Kennedy statement on marriage legislation
Nov 17 2022
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 8404.
“Gay marriage is legal in the U.S. as a result of the Obergefell decision. There is no indication whatsoever that the U.S. Supreme Court is going to overrule that case. So, what is the purpose of this legislation? It is a ‘solution’ in search of a problem—a problem that doesn’t exist.
“Passing this bill would allow the president, through an executive order, to use this act to do things that Congress never intended—which President Biden has done before.
“Additionally, an activist federal judge who does not respect the separation of powers could easily do the same thing. Those are real dangers in passing this legislation.”
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today applauded the Senate’s passing of the PROTECT our Children Act, which he cosponsored.
The legislation reauthorizes funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, which prosecutes child exploitation that happens online.
“Internet predators victimize children too often, and there’s more we can do to keep them safe. The PROTECT our Children Act would help law enforcement prosecute these criminals and prevent future crime, and I hope the House sends it to the president’s desk immediately,” said Kennedy.
“By providing the resources, officers, and technology law enforcement agencies need to counter the threat of cyber-crimes, we can build more barriers between predators and the victims they target. I applaud my colleagues for reauthorizing this task force that prevents the perpetrators of these heinous crimes from committing future abuse, and I urge the House to pass this legislation as soon as possible,” said the bill’s sponsor,Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) also cosponsored the bill.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $8,849,686 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricanes Laura and Ida devastated our state, and I’m glad to see this $8.8 million supporting recovery efforts in Cameron, Calcasieu and St. Tammany Parishes,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $1,283,882 to West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Laura.
- $4,128,263 to Jefferson Davis Electric Co-Op Inc. for electric distribution repairs related to Hurricane Laura.
- $2,314,015 to the Calcasieu Parish School Board related to Hurricane Laura.
- $1,123,526 to the city of Slidell for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Ida.
Kennedy announces $842 million in disaster housing relief for Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, state of La.
Nov 01 2022
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $841,582,000 in disaster relief aid from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing needs related to natural disasters that occurred in 2021.
“Last year, our communities faced devastating blows from Hurricane Ida, the severe winter storms and flooding. This $842 million is a big help to Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and many towns throughout our state that are still recovering from the damage,” said Kennedy.
The HUD aid will go towards the following:
- $831,502,000 to the state of Louisiana.
- $7,042,000 to Lake Charles, La.
- $3,038,000 to Baton Rouge, La.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $53,677,647 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“I’m grateful this $53.7 million will support efforts in Calcasieu, Terrebonne and other parishes to rebuild from Hurricanes Laura and Ida,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $21,868,472 to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for debris removal related to Hurricane Laura.
- $16,024,018 to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Laura.
- $14,783,148 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for Public Assistance Alternate Procedures for debris removal related to Hurricane Ida.
- $1,002,009 to the Terrebonne Parish School Board for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Ida.
Kennedy delivers thousands of casework wins, over $37 million in awards for Louisiana constituents
Oct 26 2022
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today announced 4,134 casework wins and more than $37,094,801 awarded to constituents during his first term in the U.S. Senate.
Each day, team members in Kennedy’s nine state offices field calls from constituents requesting the senator’s help to resolve challenges with federal government agencies.
“Whether it’s advocating with the Agriculture Department to help farmers recover from natural disasters or working with Veterans Affairs to ensure health care access for veterans, Louisianians are always my top priority. Louisianians put in the work to make our state succeed every day, and it’s a privilege to defend our people against Washington bureaucracy,” said Kennedy.
The dollar amounts Kennedy helps secure for constituents commonly come in the form of reimbursements from the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, Veteran Affairs, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Small Business Administration and the Department of Agriculture. Awards may also include loans that the federal government grants or fees it covers.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $169,155,732 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“This $169 million supports local efforts to clear debris, repair infrastructure and recover from other hurricane damage that too many Louisianians have been suffering through,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $142,490,758 to Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative Inc. for restoring damaged infrastructure related to Hurricane Laura.
- $18,857,855 to Terrebonne Parish School Board for emergency protective measures it took related to Hurricane Ida.
- $5,312,236 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for debris removal related to Hurricane Ida.
- $2,494,883 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for right-of-way debris removal it conducted in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
Kennedy announces $72 million in disaster relief for Hurricanes Ida, Laura and severe storms
Oct 20 2022
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $72,247,918 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants in disaster aid for Louisiana.
“Hurricanes Ida and Laura hammered our state, and I’m glad to see this $72 million help our state recover from the damages,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $6,354,050 to the Housing Authority of New Orleans for an improved project as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
- $10,127,216 to the Office of Risk Management for building repairs as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $11,117,120 to Office of Risk Management for facility repairs a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $1,137,603 to Office of Risk Management for permanent restoration to 21 buildings on the LSU Alexandria campus and one (1) vehicle as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $6,299,942 to Jefferson Davis Electric Co-op Inc. for electric distribution repairs as a result Hurricane Laura.
- $2,890,996 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for Public Assistance Alternate Procedures Debris Removal operations as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $1,646,686 to Ascension Parish for emergency protective measures as a result of severe storm, tornadoes, and flooding.
- $5,678,971 to Terrebonne Parish School Board for emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,422,321 in federal funding to Children’s Hospital for emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $25,573,013 to Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for Emergency Protective Measures as a result of Hurricane Ida.
NEW ORLEANS – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) spoke with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) at its annual conference about representing the state’s interests as a member of the Senate Appropriations, Small Business, Budget, Banking and Judiciary Committees.
“I am grateful almost beyond words for the jobs you create for Louisiana,” the senator began.
“I believe, as many of you do, that if you work hard and earned it, you ought to keep most of it—because you earned it,” he continued.
Kennedy discussed his efforts as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure federal funding for the state.
“As the member of the Appropriations Committee, we appropriated $3.5 billion to Louisiana in the last five years for roads and bridges. That does not include money from the so-called infrastructure bill, which I voted against because I was not going to borrow money on your behalf to buy a car to get the cupholders,” Kennedy said.
“We’ve appropriated, also, $5 billion to Louisiana for relief for the natural disasters that have hit our state.”
The senator also discussed the impact that record-high inflation has had on Louisianians, saying, “Inflation is gutting the American people like a fish—and it was made in Washington.”
“Now, I love this country, and I know you do, too. And I love this state, and I know you do, too. And I think they’re both worth fighting for,” Kennedy concluded.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced a $7,348,164 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to help Louisiana recover from Hurricane Laura.
“Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters, and Hurricane Laura hit our state’s communities incredibly hard. This $7.3 million will help us continue to recover from Laura’s historic damage,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $7,348,164 to the state of Louisiana to reimburse disaster management activities related to Hurricane Laura.
