Speaker Johnson Delivers Floor Speech in Honor of Luke Letlow
Kennedy confirms future of LNG center with Buttigieg: “It’s going to be placed in Lake Charles”
“Some days it seems like it takes longer than medical school to get something done around here.”
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today confirmed with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that the National Center of Excellence for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Safety will be located in Lake Charles, La. The exchange occurred during a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.
“We have directed the GSA [General Services Administration] to provide options in Lake Charles for that LNG Center of Excellence. Of course, we need to make sure we follow the procurement process, and we need to make sure that there are adequate resources coming in from the Center, and we’re working with you on that,” Buttigieg said.
“But we certainly recognize the importance and the potential of this facility and the value that it could bring, making sure that we have the safest and most environmentally responsible LNG processes in the world,” the secretary concluded.
Buttigieg confirmed that the Center would be located in Louisiana in partnership with Louisiana colleges, including McNeese State University.
“Within Louisiana, it’s going to be placed in Lake Charles, is that right?” asked Kennedy.
“That’s what we’ve directed the GSA to do: to find sites in Lake Charles that would meet the mission,” Buttigieg confirmed.
In 2020, Kennedy advocated for the creation of a new National Center of Excellence for LNG and drafted legislation to guarantee it would be built in Louisiana. He later secured funding to build and operate the Center. Kennedy also fought to ensure that Lake Charles would overcome the efforts of several competing sites along the Gulf Coast to become the Center’s home.
Kennedy then worked to secure a partnership between the Center, McNeese State and other Louisiana colleges to create opportunities for students to get hands-on experience with industrial-grade LNG equipment. Once completed, the Center will promote and facilitate training, education and research and development within the LNG sector.
Kennedy told Buttigieg that Louisianians have been waiting for years for this project to move forward.
“We’re trying to get this built. It’s frustrating, of course. It’s not, altogether, your fault. Some days it seems like it takes longer than medical school to get something done around here,” Kennedy explained.
Watch Kennedy’s full exchange with Buttigieg here.
Governor Jeff Landry Issues Statement Following the Clearing of Unlawful Tulane Protests
Baton Rouge, LA– Today, Governor Jeff Landry and the Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges issued the following statements following law enforcement’s clearing of the unlawful protests on Tulane’s campus.
“My appreciation goes out to Tulane President Michael Fitts, the Tulane Police Department, Tulane Police Chief Frank Young, New Orleans Police Chief Anna Kirkpatrick, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police for safely clearing the Tulane campus of those who sought to illegally occupy the campus! Many colleges across our country may allow this lawlessness, but Louisiana will NOT. This State will not tolerate those who seek to disturb the peace by means of criminality,” said Governor Jeff Landry.
“At the request of the Tulane University Police Department and the New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police assisted with removing the unsanctioned protests on Tulane’s campus this morning," stated Colonel Robert P. Hodges, Louisiana State Police Superintendent. “Our Troopers worked alongside our partner agencies to ensure the safety of students, protestors, and the surrounding community while restoring order and peace to the Tulane University campus.”
Gov. Jeff Landry Declares April 29th Week Holocaust Remembrance Week
Baton Rouge, LA– Today, Governor Jeff Landry issued a proclamation declaring the week of April 29th Holocaust Remembrance Week in Louisiana. The proclamation is attached.
“Today we are honored to issue this proclamation and mark the start of Holocaust Remembrance Week in Louisiana. While we mourn the innocent lives lost, this week also serves as an important reminder that Louisiana will always stand strong with Israel, and we will Never Forget the horrors of the Holocaust,” said Governor Jeff Landry.
“I appreciate Governor Landry issuing this important proclamation. I share his commitment to standing with the state of Israel and to never forgetting the atrocities of the Holocaust. Now, more than ever before, is it important to remember the innocent Jewish men, women, and children killed during the Holocaust,” said Representative Beryl Amedée.
Governor Jeff Landry signs proclamation recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day
OPINION: Support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act
Photo source: IDEA Health and Fitness Association
As a resident of a rural community in Louisiana, I urge our lawmakers to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) to address the alarming health disparities between rural and urban areas highlighted in the recent study you cited. The findings revealed a 43 percent higher natural-cause mortality (NCM) rate among prime working-age individuals in rural areas compared to urban regions, thus demanding immediate action on all healthcare fronts.
For too long, rural communities have faced limited access to healthcare services and resources, exacerbating health issues like obesity. TROA presents a crucial opportunity to tackle this epidemic by expanding access to evidence-based obesity treatment options, including medical nutrition therapy and prescription drugs.
The widening gap in NCM rates underscores the urgency of addressing underlying health conditions prevalent in rural areas, including obesity-related illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. By supporting TROA, our legislators can help bridge this gap for the nearly 30% of Louisiana residents who live in rural areas.
It's time to prioritize the health and well-being of all Americans, regardless of their population density. Louisiana citizens need to urge Senator Cassidy and Senator Kennedy to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act!
Sincerely,
Lu Jones, RN
Ouachita Parish, LA
New Morning Consult report finds Kennedy among top 10 most popular U.S. Senators
“Our latest definitive ranking of America’s most popular senators . . . three new faces—Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Chris Murphy of Connecticut and John Kennedy of Louisiana . . . in the top 10.”
WASHINGTON – A new Morning Consult survey reports that Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) is one of the 10 most popular U.S. Senators. The survey represents “the industry’s only comprehensive look at the popularity of America’s top statewide federal officials in all 50 states.”
“Our latest definitive ranking of America’s most popular senators, where Wyoming’s John Barrasso remains No. 1 for the fourth quarter in a row. He is joined by three new faces—Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Chris Murphy of Connecticut and John Kennedy of Louisiana,” says Morning Consult.
The survey looks to each senator’s own constituents to understand how well the people of each state feel they are being served by their senators.
According to the report, it ranks policymakers by prioritizing the highest approval rating and breaking ties with net approval, the share of constituents who approve minus the share of those who disapprove.
Cory Dennis Named LAGOP Executive Director
Baton Rouge, LA- Cory Dennis has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Republican Party of Louisiana, LAGOP Chairman Derek Babcock announced today.
Dennis is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. He worked at the Louisiana Attorney General's Office prior to serving as campaign manager for Jeff Landry's successful gubernatorial campaign.
"We are assembling a dynamic team of leaders to bring more historic victories to the Republican Party in the years ahead," Babcock said. "Cory Dennis will play an essential role in this effort."
Babcock was elected as chairman of The Republican Party of Louisiana on April 6th.
Kennedy introduces resolution to insist next NATO secretary be from a country that meets defense spending pledge
“No leader from a country that fails to meet its own defense pledge should be able to lead NATO. It’s up to the Senate to deter Iran, China and Russia by ensuring that NATO’s secretary general hails from a country that’s already fulfilling its commitment to the alliance.”
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced a resolution urging North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members not to confirm the next secretary general unless the nominee is the former leader of a member country that spends at least two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense.
“NATO can’t deter or answer aggression from hostile regimes if our own member nations show a lack of resolve. No leader from a country that fails to meet its own defense pledge should be able to lead NATO. It’s up to the Senate to deter Iran, China and Russia by ensuring that NATO’s secretary general hails from a country that’s already fulfilling its commitment to the alliance,” said Kennedy.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s term will expire in October. The Netherlands’ Mark Rutte is likely to replace Stoltenberg despite the fact that, throughout Rutte’s 13 years as prime minister, his administration failed to meet its NATO commitment to invest two percent of the Netherlands’ GDP in defense.
Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) have cosponsored the resolution.
Kennedy’s resolution:
Recognizes that, in 2006 and 2014, NATO members agreed to invest two percent of their GDP in defense.
Recognizes that, by 2022, only 11 countries had met this minimum defense spending goal.
Recognizes that, by 2024, NATO expects 18 member countries to have met the minimum investment.
Declares that NATO’s next secretary general should hail from a country that meets the alliance’s defense spending pledge.
Declares that NATO will never be fully effective as long as its secretary general represents a member country that does not even fulfill its commitment to its own defense.
Background:
In 2006, member countries of NATO first agreed to spend two percent of their respective GDP’s on defense. At the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales, all member countries once again committed to maintain or move toward meeting the two percent defense spending minimum within 10 years.
As of 2023, only 11 member countries had met the two percent minimum, including the U.S., the United Kingdom, Poland and Finland.
Many member countries issued statements pledging to meet the minimum investment following Russia’s invading Ukraine, yet many member countries may not reach the minimum contribution until 2035.
Kennedy recently commended NATO allies for increasing defense spending and has consistently called on other countries to meet their commitments.
Kennedy recently led a bipartisan resolution urging NATO allies to spend a minimum of two percent of their GDP on defense spending.
Full text of the senator’s resolution is available here.
Mills on Speaker Mike Johnson
I have seen numerous attacks on US House Speaker Mike Johnson in the last few weeks regarding his vote on funding the government and intelligence-driven security measures. Those attacks are short-sighted, poorly reasoned and severely lacking in context. I know Mike very well. He is an honorable man, a trustworthy leader and an engaged statesman.
Admittedly, the circumstances America finds herself facing and the political remedies being offered are not ideal! Johnson is one of 435 votes in the US House and enjoys a single vote Republican majority. The GOP’s one-vote margin gives colorful critics like Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) enormous opportunity to find a camera with a light on or reporter trying to capture a salacious moment to opine or call attention to a lesser or unpassable measure.
If an expulsion attempt is made, and the mainstream media would like you to believe it might be, the dissociative GOP disorder could allow a renegade GOP’er to cut a deal with opposition for a Democrat Speaker. We may actually have a Democrat-controlled House with a GOP majority…all while Iran attempts to initiate World War 3!
I can only imagine that China, Russia and Iran, along with illegal immigrants, traffickers and terrorist plants, would be thrilled by a motion to remove the Speaker. I can further imagine that Israel, Ukraine and the rest of liberty lovers throughout the free world would simply mourn.
Let me assure you, as one who knows Mike: he is dependable, humble and possesses the highest integrity. Besides, He was hand-selected by God as America's Daniel for this moment. Be patient; something Spirit-led is underway. We will witness the fruit of Mike’s leadership very soon!
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR STATE, NATION, WORLD AND SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON!
Gene Mills
Louisiana Family Forum
Governor Landry Signs Emergency Declaration for Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Baton Rouge, LA- Following his visit to some of the hardest hit areas, Governor Jeff Landry signed an emergency declaration for the severe storms and tornadoes that took place on April 10. This declaration permits the use of state resources to assist with the recovery process in each of the affected parishes. State of Emergency is attached.
The state will provide debris removal assistance in the following parishes: Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, St. Landry, and St. Tammany (within the jurisdiction of Slidell).
The state will provide shelter assistance in the following parish: St. Tammany (within the jurisdiction of Slidell).
The state will provide emergency protective measures in the following parishes: Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, St. Landry, and St. Tammany (within the jurisdiction of the city of Slidell).
MILLS: Another Extraordinary Week in BR
Another extraordinary week for LFF and our allies at the Louisiana Capitol! Even this week’s inclement weather could not topple nor delay the passage of excellent legislation! On Wednesday, despite tornados, heavy winds and a deluge of rains, the House Education Committee chaired by Rep. Laurie Schlegel assembled and passed HB 121 by Rep. Raymond Crews and HB 122 by Rep. Dodie Horton, bills which prohibit the sexualization of children in public schools. Before the House departed for the weekend, lawmakers passed overwhelmingly the Women’s Safety and Protection Act to provide for the security of women in private spaces by prohibiting men from entering those spaces. Rep. Roger Wilder did an excellent job presenting this bill on the House floor! See how your representative voted on this bill here. Watch the Rep. Wilder's testimony at this video.
Next week is the halfway point of this Session!
HB 71 Rep. Horton - Requires Ten Commandments displayed in every public K-12 classroom. Does not require that public funds be used. PASSED HOUSE
HB 98 HB 126 Rep. M Landry - Deletes Louisiana Marriage Amendment of 2004 in Constitution. Allows marriage between any two persons. DEFERED IN HOUSE CIVIL LAW
HB 114 Rep. Farnum - Requires Secretary of State to conduct annual canvass of registered voters. PASSED HOUSE
HB 121 Rep. Crews - Requires public school employees to use “given names” and pronouns for students unless parents provide written permission. PASSED HOUSE ED
HB 122 Rep. Horton - Prohibits a public-school employee at K-12 schools from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with students. PASSED HOUSE ED
HB 234 Rep. Boyd - Creates a protected class employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. FAILED HOUSE LABOR
HB 334 Rep. Amedee - Authorizes schools boards to provide for chaplains to serve in public schools as employees or on a volunteer basis. PASSED HOUSE. 86-6
HB 288 Rep. Amedee - Requires coroner to include immunization records in autopsy report for infants under the age of one year who die unexpectedly. PASSED HOUSE JUDICIARY
HB 515 Rep. Horton - Prohibits government restriction of freedom of choice regarding the purchase of any vehicle by a private citizen based on the fuel source. PASSED HOUSE 98-4
HB 548 Rep. Amedee - Students who complete approved home study programs and satisfy TOPS core curriculum and GPA requirements to the same ACT requirements as graduates of public and approved non-public high schools. PASSED HOUSE EDUCATION
HB 608 Rep. Wilder - Provides for the distinction between males and females and provides for protections for women and girls against threats from men. PASSED HOUSE 80-17
HB 644 Rep. Dickerson - Provides that students enrolled in home study programs may try out for and participate in public school activities, including but not limited to extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletics. PASSED HOUSE 98-2
SB 194 Sen. Miguez - Parish or local ordinances for firearms cannot be any more restrictive than state law. PASSED SENATE 28-11
SB 276 Sen. Pressly - New crime of attempting to poison a pregnant woman with an abortion-inducing drug to the list of racketeering crimes.
SB 277 Sen. Duplessis - Reduction in employee and salary requirements of New Orleans casino operating contract. PASSED SENATE JUDICIARY B
SB 325 Sen. Edmonds - Compatible with Love Empowerment Act - Ensure that individuals facing the news that unborn child has a fetal genetic anomaly receive information that can assist them in caring for their child both before and after birth. PASSED SENATE 30-7
SB 388 Sen. Hodges - Creates the crimes of unlawful entry and unlawful reentry by an illegal alien into this state. PASSED SENATE 28-11
This is likely the most productive week in public policy in my 35-year tenure at the Capitol!
Gene Mills
Louisiana Family Forum
Kennedy Stumps Witness When He Asks Her to Back Up Her Own Claims
Senator John Kennedy has made a fool out of yet another witness, this time, Zorka Millin, policy director at the FACT Coalition.
Read more: Kennedy Stumps Witness When He Asks Her to Back Up Her Own Claims
Energy Industry and CCA Answer Local Anglers' Calls for Fisheries Restoration
3D-printed "Cajun Coral" brings new life to Timbalier Bay
New technology is bringing new life to an old favorite fishing spot in Timbalier Bay on Louisiana’s coast. In December, 3D printed concrete “Cajun Coral” was barged out from Port Fourchon to the open bay and splashed down over the coordinates of Pelican Island, a former fish haven washed away nearly a decade ago. The new inshore reef is part of the Coastal Conservation Association’s (CCA) energy-funded artificial reef program and is already attracting aquatic life, with shellfish latching on to the 340 modules and fin fish bedding down in its concrete contours.
“This will bring a whole plethora of organisms to the bay where they can thrive and the anglers can enjoy,” said Rad Trascher, Executive Vice President of CCA Louisiana.
Pelican Island reef is the 14th artificial reef Chevron has funded in Louisiana waters through its longtime partnership with CCA. Danos uses 3D printers to manufacture the “Cajun Coral,” which was developed by Natrx and deployed in concert with Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
“It’s our intention to put these everywhere we can,” said Eric Danos, owner, President and CEO of Danos. “We love our partnership with CCA and with Chevron and we look to re-establish reefs and also provide some resiliency to our coast and our infrastructure that produces the oil and gas that’s so important – not just to Louisiana, but to our country.”
As Pelican Island reef grows, the Water Institute’s Living Lab will study the habitat’s restorative effect for years to come, exploring more opportunities to restore resources and recreation in Louisiana.
“Projects like the Pelican Island reef installation illustrate the impact innovation and collaboration can have on revitalizing coastal habitats,” said Alexandra Cheramie, Chevron Corporate Affairs. “Chevron and CCA have worked together on a total of fourteen artificial reef projects including at Pelican Island. Like our previous collaborations, this reef will help support the marine life that call it home. We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with CCA and thank them for their efforts.”
Beaullieu / Landry Working to Protect Oil and Gas
Speaker of the House Johnson on Motion to Vacate, Open Border and Abortion Ban
MIGUEZ: Secure Our Border
Kennedy warns Senate Democrats against burying Mayorkas impeachment: “They’ll regret it”
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today urged his colleagues not to break centuries of Senate precedent by burying the articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas without a trial.
Kennedy encouraged his colleagues to adopt his resolution, S. Res. 623, which would establish fair and efficient trial procedures for this impeachment according to longstanding Senate precedent.
Key excerpts from Kennedy’s speech are below:
“I fear, though, that Senate Democrats are going to try to take the articles of impeachment that our colleagues in the United States House of Representatives thoughtfully crafted and passed with a majority vote and toss them into the trash without hearing from either side.
“They don’t want to let the House impeachment managers make their case. They don’t want to let Secretary Mayorkas make his case. They just want to ignore the House’s evidence summarily, sweep it under the rug and move on. And that is wrong.
“The Senate has never in its history tabled an impeachment. Never. In the more than 200 years that this body has existed, the House of Representatives has impeached an official 21 times, and we have never once tabled the impeachment. Not once.
“Now, Senator Schumer may also try to dismiss these charges instead of tabling them, but that’s never been done before either. If the Senate dismisses these charges without a trial, it will be the first time in the Senate’s long history that it has dismissed impeachment charges against an official it has jurisdiction over without that official first resigning—and that’s a fact.”
. . .
“Americans need to hear what I’m about to say, even if my Democrat colleagues won’t listen. Let me say it again: A majority of the duly elected members of the United States House of Representatives—who represent all the different communities across America—spent months investigating the allegations against Secretary Mayorkas. They spent months crafting the articles of impeachment, and a majority of the House then voted ‘yes’ to bring two very serious charges. The Senate Democrats are now treating those charges—those articles of impeachment—like spam that landed in their inbox.
“Americans, however, are not nearly so sanguine about the border crisis that has brought death, drugs, violence, chaos, criminals and mayhem into their neighborhoods. The Biden administration’s border crisis is as unprecedented as the majority leader’s move to bury the evidence of who could be to blame here.
“I, for one, want to hear the House’s evidence, and so do the American people.”
. . .
“I’m going to have a resolution—if I’m allowed to present it, Madam President—that will give us the procedures we need to conduct this trial fairly and efficiently . . . It’ll be efficient. It’ll be fair. It’ll be honest. It won’t uproot the longstanding precedent we have to give articles of impeachment in the past.
“If the majority leader and my Democratic colleagues table or dismiss these charges and destroy Senate precedent, a precedent we’ve established to conduct full and fair impeachment trials, they will regret it. They will regret it. Senate Democrats, if they do that, will show the world that their proclamations about protecting democracy and upholding the rule of law are just tools of their own political expedience and arrogance.
“Senate Democrats will let people, the American people, know that they endorse the lawlessness and misery the Biden administration’s broken border has brought to this country.”
Read Kennedy’s impeachment resolution here.
LOUISIANA FREEDOM CAUCUS: What is a Woman?
Rep. Clay Higgins Sounds Alarm: ‘People Recognizing Signs of Potential Demise of Republic’
Rep. Clay Higgins (R) of Louisiana asserts patriot legislators recognize the signs of collapse in America, and warns the 2024 election is the last chance Americans have to avoid losing their constitutional Republic.
“In DC, amongst I would say patriot circles, you know a lot of men and women are recognizing the signs of potential demise of our Republic,” Higgins said in a recent radio interview.
Read more: Rep. Clay Higgins Sounds Alarm: ‘People Recognizing Signs of Potential Demise of Republic’
