WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) is calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to schedule H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, for a vote on the House floor.
The bill, which would repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), exceeded 290 co-sponsors in July and was moved to the consensus calendar. However, the bill has not been formally scheduled for a vote and could be delayed until the end of November.
“We are respectfully asking Speaker Pelosi to bring the Social Security Fairness Act for a vote on the House floor. If you pay into Social Security, you should be able to collect your fair share when the time comes,” said Congressman Higgins. “Too many seniors are unfairly penalized by the GPO and WEP, and this injustice must be corrected. I am a co-sponsor of the bill, and we strongly support its passage.”
Posts filed under Clay Higgins
Higgins Reintroduces Legislation To Combat Foreign Seafood Dumping
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) has reintroduced H.R. 8732, the Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act of 2022, which protects American consumers and small businesses from foreign seafood dumping.
The bill prohibits the import of foreign seafood that fails to meet U.S. standards for seafood manufacturing, processing, and holding. It also establishes a program for foreign seafood inspection and imposes real penalties for importers and countries that routinely violate U.S. laws.
Historically, only a small percentage of seafood imports have been inspected as they enter the United States, and foreign bad actors often use illegal additives while relying on enslaved workers to harvest seafood. These bad actors are notorious for falsely labeling imports to avoid detection by the FDA. This irresponsible and illegal dumping of seafood imports hurts American consumers and the Gulf seafood industry.
The full bill text is available here.
Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:
"Congress must act against illegal seafood dumping. Foreign seafood imports should be held to American standards. The seafood industry is a critical part of Louisiana’s culture and economy. This legislation combats illegal foreign seafood dumping and protects American producers.”
Higgins' Amendment To Remove IRS Army Rejected By Democrats
“Despite unified Republican opposition, Democrats just pushed through a massive tax increase on the American people. They voted to weaponize the IRS against working Americans. This is a horrible bill that will worsen inflation and injure American families. Democrats own this failure, and they will answer for it in November.”
GOP Challenger to Higgins Has Disparaging Words to Say about VP
The entire interview with Holden Hoggatt on The Jim Engster Show can be found at this site: Thursday, July 28th: Holden Hoggatt, Mark Ballard
Attorney General Jeff Landry Endorses Congressman Clay Higgins for Re-Election
LAFAYETTE, LA – Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry today is endorsing Congressman Clay Higgins for re-election to the United States House of Representatives.
Statement by Attorney General Jeff Landry:
“Congressman Clay Higgins is an incredibly strong voice for the citizens of South Louisiana. At a time when our Nation, and our State, is experiencing an increase in violent crime, it is more important than ever to have people in elective office who understand law enforcement and the need to protect our communities. As a former law enforcement officer, I look for partners like Clay who can help articulate the need for strong law enforcement. As crime rises, we see acts committed by those who are in our nation illegally and I know Clay is a strong advocate for cracking down on illegal immigration and providing stronger border security. Clay Higgins is exactly what this State and the Country needs right now.”
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The Republican Party of Louisiana Formally Endorses Congressman Clay Higgins for Re-Election
BATON ROUGE- The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana unanimously endorsed Congressman Clay Higgins for re-election on Monday.
Congressman Higgins continues to be a strong conservative and outspoken voice for Louisianans. His work to support American energy production, the 2nd Amendment, free market principles and a secure southern border have been pivotal to putting America and Louisiana on the right path forward.
The LAGOP urges the voters of the 3rd Congressional District to support Congressman Clay Higgins on November 8th.
"I'm humbled and uplifted to receive the endorsement of Republicans across Louisiana, to have our Congressional office recognized for dedicated service. We will not stop fighting for Constitutionalist and Conservative values. Our mission to serve the citizens of South Louisiana shall continue," said Congressman Clay Higgins.
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Congressman Higgins Issues Warning to the Mexican Cartels
HIGGINS: Biden Administration is Abusing Prosecutorial Discretion on Immigration
HIGGINS: Combating Biden's Anti-American Energy Policies
Knowing of our shared concern regarding rising energy and fuel costs, I am providing an update on my efforts in the U.S. House of Representatives to restore American energy independence.
President Biden’s anti-American energy policies have greatly injured the oil and gas industry, killed American jobs, and caused energy prices to rise. President Biden's policies revoked the Keystone XL pipeline permits while lifting sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. He enacted a drilling moratorium on federal lands and waters while calling on OPEC and Russia to boost their crude oil production. He enacted policies that rescinded Trump-era federal permitting improvements, increased regulatory burdens, threatened to increase federal royalty rates, and slowed federal approval of new energy projects and infrastructure. This administration’s energy policies have jeopardized our energy security and raised costs for American families.
To combat President Biden's disastrous energy policies, I have cosponsored numerous pieces of legislation that would protect Louisiana energy jobs and help reestablish American energy independence and American energy dominance. This includes:
H.R. 522, the Conservation Funding Protection Act, which would require annual lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico region of the outer Continental Shelf to protect offshore drilling activity and related conservation efforts.
H.R. 543, the Protecting our Wealth of Energy Resources (POWER) Act, which would prohibit the president or his secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and Energy departments from blocking energy or mineral leasing and permitting on federal lands and waters without congressional approval.
H.R. 684, the Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Preservation Act, which would authorize the Keystone XL project and clarify that a presidential permit is not required for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the outlined pipeline and border facilities.
H.R. 6947, the Freedom from Russian Energy Enterprise and Domestic Oil Maximization (FREEDOM) Act, which would ban imports of crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG from Russia, authorize the Keystone XL pipeline, and nullify President Biden's executive order that paused oil and gas leasing on public lands.
H.R. 7115, the Small Scale LNG Access Act, which would expedite application and approval processes for exports of natural gas.
H.Res. 940, which calls on President Biden to restore U.S. energy security and take necessary actions to increase domestic energy production.
Further, I am working closely with my colleagues on the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) to advance pro-American energy solutions. We recently delivered a HEAT letter to President Biden demanding he ends the ideological war on American energy producers and outlining several policy initiatives required to restore energy dominance and lower costs for American families.
The oil and gas industry employs roughly 6.8 million Americans and impacts every part of modern society. Congress must reverse the Biden administration’s disastrous economic and energy policies. This is especially true for Louisiana, which is one of the top oil & gas producers in the nation and. Nearly 250,000 Louisianans are employed by this industry. My office will use every legally available action to combat President Biden's injurious policies and support legislation to protect American workers and their livelihoods.
It is an honor to serve you in Congress. Please be assured my office will continue working to promote America first policies. Additionally, should you or your family ever need help with a federal agency, please contact my Lafayette office at 337-703-6105 or my Lake Charles office at 337-656-2833.
Respectfully,
Clay Higgins
Member of Congress
HIGGINS: FIGHTING FOR AMERICAN ENERGY PRODUCTION
In an email sent to constituents today, Congressman Clay Higgins had the following to say regarding rising oil prices and need for domestic oil production.
Domestic energy costs have been steadily increasing since Biden took office in January 2021. This is a direct result of anti-American energy policies coming from the Biden White House. Rising energy and fuel costs are hurting American families. I and many of my colleagues on the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) have called on President Biden to end his war on America's oil and gas industry. We outlined a number of necessary actions including: approving the permit for Keystone XL, lifting the leasing moratorium on federal lands and waters, fast-tracking new LNG permits, and ending the regulatory assault on domestic oil and gas production. Read our letter here.
I also fully support an import ban on Russian energy products. Every purchase of Russian energy product provides financial support for Putin's barbaric war on Ukraine. The U.S. House of Representatives considered legislation this week on the issue. However, it was far too weak. The bill would allow Russian oil and gas imports to continue for another 45 days, and it doesn't include any provisions to support American energy production. We need swift, immediate action to hold Russia accountable and reestablish American energy independence. Read more about the vote here.
HIGGINS: Thanksgiving Helped Me Remember Why I'm in This Battle
Higgins Voting Against Democrats’ $4T Socialist Spending Bill
From Congressman Clay Higgins’ Facebook page:
2100 pages of socialist legislation. A bill that devours your children’s future, and their children as well. Generations yet unborn will suffer under the weight of this oppression.
The Democrats will pass this legislation tonight through the House. Despite months of battle… although I fought against these bills with everything I had… the left will get this monstrosity passed tonight, all on their own, because Republicans in the Senate and the House helped them pass the so called infrastructure bill last week. That bill was the gateway for this one.
America is imperiled from within. I’m in the fight my Brothers and Sisters. Over the coming weeks, I’ll work with a handful of actual Constitutionalists in the Senate, and We will try to stop this thing over there.
God put me in this fight for a reason. I’m not giving up. I will not kneel.
Rep. Clay Higgins has Some Choice Words for Covid Tyrants
HIGGINS: HOLDING GENERAL MILLEY TO ACCOUNT
Rep. Clay Higgins recently shared information regarding a demand for an investigation into General Mark Milley’s actions just days before the Biden administration came into office.
Investigation. Evidence. Court Martial. In that order. I joined with my colleagues on the House Freedom Caucus demanding a formal investigation into General Mark Milley’s reported actions to undermine the Constitutional authority of the President of the United States. Aligning himself with Speaker Pelosi and the Chinese Communist Party. General Milley should resign immediately and, if the allegations against him ultimately prove to be true… he should face Court Martial for seditious acts and treason. Read our letter demanding a formal investigation here.
Rep. Clay Higgins Addresses the Biden Border Crisis
Higgins Calls Out Biden Policy Failures
Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) speaks on the House floor about the Biden administration's policy failures.
Higgins: Actual Number of Illegal Crossings Likely Around 250K in March
Congressman Clay Higgins joined Tucker Carlson to discuss how the Biden administration's border policies and restrictions on law enforcement are leading to lower interdiction rates and increased illegal crossings.
Higgins: Delegation United Behind Southwest Louisiana’s Long-Term Recovery Needs
Originally Published in the American Press
Nearly eight months have passed since Hurricanes Laura and Delta devastated Southwest Louisiana. Two major hurricanes hitting the same parishes a month apart presented significant challenges and requires an extended, large-scale recovery effort. As our communities continue to rebuild, my office and the entire Louisiana delegation remain committed to providing needed assistance and supporting the impacted areas.
We have worked with our federal partners to deliver over $1 billion in relief funding. These resources support housing and rental assistance, utility repairs, debris removal, hazard mitigation, and other disaster response costs. The state, impacted parishes, and families will continue to see additional funding allocated. Further, we worked with both President Trump and President Biden to increase federal assistance, securing a 100% federal cost-share for 30 days and a 90% federal cost-share for remaining Hurricane Laura public assistance program expenses. These federal commitments have greatly eased the financial burden for local governments.
Still, much work remains. While over $193 million in housing assistance has been provided, our region continues to face dire housing needs. FEMA regulations and its own bureaucracy, as well as local zoning laws, state component rules and guidelines, restoration of post-hurricane utility corridors, and private insurance company rules, have all been significant barriers to the fast and efficient deployment of temporary housing units. I have repeatedly and directly addressed these concerns with HUD, local and state officials, the FEMA Administrator, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, and many FEMA representatives. The change in Executive administration at the White House was unexpected and caused additional recovery complications as President Trump’s team began closing operations and President Biden’s administration had not been assembled. This dynamic certainly exacerbated the challenges of pushing the executive branch in DC. Louisiana lost a great friend in President Trump. However, our office officially communicated with the Biden administration on the day after his inauguration, touching on many topics, including disaster recovery in Louisiana.
While the efforts thus far have helped to address Southwest Louisiana’s immediate needs, we also recognize the importance of long-term recovery resources. The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury recently echoed calls from Governor Edwards for Congress to appropriate additional funding for hurricane recovery and disaster mitigation efforts. We support this request. Further, just last week, my office led a Delegation letter to Speaker Pelosi, addressing the need for supplemental disaster relief. Louisiana’s entire congressional delegation is united behind Southwest Louisiana’s long-term recovery needs.
Although the letter to Speaker Pelosi is a recent interaction, I have worked for months to build support in Congress for a supplemental disaster relief bill. That support exists broadly. However, the Democratic majority and Speaker Pelosi would not allow our supplemental funding to move forward prior to the November Presidential election. Further, the Democrat majority blocked our disaster recovery amendments to the most recent COVID-19 spending bill. One such amendment would have prioritized up to $10 billion of the Disaster Relief Fund for Southwest Louisiana and other communities hit by a major disaster in 2020. We will not stop pushing. It’s not in my nature to quit. DC politics will not deter us from our mission. I remain confident that Congress will produce a bipartisan disaster relief package. In the meantime, none of the Federal agencies that have authority over disaster recovery programs have ever come close to running out of money. Scores of millions of dollars that have already been set aside through various programs for Louisiana recovery remain available. Navigating through the application process to access these monies can be difficult, and our office has helped many local government entities, businesses, and families push through the complicated application procedures and receive their recovery assistance. This is an ongoing mission. Every day, our District and DC staff work on helping Louisiana stand back up.
Our region will not be forgotten. Louisiana is my home. You are all my neighbors. I work for you. A great deal of federal support has already been delivered, and more relief is coming. We are working across congressional barriers to deliver results. I am not alone in this commitment. Our local and state elected officials have done heroic work, my own staff has served tirelessly to deliver compassionate relief, and the entire Louisiana delegation stands behind recovery efforts. We are all in this together, shoulder to shoulder. It’s been an incredibly challenging year, on many, many levels. As one people, we will move forward day by day, toward full recovery from the many disasters of this past year, to emerge better, stronger, wiser, more loving, more resilient, and more united.
Congressman Clay Higgins represents Louisiana’s 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman Clay Higgins Slams HR 5
Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) delivers a take down of H.R. 5, Democrats' radical bill to redefine gender.
Higgins: Ban on Large Church Gatherings is Unconstitutional
Photo source: US Representative Clay Higgins
The letter reads, in part, “As you know, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically bars the government from making laws respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. I agree that all our constituents and religious leaders should follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). However, the decision to gather should be the choice of the individual or institution and not a mandate by any government entity. The State has no authority to enforce this proclamation nor any ban on worship.”
Read more: Higgins: Ban on Large Church Gatherings is Unconstitutional
