair trader. I understand your point of view. I don’t agree with you, but I understand your point of view. You have got to stand up for your people.
“Prime Minister Carney, if you believe in free trade, then here is what you do. Make this offer today: Offer to go to zero tariffs in Canada on American goods—no tariffs, none, zero, zilch, nada—and challenge America to remove all of our tariffs on Canada so the people of Canada can sell their goods to Americans without a tariff, and the people of America can sell their goods to our friends in Canada without a tariff—zero tariffs. Let Canadian businesses and American businesses compete.”
Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $32,386,791 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Louisiana is working hard to rebuild from the catastrophic damage that Hurricanes Laura and Ida left behind. This $32.4 million will help our communities recover from the costs they sustained during these disasters,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $13,358,873 to St. John the Baptist Parish for debris removal operations resulting from Hurricane Ida.
- $6,209,552 to the Terrebonne Parish School Board for management costs resulting from Hurricane Ida.
- $5,286,570 to the Terrebonne Parish School Board for permanent repairs resulting from Hurricane Ida.
- $1,725,740 to the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital for permanent work resulting from Hurricane Laura.
- $1,562,360 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for debris removal operations resulting from Hurricane Laura.
- $1,515,422 to the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District to replace equipment due to Hurricane Laura damage.
- $1,415,716 to the Jefferson Parish School Board for permanent repairs to the Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School campus resulting from Hurricane Ida.
- $1,312,558 to the Orleans Levee District Non-Flood Protection Asset Management Authority for permanent repairs resulting from Hurricane Ida damage.
Kennedy, Cassidy introduce resolution honoring life and achievements of former Sen. J. Bennett Johnston
Apr 01 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) in introducing a resolution honoring the life and achievements of former Sen. J. Bennett Johnston, who represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate from 1972 to 1997.
“Senator J. Bennett Johnston was a Louisiana champion and a champion for Louisiana. He played big but spoke softly. Composure was his superpower. Bennett loved Louisiana, loved America, and loved his family. He was a great senator. Louisiana weeps. Becky and I send our condolences to the Johnston family and our everlasting thanks to Bennett,” said Kennedy.
“J. Bennett Johnston was a North Louisiana guy who fought for the whole state. He wasn’t the kind of senator who went to Washington just to vote ‘no.’ He voted ‘yes’ when it meant more energy jobs, more investment, and a better future for Louisiana. You can go around the entire state and see the impact he had—he made life better for Louisianans in real, tangible ways,” said Cassidy.
Background:
- J. Bennett Johnston was born in Shreveport, La. in 1932 and served in both the Louisiana House and Senate before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972.
- Johnston chaired the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee from 1987 to 1995 and played a critical role in shaping U.S. energy policy by working to expand Louisiana offshore energy production, strengthen our state’s flood and hurricane protection and preserve our wetlands.
- Johnston passed away on March 25, 2025, at the age of 92.
The full text of the resolution is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and colleagues in introducing the Judicial Relief Clarification Act, a bill that would address judicial overreach by prohibiting federal courts from granting relief to anyone except the parties before them.
“Some courts in this country have chosen to weaponize universal injunctions to stop the Trump administration from delivering on its promises to the American people. This bill will make sure that judges can only rule on the cases before them, rather than imposing their will on the entire country,” said Kennedy.
“For a number of years, but particularly in the last few months, we’ve increasingly seen sweeping orders from individual district judges that dictate national policy. Our Founders saw an important role for the judiciary, but the Constitution limits judges to exercising power over ‘cases’ or ‘controversies.’ Judges are not policymakers, and allowing them to assume this role is very dangerous. The Judicial Relief Clarification Act clarifies the scope of judicial power and resolves illegitimate judicial infringement upon the executive branch. It’s a commonsense bill that’s needed to provide long-term constitutional clarity and curb district courts’ growing tendency to overstep by issuing sweeping, nationwide orders,” said Grassley.
Background:
- A universal injunction is a court order that prohibits the government from implementing a law or policy against anyone, including those not involved in the case.
- Federal courts issued universal injunctions against the Trump administration at least 86 times during its first term in office. The current Trump administration is already facing a flood of universal injunctions—many of which originated in liberal states such as New York and California.
- By contrast, the Biden administration faced 28 universal injunctions in four years. The Obama administration only faced 12.
- In addition to dealing with universal injunctions, the bill amends the Administrative Procedure Act to prohibit courts from using the Act to grant universal relief to non-parties who are challenging an agency action—a practice that closely resembles universal injunctions.
- Courts have also weaponized Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO), which similarly halt the federal government from implementing laws or policies. TROs are not appealable, meaning district judges can use TROs to avoid appellate review of their decisions. To address this, the bill would make TROs against federal or state governments immediately appealable.
- By limiting the ability of district courts to grant relief to non-parties, the Judicial Relief Clarification Act would restore federal district courts to their constitutional role under Article III of deciding only the cases before them.
Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) also cosponsored the bill.
The full text of the bill is available here.
