Kennedy announces $6.9 million in hurricane aid for Jefferson Davis, Lafourche, New Orleans’ Temple Sinai
Feb 23 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $6,859,941 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Laura hit southwest Louisiana, and Hurricane Ida struck southeast, leaving damage to communities in their paths. I’m grateful for this $6.9 million, which will help Louisianians recover from the tough storms,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $4,454,498 to Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative, Inc. for the permanent restoration of their north power distribution system as a direct result of Hurricane Laura.
- $1,253,139 to New Orleans’ Congregation Temple Sinai for permanent restoration required as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,152,304 to Lafourche Parish for costs incurred to initiate repairs to damaged facilities within the parish as a result of Hurricane Ida.
Kennedy, Cotton challenge Biden admin’s plan to collect American investors’ personal data with amicus brief
Feb 23 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking and Judiciary Committees, joined Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and 20 other colleagues in filing an amicus brief in American Securities Association v. SEC, a case in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT).
The SEC’s CAT will collect all customer and order information for equity securities and listed options, including data that might be considered personally identifiable information.
Congress did not authorize the CAT, which leaves investors to pay higher costs for the program while it puts personal information, such as social security numbers and birth dates, at risk of being hacked.
“More than 158 million Americans invest their hard-earned savings in the stock market, and they trust that their personal information is secure. Despite concerns about recent cyberattacks at federal agencies, the Biden administration is moving forward with its Consolidated Audit Trail—without Congressional authorization. This unconstitutional plan jeopardizes investors’ data and requires them to pay higher fees. The appeals court should stop it before bad actors exploit the CAT to take advantage of Americans,” said Kennedy.
“The SEC never brought this proposal before Congress to request funds because the Biden administration knows the program is a gross overreach that would suck up the personal data of millions of law-abiding Americans. More than that, the SEC has shown it is incapable of safely storing sensitive data. This program needs to be killed before it begins,” said Cotton.
Background:
- In Nov. 2023, Kennedy penned an op-ed highlighting concerns regarding the SEC’s move to store investors’ personally identifiable information through the CAT.
- In July 2023, Kennedy introduced the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act to protect information that could reveal the identity of American investors.
Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) signed the brief along with 12 members of the House of Representatives.
The amicus brief is available here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $14,389,328 in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for New Orleans’ Mirabeau Garden Stormwater Project.
“New Orleans has suffered from a great deal of flooding over the years. I’m grateful to see this $14.4 million help the city with projects that will protect Louisianians’ homes and businesses from damage,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $14,389,328 for the construction of the Mirabeau Garden Stormwater Management Project, including two water retention basins to reduce the load on New Orleans drainage pump stations.
Kennedy announces $22 million in disaster aid for Louisiana for Hurricanes Ida, Laura, severe storms
Feb 20 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $21,779,075 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricanes Ida and Laura and severe winter storms have left parishes throughout our state with damage. I’m grateful for this $22 million, which will help Louisianians rebuild and recover,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $12,849,079 to Jefferson Parish for emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $2,213,580 to the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District for permanent work to the Petit Caillou Floodgate due to Hurricane Ida.
- $2,203,375 to Jefferson Parish for emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,744,603 to Beauregard Parish for the temporary relocation of prisoners as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $1,674,086 to the Office of Risk Management for statewide building repairs as a result of severe winter storms.
- $1,094,352 to the Calcasieu Parish School Board for damages to the College Oaks Elementary School as a result of Hurricane Laura.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has supported the End Iranian Terrorism (End IT) Act, which would require President Joe Biden to enforce sanctions on Iranian oil.
On Jan. 28, Iran-backed forces killed three U.S. military members in a drone strike in Jordan while affiliated terrorist groups continue to target U.S. bases across the Middle East.
“Iran financially supports the terrorist organizations responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and the deaths of three American service members in Jordan with the money it’s making off selling oil to China. The End IT Act would make President Biden enforce the sanctions that already exist on Iranian petroleum products so that the U.S. can help prevent Tehran from funding more militias dedicated to terrorizing America and our allies,” said Kennedy.
The End IT Act would require:
- The president to impose sanctions on entities violating U.S. sanctions on Iranian petroleum.
- An evaluation of the Chinese government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ involvement in smuggling Iranian petroleum into China.
- An assessment of the impact that Iranian petroleum has on global energy markets.
- A plan for monitoring Iranian petroleum smuggling maritime routes, identifying smugglers and seizing and prosecuting assets used to violate U.S. sanctions.
Sens. James Risch (R-Idaho) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced the bill.
“Since 2021, the Biden Administration’s Iran policy has been characterized by lax sanctions enforcement, the dangerous unfreezing of funds, and the pursuit of a nuclear deal at any cost. In the wake of Hamas’ brutal attacks against Israel, the Biden Administration must change course. Iran has earned a shocking $80B in oil revenue since 2021—mostly from Chinese purchases of Iranian oil. Iran has used these resources to supercharge its terrorist proxies across the Middle East, including Hamas. This legislation rightfully directs the Biden Administration to enforce Iran oil sanctions already on the books and to start taking concrete action to starve the regime of resources,” said Risch.
“The United States should not take China’s evasion of Iranian-related sanctions lightly. Doing so will only increase the chances that we see a repetition of the horrific attacks of October 7. Enacting this legislation would bolster deterrence and further strategize ways in which these sanctions are enforced,” said Rubio.
Full text of the End Iranian Terrorism Act is available here.
Kennedy announces $17 million in Hurricane Ida, severe storm aid for New Orleans, Sabine River Authority
Feb 13 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $17,041,368 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“I’m grateful for this $17 million, which will help Louisianians in New Orleans rebuild after Hurricane Ida and folks surrounding the Sabine River recover from severe flooding,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $14,004,937 to the city of New Orleans for permanent repairs to the Municipal Traffic and Courts Building as a direct result of Hurricane Ida.
- $3,036,431 to the Sabine River Authority for damages as a result of severe storms and flooding.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,261,760 in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Ida struck New Orleans and left many buildings with damage. I’m thankful to see that this $1.2 million will help the St. Joan of Arc School recover from the storm,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $1,261,760 to the Archdiocese of New Orleans for emergency protective measures conducted at the St. Joan of Arc School as a result of Hurricane Ida.
To view Kennedy’s full remarks click here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), the ranking member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee on Appropriations, today condemned the Biden administration’s moratorium on permitting for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports.
Remarks from Kennedy are below.
“When I first heard about President Biden’s moratorium on new liquefied natural gas export terminals, two words came to my mind: energy suicide. With his moratorium, President Biden is trying to commit energy suicide for America and for the West.
“I think we’ve known for some time that on too many occasions, with respect to too many issues, President Biden has been a sock puppet for a faction of neo-socialist Americans who think our country was wicked when it was founded and that it’s even more wicked today.
“This faction, aided by President Biden, thinks that our country should be torn down and rebuilt by them, of course, and now, with the assistance of the president, they have turned their sights to America’s hard-earned—hard-earned—energy independence.
“With this moratorium, it is clear to me more than it’s ever been, that President Biden’s new energy policy is as follows: Instead of America using its own oil and gas, we should buy our energy from countries that hate us, so those countries that hate us will have more money to buy weapons to try to kill us.
“This new moratorium is going to hurt our economy, it’s going to hurt the American people, and it’s going to hurt our friends, particularly in Europe.
“Stupidity should hurt more. I’ve watched President Biden do a lot of foolish things, but it’s clear to me with this decision that it’s getting worse. President Biden—he’s worse than he used to be, and he wasn’t great then.”
Background:
- On Jan. 30, Kennedy penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed vowing to block President Biden’s nominees to the State Department and the Department of Energy until the administration stops its hostility towards LNG production.
- On Jan. 30, Kennedy and colleagues urged the administration to reverse its decision to pause permitting for LNG export facilities in the U.S., citing a threat to the industry. Louisiana's Calcasieu Pass 2 project is among the 17 proposed LNG terminals Biden's decision froze.
- On Jan. 18, prior to the Biden administration's decision to halt permitting for LNG export facilities, Kennedy warned DOE Secretary Jennifer Graham about the administration’s burdensome permitting process.
- In April 2021, Kennedy wrote an op-ed outlining how Louisiana’s energy production could help meet the world’s demand for LNG.
Kennedy’s full remarks are available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act to establish a grant program at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies solve more crimes and improve clearance rates for homicides and firearm related violent crimes.
“As crime rises in the U.S., many cases go unsolved. This is true for Louisiana’s small towns and large cities alike, where local law enforcement has to do more with less. The VICTIM Act would provide law enforcement with key financial and technical support to help bring violent criminals to justice and give victims closure,” said Kennedy.
“Far too many murders in our country go unsolved, leaving families and communities shattered and without answers. This lack of justice is unacceptable, and we can and must do more. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will provide law enforcement agencies with the appropriate training and resources to deliver justice to more grieving families, promote community safety, and assist victims in healing after unimaginable tragedy,” said Booker.
Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) cosponsored the legislation. Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Gun violence and violent crime must be addressed with a holistic approach. This bipartisan, bicameral bill will help ensure our law enforcement agencies have the resources needed to keep our communities safe, while also supporting victims and families who are rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of violent crime,” said Durbin.
“Far too many homicide cases go unsolved, leaving families of victims without answers or justice. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to provide the necessary resources to state and local law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of unsolved homicide cases and make our communities safer,” said Tillis.
The Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), the Niskanen Center and Arnold Ventures support the bill.
“Homicide cases can be very difficult to clear—and violent firearms-related cases can be even more so. Closing these types of crimes requires diligence, manpower, and a sustained investigative effort. Given the limited resources of law enforcement agencies, it’s important to provide the significant, dedicated resources that clearing these crimes requires, especially given their oftentimes heinous nature. The resources the VICTIM Act would provide would improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to punish the perpetrators of these crimes, provide justice for the victims and their families, and grant peace of mind for communities and the dedicated law enforcement officers that serve them. When we can clear more crimes like these, our communities are safer places to live and work,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.
“A high clearance rate is something every law enforcement agency strives to achieve. Recognizing the challenges our profession faces such as understaffing and technological advancements, the Major Cities Chiefs Association was proud to work collaboratively with Senators Booker and Kennedy to produce a bipartisan bill that will assist local law enforcement agencies augment, implement and administer programs and technologies to increase clearance rates for homicides and firearm related violent crimes,” said Chief Eddie Garcia, MCCA President.
“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) is proud to support the VICTIM Act and thanks Senators Booker and Kennedy for their leadership on this important legislation, which will provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools and resources to investigate and solve violent crimes. The new resources this legislation would provide will assist agencies across the country with hiring and training investigative personnel while acquiring necessary investigative technology and forensic equipment to keep our communities safe. We stand ready to support all efforts to advance this important bill,” said Megan Noland, MCSA Executive Director.
“Building capacity across state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate violent crime is an important priority. The Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA) appreciates Senators Kennedy and Booker for introducing the VICTIM Act, which would provide new resources to help agencies strengthen their abilities to efficiently, fairly, and accurately analyze forensic evidence, investigate, and solve violent crimes,” said Drew Evans, ASCIA President.
“There is no more urgent issue than ensuring violent criminals are brought to justice and that homicides are solved. We’re grateful for Senator Kennedy's leadership in sponsoring this important legislation,” said Greg Newburn, director of Criminal Justice at the Niskanen Center.
The VICTIM Act would help local law enforcement:
- Train detectives and police personnel to investigate, solve and respond to homicides and non-fatal shootings.
- Hire additional detectives and investigative personnel.
- Invest in technology needed for solving crimes.
- Train police personnel to address the needs of victims and family members of homicides and firearm related violent crimes.
- Provide victims and family members with mental health resources and assistance with shelter, wage and relocation costs.
The bill would require those who receive VICTIM Act grants to report their use of the money to the DOJ. DOJ would collect and provide that information to Congress.
The full text of the VICTIM Act is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) in introducing the Simplifying Subcontracting Act to clarify federal contracts so that businesses can easily pursue federal subcontracts.
“Small businesses benefit from federal contracts, but, when the government uses confusing words, it discourages small businesses from applying for them. The Simplifying Subcontracting Act would make federal contracts use clear language so that more businesses can take advantage of contracting opportunities,” said Kennedy.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, yet many are left out when it comes to federal government subcontracting due to excessively complicated language. Congress can easily fix this with the Simplifying Subcontracting Act. My legislation would require the federal government to communicate in plain language, not bureaucrat, in order to open the door for more small businesses to compete for these contracts,” said Risch.
The Simplifying Subcontracting Act would:
- Simplify federal contracts.
- Require prime contractors to write applications in plain, clear language.
- Remedy the government’s use of overly technical language that many find difficult to understand.
Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) also cosponsored the bill.
Full text of the Simplifying Subcontracting Act is available here.
