HEALTH FREEDOME COALITION: Public Comment Requested as Louisiana's Select Committee on Homeland Security Convenes to Review the State's Response to COVID-19

Next week begins the first in a series of legislative hearings to review Louisiana’s response to COVID-19. Following the passage of State Representative Chuck Owen’s HR133, a resolution requesting the hearings, the House Select Committee on Homeland Security will convene on September 25 and 26 with discussions focused on the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and the state’s medical licensing boards. The agendas for Wednesday, September 25th and Thursday, September 26th include testimony from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, the Louisiana Hospital Association, and the Louisiana Nursing Home Association.

The government’s response to covid was an attack on our civil liberties which subsequently threatened the health, economy, and security of our state. As such, the House Select Committe on Homeland Security has been assigned the task of evaluating the state’s response to covid and offering effective policy changes so that public health is never again used as a means of undermining our state’s security. Chairman Jay Gallé and Vice Chair Chuck Owen along with Representatives Beryl Amedée, Josh Carlson, Raymond Crews, Kathy Edmonston, Peter Egan, Brett Geymann, Danny McCormick, and Phillip Tarver have been entrusted to ask tough questions to ensure that harmful policies are addressed. Many of these legislators fought covid overeach for years while others stepped into public office because of the government’s response to covid.

These hearings are an opportunity to examine all aspects of covid policies implemented by LDH in regard to public health including isolating loved ones in long-term care, social distancing, universal masking recommendations, and vaccine mandates.

The public, including healthcare workers and those affected by policies implemented in healthcare settings like hospitals and long-term care facilities, are invited to comment publicly or submit written testimony.

Future hearings will review covid policies in education and executive orders from the governor’s office.

Statements may be filed with the House Select Committee on Homeland Security via e-mail at hschs@legis.la.gov.

House Passage of Representative Chuck Owen's HR133 Creates a Covid Commission

Monday on the House floor, HR133 by Representative Chuck Owen passed with a unanimous vote of 96-0. This House Resolution “requests the House Select Committee on Homeland Security to review state government actions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and postpandemic period and make recommendations to improve the government's response in future health emergencies,” and reads:

To request the House Select Committee on Homeland Security to review state government actions during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, including the related shutdowns and other postpandemic activities, and to make recommendations to improve the state's response in future health emergencies.

WHEREAS, COVID-19 was first described as a public health emergency of international concern early in 2020 and created both a public health crisis and an economic crisis in the United States and across the globe; and

WHEREAS, all units of government, including but not limited to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in Louisiana, were prompted and forced to take unprecedented actions to first analyze, respond to, and then attempt to function while the worldwide pandemic unfolded; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic and related shutdowns caused great societal disruption and had drastic impacts on our health and welfare including mental health, educational systems and outcomes, and our economy; and

WHEREAS, analysis shows that the impact of the pandemic on K–12 student learning was significant, leaving students on average five months behind in mathematics and four months behind in reading by the end of the school year; widened preexisting opportunity and achievement gaps; and had an impact on not just academics but also the broader health and well-being of students, with a significant number of parents very or extremely concerned about their children’s mental health; and

WHEREAS, the fallout from the pandemic threatens to depress this generation’s prospects and constrict their future opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the pandemic has disrupted lives, pushed the hospital system to its capacity, and created an ongoing global economic slowdown; and

WHEREAS, government exists to serve the public and provide order and a structure whereby people can make their needs and opinions known to public officials; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana citizens deserve to know that their government will do all in its power to study the appropriateness of its response to the pandemic and ensure mistakes made previously will not be repeated and that every effort will be made to respect their rights and overall health and welfare; and

WHEREAS, all actions of government should be open to review and analysis for the public good.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby request the House Select Committee on Homeland Security to review state government actions during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, including the related shutdowns and other postpandemic activities, and to report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives not later than March 30, 2025.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include the following:

(1) Recommendations for any changes to law to enable the state to better handle future pandemics.

(2) Identification of successes and failures of government during the pandemic including the related shutdowns and other postpandemic activities with recommended pathways for the future.

(3) Identification of key governmental infringements on the civil liberties of Louisiana's citizens and recommended pathways for the future.

(4) Identification of actions by government that may have assisted or harmed educational outcomes of Louisiana K-12 and higher education students and recommended pathways for the future.

(5) Identification of key governmental actions that affected the economic health and future of the state of Louisiana and recommended pathways for the future.

Monday’s presentation of HR133 on the House floor by Rep Owen. . .

Who sits on the House Select Committee on Homeland Security?

Once again, we thank Representative Chuck Owen for bringing much needed legislation to evaluate the state’s actions during covid and provide insight and recommendations for future administrations.

State Representative Chuck Owen Files Resolution to Urge Attorney General Liz Murill to Investigate Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson

State Representative Chuck Owen has filed House Resolution 214 which reads:

To urge and request the attorney general of the state of Louisiana to investigate whether Pfizer, Inc., Moderna, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and associated entities violated any state or federal laws while operating in the state of Louisiana with regard to the promotion, distribution, or sale of COVID-19 vaccines or vaccine boosters.

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic officially began in the winter of 2020 in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the pandemic was the first of its kind to hit the United States and Louisiana in over a century; and

WHEREAS, the pandemic caused great societal disruption in the state of Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, a significant effort in the United States went into finding treatment for citizens who were infected by the virus; and

WHEREAS, large manufacturers of medical treatments, vaccines, and drugs were heavily involved in the creation of treatments and inoculations against the vaccine; and

WHEREAS, the public health and public safety should have been the primary focal points for the promotion, distribution, and or sale of vaccines and vaccine boosters developed to confront and treat the COVID-19 virus; and

WHEREAS, there were significant efforts by public and private entities in promoting and distributing the COVID-19 family of vaccines and vaccine boosters; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the state of Louisiana deserve the right to full disclosure of the actions of providers of the COVID-19 family of vaccines and boosters in terms of accountability and performance within the limitations of the law; and

WHEREAS, efforts to manufacture, distribute, and promote all COVID-19 vaccine products were publicly funded; and

WHEREAS, under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, all COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, distributors, and providers are immune from federal civil liability.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the attorney general to investigate the actions of pharmaceutical companies and to review the actions of the companies and associated entities to determine if all involved followed the letter and spirit of the laws of the United States and the state of Louisiana with regard to the promotion, distribution, and sale of the COVID-19 family of vaccines and vaccine boosters since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the attorney general shall report her findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives by March 1, 2025.

Thank you, Rep Owen, for this much needed resolution to “urge and request” Attorney General Liz Murrill to investigate possible violations of state and federal laws by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson “with regard to the promotion, distribution, or sale of COVID-19 vaccines or vaccine boosters.”

What state or federal laws might these companies have violated? The False Claims Act comes to mind.

As a reminder, the sole statutory exclusion from the impregnable immunity from liability provided by the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act is willful misconduct. Let’s hope and pray AG Murrill is able to find evidence of just that so appropriate justice will follow.

Thank you, Rep Owen, for bringing this resolution!

Firehouse BBQ is suing governor for damages

In 2020 Governor John Bel Edwards issued his emergency rules through the Department of Health, mandating folks wear masks indoors. Firehouse BBQ went toe-to-toe with the governor’s office over the masks and capacity limits, which held up in court after a judge let the business stay open. Fast-forward two and a half years later and the fight doesn’t end there.

“So, that’s what we’re trying to do. You know, get some kind of accountability to what happens in an emergency situation. Showing them, hey you can’t shut people’s businesses down, you can’t damage the public in this way. You have to have some kind of limits to it,” said the owner, Danielle Bunch.

Read more: Firehouse BBQ is suing governor for damages

RELEASE: FORT POLK MASTER SERGEANT FILES SUIT AGAINST BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OVER RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION DENIAL FOR VACCINE MANDATE

New Orleans–Today, the Pelican Center for Justice filed suit against the Biden Administration in the Western District of Louisiana. The suit was filed on behalf of Master Sergeant Robert W. Galey, Jr., and seeks an injunction against the administration’s unjust COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the United States Army.

Driven by his Christian faith, Master Sergeant Robert W. Galey, Jr., chose a life of service in the U.S. Army. That’s why he’s given sixteen years of his life as an active-duty infantry soldier and deployed eight times to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When the Army first told service members that they must receive the vaccine, Master Sergeant Galey began to research the production process. He discovered that the vaccine they would have to take was tested and produced in a way that violated his profession of faith. His first request for exemption was denied, as was his appeal. He received a final notice that he will be separated from the Army.

Due to his refusal to take the vaccine on religious grounds, he’s been denied training opportunities and promotions, and has now received notice that he will be discharged from the Army, which will include the loss of his retirement benefits, including pension and medical care for his family.

“Courts across America have continually ruled against the administration over this mandate, choosing to protect the religious liberty of Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have made religious accommodation requests,” said Sarah Harbison, General Counsel at the Pelican Institute. “The Army should be no different.”

Some believe the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will render a suit of this kind unnecessary due to a provision Republicans added rescinding the military’s COVID-19 mandate. Yet even the NDAA is not preventing Master Sergeant Galey’s unit from continuing to seek his separation from the Army.

Moreover, even if President Biden does sign the bill, what cannot be forgotten is two years of damages inflicted on faithful service members who chose not to take the vaccine for the sake of their faith. Many have already been separated or had their careers permanently damaged by the loss of promotion or training opportunities and are not addressed by the NDAA.

“When the President signs the bill, the news cycle will no doubt try to move on,” said James Baehr, Special Counsel at the Pelican Institute. “Yet what will be left behind are real damages that continue to affect real people—including those who serve God and our country with the utmost devotion. What happened to Master Sergeant Galey and other men and women of principle should never happen in this country again. The Pelican Institute will not stop fighting for them.”

The suit claims these actions clearly violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as well as First Amendment, and Master Sergeant Galey is seeking to vindicate the law and Constitution.

“I am grateful that Congress has recognized the harm that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is having on the Army, but the NDAA changes won’t make me whole,” said Rob Galey, “I have missed out on training opportunities, been removed from leadership, and had my orders to an important follow-on assignment deleted, all for simply expressing my faith.”

The suit was filed in the Western District of Louisiana. This is the second case in which the Pelican Center for Justice has represented a servicemember over this unjust, unconstitutional vaccine mandate.

Louisiana, Missouri Release Full Fauci Deposition Transcript

“Fauci’s recent deposition only confirmed what we already knew: federal bureaucrats in collusion with social media companies want to control not only what you think, but especially what you say,” said Attorney General Landry. “During no time in human history was this more obvious than during the COVID-19 crisis where social engineering tactics were used against the American public, not to limit your exposure to a virus, but to limit your exposure to information that did not fit within a government sanctioned narrative.”

“Missouri and Louisiana are leading the way in exposing how the federal government and the Biden Administration worked with social media to censor speech. In our deposition with Dr. Fauci, it became clear that when Dr. Fauci speaks, social media censors,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “I invite everyone to read the deposition transcript and see exactly how Dr. Fauci operates, and exactly how the COVID tyranny that ruined lives and destroyed businesses was born.”

The deposition can be read here: Fauci Deposition

Read more: Louisiana, Missouri Release Full Fauci Deposition Transcript

AG Jeff Landry Joins Glenn Beck to Discuss Lawsuit Against Federal Gov 't and Deposition of Dr. Fauci

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry joins to detail his lawsuit against the federal government and Dr. Fauci’s seven-hour deposition.

AG Landry to depose Dr. Anthony Fauci in COVID censorship case

“We all deserve to know how involved Dr. Fauci was in the censorship of the American people during the COVID pandemic; tomorrow, I hope to find out,” said Attorney General Landry on Tuesday. “And I will continue fighting for the truth as it relates to Big Government colluding with Big Tech to stifle free speech.”

“(Wednesday), along with my counterpart from Louisiana, my Office and I will depose Dr. Anthony Fauci in our lawsuit against the Biden Administration for allegedly colluding with social media companies to censor freedom of speech,” said Attorney General Schmitt.  “Since we filed our landmark lawsuit, we have uncovered documents and discovery that show clear coordination between the Biden Administration and social media companies on censoring speech, but we’re not done yet. We plan to get answers on behalf of the American people. Stay tuned.”

Read more: AG Landry to depose Dr. Anthony Fauci in COVID censorship case

Are mRNA Vaccines Safe & Effective?

Are mRNA vaccines safe & effective? Not according to new peer reviewed papers by @DrAseemMalhotra

'Curing the pandemic of misinformation on Covid-19 mRNA vaccines through real evidence based medicine'

Paper PT 1: https://t.co/53WWgNpWB8

Full interview: https://t.co/6kiMUr261i pic.twitter.com/9JZAr5fHoT

— James Freeman (@JamesfWells) September 26, 2022

Dr Aseem Malhotra suffered a personal tragedy that led him to look into the evidence on the vaccines

How many people have suffered this same tragedy, but do not know why it happened?

Full interview 👉 https://t.co/6kiMUr261i@DrAseemMalhotra pic.twitter.com/16akyAh2fj

— James Freeman (@JamesfWells) September 26, 2022

CASE DISMISSED: Victory For Parents And Their Children

LDH Official Repeals COVID Shot Mandate for School

BATON ROUGE, LA - This year, parents and guardians stood together in opposition to the COVID-19 shot being required for their children to attend school. As a result of their coming together, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) decided to rescind the mandate for Louisiana students. As of yesterday, it has officially been repealed.

In light of this victory for parents and their children, Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a motion to dismiss the Crews v. Edwards case, wherein he sought to have the vaccine mandate enjoined and issued the following statement:

"Today is the culmination of hard work by so many concerned parents throughout Louisiana. This is the direct result of moms, dads, grandparents, and guardians fighting for what is right. I thank Representative Raymond Crews, Health Freedom Louisiana, the Bayou Mama Bears, Town Hall Baton Rouge, Children’s Health Defense, and all those from across Louisiana that stood with us for parental choice.

Child medical decisions should be made by their guardians, not the government. I hope this health freedom victory reminds everyone what can happen when we all work together. When citizens are engaged and get involved, their government will listen."

LAC51II.701Repeal.pdf

KENNEDY: I Wouldn't Advise Fauci to Put Down a Non-Refundable Deposit on a Cruise

I wouldn’t advise Dr. Fauci to put down a non-refundable deposit on a cruise.

If Republicans take back Congress, he’s going to spend a lot of time answering questions in front of our committees. pic.twitter.com/pqkisHqRlD

— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) August 24, 2022

AG LANDRY: The Most Severe Abrogation of First Amendment in Modern Times

Attorney General Jeff Landry recently appeared on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” to discuss COVID policies in America

A bill to give parents legal recourse if their child is denied school admittance based on their vaccination status passes in House Education

Photo source: Ballotpedia

A bill to allow parents to bring a lawsuit against the entity that prevents a student’s entry to a school on the basis of their immunization status advances from House Education. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee’s bill will give parents legal recourse if their child is denied admittance because they opted out of any vaccination.

“A state agency is supposed to enforce this, and the legal remedy is when they don’t a parent can sue. This is all the bill does is add that already existing option into the statutes,” said Amedee.

Read more: A bill to give parents legal recourse if their child is denied school admittance based on their vaccination status passes in House Education

Either "The Science" Changed or It's the Old "For Me and Not For Thee" in New Orleans

Photo source: Fox News

Mardi Gras is in full swing in the Big Easy. So is hypocrisy.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya “The DeStroya” Cantrell recently imposed a mask mandate for the city prior to the start of Mardi Gras season, “following the science” regarding COVID-19 safety. The full mandate can be found here, but the key points are below:

In response to the exponential growth of new COVID cases and hospitalizations statewide due to the Omicron variant, the City of New Orleans today announced the reinstatement of the indoor mask mandate in Orleans Parish, effective Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 6 a.m. 

The mask mandate will be in place for all public indoor spaces, including all K-12 schools and healthcare facilities throughout Orleans Parish. Masks will also be required for use of public transportation as detailed in the federal guidelines, for all residents ages 2 and older. COVID-19 mitigation measures implemented for certain businesses requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entry will remain in place.

With Mardi Gras season in full swing, Cantrell and her cohorts were seen at a recent ball without masks and flaunting her own mandate. Your kids in the city are forced to wear masks throughout the day, but if you are in a leadership position, these rules are not applicable. The response from her administration?

In a statement to Fox News, Cantrell spokesman Beau Tidwell admitted that there was not a "perfect adoption of the guidelines in every instance" over the weekend.

"The mask guidelines and the vaccination requirement will remain in effect thru Mardi Gras," he said. "That has not changed and it will not change. Under the current guidelines, masks may be removed indoors while eating and drinking. While we did not see perfect adoption of the guidelines in every instance over the weekend, we were encouraged overall by the level of masking and vigilance we saw on the parade route and at ball events."

In other words, who are you gonna believe? Us or your lying eyes?

It’s past time for the people of the State of Louisiana to stand up and fight back against these baseless mandates. It’s not about “the science”, but about political superiority.

Read more: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell held maskless ball after reimposing mask mandate

Jan 11, 2022: City of New Orleans Announces Reinstatement of Indoor Mask Mandate

Mayor's Ball 2022: https://t.co/YA5owyP7yn pic.twitter.com/ZOA6AGCH1S

— Sam (@SamSullivan) February 21, 2022

16 states file new lawsuit against healthcare worker COVID vaccine mandate

Sixteen states are making another push to stop the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers nearly a month after the Supreme Court upheld the regulation.

The 16-state coalition, led by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, on Friday filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Louisiana seeking to stop the rule’s enforcement in the state before the next compliance deadline goes into effect next week.

Read more: 16 states file new lawsuit against healthcare worker COVID vaccine mandate

Federal vaccine mandate halted, AG Jeff Landry says more work needs to be done

LANDRY: School Vaccine Mandates Are ILLEGAL!

Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators sent out this email regarding a hearing on the vaccine mandate for COVID for Louisiana students:

This morning AG Jeff Landry testified before the Louisiana Legislature in defense of our states laws. He told the House Health and Welfare Committee that "the proposed rule that LDH plans to promulgate—adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required immunizations for school entry—is not permitted under existing law."

He went on to say that if the state were to continue down the path set forth by the Governor, we would be joining the radical leftist state of California where personal freedom only applies to those wishing to have an abortion.

Landry made a convincing plea that the legislature support the rights of Louisiana citizens.

"I am asking you to take back the police powers of the state, and stop this vaccine mandate. We cannot allow an Executive Branch agency to bypass the constitutional responsibilities of the Legislature by allowing it to create policy and law by use of an executive rule. "

We're proud of Attorney General Landry standing up in support of parents and families knowing what is best for their children!

Jeff Landry is the Conservative Voice our state
needs during times like this.

Federal Judge Blocks COVID Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers Challenged by Jeff Landry

Judge Terry Doughty of the Monroe division of the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Louisiana issued the ruling blocking the mandate, which would have applied to the more than 10 million U.S. healthcare workers who are employees of facilities that take money from Medicare and Medicaid. CMS estimated that roughly 2.4 million of those workers remain unvaccinated.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and the attorneys general of 13 other states sued the Biden administration over the rule earlier this month.

Read more: Federal judge blocks COVID vaccine mandate for healthcare workers challenged by Jeff Landry

Sometimes The Truth Just Slips Out

Hypocrisy on full display here……………

Caught on Video: @RashidaTlaib Admits She Only Wears Mask for Cameras

"I'm just wearing it because I've got a Republican tracker here"

Via @CAndersonMOhttps://t.co/AXLSdZB7SE pic.twitter.com/OlktNkZjzM

— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) October 6, 2021

LAGOP Supports Superintendent Cade Brumley's Policy Shift Providing Parents a Local Option

BATON ROUGE- Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley issued new guidance last week which allows school districts to notify parents that their child has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. His guidance lets parents decide whether to send their children back to school or not. Current guidelines require students to quarantine after being in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

The LAGOP commends Superintendent Brumley for providing parents with a local option to determine their children's education. Louisiana has lived under one-man rule by Governor Edwards for the past nineteen months, and it is nineteen months past due that parents be included in the conversation.

Article 101 of the Louisiana Constitution clearly provides that "Parents have the paramount right to raise their children in accordance with their own values and traditions; that the parents should make the decisions."

"What we are trying to do is employ a common sense approach that returns control to the local community and allows them to make decisions in the best interest of their kids," Brumley said.

Louisiana is now among states with the lowest per capita rate of new cases, according to data from the Center for Disease Control. Governor Edwards and President Biden's policy guidelines are damaging our children's education and harming their future. The LAGOP fully supports Superintendent Brumley in allowing this local option.