OPINION: Headline: FDA Needs to Get the Facts Straight

For decades, we’ve been told that nicotine itself is the problem. But new research confirms what many have long suspected: it’s not nicotine that kills — it’s the smoke.

A new white paper, Getting Smart on Reduced Harm, shows just how widespread the confusion is among doctors and nurses. Nearly half of medical providers in America wrongly think nicotine causes cancer. Even worse, that figure rises to almost 60% among those who treat the most smokers. That means the very people best positioned to help adults quit cigarettes don’t have the facts straight.

The result? Millions of Americans who could switch to better, FDA-authorized alternatives — products already shown to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals — aren’t being told the truth. Instead, they’re left with cigarettes, the most dangerous way to use nicotine.

This isn’t about letting Big Government push people around. It’s about allowing adults who smoke to make informed choices. If you’re 21 or older and choose to keep using nicotine, you deserve to know that there are products out there that are far less harmful than continuing to light up.

Even former HHS Secretary Tom Price said it clearly: “Science ought to be dictating our policy. And sadly, from a health standpoint, science hasn’t dictated policy in the area of tobacco consumption, especially with [authorized] smoke-free products.”

The FDA’s job is simple: cut the red tape, share the facts, and let adults make their own choices. Quitting entirely will always be the best option, but for the millions of Americans who won’t quit, better alternatives exist — and it’s time Washington stopped standing in the way.

Alton Phillips

Consumer Advocate: Dick Durbin, Roger Marshall Looking to Take Away Your Credit Card Rewards

Richard Hunt, the executive chairman of the Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC), said at a Breitbart News policy event last week that Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) are trying to take away your credit card rewards with their credit card legislation.

Hunt explained that the EPC represents a diverse group of organizations, including credit unions, community banks, large banks, and unions. He warned that two senators, Durbin and Marshall, are moving to take away credit card rewards, which many Americans use for cashback or even to pay for travel for vacation.

Marshall and Durbin have been pushing the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) for years. Hunt dubbed it the “Credit Card Cancellation Act,” noting that some large retailers have backed the bill.

Read more: Consumer Advocate: Dick Durbin, Roger Marshall Looking to Take Away Your Credit Card Rewards

OPINION: Speaker Johnson, Please Help Give Kids a Chance

As a retired nurse, I’ve cared for families facing the unimaginable: a child with a rare disease and no treatment options. Half of all rare disease patients are children, and 95% of these conditions still don’t have an FDA-approved therapy.

The Give Kids a Chance Act is a bipartisan, no-cost solution to change that. It builds on a proven program that has already delivered breakthrough treatments—like one for pediatric high-risk neuroblastoma—that otherwise might not exist. It also strengthens incentives for researchers to focus on kids who are often overlooked because their conditions are so rare.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about giving families hope. Speaker Johnson has always been a strong advocate for life and for Louisiana families, and I know he understands how urgent this is. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Julia Letlow for cosponsoring the bill and standing up for children who need it most. We already have one North Louisiana champion supporting these kids; now we need Speaker Johnson to do the same.

I respectfully urge Speaker Johnson and Congress to include the Give Kids a Chance Act in the September funding package. Families facing the rarest and toughest diagnoses shouldn’t have to wait for hope.

– Lu Jones, RN

OPINION: Gov. Landry & Sanders Show a Better Path to Lower Drug Costs

In Louisiana and Arkansas, leaders are proving there’s a smarter way to bring down prescription drug prices—one that protects patients, supports local pharmacies, and targets the real drivers of inflated costs.

Louisiana’s PBM Reforms Put Patients First

Governor Jeff Landry has made reforming Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) a priority, calling out their role as “middlemen” who too often stand between patients and affordable medicines. In a recent address, Landry explained how PBMs can drive up costs—using spread pricing, steering patients to their own pharmacies, and keeping rebate dollars hidden instead of passing them to consumers.

Louisiana’s recent reforms are among the most comprehensive in the nation:

• Ending spread pricing: PBMs can no longer reimburse pharmacies below their cost to acquire the medication.

• Rebate transparency: Rebates negotiated with drugmakers must be passed directly to insurers or patients.

• No more steering: Patients can choose where they fill their prescriptions without being forced into PBM-owned pharmacies.

• Greater oversight: The Department of Insurance now has expanded authority to audit PBM contracts and practices.

Arkansas Takes on Insurance and PBM Practices

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has paired PBM reform with a strong stand against steep health insurance premium hikes. When Centene Corporation and Blue Cross Blue Shield proposed rate increases of 54% and 25.5%, Sanders called them “outrageous” and pressed her Insurance Commissioner to reject them under state law.

She also signed a first-in-the-nation ban on PBMs owning pharmacies, effective January 1, 2026—cutting off a major source of conflicts of interest.

Why PBM Reform Is the More Practical Path

Some in Washington have proposed national drug pricing mandates like the “Most Favored Nation” approach, which ties U.S. prices to those in other countries. While this might sound appealing, it doesn’t directly address the real, day-to-day issues patients face—like hidden PBM fees, limited pharmacy access, or rebate dollars not making it to the checkout counter.

PBM reform, on the other hand, tackles these problems head-on by increasing transparency, restoring competition, and ensuring savings actually reach consumers. It strengthens the market instead of relying on international price benchmarks that may not reflect American healthcare needs.

A Call to Louisiana’s Congressional Leaders

Louisiana and Arkansas have shown that meaningful reform can happen at the state level. Now it’s time to take these principles to Washington.

We encourage Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Senator Bill Cassidy to champion federal PBM reform that:

• Requires full transparency on rebates, fees, and spread pricing.

• Ends self-dealing and patient steering.

• Ensures fair reimbursement for all pharmacies.

By focusing on PBM reform, Congress can lower drug costs for consumers, protect local pharmacies, and preserve innovation, delivering results that heavy-handed national pricing schemes simply can’t match.

Alton Phillips

LAGOP: Bye Bye Planned Parenthood! 👋

PLANNED PARENTHOOD EXITS LOUISIANA

Dear Friends,

We are thrilled to share incredible news that Planned Parenthood will cease all operations in Louisiana, closing its health clinics in our state.

This marks a significant victory for the pro-life movement and a milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect the most vulnerable among us.

For years, dedicated advocates, legislators, and community members have worked tirelessly to promote a culture of life in Louisiana. This closure is not just the end of an abortion provider’s presence in our state, it is a testament to what can be achieved when we stand together for what is right.

While we celebrate this moment, our mission is far from over. We must continue to support women, children, and families by providing real resources, compassionate care, and life-affirming alternatives.

Thank you for standing with us in defense of life. Together, we will continue to make Louisiana a beacon for the unborn and a model for the nation.

Kennedy, Schmitt introduce resolution to mark one-year anniversary of assassination attempt against President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania

“It was a dark day for our country when a deranged lunatic attempted to assassinate President Trump and stole the life of a beloved fireman, husband and father in Butler, Pennsylvania. One year later, I am grateful to God that President Trump survived this disgusting crime and offer my deepest condolences to Corey Comperatore’s family, along with all others injured or affected by this disturbing act of political violence.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and 24 bipartisan colleagues in introducing a resolution to mark the one-year anniversary of the assassination attempt against President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“It was a dark day for our country when a deranged lunatic attempted to assassinate President Trump and stole the life of a beloved fireman, husband and father in Butler, Pennsylvania. One year later, I am grateful to God that President Trump survived this disgusting crime and offer my deepest condolences to Corey Comperatore’s family, along with all others injured or affected by this disturbing act of political violence,” said Kennedy.

“On July 13, 2024, our nation witnessed the horrifying assassination attempt against President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. As we remember the tragedy that unfolded, we must stand together to unequivocally oppose political violence against elected officials and condemn the divisive rhetoric that has fueled the rise of such hatred. My resolution makes clear that political violence has no place in our democracy and reaffirms the need for civility, respect, and the peaceful exchange of ideas. The United States is stronger when we stand together—even when we don’t agree politically,” said Schmitt.

The resolution:

• Honors Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who lost his life protecting his family from gunfire in Butler, and David Dutch and James Copenhaver, both of whom were critically injured at the rally.

• Expresses gratitude to the law enforcement officers, first responders and medical personnel who responded to the attacks, conducted investigations and provided aid to victims.

• Condemns other violent acts carried out against elected officials, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Minnesota State House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman.

Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), David McCormick (R-Pa.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) also cosponsored the resolution.

The full resolution is available here.

Credit Card Benefits Are More Valuable Than Ever

The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act recently passed the U.S. Senate; a legislative milestone driven by free markets to strengthen the nation’s payments system through ongoing innovation and introduce even more competition.

Yet this progress was nearly derailed, once again, by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), who attempted to attach his controversial credit card mandates to the GENIUS Act. This marked his third attempt to bypass regular order and force through his credit card government mandates by piggybacking on unrelated legislation, having previously tried - and failed - with both a defense authorization bill and an appropriations package.

Read more: Credit Card Benefits Are More Valuable Than Ever

PMI's ‘Invested in America’ Campaign Underscores Southern Manufacturing Revival

Philip Morris International’s U.S. division has launched a new national campaign—“Invested in America”—designed to showcase the company’s growing footprint in American manufacturing, job creation, and smoke-free innovation. Timed around the Fourth of July and “Made in the USA” month, the campaign marks a strategic pivot for the global tobacco company as it seeks to position itself as a driver of public health innovation and American economic growth.

The centerpiece of the campaign is PMI’s more than $800 million investment in U.S. manufacturing facilities dedicated to smoke-free products like nicotine pouches and heated tobacco devices. These investments are fueling job creation across Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia, with more than 2,500 Americans currently employed across its U.S. operations. The company touts these jobs as high-skilled and high-paying—contributing to what it calls a new “manufacturing renaissance.”

Read more: PMI's ‘Invested in America’ Campaign Underscores Southern Manufacturing Revival

OPINION: America First or China First? The Dangerous Consequences of MFN Drug Pricing

As Congress revives debate over foreign reference pricing—better known as the “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) policy—conservatives need to ask a hard question: who benefits most when we outsource America’s drug prices to foreign bureaucrats?

The answer is clear—and it’s not the American people. It’s China.

At its core, MFN is a price control scheme that pegs U.S. drug prices to artificially low rates set by government-run health systems in Europe. But beyond the economic fallout—slashed innovation, lost jobs, and shuttered rural hospitals—MFN is also a geopolitical gift to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

China isn’t just competing with us in semiconductors and rare earth minerals. It’s waging an all-out race to dominate the future of biomedicine. In oncology alone, China has surged ahead, launching nearly as many new cancer treatments as the U.S. in the past five years. They’ve increased R&D investment nearly three times faster than the U.S.—and that gap will only grow if America kneecaps its own pharmaceutical engine with MFN.

The data tells a chilling story. One credible estimate finds that MFN could result in up to 342 fewer new drug approvals, nearly 1.3 million lost American jobs, and over $1 trillion in lost tax revenue. Meanwhile, China is sitting on the sidelines, cheering us on as we undermine one of the last great industries still led by the United States.

This isn’t just a healthcare debate. It’s a national security issue.

In a world where biomedical innovation determines who cures the next pandemic, who wins the cancer war, and who commands global influence, surrendering our pharmaceutical sector to the whims of foreign price-setters isn’t just misguided—it’s dangerous.

Make no mistake: MFN isn’t “market-based reform.” It’s socialized medicine disguised in populist rhetoric. It invites the failed policies of Europe—rationing, restricted access, and aging infrastructure—into a system that has delivered 90% of the world’s medical breakthroughs over the past decade.

Worse still, it puts American patients behind a global paywall. Today, U.S. patients have access to nearly 90% of newly launched medicines. In countries like Canada and Australia, that figure drops to 19% and 24%. With MFN, we risk importing not just low prices—but low access, fewer cures, and slower innovation.

For conservatives, the path forward is clear: reject MFN and fight for American solutions. That means cutting out middlemen like pharmacy benefit managers who pocket 50 cents of every dollar spent on medicine. It means reforming the 340B hospital racket, where tax-exempt systems buy drugs for pennies and sell them for thousands. And it means holding foreign freeloaders accountable—not rewarding them by adopting their failed models.

The choice is simple: Do we lead the world in medical innovation, or do we hand the keys to Beijing?

Alton Phillips

Blake Miguez Raises Over $800K in Just 13 Days

Reports Nearly $2 Million Cash on Hand for U.S. Senate Campaign

NEW IBERIA, LA — In just 13 days, conservative fighter and America First candidate Blake Miguez reported over $1.8 million for his U.S. Senate campaign to unseat RINO and Trump-impeacher Bill Cassidy. The haul includes over $800,000 in individual contributions, already outraising Cassidy head-to-head in this category, and exceeding the total of every other challenger combined.

“Louisiana conservatives are tired of being betrayed by phony Republicans and election-season pretenders like Bill Cassidy,” Miguez said. “We launched this campaign to give our state a voice that won’t back down, a fighter who won’t quit, and a conservative who hits the mark. The early response and enthusiasm make it clear—this campaign is exactly what Louisiana is looking for.”

A clear contrast: Cassidy’s fundraising relied on his crutch of DC Swamp money and establishment support – while Miguez’s numbers were driven by strong support from people across Louisiana.

Miguez’s rapid fundraising haul reflects growing momentum behind his candidacy and sends a clear signal that his America First message is resonating – loudly – and the campaign is confident momentum will only continue to build. 

“We’re just getting started,” said Miguez.

Kennedy on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: “Everybody who voted against our bill voted to raise taxes on the American people”

“We avoided $4.3 trillion worth of taxes.”

 WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) delivered the following remarks on the U.S. Senate floor:

“I've already heard, a lot, that the reconciliation bill that Congress passed is going to kill people. ‘People are going to die. It's only going to help rich people.’ None of that's true.

“The bill that we just passed is primarily a tax cut, and taxes are not terribly complicated. When you tax something, you get less of it, right? You want to stop people wearing wristwatches—I love wristwatches, I’ve had this one for like 30 years—but if you want to stop people from wearing wrist watches, just pass a bill where every time you buy a wristwatch, you have to pay a $200 tax. Boy, that’s going to be the end of wristwatches.

“Business is the same way. If you want businesses not to expand, tax the hell out of them so they don’t have any money to reinvest in their businesses. If you want people to work less, tax them. Take all their money. People are rational. They’ll go, ‘Why would I want to work an extra 10 hours this week? They’re taxing me. They’re going to take all my money.’

“So, our bill is a tax cut bill. That's all it was.

“We passed the tax cut back in 2017, as you know, Mr. President. Those tax cuts would have expired at the end of this year. If we hadn't passed this bill, taxes on the American people would have gone up $4.3 trillion. Not billion. $4.3 trillion. It would have tanked our economy. Our economy would have gone down like a fat guy on a seesaw.

“And some of my friends say, ‘You only cut taxes on the rich.’ That's not true. That's just a lie. I mean, well over half of the tax cuts that we extended go to ordinary Americans, working people, working moms, working dads. So, the first thing we did was extend the tax cuts. We avoided $4.3 trillion worth of taxes. And, frankly, everybody who voted against our bill voted to raise taxes on the American people in the amount of $4.3 trillion. That's just a fact.

“Our bill did some other things, though. We added some new tax cuts. We cut taxes on tips. Now, not everybody who works for tips is going to get a tax cut, but most people are. We cut taxes on overtime. Most ordinary Americans work overtime. We cut the taxes on overtime. We cut taxes on Social Security income. We cut taxes on some car loans. We extended the child tax credit—$2,200 for every child. That's important for most Americans. We increased the standard deduction.

“We strengthened Medicaid. One of the things—it’s really a lie, but I’ll call it rhetoric—going around is: ‘Well, they destroyed Medicaid.’

“Medicaid's going to grow under our bill. It's just not going to grow as fast as it was. But 10 years from now, we'll be spending a minimum a 20% more on Medicaid—not less, more. You know the biggest change we made to Medicaid: work requirements.

“Now, the American people are the most compassionate people in the world. If you're hungry, we'll feed you. If you're homeless, we'll house you. If you're too poor to be sick, we'll pay for your doctor. We're a generous people.

“But those who can work should work. And we've got some people on Medicaid who are perfectly healthy. They're not disabled. They don't have young kids at home. I'm not talking about a mom with a sick child in her arms. They don't have minor children at home. They just don't want to work. They want to get Medicaid, but they don't want to work.

“Those who can work should work, and all our bill does is say, ‘Look, you can still keep your Medicaid, but if you can work—not if you're disabled, not if you’re elderly, not if you’re in a nursing home—but if you're a healthy adult at home playing video games, you've got to go look for a job. And you've got to work at least 20 hours a week—not 40 hours a week—20 hours a week. What's unreasonable about that?

“The other change made to Medicaid was that some people—not most people, but some people—when they sign up for Medicaid, they lie. They say, ‘I’m only making $25,000 a year.’ In fact, they might be making $75,000 or $100,000 a year. I'm not exaggerating. I've seen that happen.

“What we've told the states is, ‘Twice a year for our folks on Medicaid, you have to check their eligibility. Make sure they're not making more than they're supposed to because Medicaid is not for everybody.’

“What's wrong with that? What's wrong with saying to people, ‘You're not entitled to Medicaid if you're not eligible?’ What's unreasonable about that? We're not killing people. We're trying to save Medicaid so that we can afford it for people who really need it.

“The other two things this bill did . . . it provided more money for border enforcement. Now, I know there are many people in America and many people in the Senate who believe in open borders. I respect that. They may not say it, but they do. They just think the border ought to be wide open, and they think that if you believe in secure borders, you're a racist. I don't agree with them, but this is America. They're entitled to their opinion.

“Most Americans don't think that. Most Americans want the border to be secure. They want to know who is coming in and out of their country, and this bill is going to provide the money to do that.

“The other part of our bill as you know, Mr. President, provides much needed money for our military because we live in a dangerous world, and I wish we didn’t, but we do. And weakness invites the wolves.”

Watch Kennedy’s speech here.  

Governor Jeff Landry & Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sign First-of-Its-Kind Make America Healthy Again Legislation

Louisiana Makes Historic Leap Toward Healthier Future  

BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana made history this week with two of the most transformative health bills in the nation. Governor Jeff Landry joined by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senator Patrick McMath and other health freedom advocates at Pennington Biomedical Research Center for a press conference and official signing of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Bill and the Ivermectin Access Bill. In addition to the bill signings, Governor Landry submitted a formal waiver request to the federal government to reform Louisiana’s SNAP program, prohibiting the use of benefits on sugary sodas, candy, and processed junk food, while rewarding the purchase of fresh, nutritious options.

Watch Full Bill Signing HERE.

“This fight is about our kids, our health, and the future of our state,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “We’re done letting chemicals, corporations, and career bureaucrats decide what’s best for our families. In Louisiana, we’re putting parents back in charge, putting real food back on the table, and giving people the tools to take their health into their own hands. I would like to thank Secretary Kennedy and Senator McMath for their hard work to make our country and Louisiana healthy.”

Senator Patrick McMath, author of the MAHA Bill, echoed the urgency: “Louisiana ranks 43rd in the nation for heart disease and diabetes, and 40% of our adult population struggles with obesity. The people are demanding action, and we’re delivering. This bill gives families the power to make informed decisions and breaks the grip Big Food and Big Pharma have had on our state for too long.”

Background on Legislation:

Louisiana’s MAHA Bill (SB 14) introduces long-overdue reforms to improve the state’s health outcomes, including banning artificial dyes and harmful preservatives in school meals, requiring physicians to complete nutrition education, and mandating food manufacturers and restaurants disclose dangerous ingredients like seed oils. The legislation is backed by overwhelming public support—86% of Louisianans support the bill, and 98% agree consumers deserve transparency about chemicals and additives in their food. The MAHA Bill also passed unanimously in both chambers, a powerful, bipartisan statement that Louisiana is united in putting health and transparency first.

The Ivermectin Access Bill (SB 19) empowers adults across the state to obtain ivermectin directly from pharmacists under a standing order from the Department of Health. The bill includes patient protections, immunity for pharmacists and helps eliminate barriers to low-cost, long-trusted treatments.

ICYMI: Governor Landry Signs Groundbreaking Legislation to Ignite Louisiana’s Energy Industry

BATON ROUGE, LA – Today, Governor Jeff Landry signed into law legislation that will tackle legacy challenges, improve energy affordability, and encourage more oil production.  

Watch the full press conference HERE. 

What Governor Landry Signed: 

SB 244: Sen. Bob Hensgens    

Reorganizes the Department of Energy Natural Resources to make the agency balanced, transparent, and solutions-oriented – including addressing decades of legacy litigation   

Strengthens the rights of Louisiana landowners by limiting expropriation for carbon capture pipelines to companies that operate as common carriers or in situations where it is required solely due to absentee landowners who cannot be located—mirroring the regulatory conditions for petroleum pipelines, ensuring uniformity across Louisiana’s pipeline infrastructure regulations.   

Prevents regulatory overreach at liquid terminals by clarifying the statute regarding pipeline rates and operations at storage or distribution terminals, limiting state oversight scope to ensure predictability and preventing unnecessary litigation.   

Prioritizes water resource management at the state level by transferring oversight of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District to the Department of Conservation and Energy, and directing the department to develop a comprehensive water resources management plan to ensure the availability of ground and surface water resources to the public in the face of economic development activities throughout the state.   

Establishes the Natural Resources Commission to promote collaboration among the states resource managers to ensure the protection and availability of the state’s resources for future generations.   

HB 692 Rep. Jacob Landry   

Fortifies Louisiana’s energy future by ordering regulators to prioritize affordable, dependable, in-state dispatchable sources—chiefly natural gas and nuclear—to support grid resilience and shield producers from the cost volatility tied to renewable mandates   

HB 600 Rep. Brett Geymann    

Reduces the severance tax rate on oil produced from newly completed wells after July 1, 2025, and establishes special tax rates for oil produced from limited-production wells, with various certifications and conditions for different well types.   This was a nearly century-old rate of severance tax on oil produced from newly completed wells   

Royalty Executive Order    

Orders the Mineral Board to establish a plan that reduces royalties – helping unleash Louisiana’s coastal energy production   

Kennedy, Tim Scott, colleagues introduce bill to protect U.S. secrets from foreign adversaries

“The Chinese Communist Party’s land buildup near our most critical military and government facilities poses a grave threat to our national security. The Protect Our Bases Act would help safeguard our nation and fight back against Communist China’s spying on American soil.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and 10 colleagues in introducing the Protect Our Bases Act, which would strengthen the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’ (CFIUS) ability to review foreign land purchases near sensitive military, intelligence and national laboratory sites by requiring member agencies to annually update and review their lists of these sites.

“The Chinese Communist Party’s land buildup near our most critical military and government facilities poses a grave threat to our national security. The Protect Our Bases Act would help safeguard our nation and fight back against Communist China’s spying on American soil,” said Kennedy.

“The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to infiltrate and surveil all parts of the U.S. national security apparatus requires vigilance from our national security agencies. This legislation will enhance the review of foreign real estate transactions near critical national security installations, helping ensure CFIUS has the information it needs to protect our homeland and keep our nation safe,” said Scott.

Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) also cosponsored the bill.

Background:

• In 2022, Fufeng Group, a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, announced it would purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

• CFIUS determined that it could not evaluate the transaction for national security risks because the Department of Defense had not listed the base as a sensitive area for national security purposes.

• Although the City of Grand Forks ultimately blocked the transaction, this incident demonstrated a serious flaw in the review process of foreign land purchases.

The Protect Our Bases Act would:

• require agencies represented on CFIUS to provide CFIUS with records of the military, intelligence and national laboratory facilities that should be considered sensitive areas for national security purposes annually.

• require CFIUS to submit an annual report to Congress certifying the completion of these reviews and detailing the accuracy of its real estate listings.

Full text of the Protect Our Bases Act is available here.

Louisiana Becomes First State to Authorize Local Law Enforcement to Neutralize Dangerous Drones

Governor Jeff Landry Signs Groundbreaking “We Will Act” Act to Protect Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure

BATON ROUGE, LA - In a national first, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed into law a sweeping new measure that authorizes state and local law enforcement to actively intercept and disable drones that pose credible threats to public safety. Video from Governor Landry’s bill signing may be found HERE.

The “We Will Act” Act marks the first time a state has granted its law enforcement agencies direct drone mitigation authority - a move typically reserved for federal entities. The law empowers specially trained officers to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic technologies to neutralize unmanned aerial systems operating unlawfully near high-risk areas such as schools, public events, and critical infrastructure.

“This law puts Louisiana on the front lines of drone defense,” said Governor Landry. “We are taking bold steps now to protect our people and our skies before tragedy strikes.”

The legislation includes strict penalties for violators, including fines of up to $5,000, up to one year in jail, and mandatory forfeiture of the drone used in the offense.

The bill comes amid rising national concern over unauthorized drone activity near sensitive locations - including military facilities and large public gatherings. Governor Landry and President Donald Trump publicly addressed the threat earlier this year during remarks at Mar-a-Lago.

With this new law, Louisiana positions itself at the forefront of state-level drone policy, setting a precedent likely to influence future legislation nationwide.

OPINION: Thank You Sen. Kennedy and Cassidy

I want to thank Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy for standing firm and allowing the GENIUS Act to move forward without the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) attached. This was the right call—and a win for consumers, small banks, and anyone who values a healthy, competitive payments system.

The Durbin-Marshall amendment, which aimed to attach the CCCA to the GENIUS Act, would have forced a controversial swipe-fee overhaul into an unrelated stablecoin and banking modernization bill. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, and the Senate advanced the GENIUS Act as a clean package. That’s how good legislation should work: focused and transparent, not crammed with last-minute amendments that haven’t been fully debated.

While the CCCA is pitched as pro-business, the reality is it would hurt consumers by undercutting credit card rewards programs and shifting costs to cardholders. It would also make it harder for smaller banks and credit unions to compete, as they rely on interchange fees to offer fraud protection and other services. The risks far outweigh the potential benefits.

Senators Kennedy and Cassidy deserve credit for not bowing to pressure and for refusing to hijack a bipartisan effort with divisive policy. Their leadership helped preserve a sound legislative process and protect Louisiana consumers from the unintended consequences of rushed financial regulation.

Let’s hope future debates on the CCCA are held in the open, on their own merits—not tucked into unrelated bills.

Don Willard 

Blake Miguez Announces Run for US Senate Against Bill Cassidy

LA Freedom Caucus Celebrates a Victory for Religious Freedom

BATON ROUGE—In a landmark win for religious liberty in Louisiana, the legislature has passed a bill by LA Freedom Caucus Chairwoman Beryl Amedée (R-Gray) that ensures churches face no stricter regulations than the least restrictive rules applied to secular businesses.

HB371 is an effort to safeguard faith communities. The bill was born out of frustration with our previous governor’s pandemic-era policies, which included keeping bars and abortion clinics open while shuttering churches and even arresting a pastor for holding services. More recently, our state fire marshal has demanded churches spend millions on building upgrades to host small homeschool co-ops on weekdays, despite deeming those same buildings safe for hundreds on Sundays. These inconsistencies expose a clear bias against religious institutions.

HB371 protects churches’ rights to host Vacation Bible School, Mom’s Day Out, camps, and homeschool activities without facing discriminatory restrictions. It upholds the principle that the government must have a compelling interest to burden religious exercise and ensures remedies for violations.

“This isn’t just about churches; it’s about ensuring fairness and preserving the fundamental right to worship and gather without undue interference,” said Rep. Amedee. “Religious liberty is a cornerstone of a free society, and this is a critical step toward ensuring it endures. I urge the governor to sign this bill and affirm our state’s commitment to fairness and freedom for all.”

LOGA Releases Statement on 2025 Legislative Session

BATON ROUGE, LA (June 12, 2025) - Upon the conclusion of the 2025 Louisiana Legislative Session, LOGA President Mike Moncla issued the following statement:

This last week of the session proved to be a big one for prospective oil and gas drilling investments in Louisiana. For decades, Louisiana’s upstream oil and gas sector has been at a competitive disadvantage compared to other producing states with regards to our severance tax rates and legacy lawsuits.

HB 600 by Representative Brett Geymann (Lake Charles) lowered the oil severance tax rate from the nation’s highest, at 12.5%, down to 6.5% for all new drilling projects in Louisiana. Each of the last five years that I’ve been at LOGA, we have attempted to lower the severance rate for oil but fell short on each attempt.

Representative Jacob Landry’s (Erath) legacy lawsuit bill, HB 694 was amended into SB 244 by Senator Bob Hensgens (Abbeville) and was passed on Wednesday. We ran a very similar bill last year that was stalled without even getting a vote on the Senate floor, so we are elated that this legislation made it through the process. While the timeline to implement this new legislation won’t begin until September 2027, this is a long-game play. The clock for a new future has officially started with this legacy reform bill.

We want to thank Governor Landry for keeping his promise on addressing both of these important issues. Also, thanks go out to Speaker DeVillier (Eunice), House Natural Resources Chairman Brett Geymann, Representative Jacob Landry, and Senate Natural Resources Chairman Bob Hensgens. With these positive changes, Louisiana is a more attractive place for oil and gas investment today than it was yesterday.

Opinion: American Energy Dominance Starts Here at Home. Louisiana Must Lead, Not Litigate.

President Trump’s recent executive order on “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach” sends a clear message: states must stop weaponizing lawsuits against the very industry that powers our nation. This kind of state-led overreach threatens more than just American energy dominance. It jeopardizes our national security, economic prosperity and the livelihoods of working families across the nation.

In Louisiana, we should understand this better than anyone.

Our energy sector drives 25% of the state’s total economic output, contributing nearly $78 billion in value and supporting more than 300,000 of our neighbors through direct, indirect or induced employment. These are well-paid, stable jobs that fuel communities and help keep Louisiana competitive globally.

But this system—our jobs—are under attack from within.

President Trump’s executive order comes on the heels of the troubling coastal lawsuit verdict from Plaquemines Parish, which sent a stark warning that even lawful, permitted energy investments in Louisiana can lead to billion-dollar consequences decades later. And there are still dozens of coastal lawsuits filed in parishes across South Louisiana that are expected to be heard in court soon.

A 2019 study by the Pelican Institute found that these coastal lawsuits are costing Louisiana’s economy up to $113 million annually. That’s money that could be going toward education, infrastructure and local services. They also create a hostile business climate, delaying permitting, discouraging future investment and signaling to energy producers and beyond that Louisiana is a risky, uncertain place to do business.

And we’re not alone. New York’s so-called “climate change” law seeks to collect billions from energy producers for past greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of when or where they occurred. Vermont is pushing similar legislation. California’s aggressive carbon credit regime forces businesses into an impossible bind with harsh emissions caps and costly compliance requirements. Who would have thought Louisiana would be grouped with states known for being anti-industry?

The longer we delay supporting President Trump’s order and prop up the “weaponized” coastal lawsuits in select parishes, the more we risk undermining Louisiana’s position as an energy leader. Louisianians pay the price as jobs move to states like Texas and investments disappear.

Louisiana energy producers are the number one private investors in our coast. We don’t need to sue them into supporting coastal restoration. Every dollar spent on lawsuits is a dollar not spent on restoration. Louisiana works when we work together.

There is a long way to go before the case in Plaquemines Parish is finished. We cannot let what happened there happen in other parishes across South Louisiana. We urge Louisiana’s leaders: comply with the executive order, drop the lawsuits and focus on working with industry to protect our coast, support our jobs and help power the nation.

Energy dominance starts here at home. Louisiana must lead, not litigate.

By Marc Ehrhardt, Executive Director, Grow Louisiana Coalition