ZACHARY, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke with constituents at the Zachary Rotary Club about the state of the economy under the Biden-Harris administration and funding victories that he has helped secure for Louisiana.
“Louisianans get up every day and work hard, but thanks to the Biden-Harris administration’s inflation, the American dream is becoming impossible for families to achieve. Our people deserve better than that,” said Kennedy.
On average, inflation has cost Louisiana households $23,954 since 2021, and prices for all consumer goods are now 21% higher in Louisiana than when the Biden-Harris administration took over.
Kennedy in the Ouachita Citizen: Failed Biden-Harris border policies leave Louisiana less safe
Aug 28 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today penned this op-ed in the Ouachita Citizen arguing that the failed border policies of the Biden-Harris administration have left Louisianians less safe. Kennedy detailed several examples of crime in Louisiana that could have been prevented by a secure border.
Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
“Some of the most violent gangs in the world are looking for new turf, and the Biden-Harris administration’s open border policies have made the United States a destination.
“All over the country, law enforcement officers are responding to crimes committed by members of foreign criminal organizations such as El Salvador’s MS-13 and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gangs. These men are the worst of the worst, and some have already begun to appear in Louisiana.”
. . .
“From day one, President Biden and his border czar Kamala Harris have embraced the radical policies of the loon wing of their party, and they rolled out the welcome mat for more than 10 million unvetted foreign nationals to enter the United States.
“They promised to give health care coverage to illegal immigrants during their campaigns. They made illegal immigration easier with nearly 300 executive orders during their first year in office. They ended Title 42. They destroyed the Remain in Mexico policy. They disparaged our border patrol officers. They gave migrants phones, flights and hotel rooms. I could go on.
“Someone writing a how-to guide for illegal immigrant recruitment couldn’t have dreamed up this bad policy playbook.”
. . .
“It’s hard not to conclude that the Biden-Harris administration created this mess intentionally. They opened the border in hopes of getting more votes, and they left Louisianians and Americans to fend for themselves against the most vicious criminals lurking among the masses.
“Louisianians have had enough of the Biden-Harris administration’s border betrayal, and they won’t forget it.”
Read Kennedy’s full op-ed here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced a $14,844,923 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for Louisiana flood risk reduction aid.
“Repeated flooding has left too many southeast Louisiana communities devastated over the years. This project will help prevent floods near Lake Lery and keep Louisianians safe during inclement weather,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $14,844,923 to restore more than 401 acres of marsh and establish a protective rim around the area’s perimeter to reduce flood risk in southeast Louisiana.
Watch Kennedy’s statement here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today issued the following statement on the third anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. The ill-advised withdrawal left 13 American service members dead and countless Americans stranded under Taliban-rule. The Biden-Harris administration’s withdrawal also allowed the Taliban to gain control of more than $7 billion of U.S. military equipment which included Humvees, attack aircraft, drones and small arms.
“It is a sad day for many American veterans and their families. Today marks three years since the Biden-Harris administration's botched withdrawal—botched withdrawal—from Afghanistan. What an embarrassment.
“Thirteen of our bravest men and women died that day—Americans. Several more troops sustained injuries, and the thousands of American veterans who fought so valiantly in Afghanistan had to witness the Biden-Harris administration make a mockery of their hard work by leaving the country in chaos.
“Neither President Biden nor Vice President Harris has ever apologized. Not once. As we reflect on this anniversary, I want to remind the American people and the people of Louisiana that this devastating withdrawal didn't have to happen. It did not have to happen. We didn't need to lose those 13 brave men and women. We didn't need to abandon our military base and give American Black Hawks to the Taliban, who want to kill Americans, who want to hurt us the entire time we're dying and then want to drink our blood out of a boot.
“None of that had to happen. This all happened because of stunning incompetence. . . . [T]his was caused by the stunning incompetence of the Biden-Harris administration, and that's just a fact. President Biden and Vice President Harris ignored every single warning from their top generals, and they announced to the world that we'd be out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11th.
“They knew it was a bad idea. They had to. And they did it anyway. They ignored those who knew better, and, by ignoring those who knew better, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris delivered these terrorists their biggest win in years—in years. . . .
“[W]hat they did makes me want to heave. I am so sorry for the pain this chaotic withdrawal caused to our brave veterans and to the American people. They deserve better. We all deserve better, and, on this issue, President Biden and Vice President Harris should hide their heads in a bag.”
View Kennedy’s full statement here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke with constituents at the St. Tammany Parish Chamber about their priorities, including delivering economic wins for the area.
“Since the Biden and Harris administration took over, Americans are paying more to live worse. Inflation now costs families in our state an extra $895 a month—and hardworking Louisianians just can’t afford that,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for Louisiana projects through his role as an appropriator, including:
- $328 million from the Department of Transportation in federal highway grants to improve Louisiana’s roads and bridges, including $140 million to widen and improve I-12 infrastructure.
- $136 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Hurricane Ida disaster aid, including $76 million for St. Tammany Parish schools, churches, infrastructure and buildings and $60 million in disaster aid for homeowners through FEMA’s individual assistance.
- $8 million from the Environmental Protection Agency to support the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program.
- $4 million in substance abuse program grants.
Kennedy in the American Press: Biden-Harris administration’s anti-energy policies terrible for Louisiana
Aug 05 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, penned this op-ed in the American Press detailing how the Biden-Harris administration’s anti-energy policies have harmed Louisiana. Kennedy also explained how he has helped push back against these damaging policies.
Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
“If there were a contest to design the worst possible energy policies for Louisiana, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris would win by a mile.
“Their administration’s breathtakingly dumb energy agenda is killing Louisiana jobs, driving up prices, and draining America’s emergency fuel reserves.
“In January, for example, the Biden-Harris administration followed the advice of TikTok activists and paused all new permits for liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminals. The permit prohibition has jeopardized several Louisiana facilities and thousands of jobs, including those at the Calcasieu Pass 2 export terminal in Cameron Parish.
“The LNG permit pause also makes it more difficult for our allies to get American natural gas. Under this administration’s watch, Russia recently surpassed the United States to become the European Union’s top LNG supplier. Apparently, President Biden and Vice President Harris would rather see LNG exported from the Kremlin than Louisiana.”
. . .
“My work in Congress will help mitigate some of the damage the Biden-Harris administration has caused in Louisiana, but the best way to get out of this hole is to stop digging.
“Louisianians and indeed all Americans are beginning to understand that the voting booth is the only place they can go to restore common sense and stop the Biden-Harris administration’s awful energy policies.”
Read Kennedy’s full op-ed here.
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 a $1,281,178 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Laura swept through south Louisiana, leaving behind destruction. This $1.3 million will help Cameron Parish restore Creole Park so that Louisianians can continue to enjoy our state’s outdoor recreation,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $1,281,178 to Cameron Parish for the permanent restoration to the Creole Park as a result of Hurricane Laura.
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.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) along with Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) and Reps. Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.), Jenniffer González-Colón (R-P.R.), María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) in releasing a joint statement regarding authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro’s illegitimate claim of victory in Venezuela’s presidential election.
The senators’ statement is below:
“To no one’s surprise, dictator Nicolás Maduro has once again stolen a presidential election. However, what the narco-regime will never steal is the Venezuelan people’s desire to return to democracy and live in freedom after decades of tyranny. We must prioritize uniting the free world in rejecting these sham election results and securing the release of the more than 300 Venezuelans that remain arbitrarily detained in torture centers as political prisoners.
“The Maduro dictatorship is experiencing an internal fracture, and members of the dictatorship know their status quo, which is filled with incompetence, is no longer sustainable. There is massive discontent in the streets of Venezuela, and everyday citizens have stood in support of opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez. Let there be no doubt: the countries and international organizations backing this fraud of unimaginable proportions must be held accountable, as should members of the narco-regime and its ‘National Electoral Council.’”
According to reporting, “independent exit polling and partial results” suggest “González captured twice as many votes as Maduro.” Despite these reports and international concern, Maduro declared victory on Monday.
Background:
- In February, in retaliation to U.S. sanctions, the Maduro regime halted the deportation of Venezuelans who came into America illegally.
- Kennedy introduced the No Dollars for Dictators Act to prevent taxpayer money from flowing to perpetrators of genocide and state sponsors of terrorism, including Nicolás Maduro.
- Kennedy has repeatedly called on the Biden-Harris administration to unleash American energy production so that the U.S. does not need to rely on foreign adversaries, including Venezuela, for oil.
