Kennedy on diabetes in Louisiana: “We have a solution: Insulin”

“. . . diabetes costs America $327 billion a year . . . we know the problem, and we know the costs, and we have a solution: insulin”

Watch Kennedy’s full remarks here.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) spoke on the Senate floor about the need to make insulin less expensive for Americans who suffer from diabetes by passing the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which Kennedy and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) introduced.

The senator’s remarks also highlight findings from his and Warnock’s bipartisan report titled, “Insulin Deserts: The Urgency of Lowering the Cost of Insulin for Everyone.” The report states that there are 813 counties in America which are “insulin deserts,” places where 16% or more of the population is uninsured and 10% or more of the population has diabetes.

Key quotes from Kennedy’s remarks are below.

“In my state, 44% of my people are affected by diabetes directly, 14% are diabetic, another 30% are pre-diabetic, and Louisiana is not the only state with those kinds of numbers. Diabetics account for $1 of every $4 spent—one out of every $4 spent—on health care in the United States of America. Think about that.

“The average cost of hospitalization for a diabetic—which, if they can't pay for it, ultimately, we all pay—the average cost of hospitalization for diabetic patients is from $8,400 to $23,000 a year.

“And, medical costs, if you look beyond the quality-of-life issue and the moral issue of just helping people who are sick, if you look at it in terms of dollars and cents, diabetes costs America $327 billion a year—that's in medical costs and lost work and wages and lost productivity. So, we know the problem, and we know the costs, and we have a solution: insulin.”

. . .

“Insulin doesn't cost that much to make, and I don't begrudge the companies who sell insulin. I don't begrudge them making a profit, but it is bone-deep-down-to-the-marrow stupid for us to allow someone, whose diabetes can be managed by taking insulin, not to take that insulin because they can't afford it. That's immoral, and that makes no sense in terms of dollars and cents costs to the rest of the American people.

“And, Raphael and [my] bill would address that. It would say, ‘If you have private insurance, great, but if you don't have any insurance at all, if you're uninsured—and a lot of Americans become uninsured every year, maybe they don't stay uninsured, but they become uninsured—and you're diabetic, we're going to cap your out-of-pocket costs at $35 per 30-day supply. So, you have no excuse not to take your insulin to address your diabetes.’

“It’s the right thing to do. It's the smart thing to do, and, Raphael and [my] bill is paid for. We're not suggesting we go out and borrow more money.”

The Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2023 would:

Require private group or individual plans to cover one of each insulin dosage form (i.e., vial, pen) and insulin type (i.e., rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting or long-acting) for no more than $35 per month.

Require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to reimburse qualifying entities for covering any costs that exceed $35 for providing a 30-day supply of insulin to uninsured patients.

Be fully paid for by an offset, so it will not add to the deficit.

Watch Kennedy’s full remarks here.

Kennedy encourages school choice expansion in Louisiana: “Take children out of failing schools.”

“Parents should be allowed to take their children out of failing schools and put them in schools that can help those children thrive and certainly do better. It's not complicated.”

Watch Kennedy’s comments here.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today spoke on the Senate floor to commend school choice as a path to success for Louisiana students and families.

Key comments from Kennedy’s remarks include:

“I regret to say, Mr. President, that roughly half of my students in Louisiana, in grades K through three, are not reading at the grade-level. Half. Only one-third of my kids in grades three through 12 are at grade-level in the four subjects that the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program, we call it the LEAP, tests.

“In fact, we have, in Louisiana, 24 school systems—24—in which fewer than a quarter of our students—fewer than a quarter—have proficient LEAP exam scores.

. . .

“The truth is that pre-K to 12 education in America and in Louisiana was in trouble well before the pandemic, and we all know that. Yet leaders in many states remain hesitant, to say the least, to change anything—anything—about our public school system.”

. . .

“The fact is—the unhappy fact, the miserable fact—is that too many of our schools in America and in Louisiana are failure factories. They're failure factories where violence is common and learning is rare.

“But, there are a few states that are bucking the status quo, and they’re doing it, in part, by adopting school choice programs. And, so far, they've seen a lot of success. Now, school choice programs . . . can take many different shapes, but they all boil down to one thing, one foundational principle: Parents should be allowed to take their kids out of failing schools.

“Parents should be allowed to take their children out of failing schools and put them in schools that can help those children thrive and certainly do better. It's not complicated. You know, American parents today, they can go to the grocery store, and they can choose from 40 different—maybe more, but certainly 40—different breakfast cereals to feed their child in the morning.

“But, in many states, those parents have absolutely no control over which school their child can attend. . . . And, there's little that most parents—too many parents—can do to change that, even though it is patently absurd to force children to attend failing schools when parents could enroll those kids, and invest the money that pays for their education, in better schools.”

. . .

“I believe as much as I'm standing here that America's future and Louisiana's future can be better than our present, and it can be better than our past—but not if we don't improve our schools, and no one is coming to save our schools in Louisiana but ourselves.”

Kennedy explains why wages are falling under Bidenomics: “They haven’t kept up with inflation”

“The average wage of the average American has gone down after inflation. . . . workers have actually lost ground. Workers today—in Nov. of 2023—are actually making less per hour after inflation than they were in Feb. 2021.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today detailed how real wages have fallen for Americans because of the persistent inflation under Pres. Joe Biden. Kennedy noted that weekly wages, when adjusted for inflation, have decreased 3.9% since President Biden’s first full month in office.

Key comments from Kennedy’s remarks include:

“Pres. Biden’s inflation—which is man-made, and that man’s name is Joe Biden—is costing my people, the average Louisiana family, $806—not a year—a month! Eight-hundred-and-six dollars a month. That's $9,700 a year. Now imagine, if you were making $55,000 a year and you've got to come out-of-pocket with an extra $9,700 a year.”

. . .

“What [Americans] care about is prices going down, and that’s de-inflation, and we do not have de-inflation. The point I'm trying to make is: We're stuck with these high prices. If they get inflation down to zero, those prices are not going down.”

. . .

“Since Pres. Biden has been in office, consumer goods in the United States of America are up 17%.”

. . .

“The average wage of the average American has gone down after inflation. . . . The appropriate way to look at wage increases is not to look at the raw or the aggregate increase—[it’s] looking at the increase after inflation.

“And if you take all the average wage increases in the United States of America, and you look at the average inflation in the United States of America, workers have actually lost ground. Workers today—in Nov. of 2023—are actually making less per hour, after inflation, than they were in Feb. 2021.”

Kennedy’s full remarks are available here.

Kennedy statement on Johnson’s becoming House Speaker

“My House colleagues have selected an outstanding leader to navigate an unprecedented time. Mike isn’t just a consistent conservative—he’s a courageous one.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) released the following statement upon Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives:

“Congratulations to my good friend Mike Johnson on becoming the Speaker of the House. My House colleagues have selected an outstanding leader to navigate an unprecedented time. Mike isn’t just a consistent conservative—he’s a courageous one. He loves God, his family, and his country more than anything, and he has devoted his life to serving them faithfully. American families share Mike’s Louisiana values, and they deserve his confident, principled leadership.”

Kennedy on Education Board: I'm Embarrassed

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today criticized the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for proposing lower graduation standards for high school students in Louisiana. Under the new standards, students would be eligible to graduate even if they fail the state’s Graduate Exit Exam several times. 

Key comments from Kennedy’s remarks include:

“This is a massive step back. This is an announcement to the rest of America that Louisiana has given up, that our kids are not smart enough, they’re not good enough—even when we give them second or third chances to be able to get a ‘D’ on the Graduate Exit Examination. As a result, we have got to give them a special extra points project so they can get a diploma that’s not really a diploma.

“The people behind this ought to hide their heads in a bag. Our kids are better than that. Every one of my kids in Louisiana can learn. Sometimes they need a little bit longer, but it’s not going to do them any good to give them a diploma that they can’t read.”

“This rule change is going in front of the Louisiana legislature for an oversight hearing in the Senate Education Committee and the House Education Committee. I hope that either the Senate or the House—and hopefully both—will say no.”

Kennedy’s full remarks are available here.

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Kennedy, Cotton, McConnell introduce bill to freeze transfer of $6 billion in assets to Iran

“Just weeks after the Biden White House made shameful negotiations to transfer $6 billion to Tehran without congressional review, the Iranian regime sponsored a devastating terror attack on Israel, killing and taking American citizens hostage. . . . Allowing the transfer to go through would further enable and embolden Iran’s proxy armies.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in introducing legislation to freeze the Biden administration’s transfer of $6 billion in assets to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Just weeks after the Biden White House made shameful negotiations to transfer $6 billion to Tehran without congressional review, the Iranian regime sponsored a devastating terror attack on Israel, killing and taking American citizens hostage. Congress must ensure that the Biden administration freezes these assets before they flow to the Islamic Republic. Allowing the transfer to go through would further enable and embolden Iran’s proxy armies,” said Kennedy.

“Iran is the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism. In addition to funding Hamas’s devastating terrorist attacks against Israel, the regime’s proxies have attacked dozens of American targets in the region in recent years. The Biden administration’s decision to let Iran access the $6 billion immediately freed up other money for the regime to fund its attacks in Israel. The Biden administration should immediately re-freeze the funds,” said Cotton.

“The path of resources, training, and lethal weapons from Tehran to terrorists throughout the Middle East is crystal clear. On Saturday, it enabled cold-blooded killers like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to perpetrate the deadliest day of violence against Jews in decades. The civilized world must re-impose serious consequences on the regime that aids and abets murderous evil against innocent Israelis. The United States must lead that effort by our example, and freezing Iranian assets is an important first step,” said McConnell.

In August, Kennedy raised concerns to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about the administration’s move to circumvent congressional authority and potentially enter into a nuclear agreement with the Iranian regime by transferring assets in exchange for U.S. prisoners.

Bill text is available here.

Kennedy statement on Governor-elect Landry

“Congratulations again to Louisiana Governor-elect Jeff Landry. He served our state passionately as attorney general, and I look forward to working with him as our new governor. Louisiana’s future can be better than our present and our past, and it's the responsibility of both state and federal officials to make that brighter, freer and more prosperous future a reality.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today made the following statement:

“Congratulations again to Louisiana Governor-elect Jeff Landry. He served our state passionately as attorney general, and I look forward to working with him as our new governor. Louisiana’s future can be better than our present and our past, and it's the responsibility of both state and federal officials to make that brighter, freer and more prosperous future a reality.”

Kennedy, Grassley, colleagues issue warning to perpetrators of domestic terror threats

“To any bad actors who dare cross onto American soil seeking to exploit the crisis in Israel and wreak havoc domestically, our message is clear: Any threat to the United States will be pursued and suppressed swiftly, forcefully and to the fullest extent of U.S. justice.”

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in issuing the following joint statement warning potential perpetrators against making any domestic threats inspired by Hamas’ attacks in Israel:

“The Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel are despicable and depraved. As we mourn the hundreds of lives lost, including at least 27 U.S. citizens, we must also remain vigilant in our efforts to safeguard our communities at home. The first duty of government is to protect the national security of our citizens and keep Americans safe.

“To any bad actors who dare cross onto American soil seeking to exploit the crisis in Israel and wreak havoc domestically, our message is clear: Any threat to the United States will be pursued and suppressed swiftly, forcefully and to the fullest extent of U.S. justice. Your vile and hateful acts have no place here. The United States will relentlessly defend against domestic threats while supporting Israel as it fights to eradicate Hamas’ campaign of evil.”

Kennedy on saltwater intrusion in southeast Louisiana: Government dealing with problem

“I am worried about this because about a million of my 4.6 million people in my state depend on this river for drinking water . . . but I want the Senate and I want my people to understand that their local, their state and their federal governments are dealing with this problem.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today addressed the saltwater intrusion into fresh water sources in southeast Louisiana.

Key comments from Kennedy’s remarks include:

“Now, I am an optimist who worries. I am worried about this because about a million of my 4.6 million people in my state depend on this river for drinking water. And we're in the middle of watching the saltwater come up the river and we don't think it's going to stop coming up the river until sometime around, I don't know, the end of October, maybe. We could be wrong, but I want the Senate and I want my people to understand that their local, their state and their federal governments are dealing with this problem.”

. . .

“First, I want to thank President Biden. President Biden declared a disaster declaration, which allows us to get the assistance of FEMA and I'm very, very grateful for that.

“Number two. Our Corps of Engineers is involved. They're very able people. Our Corps of Engineers, below the city of New Orleans, has built an underwater dam.”

. . .

“Number three, the Corps of Engineers and FEMA are both prepared, if necessary, to deliver us fresh water, if we need it, by barge. And if you ever wonder about the might of the federal government, and particularly our Corps of Engineers—again, I can't thank them enough—they can deliver up to 36 million gallons of fresh water a day. So, thank you, Corps of Engineers, and I want my people back home to know that so they won’t be worried.”

Background:

The Mississippi River is experiencing record low water levels. That allows saltwater from the Gulf to creep upriver into the freshwater areas that provide drinking water to parts of southeast Louisiana.

The only long-term solution is for the upper Mississippi River Valley to receive ample rain, which would raise the level of the Mississippi River and push the saltwater back into the Gulf.

Until then, Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are investing in mitigation efforts. The Corps estimates these efforts will last at least three months.

This September, saltwater started seeping over the Mississippi River’s man-made sill, the equivalent of an underwater levee, in Plaquemines Parish.

On Sept. 27, 2023, FEMA declared this a federal emergency. Accordingly, FEMA is authorized to provide assistance for emergency measures for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes.

Saltwater is expected to reach New Orleans later in October. The Corps is currently raising the underwater sill in Plaquemines Parish by 25 feet in order to slow the progress of saltwater creeping up the Mississippi River.

Fresh water is also being barged into water treatment plants in affected areas.

Kennedy’s full remarks are available here:

Kennedy Efforts To Protect NFIP Blocked

As you may have seen, Sen. Kennedy attempted for second time this month to extend the National Flood Insurance Program by passing his bill on the Senate floor. His effort—which would have prevented the NFIP from lapsing on Sept. 30 by extending the program for three months—was blocked.

Key remarks from Kennedy are below:

 0:00 – 1:06 “I will be the first to concede that America needs a National Flood Insurance Program that looks like we designed it on purpose. What we have now does not look like that. To call it imperfect is an understatement, but only thing worse than having what we have right now is to not have a National Flood Insurance Program at all. The fact of the matter is, that for all practical purposes people who are at risk for flooding cannot buy from the private markets, which means they can’t buy a home, which means their mortgages would be foreclosed upon. That's why we have a National Flood Insurance Program.”

1:16 – 2:27 “I believe the government is going to shut down tomorrow or at least Saturday, rather. I hope not, but I believe it is. And if it does, the National Flood Insurance Program will be shut down. I don’t want to scare people half to death—it doesn't mean that FEMA, which runs the NFIP, will stop paying claims, but it will shut down commerce if nothing else because FEMA can’t issue new policies. And again, I realize it's not perfect, but we are in hurricane season. Let me say that again: We are in hurricane season. Is this important to my state? You bet, but it's not just important to my state. It's important to every single coastal state. And that's why I would like to see us expand this program for a very, very short period of time. My bill is a clean extension. It doesn't make any changes to the program. I wish I had the authority to make changes, but I don't.”

10:15 – 10:55 “The homes in Louisiana that need flood insurance are not mansions. These are the homes of working people. These are modest homes being paid for by people who get up every day, go to work, obey the law, pay their taxes, and try to do the right thing by their kids. I don't know about millionaires that Senator Paul was talking about. Again, maybe they're in Kentucky, but they're not in Louisiana. My coast is a working coast.”

15:34 – 17:13 “When reality calls you shouldn't hang up. And that's what we've done here today. Because this government is going to shut down. I hope I'm wrong—God, I hope I'm wrong, but I think this government is going to shut down midnight Sunday night, and the National Flood Insurance Program is going to shut down right smack dab in the middle of hurricane season. I thought the first role of government—I thought this is what Republicans believe; I thought this is what Libertarians believe—the first role of government is to protect people and property. And all the United States Senate has done today is expose ordinary Americans—not millionaires, ordinary Americans—who live in modest homes, who get up every day—I’m going to say it again—and go to work, and obey the law, and pay their taxes, and try to do the right thing by their kids, and whose home is their biggest asset, and we're going to tell them, ‘It’s okay. Even though you can't buy the flood insurance from a private provider, the government is going to stop you from buying it from the National Flood Insurance Program.’ Right the middle of hurricane season. That’s not what this country is all about.”

Background on Kennedy’s efforts to improve and protect flood insurance for the 500,000 Louisianians who depend on it:

• On Sept. 28, 2023 the Senate blocked Kennedy’s bill to protect flood insurance for three months from passing on the Senate floor. The bill would have extended the NFIP through Dec., 31, 2023.

• On Sept. 13, 2023 the Senate blocked Kennedy’s NFIP Extension Act of 2023 from passing on the Senate floor. The bill would have extended the NFIP through Sept., 30, 2024.

• In July 2023, Kennedy first introduced the NFIP Extension Act of 2023 to ensure that the program would not lapse on its expiration date.

• In June 2023, Kennedy helped introduce the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act to reauthorize the NFIP for five years and cap annual policy premium hikes.

• In 2019, Kennedy’s National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2019 became law.

• In 2018, Kennedy’s first National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act became law.  

• In addition, Kennedy has helped ensure that multiple continuing resolutions to fund the federal government have included an extension of the NFIP.

Kennedy, Republican colleagues demand Schumer restore decorum, Senate dress code

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and 44 other Republican senators in demanding that Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) restore the traditional, business dress code for senators on the Senate floor.

“For more than 230 years, the United States Senate has served the American people with honor and dignity. As members of this esteemed body, we understand the seriousness our positions require,” the senators wrote.

“The Senate is a place of honor and tradition, and the Senate floor is where we conduct the business of the American people. It is where we debate the policies which impact every American family and, when necessary, it is where we must make the gravest decision imaginable—whether to send our fellow Americans into battle to defend the freedoms we all hold dear. The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs,” they continued.

 “Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent. We the undersigned members of the United States Senate write to express our supreme disappointment and resolute disapproval of your recent decision to abandon the Senate’s longstanding dress code for members, and urge you to immediately reverse this misguided action,” the senators concluded.

 The letter is available here.

Kennedy, Manchin introduce bipartisan resolution urging NATO allies to meet defense spending pledge

“By not meeting their own pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defense, our NATO allies are opening the door to further political instability. Every member of NATO must do its part, just as many countries are already doing, to deter bad actors like Russia from advancing their goals.”

WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced a resolution urging all member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to spend a minimum of 2% of their gross domestic product on defense.

“Friends tell friends the truth: By not meeting their own pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defense, our NATO allies are opening the door to further political instability. Every member of NATO must do its part, just as many countries are already doing, to deter bad actors like Russia from advancing their goals,” said Kennedy.

“To effectively confront the vast range of security risks we face—from Russia and China to cybersecurity, our NATO allies must fully meet defense spending commitments. Peace and stability do not come without a price and that’s why I am proud to introduce this resolution urging NATO members to strive toward the agreed-upon 2% of GDP defense spending allocation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this resolution to ensure every NATO state is shouldering the responsibilities of this defense alliance,” said Manchin.

The resolution also commends member countries including Greece, the United Kingdom, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia for taking strides to either meet or exceed the spending commitment.

Background:

• In 2006, member countries of NATO first agreed to spend 2% of GDP on defense. In 2014, at the NATO Summit in Wales, all member countries once again committed to maintain or move toward meeting the 2% defense spending minimum within 10 years.

• As of 2022, only 11 member countries were meeting the 2% minimum, including the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

• Many member countries issued statements pledging to meet the 2% minimum following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, yet many member countries are projected to not reach the minimum until as late as 2035.

• Kennedy recently commended NATO allies for increasing defense spending on the Senate floor and called on other countries to meet their commitments.

The resolution is available here

Democrats Froth and Seethe After John Kennedy Reads 'Gender Queer' During Senate Hearing

Sen. John Kennedy made waves on Tuesday after he read excerpts from the book Gender Queer, among others, during a hearing.

The book in question is available in various public schools across the country and has become a symbol of the left's attempt to sexualize children. In light of that, parents across the political spectrum have risen up in order to reassert their rights and demand the removal of pornographic materials from classrooms.

In response to Illinois passing a law against “book bans”, @SenJohnKennedy read from the pornographic book Gender Queer.

Illinois Sec. of State responds by saying "those words are disturbing.”

Disturbing for adults but totally ok for kids in IL schools!pic.twitter.com/Nfy8KGaOBs

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 12, 2023

Read more: Democrats Froth and Seethe After John Kennedy Reads 'Gender Queer' During Senate Hearing

Sen. John Kennedy Nails Why Most Americans Wouldn’t Buy Joe Biden Trying to Sell Mask Mandates

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) appeared on Fox News recently and was asked if he found the return of mask mandates concerning. 

Kennedy's response was to get to the heart of the matter on the issue of credibility (or lack thereof) when it comes to the CDC, Dr. Fauci, and Joe Biden himself.

Read more: Sen. John Kennedy Nails Why Most Americans Wouldn’t Buy Joe Biden Trying to Sell Mask Mandates

.@SenJohnKennedy

"Most Americans don't trust Biden to make hamburger helper," let alone force more arbitrary mandates.pic.twitter.com/5Zc5anhISb

— MRCTV (@mrctv) September 7, 2023

John Kennedy Confronts Biden nominee Over Past Radical Statements

ICYMI: Kennedy in the Daily Advertiser: Washington’s broken border policies are costing Louisianians too much

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this op-ed in the Daily Advertiser explaining how the Biden administration’s broken immigration policies are costing Louisiana taxpayers and leaving them less safe. He urges his colleagues in Congress to join him in working to secure the border and end failed “catch-and-release” policies.

Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:

“Many in Washington like to pretend President Biden’s border crisis is over, but the numbers don’t lie.

“In July alone, U.S. border agents arrested more than 130,000 migrants trying to bypass our legal immigration system and enter the country illegally. That’s more people than the entire population of Lafayette in just one month—and that’s only the migrants we stopped.

“Many more were not caught, and many who were caught were allowed in any way because they claimed to be refugees who feared political persecution in their own country.”

. . .

“Since taking office, President Biden has released 2 million migrants into the United States. We really don’t know these people, which creates concerns about crime and public safety. But someone must also foot the bill for the 2 million more people who must access our roads, schools, jails, fire departments, and other public services, too.

“According to one estimate, [Louisianians] pay an additional $4,613 per migrant—a total of $604 million per year—in state taxes because of illegal immigration. At a time when Louisiana families also must spend an additional $765 per month because of inflation, the $604 million taxpayers are investing in noncitizens who bypassed our legal immigration system could provide a lot of relief to Louisiana families.”

. . .

“Border agents confiscated more than 1,500 pounds of fentanyl in June alone, enough poison to kill the entire country. In Louisiana, we lost 2,352 people to drug overdoses last year. Nearly all of those probably involved fentanyl. In New Orleans, officials found fentanyl in 94 percent of overdose victims. In East Baton Rouge Parish, the drug was present in 88 percent of overdose victims. In St. Tammany Parish, 11 people die from fentanyl overdoses each month.

“Yet, when I tried to increase prison sentences for predators convicted of feeding fentanyl to our children, my Democratic colleagues in Washington blocked my bill.”

. . .

“Why would anyone abide by America’s legal immigration process when they can just walk into the country, skip their court dates, and—in many cases—begin taking advantage of American entitlement programs? I’ve tried to pass a bill that would close the ‘catch-and-release’ loophole, but, again, Democrats blocked it, rubbing salt in the wounds of the good people waiting to enter our country legally. German engineers and Nigerian doctors who are patiently waiting in line in our legal immigration system have dreams, too.

“America is the freest, most prosperous country in the world, but we cannot afford to ignore our lawless border and the suffering it has caused people. I’ll continue to press President Biden and my colleagues in Congress to recognize the mess they made with stupid border policies so we can work together to give the American people the secure border they deserve.”

Read the full op-ed here.

Kennedy speaks with Bayou Region Joint Chamber, visits Houma foodbank

 “Families in Houma and around Louisiana are spending an extra $765 every single month to make ends meet because of the reckless, relentless spending that President Biden and Democrats in Congress are doing. . . . I’m thankful that good people like those at Terrebonne Churches United Foodbank are putting their hearts and elbow grease into caring for this community.”

 HOUMA, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today spoke at the Bayou Region Joint Chamber of Commerce luncheon about his work to defend the energy industry from the Biden administration’s attacks, securing disaster recovery aid and other local issues. Kennedy also toured the Terrebonne Churches United Foodbank and spoke with officials and volunteers about responding to economic hardship.

 “Louisianians in the Bayou have demonstrated their resilience time and again. Two years after Hurricane Ida, Louisiana’s southeast corner is still rebuilding, and I’m thankful to have had a hand in making sure federal resources supported that recovery,” said Kennedy after his visit with the Joint Chamber.

 Kennedy has helped deliver more than $22 billion to Louisiana for disaster recovery across the state, with more than $5 billion of that aid focused on responding to Hurricane Ida, which hit southeast Louisiana incredibly hard. The Hurricane Ida resources have included funding to rebuild communities and homes, finance business loans and cover the cost of emergency response measures.

 The senator also toured the Terrebonne Churches United Foodbank to hear from volunteers and officials about how the facility is meeting local needs as historic inflation takes a toll on the community.

 “Families in Houma and around Louisiana are spending an extra $765 every single month to make ends meet because of the reckless, relentless spending that President Biden and Democrats in Congress are doing. Putting food on the table is harder than ever for too many people around here, and I’m thankful that good people like those at Terrebonne Churches United Foodbank are putting their hearts and elbow grease into caring for this community,” said Kennedy.

 In an effort to stop this historic inflation, Kennedy has voted against numerous spending bills from the Biden administration, including the $1.2 trillion misnamed “infrastructure” package, $1.9 trillion in additional COVID spending, $240 billion in a pet project that funded Big Tech semi-conductors and two massive government funding bills that totaled $3.2 trillion. Kennedy also opposed the misleadingly titled “Inflation Reduction Act” that could prove to have a price tag of $1.2 trillion.

ICYMI: Kennedy in the American Press: Washington’s out-of-control spending is to blame for back-to-school inflation

“I believe my colleagues in Washington could learn a lot by watching families make tough decisions to afford this back-to-school season. Parents know what it means to live within a budget.”

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this op-ed in the American Press detailing how inflation has stretched Louisiana families thin during back-to-school season. He argues that Washington’s spending habit is to blame for the sky-high prices parents are facing as they try to fill backpacks and lunchboxes this fall.

Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:

“Following two years of national economic mismanagement, the cost of notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other school supplies has increased by 24 percent. The average family expects to spend $597 per student to cover supplies—and that’s just the start of back-to-school spending.”

. . .

“In total, inflation is costing the average Louisiana family an extra $9,180 per year, and Washington’s out-of-control spending habit is to blame.

“At President Biden’s direction, the federal government has grown faster than America’s economy. From 2020 to 2023, federal spending jumped by nearly 33 percent. In just the past 12 months, federal spending increased nine percent—or roughly half a trillion dollars.

“Some of the spending at the start of the pandemic was necessary, but a lot of it was short-sighted and foolish. It has done more to hurt Louisianians than help them. We paid workers to stay home. We paid schools to stay closed. We even paid dead people $1.4 billion in stimulus checks!”

. . .

“All this spending floods our economy with cash, causing prices to float far above what many families can afford. As families tried to keep up with skyrocketing prices, consumer credit card debt hit a record high of $1 trillion. The average personal savings rate approached an all-time low. And nearly two in five families said they cannot afford to cover an unexpected $400 expense. Congress has also saddled our children with more debt than we’ve ever seen before.

“Bidenomics has kneecapped the American Dream, yet some Democrats in Washington are hoping to normalize this high inflation rate to continue their spending spree. This inflation isn’t normal, though, and I won’t let the coastal elites forget that.”

. . .

“I’m sorry that some in the federal government have left Louisianians with soaring debt and inflation. Some of our federal spending is as foolish as it is dangerous, and I’ll continue to work to find new ways to get our spending back under control.

“In the meantime, I believe my colleagues in Washington could learn a lot by watching families make tough decisions to afford this back-to-school season. Parents know what it means to live within a budget. They stretch each dollar to its fullest potential every day. Think how much stronger our country could be if Congress stuck to its budget, too.”

Read the full op-ed here.

Kennedy in The Advocate: Washington’s soft-on-crime policies hurt Louisiana’s small businesses

“If we let rampant crime suffocate these businesses, the economies and charisma of Louisiana neighborhoods will wither, too.”

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this op-ed in The Advocate describing how the soft-on-crime policies and anti-cop rhetoric coming out of Washington have harmed Louisiana’s small businesses. He argues that liberal policymakers, including President Joe Biden, must do more to address rising crime by securing the border and respecting law enforcement.

Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:

“Starting a business is one of the riskiest decisions one can make. Entrepreneurs embrace that risk because they love what they do, the people they work with, and the customers they serve.

“But today, many Louisiana business owners face risks far beyond their comfort levels. Violent crime has made it untenable for many business owners to keep their doors open. The threat to their employees and customers is just too great.”

. . .

“Louisiana isn’t alone. Crime-related business closures have increased nationwide. This crime wave is ravaging local economies, and Washington’s anti-cop rhetoric and soft-on-crime policies are to blame.

“For years, the loon wing of the Democratic Party has worked to tear down the entire law enforcement community. Rather than working for commonsense reforms, these activists called cops ‘pigs’ and urged lawmakers to defund local police departments.

“Where these activists failed to defund most police departments, they succeeded in demoralizing all of them. Today, police officer shortages plague communities everywhere. The New Orleans Police Department is on pace to have the fewest officers in 75 years. Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and the Louisiana State Police are facing massive officer shortages, too.”

. . .

“Many in Washington also embraced soft-on-crime policies that shortened federal prison sentences. I opposed these criminal reforms, including the First Step Act, because I believed it would lead to more families and businesses becoming victims of preventable crimes. Unfortunately, my fears were correct. Eleven percent of convicts released under the First Step Act reoffended—so far.

“At the border, cartels exploit our broken catch-and-release policies to flood Louisiana communities with poisonous fentanyl. Yet when I tried to increase prison sentences for fentanyl dealers earlier this year, Senate Democrats blocked my bill, apparently because they hate the idea of keeping poison dealers in prison.

“This cocktail of bone-deep, down-to-the-marrow stupid policies has fueled crime nationwide. Now, those who promoted these foolish ideas want Americans to think they’re imagining crime, rather than experiencing it.”

. . .

“If we let rampant crime suffocate these businesses, the economies and charisma of Louisiana neighborhoods will wither, too.

“Crime and the destruction that follows it are not inevitable. With fair policies, well-trained and supported police officers, and leaders dedicated to enforcing the law, we can reduce crime and make Louisiana a safe place to invest. I’ll continue to push lawmakers and officials to embrace policies that protect businesses, our people, and their livelihoods.”

Read the full op-ed here.

Senate passes Kennedy-backed bipartisan resolution reaffirming U.S. support for Israel

“The rise in antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments from members of Congress is disgraceful. Israel is a friend to America, and I am glad to see that so many lawmakers agree that there is no room for bigotry against Israelis or Jewish-Americans in the United States or our government.”

 ­WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded the Senate’s passage of S. Con. Res. 14, a resolution to reaffirm the U.S.’s support for Israel.

 “The rise in antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments from members of Congress is disgraceful. Israel is a friend to America, and I am glad to see that so many lawmakers agree that there is no room for bigotry against Israelis or Jewish-Americans in the United States or our government,” said Kennedy.

 Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) led the resolution.

 “I’m pleased that a bipartisan group of my colleagues supported this resolution upholding that Israel is not a racist state, that Congress rejects any form of antisemitism, and that America will always be a staunch supporter of Israel. It is unfortunate that Democrat attacks on Israel necessitated Congress passing this legislation,” said Cotton.

 The Senate resolved that:

•  The State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state.

• Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia.

• The U.S. will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.

 Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) also cosigned this resolution.

 Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) led this resolution in the House of Representatives.