Sunday - April 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Louisiana Newsletter for Sunday March 24, 2024 ( 44 items )  

Cassidy Cosponsors Legislation to Make Homeownership Affordable for Law Enforcement, Teachers, First Responders
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) cosponsored the Homes for Every Local Protector Educator and Responder (HELPER) Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), to create a first-time homebuyer loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for law enforcement, teachers, and first responders who have served at least four year  more

Cassidy, Britt, Budd, Introduce Laken Riley Act in Senate, Call for Immediate Consideration
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC) and 32 Republican colleagues introduced the Laken Riley Act, the Senate Companion to H.R. 7511, originally introduced by Representative Mike Collins (R-GA-10). The Laken Riley Act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses and   more

Cassidy, Higgins, Louisiana Delegation Urge Small Business Administrator to Approve Disaster Request for Crawfish
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), U.S. Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), and members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation voiced their support for Governor Jeff Landry's disaster declaration in response to 2023 drought conditions. The delegation urges the Small Business Administration (SBA) to approve Louisiana's request and extend the deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) fil  more

Cassidy, Kennedy Secure Extension for Louisiana Hydropower Projects
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) today announced their successful push to break the gridlock holding up two Louisiana hydropower projects, the Overton Lock and Dam and the Red River Lock and Dam #3. The Senate passed Cassidy and Kennedy's bill to allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend licenses for the construction of new hydropower projects that have been  more

Cassidy, Manchin, Braun Lead Legislation to Protect Social Security
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the Save Our Seniors Act, which would help protect the long-term solvency of Social Security by requiring the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to include the honest projection of its financial health in its annual ten-year economic outlook. "In eight years Social Security trust fund will be broke.   more

Cassidy, Tester Introduce Bill to Cut Red Tape on Trucking Apprenticeship Programs for Veterans
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jon Tester (D-MT) today introduced legislation to make it easier for veterans to use their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to access trucking apprenticeship programs. The Veterans Transition to Trucking Act would cut bureaucratic red tape currently making it more difficult for veterans to utilize trucking apprenticeships that operate across multipl  more

Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Preview - Week of March 18, 2024
WASHINGTON, March 18 (Rep.) -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Here's what to watch for from House Republican committees during the week: Agriculture On Wednesday, March 20, the Committee on Agriculture will hold a full committee hearing called "The Danger China Poses to American Agriculture." Appropriations On Wednesday, March 20, the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education will hold a hearing called "Fiscal Yea  more

Higgins Announces $32.2M in Hurricane Recovery Efforts
WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that FEMA is awarding an additional $32,204,013.10 million in federal grants for hurricane recovery efforts in Southwest Louisiana. The funding is made available through the major disaster declaration for Hurricane Laura (DR-4559-LA), which Congressman Higgins supported. The funding includes: Much of our official Congressional work to advance recovery proj  more

Higgins Introduces Legislation to Restrict AI Deployment in the IRS
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO) introduced the No AI Audits Act, which would restrict the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the IRS' tax evaluation process and add safeguards to ensure taxpayers are protected from unaccountable audits. "The weaponization of AI technology is an ominous threat to our Constitutional freedoms," said Congressman Higgins. "Unelected bu  more

Higgins Leads Louisiana Delegation Urging Small Business Administrator to Approve Disaster Request for Crawfish
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) led members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation on a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administrator, Isabel Guzman, in support of Governor Jeff Landry's disaster declaration in response to 2023 drought conditions. The delegation urges the Small Business Administration (SBA) to approve Louisiana's request and extend the deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL  more

Higgins, Comer, Fallon Request Oversight into the Biden Administration's LNG Export Pause
WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), and Congressman Pat Fallon (R-TX) sent a letter to the Department of Energy's (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm requesting documents, communications, and a staff-level briefing to better understand the DOE's role in executing a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) export pause. "The Committee is concerned wi  more

House Homeland Security Committee Members Higgins, Bishop Deliver Opening Statements in Hearing on Secretary Mayorkas CBP One Mass-Parole Scheme
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement, issued the following news release on March 21, 2024: Today, House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Dan Bishop (R-NC) delivered the following opening statements in a hearing to examine the Department of Homeland Securi  more

Kennedy announces $32.2 million in Hurricane Laura aid for Diocese of Lake Charles
WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: MADISONVILLE, La. - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $32,204,014 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid. "Hurricane Laura left many buildings in the Lake Charles community with severe damage. I'm grateful to see that this $32.2 million will help repair the St. Louis High School and benefit Louisianians in   more

Kennedy, Barrasso condemn Biden admin over massive proposed tax hike on American energy producers
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and 22 colleagues in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen questioning the Biden administration over its proposed $110 billion tax hike on traditional American energy producers. "We write with grave concern regarding the administration's continued hostility towards American energy production. Working families and small businesses ar  more

Kennedy, Barrasso urge Biden admin to reverse bureaucratic mandates for apprenticeship program
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) in urging the Biden administration's Department of Labor (DOL) to withdraw its proposed rule to discourage small businesses and non-union shops from taking part in the National Apprenticeship System. "The new regulation the Biden administration is putting in place effectively attacks good jobs that use apprenticeship programs to train American  more

Kennedy, Coons introduce bipartisan bill to help more small businesses win government contracts
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today joined Sen. Chris Coons (D-Conn.) in introducing the bipartisan Small Business Contracting Transparency Act to help more businesses that participate in the Small Business Administration (SBA) programs win contracts with federal agencies. "Louisiana's small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they deserve a fair  more

Kennedy, Hyde-Smith claim victory for U.S. catfish producers as Biden admin reverses antidumping order
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: MADISONVILLE, La. - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and colleagues in claiming victory for U.S. catfish producers after the Biden administration's Commerce Department reversed its plan to make it easier for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to flood U.S. catfish markets. "Louisiana is one of the top catfish producing states in the country, and our farmers deserve a level   more

Kennedy, Louisiana delegation urge SBA to make emergency declaration for crawfish producers
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined members of the Louisiana congressional delegation in urging Small Business Association (SBA) Administrator Isabel Guzman to make a disaster declaration so that Louisiana's crawfish processors, wholesalers, boilers and other related enterprises can receive emergency assistance. In 2023, Louisiana's adverse weather hurt the  more

Kennedy, Scott introduce bill to protect job creators from Biden admin's SBA lending plan
WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to introduce the Protecting Access to Credit for Small Businesses Act, a bill that would prevent the Biden administration from using the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a direct lender for the 7(a) Loan Program. "Fraud and inefficiency characterize the Small Business Administration's history in direct lending. The government shouldn't  more

Kennedy: Laken Riley Act would help stem chaos at border
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Watch Kennedy's full remarks here. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and colleagues in hosting a press conference on the Laken Riley Act, which Kennedy helped introduce in the Senate. The Laken Riley Act would require the Biden administration's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain illegal immigrants who commit theft  more

Rep. Carter Announces Crucial Federal Resources to Aid Crawfish Industry
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Rep. Troy Carter, D-Louisiana, issued the following news release on March 21, 2024: Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) issued a statement following a Disaster Declaration from the Small Business Administration for the Louisiana Crawfish Aquaculture Industry. "I want to thank Administrator Guzman for making federal resources available to our crawfish farmers, processors, restaurants, grocery stores, and boilers," said Rep. Carter. "Crawfish aquaculture is more  more

Rep. Carter Votes for Schools, Safety & Security Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, March 23 -- Rep. Troy Carter, D-Louisiana, issued the following news release on March 22, 2024: Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) voted to pass a package of six bipartisan funding bills that will help Louisianians deal with high prices, sides with the hard-working middle class, supports education and job training and placement programs, protects women's rights, reinforces America's global leadership, and keeps communities safe and secure. "I was proud to vote for a bipa  more

Rep. Scalise Highlights Energy Week in House
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) to discuss House Republicans' energy week on the Floor. Leader Scalise criticized President Biden for continually putting his anti-energy agenda over the needs   more

Rep. Scalise, Delegation Urge SBA to Approve Governor Landry Drought Disaster Declaration Request for Crawfish
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following statement on March 19, 2024: * * * Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement regarding the Louisiana Congressional Delegation's letter to the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration in support of Governor Landry's Drought Disaster Declaration Request: "Last year's drought and saltwater intrusion events wreaked havoc on Louisiana's crawfish industry, resulting  more

Rep. Scalise, McCaul, Speaker Johnson Issue Statement on Negotiations to Free Hostages Held by Hamas
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release on March 21, 2024: Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) issued the following statement on renewed negotiations to release the hostages still held by Hamas following its brutal October 7th attack: "It is despicable that Hamas continues to hold over 130 innocent civilians hostage, including Am  more

Rep. Scalise: Joe Biden Wants to Attack American Energy
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release on March 21, 2024: Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke on the House floor in support of H. Res. 987, a resolution denouncing Biden's anti-American energy policies. Leader Scalise slammed President Biden for emboldening our adversaries with his anti-American energy agenda that allows countries like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela to keep producing and exporting while we shut down American   more

Scalise Highlights Energy Week in the House
WASHINGTON, March 20 (Rep.) -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) to discuss House Republicans' energy week on the Floor. Leader Scalise criticized President Biden for continually putting his anti  more

Scalise, Johnson, McCaul Statement on Negotiations to Free Hostages Held by Hamas
WASHINGTON, March 21 (Rep.) -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) issued the following statement on renewed negotiations to release the hostages still held by Hamas following its brutal October 7th attack: "It is despicable that Hamas continues to hold over 130 innocent civilians hostage,   more

Secretary Yellen to Cassidy: "The President Doesn't Have a Plan" to Save Social Security
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today pressed U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on President Biden's lack of a plan to address the looming insolvency of both Social Security and Medicare during a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing. Cassidy emphasized that President Biden has refused to work with Congress to create a plan that has a chance of becoming law and has criticized him for only suggesting   more

Senate Health Committee Ranking Member Cassidy Provides Update on Title IX Investigation, Impacts of Biological Males Competing in Women Sports
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release on March 21, 2024: U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, provided an update on the first stage of his investigation into the impact of President Biden's proposed Title IX reforms allowing biological males to compete in women's sports. Numerous  more

Senate Health Committee Ranking Member Cassidy Requests HELP Hearing With Secretary Cardona on President Budget, Department Misaligned Priorities
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release on March 21, 2024: Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, urged HELP Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to hold a hearing with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to discuss serious concerns with the Department of Education (DeptEd) proposed   more

Senate Health Committee Ranking Member Cassidy, Sen. Tuberville Urge Transparency From HHS on Response to Change Healthcare Cyberattack
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) urged the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide additional information on how it has responded to the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare that has wreak  more

Senate passes Kennedy bill to protect Louisiana hydropower projects
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: The Senate passed legislation from Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) that would protect two hydropower construction projects in the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway on Louisiana's Red River. "Hydropower is an important part of our all-of-the-above energy policy, and these projects would bring construction jobs to our state. It would be foolish to allow supply chain issues from the pandemic   more

Senate passes Kennedy, Peters bipartisan legislation to make FEMA emergency response more efficient
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: The Senate passed Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Gary Peters's (D-Mich.) bipartisan Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt (HELP) Response and Recovery Act. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration. "The Senate just unanimously passed our common-sense solution to help the private sector and federal officials work better together to respond to emergencies. Now the House n  more

Speaker Johnson Commends House Passage of FY24 Appropriations
WASHINGTON, March 23 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following statement on March 22, 2024: * * * Today, Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the remaining FY24 appropriations bills, bringing the appropriations process to a close: "During the FY24 appropriations process, House Republicans achieved conservative policy wins, rejected extreme Democrat proposals, and imposed substantial cuts while significantly st  more

Speaker Johnson Commends House Passage of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
WASHINGTON, March 13 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following statement: * * * Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the House passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. "Communist China is America's largest geopolitical foe and is using technology to actively undermine America's economy and security. Apps like TikTok allow the Chinese CommunistParty to push harmful content to our youth and engage in mal  more

Speaker Johnson Hosts Annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon
WASHINGTON, March 15 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Today in the Rayburn Room in the U.S. Capitol, Speaker Johnson hosted President Biden and Taoiseach Varadkar for the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon, a St. Patrick's Day tradition which started in 1983. The event featured remarks from Speaker Johnson, President Biden, and Taoiseach Varadkar as well as a musical performance from Irish violinist Gregory Harrington and traditional Irish s  more

Speaker Johnson Issues Statement on FY24 Appropriations
WASHINGTON, March 20 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following statement on March 19, 2024: * * * On Tuesday, Speaker Johnson issued the following statement on Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations: "An agreement has been reached for DHS appropriations, which will allow completion of the FY24 appropriations process. "House and Senate committees have begun drafting bill text to be prepared for release and consideration by the full House and Senate as soon as possible.  more

Speaker Johnson to Senator Schumer: 'Just Plain Wrong'
WASHINGTON, March 14 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: At a press conference alongside House Republican Leadership, Speaker Johnson today addressed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's misguided calls to oust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hold new elections in Israel. "This is not only highly inappropriate, it's just plain wrong for an American leader to play such a divisive role in Israeli politics, while our closest ally i  more

Speaker Johnson Video Release: 'American Energy is the Lifeblood of Our Economy'
WASHINGTON, March 21 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Following his visit to the Permian Basin in Texas, alongside Rep. August Pfluger(TX-11), Speaker Johnson released a 60-second video kicking off House GOP Energy Week. The video emphasizes the importance of American energy to the U.S. and global economy and to our national security. "House Republicans are determined to protect American jobs. We want to unleash American energy dominance aga  more

Speaker Johnson: Biden Anti-Energy Crusade Must End
WASHINGTON, March 21 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following statement on March 20, 2024: * * * Today, Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the Biden administration finalized its misguided electric vehicle mandate. "President Biden needs to abandon his crusade against American energy and gas-powered vehicles. Today's rule will limit consumer choices and raise costs on American families who are already struggling from crippling inflation and hi  more

The Leader's Floor Lookout: Thursday, March 21, 2024
WASHINGTON, March 21 (Rep.) -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Here's what to watch for on the House Floor today: Denouncing Biden's Disastrous Anti-American Energy Policies Since his first day in office, President Biden has implemented policies to crush American energy production, increasing our reliance on foreign adversaries for energy and raising costs on American families. On day one, President Biden issued an executive order can  more

The Leader's Floor Lookout: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
WASHINGTON, March 20 (Rep.) -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Here's what to watch for on the House Floor today: Protecting American Energy from Biden Fracking Moratorium Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a drilling technology used for extracting oil, natural gas, geothermal energy, or water from deep underground - accounting for two-thirds of the natural gas in the United States and half of the nation's oil, and positioning t  more

The Leader's Floor Lookout: Week of March 18, 2024
WASHINGTON, March 17 (Rep.) -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Here's what to watch for on the House Floor this week: Denouncing Biden's Disastrous Anti-American Energy Policies Since his first day in office, President Biden has implemented policies to crush American energy production, increasing our reliance on foreign adversaries for energy and raising costs on American families. On day one, President Biden issued an executive order cance  more