These Representatives Voted To Raise Your Taxes Today

Remember these names when it's election time again.  

VITTER: No Hearings For Any Obama SCOTUS Nominees

Earlier this week, Vitter joined other Republicans on the Committee in sending a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicating that they will exercise their constitutional authority to withhold consent of a Supreme Court nomination and will not hold hearings on a Supreme Court nominee until the next President is sworn in.

Charles Boustanty Calls Out Caroline Fayard Over Obama's Gitmo Comments

During another one of his almost daily legacy making speeches as of late, President Obama has decided to push his agenda of moving Guantanamo Bay prisoners to the US, effectively pandering to the left on his quest to close this facility. 

In what is shaping up to be an epic battle for the seat in the US Senate being vacated by Sen. David Vitter, Charles Boustany issued the following today:

Campaign Manager Michael Hare: “If Caroline Fayard won’t stand up to protect Louisiana families now, how will she stand up for them in the United States Senate? President Obama is hell-bent on bringing hardened terrorists to our backyard, but Caroline Fayard hasn’t said a word about it. Dr. Boustany will continue to stand up to protect Louisiana families from President Obama’s dangerous terrorist resettlement plan. He won’t let President Obama put families at risk just to allow the President to fulfill an eight-year-old campaign promise.”

Boustany had the following to say today during a radio interview on Baton Rouge 107.3:

“If the President tries to close Guantanamo Bay, he will be in direct violation of the law. I won’t stand for that. Congress makes law, not the President, and we will not allow him to put American families at risk.”

Let's see if this latest shot over the bow provokes a response from the Democratic candidate Fayard.

Obama Signs Into Law H.R. 644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act

Enrollment ceremony for the bill to officially send it to the President for signature

President Barack Obama has signed into law H.R. 644, which will accomplish the following:

• Create a dedicated unit within U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to prevent and investigate trade evasion
• Create a CBP point of contact for private sector trade evasion allegations with the authority to direct evasion investigations and the duty to inform interested parties about the status of investigations
• Require CBP and Commerce to establish procedures to ensure maximum cooperation and communication in order to quickly, efficiently, and accurately investigate allegations of trade evasion
• Direct CBP to enter into agreements with foreign countries to enable proactive investigation overseas
• Require CBP to annually report to Congress on all of the agency’s activities to combat trade evasion

The bill also contains the PROTECT Act safeguarding Louisiana seafood from illegally dumped foreign product.  The Act was shepherded through the Congress by Congressman Charles Boustany, LA-03.

The following was said regarding passage of this bill:

Boustany: “It’s simple – if foreign competitors want to sell in our markets, they need to play by our rules. The PROTECT Act provides necessary safeguards to ensure no foreign entity can undercut American businesses and jobs in our own backyard. This is a monumental win for Louisiana. I’ll keep fighting to ensure our trade laws are fair and work to support American commerce.”

John Williams, Executive Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance: “Simply stated, this would not have happened without the intensive and persistent efforts of Congressman Boustany.  While the Congressman has been an effective champion of the US shrimp industry for many years, the enactment of this legislation may be the most far reaching and beneficial of all.  Every year illegal shrimp imports defraud the federal government and American taxpayers of tens of millions of dollars in unpaid duties.  They have also seriously injured our shrimp fishermen and the economies of coastal communities in Louisiana and throughout the Gulf and South Atlantic.  This legislation will substantially strengthen the ability of US Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies to investigate, prosecute, and end these harmful fraudulent activities.”

Vitter: Obama’s Plan to Close Gitmo Does Not Keep Americans Safe

Photo source: YouTube

Vitter Releases GAO Reports: Huge Oversight Failures with Illegal Immigrants Sending Money to Foreign Countries

Vitter legislation cracks down on money wired out of the U.S. by illegal immigrants

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) released two new reports he requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the federal government’s watchdog, which show the major problems with how the U.S. government tracks foreign remittances, particularly from illegal immigrants. One of the reports also underscores the importance of passing Vitter’s legislation, S. 79, The Remittance Status Verification Act, also known as the Wire Act.

In January 2013, Vitter first introduced his legislation that requires a fee on remittances for customers who wire money to another country but cannot prove that they are in the United States legally. The fee would be used to enhance border security. In July 2014, Vitter and U.S. House Budget Chairman Tom Price M.D. (R-Ga.) requested a full audit from the GAO to study the problems. Vitter re-introduced his legislation this Congress in January 2015.

“The Obama administration has shown a complete lack of both competence and interest when it comes to securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws. And that’s costing us a lot of money. Billions, in fact,” Vitter said. “The GAO reports I have requested and made public today help us determine how massive the remittances problem is with illegal immigrants sending billions out of the U.S. – money they likely haven’t paid income taxes on. What my legislation would do is basically improve on our border security while making illegal immigrants pay for it.”

The GAO produced two concurrent reports upon Vitter’s request. You can access them here:

1. Money Laundering Risk and Views on Enhanced Customer Verification and Recordkeeping Requirements (GAO-16-60)
2. Actions Needed to Address Unreliable Official U.S. Estimate (GAO-16-65)

In 2006, GAO noted that the United States was the largest remittance-sending country in the world. Foreign-born residents in the United States remitted nearly $38 billion to households abroad, and estimates from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) have shown that $25 billion each year comes from illegals.

Today’s newly released GAO report includes updated estimates from 2014, which confirms that the U.S. is still the largest remittance-sending country in the world. In 2014 alone, foreign-born residents sent an estimated $54.2 billion in remittances, most of it going to Mexico. The GAO, citing the World Bank’s Bilateral Remittance Matrix, estimates that $25 billion was sent to Mexico, $15 billion to China, and $10 billion to India as the top three beneficiaries.

Key Findings from the GAO:

► Accounting for remittances is completely insufficient. GAO recommends updated accounting and enforcement measures. Below are excerpts from the report:

• “Remittance Transfers Pose Money Laundering Risks” (Pg 31, 16-65)
• “…According to IRS data, the results of examinations of money transmitters from fiscal years 2013 and 2014 showed that the top three most frequently cited violations were failure to comply with AML program requirements, failure to file suspicious activity reports, and inadequate recordkeeping of funds transfers.” (Pg 51, 16-65)
• “…limited information exists on how many of these individuals (illegal immigrants) remit or the extent to which they rely on regulated methods.” (Pg 12, 16-60)
• “We found shortcomings in BEA’s model, specifically with regard to the assumptions BEA made about the percentage of income remitted and the percentage of foreign-born persons who remit.” (Pg 36, 16-60)

►Vitter’s legislation could raise up to $1 billion for border security according to GAO scenarios. Excerpt on estimates below:

• “…if 18 billion in remittances are sent by individuals without legal status before the implementation of S.79 … under a scenario with no change in the amount of remittances $1.29 billion in potential net revenue for border protection.” (Pg 15, 16-60)

►Vitter’s legislation would create a disincentive for illegal immigrants to send money to their home countries, resulting in that money likely staying in the U.S. economy. Excerpts below:

• “Representatives from almost all of the organizations we spoke with, including providers, researchers, federal agencies, and community groups, stated that remitters without legal status may be deterred by the final and the additional scrutiny around their immigration status…” (Pg 11, 16-60)
• In 2015 the Department of Treasury found that illegal immigrants were encouraged by human smuggling rings to use remittance service providers to repay. (Outlined on Pg 36, 16-65)

►A large portion of the estimated $54 billion of remittances exiting the U.S. is sent by illegal immigrants, and more research is required.

• “With regard to the likelihood of remittances, one study of Mexican migrants finds that unauthorized immigrants are more likely to remit, …” (Pg 13, 16-60)

►The federal government’s lack of accountability and enforcement of current remittances laws could mean money being sent to terrorist, drug trafficking or human tracking organizations is going unnoticed.  Excerpts below:

• “…a large percentage of human smuggling fees were sent using money transmitters because these providers offered a quick and reliable method of transfer with some degree of perceived anonymity for the smugglers…” (Pg 37, 16-65)
• “…over $12 million in suspected illicit human smuggling proceeds were sent to Texas border cities through money transmitters in the 4-month period between January and April 2015.” (Pg 39, 16-65)
• “Many law enforcement officials supported a requirement for reporting information on remittances. … Furthermore, DHS and DOJ officials we spoke with for this report said that information on remittance senders that could be collected in a centralized database could be analyzed to help identify illicit activity and would be useful in AML efforts.” (Pg 41, 16-65)
• “FinCEN is still evaluating ways to implement the 2010 proposed rule…” (Pg 42, 16-65)
• “DHS officials did say that knowing senders’ legal immigration status could be beneficial if DHS was looking at potentially removing illegal immigrants from the country. But they added that the verification requirements could drive remitters to informal remittance systems. One official noted that although criminals could turn to alternative methods of transferring money to avoid being identified, it could take several years to establish a new criminal financial network, and could result in a positive AML effect for a time—at least until the criminals identified alternative networks.” (Pg 44, 16-65)

34 Senators, 171 Reps. Urge Circuit Court to Block EPA's Clean Power Plan

Amicus Brief Asks the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to Vacate EPA’s So-Called “Clean Power Plan”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Led by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and House Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), 34 Senators and 171 House Members filed an amicus brief today in the case of State of West Virginia, et al. v. Environmental Protection Agency, et al.

The amicus brief is in support of petitions filed by 27 states seeking to overturn the EPA final rule identified as the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602, 80 Fed. Reg. 64,662 (Oct. 23, 2015), also known as the “Clean Power Plan.” A copy of the brief can be found here.

As Senators and Representatives duly elected to serve in the Congress of the United States in which “all legislative Powers” granted by the Constitution are vested, the members state that:

The Final Rule goes well beyond the clear statutory directive by, among other things, requiring States to submit, for approval, state or regional energy plans to meet EPA’s predetermined CO2 mandates for their electricity sector. In reality, if Congress desired to give EPA sweeping authority to transform the nation’s electricity sector, Congress would have provided for that unprecedented power in detailed legislation. Indeed, when an agency seeks to make “decisions of vast ‘economic and political significance’” under a “long-extant statute,” it must point to a “clear” statement from Congress. Util. Air Regulatory Grp. v. EPA, 134 S. Ct. 2427, 2444 (2014) (quoting FDA v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 120 S. Ct. 1291, 1315 (2000)). EPA can point to no statement of congressional authorization for the Final Rule’s central features, precisely because there is none.

Nor has Congress authorized EPA to make the policy choices that are reflected in the Final Rule—a rule that imposes enormous costs on States and the public without achieving meaningful climate benefits. Because of the Final Rule, States will face unprecedented new regulatory burdens, electricity ratepayers will be subject to billions of dollars in compliance costs, and American workers and their families will experience the hardship of job losses due to power plant shutdowns, higher electricity prices, and overall diminishment of the nation’s global economic competitiveness. Choices of this nature are inherently Congressional decisions. See W. Minn. Mun. Power Agency v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 806 F.3d 588, 593 (D.C. Cir. 2015) (“Agencies are empowered to make policy only insofar as Congress expressly or impliedly delegates that power.”) (citing Util. Air Regulatory Grp., 134 S. Ct. at 2445 (2014)). Congress has not authorized EPA to make the central policy choices in the Final Rule and, in many respects, has affirmatively rejected those policies, as it certainly did with respect to cap-and-trade programs for CO2 emissions from power plants.

Accordingly, the Final Rule that has been properly stayed by the Supreme Court should now be vacated by this Court.

Additional Information: Thirty-nine lawsuits seeking review of the Final Rule have been consolidated in the D.C. Circuit. The Final Rule was stayed by the Supreme Court on Feb. 9. The D.C. Circuit is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the consolidated cases on June 2. An amicus brief, or “friend of the court” brief, can be filed in order to address concerns and advise the Court on a matter of law that directly affects the case at hand.  

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Plan could cause average electricity rates to rise as much as 43% for families in some states.

Several members of the Louisiana delegation were supportive of this brief, such as Senators Cassidy and Vitter, as well as Congressmen Boustany, Scalise, Fleming and Graves.

Americans for Prosperity - Louisiana Release "Enough is Enough"

Photo source : YouTube  

AFP Louisiana has responded with the below video regarding the decision by Gov. "Honor Code" to seek higher "sources of revenue" (more of your money) to solve the budget mess that he personally took part in while a member of the Louisiana Legislature. 

One of the Best Cruz Videos Yet

Photo source: YouTube  

This latest video from Ted Cruz's campaign was recently released and, if anything, highlights the entitlement mentality of the Clintons and Hillary in particular.  

John Kennedy Offers His Ideas to Solve Louisiana's Budget Crisis

Treasury Secretary John Kennedy offered his advice to solve the budget crisis during a televised speech last night. His approach is dramatically different from the taxation approach Governor John Bel Edwards has planned. 

Remember All Those Promises "Honor Code" Made During the Election?

One of the many lies that Gov. "Honor Code" made was in regards to the TOPS program and his support of that program while running for Governor. Here is a snippet of his lies in action. 

Feel good about falling for his "honorable" garbage now?  

Rep. Mike Johnson Seeks 4th Congressional Seat

Photo source: YouTube  

Republican Mike Johnson, Louisiana Representative for District 8, has announced this morning his intention to fill the seat in the US House for the 4th District that is being vacated by John Fleming, who is running for US Senate. 

Here is his announcement video released this morning: 

Caroline "I Hate Republicans" Fayard Joins Crowded Senate Field

Failed Lt. Governor's candidate and ethically challenged Democrat, Caroline Fayard, has ventured into the Senate race to replace retiring Sen. David Vitter.  You might remember her from a few of the following Fayard Facts:

Caroline Fayard Facts

Fayard Supports Barack Obama.

Fayard Praised Obama For Standing Up To Republicans And Predicted His Re-Election: Fayard: "Our president started to stand up to them. He will win re-election as a result. (Republicans) know it. We know it." (“Candidate or not?” Washington Parish Daily News, 3/27/11)

In October 2010 Fayard Gave Obama A B+ Grade.  "Republicans are slamming the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor because she gave positive marks to President Obama in a recent candidate forum.  Caroline Fayard, a New Orleans lawyer making her first bid for an elected office, said she would give Obama a "B+" for his performance so far.”  (Melinda Deslatte, “Republicans rally their faithful in BR,” Associated Press, 10/26/10)

Also In October 2010 Fayard Called Obamacare "A Net Positive For Louisiana":“HOST: President Barack Obama’s healthcare plan, is it good or bad for Louisiana?  MODERATOR: Starting with Caroline.  FAYARD: I think it’s a net positive for Louisiana. (League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, 10/22/10)

Caroline Fayard's Website "geauxcaroline.com" Featured A Photo Of Her Standing Beside Barack Obama.

FACT: Caroline Fayard Hates Republicans

Fayard: “I hate Republicans. I hate Republicans,” [Caroline] Fayard said … “They are cruel and destructive. They eat their young. They don’t think. They don’t allow people to think. They are bullies.” (“Candidate or not?” Washington Parish Daily News, 3/27/11

Additionally, Fayard has skirted the rules regarding campaign contributions.  Per the LAGOP email blast sent out yesterday, the following was provided:

Fayard's parents wrote a huge check to the Louisiana Democrat Party when she ran for office, and the Democrats spent a similar amount on their daughter's campaign, allegedly sidestepping the $5,000 contribution limit imposed by Louisiana law.

Obama Is Trying to Stick It to the Oil and Gas Industry Yet Again

Photo source: News with Attitude

If there is any more proof needed to see that the President is one of the most anti-oil and gas Presidents, you will find it here.  Our Dear Leader has decided that he will support a $10 per barrel tax on oil in order to support his "clean energy projects."  Clean energy projects, you know, like the wonderful boondoggle that was Solyndra.

Congressman Charles Boustany issued the following response yesterday regarding this decision:

This President has relentlessly attacked the American oil & gas industry and the working families who depend on these jobs. Today, oil prices are at their lowest point in over a decade, and the workforce is hurting. But the President is proposing a tax hike that will be passed on at the pump to these same families who are trying to make ends meet.

“This is another absurd attack on American energy, and it has to stop. I will personally see to it this new tax never sees the light of day.”

Taxpayers that depend on the oil and gas industry to feed and support their families should be very concerned with policies such as these, which are almost certain to continue with another liberal Democrat being elected to the highest office.

Louisiana Lawmakers: VA Appointment Insult to Louisiana Veterans

Lawmakers cite concerns over selection to supervise VA in Louisiana, highlight false statements and lack of actions on VA wait times

Photo source: abc15.com

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.), along with U.S. Representatives Charles Boustany, Jr., M.D. (R-La.), Steve Scalise (R-La.), John Fleming, M.D. (R-La.), Cedric Richmond (D-La.), Ralph Abraham, M.D. (R-La.), and Garret Graves (R-La.), sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald to express their concerns with the selection of Dr. Skye McDougall to serve as the Network Director for the South Central Veterans Affairs Health Care Network (VISN 16).  In the letter, the lawmakers urge VA Secretary McDonald to rescind Dr. McDougall’s appointment in light of her history of lying under oath and refusal to take action regarding the controversial wait times for veterans at VA facilities.

“Louisiana veterans deserve the absolute best access to healthcare available, and ensuring that top-notch care for our brave servicemen and women starts at the top of the food chain. Frankly, Dr. Skye McDougall’s appointment to supervise the VA in Louisiana is an insult to our veterans,” wrote the Members of Congress. “Given the fact that the VA is currently working to regain the trust of veterans in Louisiana and across the nation, we firmly request that you rescind Dr. McDougall’s appointment, and instead choose a proven trustworthy leader who will prioritize the needs of our nation’s veterans above a career in bureaucracy.”

Click here to read last week’s letter.

Dave Ramsey: Politicians Aren't Jesus!!!

Photo sorce: YouTube 

Famed money manager and financial adviser goes on an EPIC rant against the political establishment and the entitlement mentality in America.  

Kennedy Announces Via Facebook His Intent to Run for US Senate

State Treasurer Kohn Kennedy released this via his Facebook page this morning: 

Photo source: Facebook  

​I will be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2016.

The reason is pretty simple: I want my country back. I'm scared we are losing it.

My Dad and Mom were conservative people. Dad was a small businessman. He owned a little lumberyard. Mom was a retired schoolteacher. They taught me conservative values: God, country, family, discipline, hard work, and education. They taught me to always do the best I can. I worry that America is losing those values.

Here's what I see: too many undeserving people at the top getting bailouts and too many undeserving people at the bottom getting handouts. And we in the middle get the bill. So will our kids. It's not right.

The sad truth is that our children's generation is at risk of becoming the first in America to be worse off than their parents', because it's harder than ever to get ahead and easier than ever to do nothing.

I want more for my country and my state.

I want a country that respects taxpayer dollars. I'm sick of the waste, and I'm sick of the debt.

I want an America and a Louisiana where every person can get a decent job. You can't be for jobs if you are against business. To create jobs, our businesses need low taxes, sensible regulations, good infrastructure and a skilled workforce.

I want an America and a Louisiana in which no parents have to send their child to a failing school.

I want an America and a Louisiana where parents can take their sick child to a family doctor instead of to an emergency room because they have decent, affordable insurance of their own choosing from the private sector.

I want a country that is strong and therefore free, that values peace but is not afraid to fight back. America is the most powerful country in the history of the world. We need to start acting like it.

I want an America and a Louisiana that understand that free market capitalism has done more to lift people out of poverty than all the government programs put together. Welfare was meant to be a bridge, not a parking lot.

I want a country and a state that protect life – whether that life is 82 years old or 82 seconds.

Most Louisianians know me and what I stand for. As State Treasurer, I've balanced 16 department budgets, earned taxpayers $3.4 billion by investing their money wisely, returned $315 million in lost money to citizens, refused to join the state retirement system, fought against corruption and cronyism, and stood up to politicians more powerful than I am in both parties.

I try not to be rude, but I speak my mind. Some politicians call me a troublemaker, a misfit, a rebel, a square peg in a round hole, because I'm not part of the club. I think I make the right people mad. My job is to protect taxpayers, not seek the approval of my political peers.

I hope voters will give me a chance to do the same thing in the United States Senate. I believe our country and our state can be better than our present, and our past.

May God bless us and keep us, and make his face shine upon us, Louisiana and the United States of America.”

Sen. Elbert Guillory to Run for United States Congress

Photo source: YouTube  

State Senator Elbert Guillory has announced his intent to seek the office of US Representative, which will be vacated by Rep. John Fleming, who is seeking US Senator's David Vitter's seat. 

Vitter: Senate Democrats Block SAFE Act, Fail to Protect Americans

​(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.) released the following statement upon Senate Democrats blocking the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act (SAFE Act). The SAFE Act creates a process to verify the backgrounds of refugees entering the U.S., ensuring they do not have ties to terrorist organizations.

“The facts are clear. As of right now, the federal government does not have complete and adequate safeguards in place to protect Americans here at home as additional Syrian refugees are admitted into the U.S. We need to achieve a higher standard of safety, secure our borders, and keep out all terrorists, and voting in favor of the SAFE Act is a small step in the right direction to do just that,” said Vitter.

​In November 2015, Vitter introduced the Syrian Refugee Verification and Safety Act (S.2284), a bill which would halt the influx of all refugees from Syria until proper measures are in place to verify that each refugee is who they claim to be. Click here to read more.

In September 2015, Vitter sent a letter to President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry demanding detailed information on protocols in place to protect Americans and Louisianians from potentially violent Syrian refugees, citing concerns with insufficient federal oversight in relation to Syrian refugees coming to the United States.

The SAFE Act would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to take actions necessary to ensure that refugees entering the United States receives a proper background investigation by implementing the following:

·Requiring background checks on any and all individuals who meet the definition of a “covered alien” status: (1) are a national or resident of Iraq or Syria; (2) have no nationality but whose last known residence was Iraq or Syria; or (3) have visited Iraq or Syria after March, 1 2011;

·Instructing the DHS inspector General to conduct annual risk-based reviews of certifications;

·Requiring DHS to disclose to Congress how many “covered alien” refugees apply for and receive admission into the United States.

The SAFE Act would also require that a refugee only be admitted to the United States after DHS, with concurrence from the FBI and the DNI, certifies to Congress that he or she is not such a threat.

Treasurer John Kennedy on Louisiana's Budget and Taxes

On a recent interview with Moon Griffon, State Treasurer John Kennedy goes into detail regarding Louisiana's and taxes.