WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this op-ed in The Telegraph arguing that the United Kingdom was right to consult the Trump administration before ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the key U.S.-U.K. military base on Deigo Garcia, to Mauritius.
Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
“Sir Keir Starmer appears to have had a change of heart when it comes to working with the Trump administration—and that’s a good thing.
“Just a few weeks ago, the Prime Minister was poised to sign away the fate of a joint U.K.-U.S. military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.
“According to reports, Starmer and members of the outgoing Biden administration wanted to finali[z]e the agreement to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands—including Diego Garcia—to Mauritius before President Trump could take his oath.
“Fortunately, cooler—and perhaps wiser—heads prevailed. Prime Minister Starmer agreed to welcome President Trump to the negotiating table. This is great news. Friends don’t strike deals behind each other’s backs, especially when our shared security is on the line.”
. . .
“The idea that the U.K. must hand over the islands to atone for whatever perceived wrongs Britain’s forefathers may have committed is nonsense. The [United Nations] does not care about what is best for the Chagossian, British or American people. They only care about furthering a misguided anti-Western agenda.
“The U.K. is our ally, and Mauritius is our friend, but this is a matter of national security for the U.S. Anyone who expects the Trump administration to elevate the sensitivities of U.N. militants above the best interests of America and our allies is writing a [check] that can’t be cashed.
“The Chagossian, American and British people would all be safer if this deal with Mauritius found its way into the shredder for good.”
Background
- On Jan. 15, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he wanted President Trump and his administration to weigh in on any deal struck between the U.K. and Mauritius regarding the transfer of the Chagos Islands, including the transfer of the U.S.-U.K. shared military base on the island of Diego Garcia.
- The U.K. had previously announced on Oct. 3, 2024, that it had reached a deal with Mauritius to cede the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. The decision to consider ceding sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius followed a years-long pressure campaign from the United Nations.
- The Biden administration had reportedly pressured the U.K. to enter the deal with Mauritius before the American and Mauritian elections took place—an idea Starmer initially endorsed.
- On Oct. 23, 2024, Kennedy wrote to then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking answers about the Biden administration’s involvement in the deal between the U.K. and Mauritius.
- Kennedy also penned this op-ed in Oct. arguing that the Biden administration owes the American people an explanation for its decision to allow this deal between the U.K. and Mauritius to move forward.
- Former Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), President Trump’s nominee for National Security Advisor, has criticized the deal, saying, “Should the U.K. cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum.”
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio has similarly condemned the deal and said it “poses a serious threat to our national security interests in the Indian Ocean and threatens critical U.S. military posture in the region.”
Read Kennedy’s full op-ed here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $75,123,091 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for flood mitigation, debris removal and permanent repair projects.
“Hurricanes Ida and Laura devastated south Louisiana. This $75.1 million will help our communities rebuild and prepare for future storms by supporting flood mitigation, debris removal and permanent repair projects,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $23,362,422 to the Washington-St. Tammany Electric Cooperative for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $19,913,860 to the Terrebonne Parish School Board for permanent repairs as a direct result of Hurricane Ida.
- $7,330,271 to Terrebonne Parish for debris removal operations as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $4,844,147 to the Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lake Charles for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $4,397,467 to the Grand Isle Independent Levee District for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $2,715,104 to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office for emergency protective measures as a direct result of Hurricane Laura.
- $1,943,643 to Livingston Parish for management costs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,628,521 to the Grand Isle Independent Levee District for permanent repairs as a direct result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,599,783 to the Office of Risk Management for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,433,322 to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans for permanent repairs as a result Hurricane Ida.
- 1,261,153 to Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative, Inc., for emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $1,247,038 to the Westwego Housing Authority for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,239,840 to Jefferson Parish for emergency protective measures as a direct result Hurricane Ida.
- $1,201,968 to the Louisiana Children's Medical Center DBA LCMC Health (Children's Hospital) for management costs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,004,552 to the Ochsner Clinic Foundation for emergency protective measures as a direct result of Hurricane Ida.
Watch Kennedy’s full message here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today released the following message addressing this year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C., which many Louisianians and Americans attend:
“I want to thank everybody—each and every one of you—who came here to Washington today to celebrate God's greatest gift: life.”
. . .
“Here in the Senate, I've been able to question a number of witnesses and officials who—believe it or not—support abortion up until the moment of birth.”
. . .
“In my judgment, that's just a barbaric position, and I don't think the American people support it.”
. . .
“When radicals push hard for these indefensible positions, we just have to have good people like you to stand up in front of God and country and speak up for innocent life.
“I know it's not easy, but it's the right thing to do, and I thank you for doing it.”
. . .
“[T]his is what I believe: Every life is precious . . . and everybody deserves a shot at life—no matter where they come from.
“I am praying that this year's march is as successful as ever, and that it spreads this message far and wide.”
. . .
“God bless all of you and God bless the mothers and the unborn babies you are working so hard to protect.”
View Kennedy’s full remarks here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in introducing the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act.
The bill would permanently codify the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy (formerly the Mexico City Policy), which forbids the funding of foreign non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortions. The Mexico City Policy was first instituted by Pres. Ronald Reagan and has since been rescinded and reinstated by various presidential administrations. Pres. Donald Trump expanded this policy to close previously existing loopholes and renamed it the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy.
“America shouldn’t fund abortions in foreign countries—no matter which party holds the White House. It’s time for Congress to show some moral clarity on this issue once and for all by passing this bill,” said Kennedy.
“In our quest to build a society where every precious human life is protected, we cannot allow the tax dollars of American families to be used against the most vulnerable people in our country and across the world: the unborn,” said Lee.
Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) cosponsored the legislation.
Text of the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act is available here.
Kennedy, Daines champion bill to stop small business tax hike, protect Tax Cuts and Jobs Act deductions
Jan 23 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) in introducing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act to make permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 199A deductions for small businesses.
“More than 230,000 small businesses in Louisiana will face tax hikes if the deductions we passed in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expire. The Main Street Tax Certainty Act will help make sure that the backbone of America’s economy continues to provide good-paying jobs to our communities,” said Kennedy.
“As the son of a contractor, I’ve seen firsthand the hard work it takes to keep a small business flourishing—especially as Americans are still grappling with the effects of Joe Biden’s inflation. It’s absolutely crucial that we pass this legislation to prevent a 20 percent tax increase for hardworking Montanans and I’ll keep fighting for ways to support Montana small businesses, which provide the majority of jobs in our state,” said Daines.
In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law. The law, under section 199A, provides a special tax deduction for millions of America’s small businesses. The 199A deductions are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025 unless Congress acts.
Most businesses in the U.S. are considered "pass-through," which means their income flows through the business onto the owners or members. These profits are taxed as individual income rather than at the corporate rate. The Main Street Tax Certainty Act would permanently provide a 20% tax deduction for pass-through businesses, including sole-proprietorships, S-Corporations, partnerships and limited liability corporations.
Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) also cosponsored the legislation.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
Kennedy, Wicker introduce bill to ban taxpayer funding for abortions, codify Hyde amendment
Jan 23 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and colleagues in reintroducing the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. The bill would permanently stop the flow of federal funding for abortion by establishing a single, government-wide standard that bars federal tax dollars from financing abortions.
“Big government is funneling Americans’ hard-earned money to the radical abortion agenda. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act would take federal dollars out of abortion procedures, respect taxpayers and help protect more unborn children,” said Kennedy.
“Millions of Americans share my belief that unborn life should be protected in the womb. Using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions is wrong. My Senate Republican colleagues and I will continue fighting to preserve life,” said Wicker.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act in the House of Representatives.
For decades, a haphazard set of policies like the Hyde Amendment have regulated federal funding for abortion. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act would permanently restrict federal funding for elective abortion and elective abortion coverage. The bill would also clarify that federal health insurance plans that cover abortion services are not eligible for subsidies or inclusion on the Affordable Care Act exchange.
Full text of the bill is here.
Kennedy introduces bill to crack down on rogue prosecutors who refuse to keep Americans safe
Jan 23 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act, which would require district attorneys (DAs) in many large jurisdictions to annually report information on their handling of certain serious crimes to the U.S. Attorney General. Under the bill, DA’s offices that do not report this data risk losing priority funding for their districts.
The bill would specifically require DAs in jurisdictions with more than 360,000 people to submit an annual report disclosing data on, among other things, the number of cases referred to them for crimes including murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault and burglary, and the number of these cases that the DA’s office dropped.
“American families deserve good prosecutors to keep them safe by enforcing the law, but too many district attorneys cater to far-left activists. The Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act would hold rogue prosecutors accountable for refusing to punish criminals and protect innocent Americans,” said Kennedy.
The bill would help correct a nationwide trend of DAs who decline to prosecute serious crimes. In recent years, a multimillion-dollar project has worked to hamstring effective policing in major cities by empowering soft-on-crime prosecutors.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) cosponsored the bill.
“With crime on the rise in Democrat-led cities across the nation, it is imperative that these Soros-backed prosecutors work, do their jobs and get these violent offenders off our streets, instead of allowing career criminals to run rampant in our community. Catch-and-release is enough of a disaster on the Texas-Mexico border. The last thing we need is to institute it in our courts. I’m proud to stand with Sen. Kennedy and our colleagues to demand transparency about this abdication of professional responsibility,” said Cruz.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Over the last few years, we've seen a disturbing trend in big-city district attorneys working to keep dangerous criminals on our streets rather than behind bars. Look no further than my city of New York where Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg released a 'Day One' memo initially directing his staff to not prosecute certain crimes, downgrade other felony charges filed by police, and no longer seek sentences of life without parole. The same type of woke policies have been enacted by progressive DAs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, and voters have had enough. With prosecutors refusing to prosecute and governors only enabling their leniency, Congress has a responsibility to step in and arm the public with the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box,” said Malliotakis.
The bill’s text is available here.
Kennedy first introduced the bill in the 118th Congress in Feb. 2024.
Kennedy: US should not bow to UN plan to turn over key military base to country with ties to China
Jan 22 2025
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) explained the danger of a possible deal the United Kingdom (U.K.) has been making to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which is vulnerable to Beijing’s influence. Diego Garcia, one of the Chagos Islands, is home to a key joint U.S.-U.K. military base.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“This is our military base. If we give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius—Mauritius says they'll lease us our own base for about [£90 million per year]—already China is circling Mauritius. Already, China is trying to be Mauritius’s best friend.”
. . .
“I don't have anything against the government of Mauritius. They're wonderful people. I understand they want the money. They want our money. They want your money. They want us to pay them for our own military base. We need to stop this deal.”
. . .
“It is bone-deep, down-to-the-marrow stupid for us—because of guilt over colonialism—to bow to the wishes of the United Nations and give a military base that we built to Mauritius, which eventually will end up in the hands of the Communist Party of China.”
Background
- On Jan. 15, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he would allow President Trump and his administration to weigh in on any deal struck between the U.K. and Mauritius regarding the transfer of the Chagos Islands, including the transfer of the U.S.-U.K. shared military base on the island of Diego Garcia.
- The U.K. had previously announced on Oct. 3, 2024, that it had reached a deal with Mauritius to cede the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. The decision to consider ceding sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius followed a years-long pressure campaign from the United Nations.
- The Biden administration had reportedly pressured the U.K. to enter the deal with Mauritius before the American and Mauritian elections took place—an idea Starmer initially endorsed.
- On Oct. 23, 2024, Kennedy wrote to then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking answers about the Biden administration’s involvement in the deal between the U.K. and Mauritius.
- Kennedy also penned this op-ed in Oct. arguing that the Biden administration owes the American people an explanation for its decision to allow this deal between the U.K. and Mauritius to move forward.
- Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), President Trump’s nominee for National Security Advisor, has criticized the deal, saying, “Should the U.K. cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum.”
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio similarly condemned the deal and said it “poses a serious threat to our national security interests in the Indian Ocean and threatens critical U.S. military posture in the region.”
Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in introducing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
Current law makes it illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections, but it does not require states to verify that every person has U.S. citizenship before he or she registers to vote.
The SAVE Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act to clarify that every state must require proof of citizenship (e.g., a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or U.S. passport) when it registers individuals to vote in federal elections.
“Americans know that U.S. citizenship is sacred and that foreign nationals shouldn’t get to vote in our elections any more than Americans should be able to vote in French or Nigerian elections. The SAVE Act would make sure that people who aren’t even citizens don’t cancel out Louisianians’ or other Americans’ voices at the ballot box,” said Kennedy.
Since the 2020 presidential election, illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. have increased, making it even more necessary to make sure that every person voting in American elections has proven that he or she is a U.S. citizen.
The SAVE Act would also:
- Require states to establish a process to remove foreign nationals from existing voter rolls.
- Increase federal penalties for individuals who register foreign nationals to vote in federal elections.
- Establish acceptable ways for individuals to prove their U.S. citizenship and require states to establish their own processes of demonstrating that citizenship when a person does not have legal documentation.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $13,488,383 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to elevate flood-prone structures and purchase and install generators in Louisiana.
“Louisianians are working hard to ready our state for future storms. This $13.5 million will help elevate flood-prone structures and supply generators for our communities,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $3,783,382 to Jefferson Parish for the elevation of 22 flood-prone residential structures.
- $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 Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the purchase and installation of 52 generators.
- $1,620,675 to Jefferson Parish for the elevation of 11 flood-prone residential structures.
- $1,024,937 to Plaquemines Parish for the purchase and installation of a stormwater pump station backup generator.
- $209,704 to Jefferson Parish for management costs associated the elevation of 22 structures.
- $120,285 to East Feliciana Parish for management costs.
- $114,706 to Grant Parish for management costs associated with parish outreach.
- $90,002 to Jefferson Parish for management costs associated the elevation of 11 structures.
- $56,941 to Plaquemines Parish for management costs associated with generator purchase and installation.
