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.
Kennedy demands answers about National Center for Medical Intelligence’s Covid-19 origin investigation
Jan 06 2025
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) wrote the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Inspector General Jeremy Kirkland regarding the results of the National Center for Medical Intelligence’s (NCMI) study into the origins of Covid-19. The senator is seeking answers about whether or not the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) determined that the NCMI appropriately included the results of its study in briefings to the president and policy makers.
“In May of 2020 NCMI’s research into Covid-19’s origins was outlined in a working paper from NCMI scientists Commander Jean-Paul Chretien and Dr. Greg Cutlip. This working paper concluded that there was insufficient evidence to discount Covid-19’s creation in a laboratory,” Kennedy wrote.
“However, recent reporting has stated that NCMI’s research was not included in reports given to President Biden. The same reporting stated that Inspector General’s office opened an inquiry to determine whether NCMI’s conclusion was mishandled or suppressed. The results of this inquiry have not been made public,” he continued.
“Given the pandemic’s implications for public health, national security, and global stability[,] it is imperative to ensure all pertinent intelligence was accurately conveyed to senior policy makers. This OIG inquiry is critical in making this determination,” the senator concluded.
Kennedy asked the OIG to provide answers about whether the office completed its inquiry into the NCMI’s handling of the study, and if results from any of NCMI’s studies—or any other report that concluded that Covid-19 was manipulated in a laboratory—was mishandled or suppressed in reports to President Biden or other policy makers.
The full letter is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $19,236,232 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Ida struck southeast Louisiana hard, leaving communities in Terrebonne and St. James Parishes devastated. This $19.2 million will help cover important levee and housing repairs for our state,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $17,992,498 to the Terrebonne Parish and Conservation District for levee repairs resulting from Hurricane Ida.
- $1,243,734 to the St. James Parish Housing Authority for housing building repairs resulting from Hurricane Ida.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Reps. Steve Scalise (R-La.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Julia Letlow (R-La.) and Troy Carter (D-La.) in urging President Biden to expedite Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s request for an emergency declaration in order to swiftly provide assistance to local businesses and federal support to the state.
“We respectfully request expedited approval of Governor Jeff Landry’s request for an emergency declaration for the State of Louisiana under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act,” the lawmakers wrote.
“This terrorist attack caused significant harm to our visitors and residents, disrupted essential services, and overwhelmed local and state resources. The attack occurred while the city was hosting and preparing for several large-scale events, including the Sugar Bowl and related events during the week of New Year’s Day, as well as Super Bowl LIX and the annual Carnival season in the coming weeks,” they continued.
The delegation explained that the attack resulted in the deaths of at least 14 victims, numerous injuries and damage to public and private property. The attack also affected key infrastructure, including major transportation routes and emergency services in the downtown area of New Orleans.
In addition, the lawmakers wrote a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman to request disaster loans for New Orleans’ small businesses.
“SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans would provide these businesses with much-needed financial relief, enabling them to cover operating expenses, repair damages, and stabilize their operations during this difficult time. These loans are critical to preserving an economic lifeline in New Orleans. We urge the SBA to swiftly grant this declaration and extend support to French Quarter and downtown New Orleans businesses,” the lawmakers said.
The full letter requesting an emergency declaration is here.
The full letter to the Small Business Administration is here.
View Kennedy’s full remarks here.
NEW ORLEANS – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) made the following statements surrounding the attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans today:
“For those people who don't believe in objective evil, all you have to do is look at what happened in our city early this morning.”
“I'm here because these are my people. I'm here because these are my people's friends. I'm here because there are a lot of Louisianians that are scared tonight. I don't want them to be. There's a lot of information going around. Some of it is actually true. Some of it isn't.
“The federal government is now in charge of this investigation. By that, I mean the White House, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. . . . I did talk to the Secretary of Homeland Security a little while ago, and I told him that—with all the respect I could muster—that we expect to put the full force and resources of the federal government behind this investigation.”
“Here's what I want to ask from the federal government: Catch these people. Catch these people, and then tell the American people the truth. . . . After we get to the bottom of this, they need to tell the American people the truth, and the people of New Orleans the truth, and the people of America the truth.”
View Kennedy’s full remarks here.
