MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and 46 other colleagues in urging the Biden-Harris administration not to delay weapons aid to Israel. 

“This weekend, Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel, murdering 12 children and injuring dozens in the single deadliest attack on that part of the country since October 7. The ultimate responsibility for this attack rests with Hezbollah and the ayatollahs in Iran. However, while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it, your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened,” the senators wrote. 

“We write once again to protest your administration’s partial arms embargo against Israel. The actions of the Biden-Harris administration run counter to our long history of robust military cooperation with Israel and cast doubt upon the reliability of the United States as a long-term security partner. Your actions also violate the will of Congress as expressed in the recent supplemental that funded emergency military support to Israel,” they continued.

“When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries . . . All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. . . . While your administration delays, Hamas continues to wage war against Israel, the Houthis continue to attack in the Red Sea, and Hezbollah continues its onslaught in northern Israel,” the senators wrote.

Background: 

• In July, Kennedy issued a statement upon attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.

• Kennedy helped introduce the Israel Security Assistance Support Act to condemn the Biden-Harris administration’s pause on arms transfers to Israel and require the administration to reverse its pause.

• In May, Kennedy helped introduced a resolution condemning the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to halt shipment of American-made ammunition and weapons to Israel. 

• In May, Kennedy also helped introduce a bipartisan resolution to reject the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. 

• In Dec. 2023, Kennedy spoke on the Senate floor, urging the Biden-Harris administration to continue to support Israel until it succeeds in destroying Hamas.

The full letter is available here.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $4,574,736 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.

“Louisianians in New Orleans and Calcasieu Parish are no stranger to inclement weather. This $4.6 million will help Bayou St. John reduce flooding, the University of New Orleans retrofit their facility and Calcasieu Parish with purchasing critical emergency generators,” said Kennedy.

The FEMA aid will fund the following:

• $1,649,232 to the city of New Orleans for the Stormwater Drainage Project to reduce flooding in the Bayou St. John neighborhood during rain, flooding and extreme weather events.

• $1,151,530 to the Office of Risk Management for the University of New Orleans’ proposal to wind retrofit the existing windows, overhead doors, roofing and to add hurricane straps to rooftop mechanical equipment for protection during high wind events. 

• $1,620,000 to Calcasieu Parish for emergency critical facility generators at the Calcasieu Parish Public Works East Building and the Calcasieu Parish Magnolia Building.

• $90,000 for management costs associated with the Calcasieu Parish emergency critical generators project. 

• $63,974 to the Office of Risk Management for costs associated with the University of New Orleans’ wind retrofitting proposal.

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Small Business Committee, joined Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in introducing the Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act. 

The legislation would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate an Assistant Administrator for its Office of Rural Affairs and codify cooperative efforts between the SBA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve support for rural small businesses.

“Louisiana’s small businesses provide good paying jobs to folks throughout our state and support local economic growth. I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan bill alongside Sen. Shaheen to continue our investments in rural America,” said Kennedy.

“Rural small business owners rely on the SBA and USDA for critical resources to run and grow their businesses. This bipartisan legislation strengthens existing programs and ensures dedicated attention to the needs of rural small business owners. In New Hampshire, our rural small businesses often overcome incredible challenges in order to grow and create jobs. I am proud to work across the aisle and take another step forward to help rural small businesses prosper,” said Shaheen.

The Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act would direct SBA and USDA to convene working groups to:

• Identify synergies among the two agencies’ loan programs, including both large programs like 7(a) and smaller microloan programs.

• Assess where SBA and USDA can coordinate in delivering resources through lenders, resource partners like Small Business Development Centers and others.

• Coordinate SBA’s Small Business Investment Company program and USDA’s Rural Business Investment Company program.

• Share best practices among the two agencies, rural economic development groups and others, and evaluate how cooperatives can access SBA programs.

• Collaborate on technical assistance with procurement, exporting and innovation.

The bill text is available here. 

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Extension Act of 2024 to prevent the NFIP from expiring on September 30, 2024.

The legislation would extend the NFIP for one year, until September 30, 2025.

“With disastrous storms like Ida, Laura and Katrina burned in our state’s memory, Louisianians know the need for the NFIP better than anyone. I’m introducing the NFIP Extension Act of 2024 to make sure Louisiana homeowners can rely on this program throughout hurricane season,” said Kennedy.

Of the 5 million Americans nationwide who rely on the NFIP, roughly 500,000 are Louisianians who need the program to protect their businesses and homes. 

Text of the NFIP Extension Act of 2024 is available here.