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.
Kennedy, Shaheen introduce bipartisan bill to support Louisiana rural small businesses’ access to capital
Jul 26 2024
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Small Business Committee, joined Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in introducing the Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act.
The legislation would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate an Assistant Administrator for its Office of Rural Affairs and codify cooperative efforts between the SBA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve support for rural small businesses.
“Louisiana’s small businesses provide good paying jobs to folks throughout our state and support local economic growth. I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan bill alongside Sen. Shaheen to continue our investments in rural America,” said Kennedy.
“Rural small business owners rely on the SBA and USDA for critical resources to run and grow their businesses. This bipartisan legislation strengthens existing programs and ensures dedicated attention to the needs of rural small business owners. In New Hampshire, our rural small businesses often overcome incredible challenges in order to grow and create jobs. I am proud to work across the aisle and take another step forward to help rural small businesses prosper,” said Shaheen.
The Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act would direct SBA and USDA to convene working groups to:
- Identify synergies among the two agencies’ loan programs, including both large programs like 7(a) and smaller microloan programs.
- Assess where SBA and USDA can coordinate in delivering resources through lenders, resource partners like Small Business Development Centers and others.
- Coordinate SBA’s Small Business Investment Company program and USDA’s Rural Business Investment Company program.
- Share best practices among the two agencies, rural economic development groups and others, and evaluate how cooperatives can access SBA programs.
- Collaborate on technical assistance with procurement, exporting and innovation.
The bill text is available here.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $3,039,454 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on Louisianians’ schools. This $3 million will help Delgado Community College and the Jefferson Parish School System rebuild their facilities,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $1,966,029 to the Office of Risk Management for campus-wide remediation at the Delgado Community College as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,073,425 to the Jefferson Parish Public School System for permanent work due to damages from Hurricane Ida.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $16,293,374 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Southeast Louisiana faces threats of all kinds, including hurricanes like Ida and saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River. This $16.3 million will help Lafourche, Plaquemines and Terrebonne Parishes cover recovery costs for schools, water treatment facilities and other infrastructure that severe weather affected,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $7,837,817 to the Lafourche Parish School Board for the restoration of South Lafourche High School due to Hurricane Ida damage.
- $2,098,957 to Plaquemines Parish for the use of reservoir barges for the Port Sulphur Water Treatment facility due to the 2023-2024 Mississippi River saltwater intrusion.
- $1,999,477 to Plaquemines Parish for the use of a reservoir barge for the Pointe à la Hache Water Treatment facility due to the 2023-2024 Mississippi River saltwater intrusion.
- $1,557,798 to Plaquemines Parish for the use of a reservoir barge for the Belle Chasse Water Treatment facility due to the 2023-2024 Mississippi River saltwater intrusion.
- $1,552,721 to the Terrebonne Parish School Board for the restoration of Dularge Elementary School, the H.L. Bourgeois athletic fields, the South Terrebonne High School football stadium, baseball field and tennis courts, the Terrebonne Annex Building and the Terrebonne Maintenance and Auxiliary Complex due to Hurricane Ida damage.
- $1,246,604 to Plaquemines Parish for the use of reservoir barges for the Dalcour Water Treatment facility due to the 2023-2024 Mississippi River saltwater intrusion.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Extension Act of 2024 to prevent the NFIP from expiring on September 30, 2024.
The legislation would extend the NFIP for one year, until September 30, 2025.
“With disastrous storms like Ida, Laura and Katrina burned in our state’s memory, Louisianians know the need for the NFIP better than anyone. I’m introducing the NFIP Extension Act of 2024 to make sure Louisiana homeowners can rely on this program throughout hurricane season,” said Kennedy.
Of the 5 million Americans nationwide who rely on the NFIP, roughly 500,000 are Louisianians who need the program to protect their businesses and homes.
Text of the NFIP Extension Act of 2024 is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced a $1,136,246 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for Louisiana disaster aid.
“Hurricane Ida hit southeast Louisiana hard, destroying too many homes across Lafourche Parish. This $1.1 million will help Lafourche Parish demolish damaged homes and protect Louisianians from injuries caused by their collapse,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $1,136,246 to Lafourche Parish for the demolition and removal of 41 private home structures due to Hurricane Ida damage.
Kennedy, Judiciary Republicans demand DOJ turn over audio recording of Biden interview with special counsel
Jul 25 2024
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and all other Republican colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee in writing a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide a copy of the audio recording of President Joe Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“We, like our colleagues on the House Judiciary and House Oversight and Accountability Committees, believe the tapes are necessary to assist with the Committee’s constitutional oversight of the Department of Justice. Further, we urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to comply with the valid subpoena by the House Judiciary and House Oversight and Accountability Committees as the law requires. It is unacceptable that you, the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, are continuing to defy a lawful command of Congress and that you have been held in contempt of Congress,” the senators wrote.
“Earlier this year, Special Counsel Hur issued a shocking report concluding that criminal charges against President Biden for mishandling highly classified information for decades and ‘willfully retain[ing] and disclos[ing] classified information after his vice presidency’ were not warranted, in part, because a jury would perceive him as an ‘elderly man with a poor memory.’ Congress must be able to test the veracity of the Special Counsel’s conclusion, as well as the accuracy of the transcript, against recordings capturing the President’s performance in the two-day interview. The only way that this can be done is with the recording itself,” they continued.
The senators explained that the information within the recordings of the president’s conversation with Hur is critical to Congress’s exercising legislative, oversight and impeachment powers, and, specifically, to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s oversight of the DOJ.
“The need to produce this recording is also particularly acute considering President Biden’s recent public performances, which have surely emboldened our enemies abroad as much as they have alarmed Americans at home. The American people deserve to be fully informed as to their President’s faculties, and there is every reason to believe that the President and his Administration have not been forthcoming on this issue. The threats to the United States are at an all-time high, red lights are blinking everywhere, and America cannot afford weak leadership,” said the lawmakers.
The full letter is available here.
