Analyzing the New Prescription Drug Pricing Proposal For Reconciliation

This week, Democratic lawmakers released the broad outlines of a deal negotiated between moderates and liberals to include prescription drug pricing provisions in the reconciliation bill. NTU raised immediate concerns with the early details of the deal, warning that the proposals could negatively affect patients, taxpayers, and the U.S. health care sector broadly.

Lawmakers released legislative text for the proposals on November 3.

Read more: Analyzing the New Prescription Drug Pricing Proposal For Reconciliation

More Proof that Cassidy Has Gone Full Swamp Creature

The following piece from Breitbart shows that our own Sen. Bill Cassidy can be easily bought off to sell out both his country and his state when he voted for this “infrastructure bill”.

A total of 32 House and Senate Republicans helped push President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure package over the finish line, most of whom have been showered with campaign cash from the leading lobbying group behind the bill — the United States Chamber of Commerce.

And it seems that Cassidy is willing to sell us out for a mere $5000:

Sullivan, Blunt, Graham, Portman, McConnell, and Collins each have taken $10,000 from the U.S. Chamber PAC in recent election cycles from 2015 to this year. Cassidy, Capito, Burr, Fischer, Murkowski, and Risch have each received $5,000 from the PAC, while Grassley last received money, $1,500, from the PAC in 2016.

For someone that rode to coattails of Trump to re-election and summarily knifed him in the back shortly thereafter, it’s apparent that this “Senator” is a full swamp creature now.

Read more: Republicans Voted for Biden’s Infrastructure Bill After Securing Cash from Chamber of Commerce

OPINION: Oppose Government Price Fixing

When I first showed symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis, I had no idea what was going on. All of a sudden, foods that I had enjoyed my entire life were causing me intense pain and abdominal cramps. As the symptoms intensified over time, it came to feel almost like my body was betraying me. 

The symptoms of my Ulcerative Colitis have since become so severe that I have started rounds of a low-grade chemotherapy treatment to try to eradicate the inflammation and ulcers in my digestive track. While this is an aggressive treatment, I am willing to do whatever it takes to get back to health.

Ulcerative Colitis currently does not have a cure. While the medications I take and the treatments I receive certainly help, I would love to be able to go out to lunch with my family and friends without triple checking the menu beforehand.

I long for the day that I am able to beat my Ulcerative Colitis, and I know that this is only possible through the hard work of our nation’s biopharmaceutical companies.

I am confused as to why some in Congress then are pushing price fixing policies like Medicare negotiation that could stifle the development of new treatments patients like me are yearning for. One estimate from the Congressional Budget Office has suggested that this legislation could mean that 60 fewer cures are developed.

I need lawmakers to support the industry that is working to find cures for patients like me. I hope our leaders stand firm in their  opposition to changes to Medicare.

We need to all oppose government price fixing.

Camille Babineaux 
New Iberia, LA

LAFOURCHE PARISH DECLINES TO SIGN FREEPORT MCMORAN SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Photo source: Wikipedia

“As you probably know Lafourche Parish has been asked for the last two years to sign onto the Freeport Settlement Agreement,” Chaisson wrote to Gov. John Bel Edwards after a Tuesday evening council meeting. “The Lafourche Parish Council has held several Executive Sessions during their regular meetings to discuss the settlement and has twice placed a resolution on their agenda to approve the agreement. At both meetings the resolution did not garner enough support and was eventually removed from the Council’s agenda.

“At this point I am unsure if the item will ever get the required votes to be able to pass therefore Lafourche Parish will not be signing on to the Freeport Settlement,” Chaisson said.

Read more: LAFOURCHE PARISH DECLINES TO SIGN FREEPORT MCMORAN SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

What Redistricting Means to Iberia and St. Martin Parishes

The following was provided to Cajun Conservatism by former State Senator Troy Hebert, District 22, consisting of Iberia and St. Martin Parishes:

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Photo source: Wikipedia

HEADS UP!!! IBERIA-ST. MARTIN

The only thing dark politics is afraid of is light. So here is a little sunshine!

WHAT?

The powers that be have a plan to reapportion State Senate District 22 that will diminish our voting strength in Iberia and St. Martin Parishes and move the power base to Lafayette Parish. For the last fifty plus years the Senator has come from either Iberia or St. Martin Parish. Under this new district the Senator will either come from Lafayette Parish or be beholden to Lafayette Parish.

HOW?

This plan will carve out and dissect large sections of voters in Iberia/St. Martin and give them to other Senators from surrounding areas. They will replace them with voters from Lafayette parish, in particular Broussard and Youngsville, thereby diluting our voting strength tremendously. For decades, 95% of Senate District 22 was Iberia/ St. Martin Parishes only. This guaranteed us our own Senator.

WHY?

This secret plan has been developed to favor a certain senate candidate that will be more favorable to Lafayette Parish than other candidates who’s allegiance is only to Iberia/ St. Martin. They will hide behind and say that the 2020 population has shifted. Yet, the fact is the population in Iberia(70k) and St. Martin (53k) has just the right amount of people to support a senate district which needs to be around 120k people.

WHEN?

The legislature will go into special session in January to finalize the redistricting of the state for the next ten years according to the 2020 Census. However, before they do, the house and senate committees in charge of reapportionment are holding meetings across the state to get public input. The one for our area will be held on October 26th in Lafayette at the University of Louisiana Atchafalaya Ballroom from 5:30-8:30 pm. If you would like Iberia/St. Martin to keep it’s state senator, then you should attend this meeting or contact our local Legislative delegation and voice your objections to splitting up our state senate seat.

Former State Senator Troy Hebert

Scott Angelle: Joe Biden's energy policy a twofer, raising prices and insulting energy workers

Former Lt. Gov. Scott A. Angelle was director of the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in the Trump administration.

Just last month on Labor Day we observed the significant contributions of America’s labor force. Let us call on the nation’s energy policymakers to once again unleash the innovation, inspiration, perspiration and dedication of the American energy worker to help reduce gasoline prices, lower inflation and favor climate-advantaged production from the United States over often less climate-advanced production from foreign sources.

Building Back Better is only attainable with energy made possible by American energy workers.

Read more: Scott Angelle: Joe Biden's energy policy a twofer, raising prices and insulting energy workers

More of JBE Screwing over Louisiana

Louisiana industries could be charged major new taxes or fees based on their annual emissions of greenhouse gases, and be required to convince a panel of state agencies that they will comply with new emission reductions before getting permits for new or expanded facilities.

Those are two of the major proposals included in a list of ways the state hopes to achieve “industrial decarbonization” — the removal of carbon dioxide and gases like methane and nitrogen oxide from emissions by heavy industry — as part of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plan to reach “net zero” state carbon emissions by 2050.

Read more: Industrial 'decarbonization' will require putting a price on carbon emissions, combined with mandatory carbon reductions

Sometimes The Truth Just Slips Out

Hypocrisy on full display here……………

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

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

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

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

Look What Y'all Governor is Doing Now............

Tell me you’re taking a crap on the oil and gas industry without telling me you’re taking a crap on the oil and gas industry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SCALISE STATEMENT ON RESCHEDULING OF ILLEGALLY CANCELED GULF OF MEXICO LEASE SALE

Photo source: Facebook

“I’m happy to see this Administration come to grips with the reality that they don’t have the authority to ban oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, and I thank Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry for filing the lawsuit that ultimately led to this illegal ban being overruled. This lease sale will bring critical dollars to Louisiana for coastal restoration and flood protection. The Biden Administration needs to abandon the radical Green New Deal and recognize that the vast majority of American families support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that promotes responsible energy exploration and development focused on lower costs and more energy security.”

Read more: SCALISE STATEMENT ON RESCHEDULING OF ILLEGALLY CANCELED GULF OF MEXICO LEASE SALE

LOGA Releases Statement on Lease Sale Announcement

BATON ROUGE, LA (September 30th, 2021) – In compliance with the June 15th U.S. District Court ruling, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced they will hold Lease Sale 257 on Wednesday, November 17th, 2021. The Biden administration had previously banned new federal leasing for drilling early in his presidency and is currently engaged in legal proceedings to resume the moratorium.

In response to this announcement, Louisiana Oil & Gas President Mike Moncla released a statement earlier this afternoon:

"The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association supports the decision by the Department of the Interior to resume federal leasing for drilling. Gulf of Mexico energy production provides hundreds of thousands of jobs for Louisiana and other Gulf economies, not to mention millions of dollars of investment for coastal restoration.

Since Day One in office, the White House energy policy has hurt the American economy and has forced the nation at the mercy of OPEC+ and other foreign institutions, compromising both environmental sustainability and our national security.

While this lease sale announcement is a step in the right direction, we must acknowledge the damage President Biden and the rest of the Washington Democratic establishment is doing to the energy sector with its misguided policies that ultimately hurt the needs of the American people.

The oil and gas industry of Louisiana stands ready to meet the demands of a post-COVID society and provide an affordable, reliable, and abundant source of energy to fuel this nation's economic resurgence.

We call on President Biden and all public officials to work with the industry to bring the United States back to energy independence and create reasonable standards that do not comprise our country's prosperity."

AG Landry calls on Gov. Edwards, President Biden, for emergency housing in coastal parishes

Photo source: Landry for Louisiana

“As the leader of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness,” General Landry wrote. “I urge you to make this an immediate priority. I also urge you to put immediate pressure on the White House and FEMA to get temporary housing units into these impacted Parishes now, rather than weeks from now.”

Read more: AG Landry calls on Gov. Edwards, President Biden, for emergency housing in coastal parishes

HIGGINS: HOLDING GENERAL MILLEY TO ACCOUNT

Rep. Clay Higgins recently shared information regarding a demand for an investigation into General Mark Milley’s actions just days before the Biden administration came into office.

Investigation. Evidence. Court Martial. In that order. I joined with my colleagues on the House Freedom Caucus demanding a formal investigation into General Mark Milley’s reported actions to undermine the Constitutional authority of the President of the United States. Aligning himself with Speaker Pelosi and the Chinese Communist Party. General Milley should resign immediately and, if the allegations against him ultimately prove to be true… he should face Court Martial for seditious acts and treason. Read our letter demanding a formal investigation here.

Iberia Parish Council passes resolution in support of resuming federal oil & gas leases

“”In Iberia Parish, the oil and gas industry was the number one revenue generator. It has been for decades,” said M. Larry Richard, president of Iberia Parish. “It’s a big deal for the parish, and it still is, if we can get it back.”

Read more: Iberia Parish Council passes resolution in support of resuming federal oil & gas leases

Sen. John Kennedy Scolds Judicial Nominee for U.S. 9th Circuit

Watch Sen. John Kennedy Tear Into a Judicial Nominee for the 9th Circuit

LOGA Releases Statement on Hewitt v. Helix Energy Solutions Decision

BATON ROUGE, LA (September 20th, 2021) – A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Hewitt v Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. deemed a highly compensated employee eligible for overtime payments. The ruling not only goes against historical practice but was also directly contrary to decisions rendered by the federal First and Second Circuit courts when confronted with facts similar to this particular case.

After the decision was released, Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla issued the following statement:

“The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association understands the importance of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and its impact on wage earners. However, this law was written in the spirit to protect lower-income employees, not highly compensated employees earning upwards of $200,000 like in this case. These are the kinds of lawsuits that continue to chase investment out of Louisiana and punish employers that furnish high-paying jobs. We hope this case will proceed to the United States Supreme Court for reversal. We also believe that Congress should address this through legislation. Some provisions of the FLSA are clearly out of touch with the oil and gas industry. Other occupations such as firefighters and police officers have been given special overtime considerations within the FLSA guidelines. The industry should be provided similar exemptions given the unique scheduling and unpredictable nature of oil and gas work.”

Congress is about to legislate a future without new medicines. We have a better plan

People who understand where medicines come from are sounding the alarm. In the largest grassroots effort in the history of the drug industry, we — alongside hundreds of biotech entrepreneurs, academic luminaries, patient advocates, and prominent investors — sent a letter to Congress explaining the drastic consequences of redefining the word “negotiation.” Others continue to add their names. The signers collectively represent nearly $187 billion in science-focused capital, 21,000 Americans employed in life sciences, and hundreds of drug candidates in clinical trials. We are motivated by a concern that Congress is about to extinguish the fight against disease and suffering that our community has dedicated itself to for decades.

Read more: Congress is about to legislate a future without new medicines. We have a better plan

CHEVRON COMMITS $3 MILLION TO SUPPORT HURRICANE IDA RELIEF AND RECOVERY EFFORTS

Photo source: Grow Louisiana Coalition

“As a major employer and longtime partner in several Gulf Coast communities, Chevron is fully committed to helping the region recover from the impacts of Hurricane Ida,” said Brad Middleton, Vice President of Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit, which is headquartered in Covington, La. “We understand that these resources are vital to support the response and recovery of our communities. There is significant recovery work to be done, and Chevron stands by our fellow Louisiana residents through this difficult time.”

Read more: CHEVRON COMMITS $3 MILLION TO SUPPORT HURRICANE IDA RELIEF AND RECOVERY EFFORTS

Missions Trip For Hurricane Ida Relief

Photo source: CNN

Our friends from the New Iberia area are putting together a crew to head to Houma this weekend to cook a hot meal for those that were affected by Ida. Right now, they’re surviving on bare basics for food, some still without water and most without power for another few weeks.

I’m providing a link to my Venmo in the event anyone would like to help out financially. If you haven’t seen the devastation from the storm, those photos only show a glimpse of what it looks like in person.

These good people don’t need a hand out. They need a hand up and we are doing that for them.

The cooking and serving location will be Houma First United Methodist Church. The following weekend, we are planning a trip to Galiano to help there. Future trips are also planned down the bayou

Will you help us?

Any amount is greatly appreciated.

Donations can be made here.

Thanks!!!

Chris Gary