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MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and more than 40 other senators in writing to China’s ambassador to the U.S., Qin Gang. The bipartisan group warned the Chinese Communist Party not to respond to peaceful Chinese protesters with a violent retribution.

We are following the current peaceful protests in China over your government’s policies very carefully. We are also closely watching the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) reaction to them,” wrote the senators, noting that the Chinese Communist Party and People’s Liberation Army killed hundreds, if not thousands, of Chinese students who were peacefully protesting in 1989. 

“We caution the CCP in the strongest possible terms not to once again undertake a violent crackdown on peaceful Chinese protesters who simply want more freedom. If that happens, we believe there will be grave consequences for the US-China relationship, causing extraordinary damage to it,” the lawmakers said.

The full letter is available here.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,322,561 in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief grant for Louisiana.

“I’m thankful this $1.3 million will support the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry as it helps our state recover from Hurricane Ida,” said Kennedy.

The FEMA aid will fund the following:

  • $1,322,561 to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for management costs related to Hurricane Ida.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today voted to give railroad workers and management additional time to resolve their dispute and protect Americans from an economic disaster. 

Kennedy also voted to grant workers seven additional days of paid sick leave. Both of these attempts failed to pass the Senate. Kennedy then voted to avert the strike and its economic consequences.

“I voted to give the parties more time because, with extra time, I think the workers and management could resolve their issues. I cast my second vote in support of the workers, because I think they have a valid point. My third vote supported an agreement because I think a nationwide strike would hurt shippers, consumers and workers. 

“I really regret that this problem ended up in the lap of Congress. Pres. Biden was not honest with the American people when he told them—before the midterm elections—that he had successfully mediated a resolution of the issues and that there would not be a strike,” said Kennedy. 

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $166,275,695 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants in disaster aid for Louisiana.

“Communities and schools across southern Louisiana are still recovering from Hurricanes Laura and Ida, and this $166 million will support our state as we continue to rebuild,” said Kennedy.

The FEMA aid will fund the following:

  • $57,954,046 to the Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative Inc. for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Laura.
  • $31,578,251 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for debris removal related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $29,982,954 to Tangipahoa Parish for debris removal and monitoring related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $11,668,094 to the Calcasieu Parish School Board for repairs to the Lewis Middle School campus related to Hurricane Laura.
  • $6,087,002 to the city of Mandeville for right-of-way debris removal and monitoring related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $4,822,224 to New Orleans Sewerage and Water for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $4,538,184 to the city of New Orleans for debris removal and monitoring related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $3,641,214 to the Calcasieu Parish School Board for repairs to Watkins Elementary School related to Hurricane Laura.
  • $3,499,075 to the Ochsner Clinic Foundation for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $3,259,406 to the Lake Charles Housing Authority for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Laura. 
  • $3,035,372 to the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District for infrastructure repair related to Hurricane Laura.
  • $1,510,562 to Terrebonne Parish for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $1,357,946 to the town of Grand Isle for repairs to their water control facility related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $1,151,164 to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Laura.
  • $1,128,089 to Lafourche Parish for debris removal and monitoring related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $1,062,112 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for Public Assistance Alternate Procedures for debris removal and monitoring related to Hurricane Laura.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $15,152,459 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster aid for Louisiana.

“I’m grateful to see $15.2 million supporting recovery efforts in Jefferson Parish, Cameron Parish and other parts of Louisiana where Laura and Ida’s blows were devastating,” said Kennedy.

The FEMA aid will fund the following:

  • $5,940,177 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for Public Assistance Alternative Procedures for debris removal and monitoring related to Hurricane Laura.
  • $5,191,104 to the Dixie Electric Membership Corporation for emergency recovery efforts related to Hurricane Ida.
  • $2,708,866 to Cameron Parish for building repairs related to Hurricane Laura.
  • $1,312,312 to Lafitte Area Independent Levee District for right-of-way debris removal and monitoring related to Hurricane Ida.

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,277,484 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid. 

“I’m glad to see this $1.3 million supporting the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and its efforts to recover from Hurricane Ida,” said Kennedy.

The FEMA aid will fund the following: 

  • $1,277,484 to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Ida. 

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. 

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.