Kennedy speaks out against radical transgender activism: “We know this agenda is dangerous.”

“I am terrified that our country is mass-producing a generation of mutilated and sterilized young people because policymakers in our schools, in our cities, in our state capitals and in Washington are too afraid to stand up and say enough.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) spoke on the Senate floor against the radical medicalization of children who experience gender confusion. Kennedy explained that most children will outgrow gender confusion and condemned the activists who pressure parents into responding to often temporary gender confusion by subjecting their children to harmful drugs and surgeries.

Key excerpts from Kennedy’s remarks include: 

“Well before a child learns the difference between adjectives and verbs, activists in many government schools are teaching their pre-K students lessons on transgender pronouns—pronouns like ‘ze’ and ‘zir.’ Public libraries host ‘drag queen story time’ for children of all ages. . . . TikTok essentially functions as a how-to-transition guidebook.

“The issue of gender, Mr. President, has morphed from a topic that only involved the personal decisions of private adults into a movement—a movement that seeks to inject questions about gender and sexuality into every aspect of a child’s life with or without parental approval.”

. . .

“Many activists are comfortable allowing children to take sterilizing medications at 13 years of age, after a single appointment with a therapist—all because adults are supposed to trust children when they claim they’re a different gender.

“I’m very thankful to say that Louisiana is full of compassion and common sense, and we don’t do that. We know this agenda is dangerous, and we know it’s outrageous.”

. . .

“Sec. Hillary Clinton once famously said it takes a village to raise a child. What she meant was that it takes the federal government to raise a child. No, it doesn't.

“Kids need parents to succeed, and parents have the right to raise their children according to their values. Parents are here to protect kids from danger, from the kids’ own immaturity and from misguided government agents.”

. . .

“I am terrified that our country is mass-producing a generation of mutilated and sterilized young people because policymakers in our schools, in our cities, in our state capitals and in Washington are too afraid to stand up and say enough. . . . That’s why I was so proud of the Louisiana state legislature. The Louisiana state legislature passed HB 648. HB 648 protects Louisiana’s children and supports their parents. HB 648 makes it illegal to use puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgery on children under the age of 18.”

. . .

“Nothing disturbs me, Mr. President, more than the notion that a child’s upbringing should be determined by some bureaucrat rather than the child’s parents, especially when those bureaucrats use the power of the government to maim children. It makes me want to throw up. It makes me want to reach for the sick bucket. Congress must do more to protect parents and their kids from the zealots of the transgender movement.”

Background:

• The population of transgender children in the United States nearly doubled between 2017 and 2020. In Louisiana, 13-to-17-year-olds are nearly three times more likely to say they identify as transgender than adults aged 25 to 64.

• Most young children outgrow their gender dysphoria. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, roughly 85% of children diagnosed with gender dysphoria at a young age did not remain dysphoric after adolescence.

• Many gender-confused children also suffer from mental health issues. Children who identify as transgender are up to 13 times more likely to have ADHD, depression or anxiety than non-transgender children. A study out of the United Kingdom found that 35% of the children who received gender treatment had moderate or severe autism.

• Many European countries have restricted the use of hormone treatments and surgeries on children. Most notably, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service shut down its transgender youth treatment center, the Tavistock Clinic, after an investigation revealed that the clinic had put young people “at considerable risk” of long-term mental distress.

• Still, many activists encourage parents to “affirm” their children’s gender dysphoria no matter how young their children may be. Activists also encourage parents to allow their children to receive “gender-affirming care,” including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries. These drugs and surgeries can inflict irreparable harm on children.

• Puberty blockers are hormone-based injections or implants given to children as young as 8 years old to delay the onset of puberty. Gonadotropin, the hormone used in puberty blockers, is the same hormone used to chemically castrate sex offenders. It can leave children with diminished bone density and harm their future fertility.

• Cross-sex hormones begin to transition children to appear more like the other gender. Boys take estrogen, which can cause infertility, blood clots and heart problems. Girls take testosterone, which can also cause infertility, male-pattern baldness and high blood pressure. Adults have given cross-sex hormones to children as young as 13 years old.

• Sex-reassignment surgeries, including mastectomies, phalloplasty and vaginoplasty, are largely irreversible. They can result in infertility and loss of sexual function. Activists have advocated for 15-year-old girls to access double mastectomies and 17-year-old boys to receive vaginoplasties.

• Activists claim that “gender reaffirming care” improves the mental health of children with gender confusion. However, a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that there is no significant reduction in mental health issues following hormone treatments or sex-reassignment surgeries.

• American parents have struggled to protect their children from these radical procedures. Parents in some states can lose custody of their children for refusing to abide by the transgender ideology. In Oregon, children as young as 15 years old can receive Medicaid-funded hormone treatments without their parents’ consent.

• Kennedy is a co-sponsor of the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act, a bill that would help parents defend themselves when radical bureaucrats attack them for refusing to comply with the transgender agenda. 

Read more about the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act here.

View Kennedy’s full remarks here.

CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY PASSES IN LOUISIANA

Freedom to lawfully exercise your 2nd Amendment rights is headed to the governor’s desk for signature

BATON ROUGE—The Louisiana Freedom Caucus (LAFC) is proud to announce that SB1, authored by LAFC founding member Sen. Blake Miguez, is headed to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk for signature. The bill passed the House today with bipartisan support after clearing the Senate with the unanimous support of Republicans last week. The bill allows for law-abiding citizens over the age of 18 to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights in Louisiana. It also leaves the concealed carry permit structure in place for those desirous of obtaining reciprocity with participating states.

“With crime running rampant in Louisiana, Republicans in the legislature have taken action. Governor Jeff Landry will sign the bill into law, and it will go into effect on the 4th of July this year, in honor of our nation’s Independence Day. We are again empowering law-abiding American citizens with the means to protect themselves and their families from violent criminals. No more begging the government for permission to protect what’s ours in Louisiana,” said Sen. Blake Miguez, founding member of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus.

“It is always a great day when the principles of liberty and freedom are honored. Today is such a day. The Louisiana legislature has voted to send a Constitutional Carry bill to the Governor’s desk for signature that will allow law-abiding citizens the freedom to carry weapons to defend themselves and their families in these perilous times. A new day is dawning in Louisiana! We are working right now in the legislature to arrest the violent crime that is permeating our cities and state through tougher measures against criminals, and also by safeguarding these vital liberties for the law abiding,” said Beryl Amedée, Chairman of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus.

“For years I have been fighting for Constitutional Carry in Louisiana, and the day has finally arrived. Our state legislature, both House and Senate, have passed a clean Constitutional Carry bill and it is on its way to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk for signature! This legislation recognizes the God-given right articulated in the 2nd Amendment and ensures that our law-abiding citizens can exercise their right to keep and bear arms without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles,” said Danny McCormick, founding member of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus.

Sen. John Kennedy on Biden's Economic Policies

Any reputable economist who didn’t get his degree from Costco will tell you that Pres. Biden’s economic policies caused both inflation and shrinkflation. pic.twitter.com/TmmBfB4AhI

— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) February 28, 2024

Governor Landry Issues Executive Order: Creates Task Force to Review Failures of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans

Baton Rouge, LA- Today, Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order that creates the Governor’s Task Force for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO). The 14-member task force will review the billing process, the governing structure, and the management and organizational structure of SWBNO. During these reviews, the task force will determine if an opportunity for different governing structures or reorganization exists, and will work to maximize efficiency within SWBNO. EO Attached.

“Those who live in New Orleans are far too familiar with the frequent failures of the Sewerage and Water Board. Widespread flooding and drinking water violations have become second nature to folks in Orleans Parish. The current operating status of the Sewerage and Water Board is not acceptable,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Through this executive order, we will determine ways to make the board run more efficiently and guarantee tax dollars are being put to proper use.”

The order can be found here.

Kennedy, Cotton challenge Biden admin’s plan to collect American investors’ personal data with amicus brief

“This unconstitutional plan jeopardizes investors’ data and requires them to pay higher fees. The appeals court should stop it before bad actors exploit the CAT to take advantage of Americans.”

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking and Judiciary Committees, joined Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and 20 other colleagues in filing an amicus brief in American Securities Association v. SEC, a case in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT).

The SEC’s CAT will collect all customer and order information for equity securities and listed options, including data that might be considered personally identifiable information.

Congress did not authorize the CAT, which leaves investors to pay higher costs for the program while it puts personal information, such as social security numbers and birth dates, at risk of being hacked.

“More than 158 million Americans invest their hard-earned savings in the stock market, and they trust that their personal information is secure. Despite concerns about recent cyberattacks at federal agencies, the Biden administration is moving forward with its Consolidated Audit Trail—without Congressional authorization. This unconstitutional plan jeopardizes investors’ data and requires them to pay higher fees. The appeals court should stop it before bad actors exploit the CAT to take advantage of Americans,” said Kennedy.

“The SEC never brought this proposal before Congress to request funds because the Biden administration knows the program is a gross overreach that would suck up the personal data of millions of law-abiding Americans. More than that, the SEC has shown it is incapable of safely storing sensitive data. This program needs to be killed before it begins,” said Cotton.

Background:

• In Nov. 2023, Kennedy penned an op-ed highlighting concerns regarding the SEC’s move to store investors’ personally identifiable information through the CAT.

• In July 2023, Kennedy introduced the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act to protect information that could reveal the identity of American investors.

Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) signed the brief along with 12 members of the House of Representatives.

The amicus brief is available here.

Rep. Mike Johnson Schools "Storyteller" in Criminal Justice Committee Meeting

When a “storyteller” accused the criminal justice committee of racially-motivated exploitation, @johnson_state wasn’t having it. #lalege pic.twitter.com/dw656fLOuO

— Fix New Orleans (@FixNOLA) February 23, 2024

Sen. Blake Miguez: Embracing constitutional carry for a safer Louisiana

In Louisiana, where crime rates have placed three of our cities among the nation's most dangerous, the call for effective self-defense measures has never been louder. Gov. Jeff Landry has highlighted crime as a pressing issue, necessitating our immediate action to empower law-abiding citizens.

The case for constitutional carry in our state is clear: Individuals shouldn't need governmental permission to protect themselves and their loved ones. Neighboring states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky already recognize this right, underscoring that self-defense is a fundamental liberty, not a bureaucratic privilege.

Read more: Sen. Blake Miguez: Embracing constitutional carry for a safer Louisiana

Welcome Back Leader Scalise

Image source: Politico

There was a ripple of excitement last week in Washington DC.  At meetings and events across town, people were celebrating Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s return to work.   Bipartisan and bicameral support for our “Louisiana Legend” was evident.  He proved again that optimism and hard work are still revered in our nation’s Capital.

What is it about Scalise that endears him to his colleagues, restaurant servers and Capitol Police?   Where does he find his joie de vivre even after surviving being shot and a battle with cancer?

Part of his appeal is his love of country and appreciation for the hope that the United States provides to its citizens and the world.

Scalise’s great grandfather came over from Sicily to Garyville, Louisiana, chasing the American dream.   After spending seven years as an indentured servant in sugar cane fields, he moved to New Orleans to make that dream a reality.   Scalise was the first person in his family to graduate from college.  Only in America could a family achieve such heights in just a few generations.

Scalise’s positive attitude and eternal optimism are a choice.   Bitterness and sharp elbows can come quickly in the political world.  Early in his career, someone advised him not to have more enemies then you can count on one hand.  While fiercely debating policy, Scalise does not make it personal, and in the end maintains respect for and from his colleagues.

As Majority Leader, Scalise sets the House of Representatives legislative agenda, runs committee chair meetings and works with Members on both sides of the aisle to advance their priorities.

The Majority Leader has roared back in a big way.   He is leading the fight against President Biden’s short sighted LNG moratorium which affects global dependance on Russia, national energy prices and jobs in Louisiana.   He continues to build a coalition to strengthen hurricane protection and is working to combat the over regulation of small business.

It is a difficult time of gridlock and infighting, but the Majority Leader’s return gives us hope that brighter days are possible.  Like him, let’s never give up, choose optimism and go make a difference. 

We’re glad you are back, Mr. Scalise-keep your joie de vivre!

Lynnel Ruckert is a partner at Bold Strategies, a government relations and political consulting firm.  She spent fifteen years on Capitol Hill where she worked for four Members of the Louisiana delegation.  She served as chief of staff to Congressman Steve Scalise in his personal and leadership offices.    

Governor Landry Opens Special Session to Address Crime in Louisiana

Baton Rouge, LA- Today, Governor Jeff Landry opened the 2nd Extraordinary Session of 2024 focusing on crime. This special session begins to fulfill the campaign promises Governor Landry made to the people of Louisiana to make our safe state and protect our communities.

Remarks as prepared:

Mr. Speaker,

Mr. President,   

Ladies and Gentlemen of the House and Senate,   

Thank you for your warm welcome and thank you all for the service to the people of our state whose hope for a safer Louisiana brings us to their Capitol.  The ongoing debate and day-to-day work we are deeply involved in   of improving our economy, of protecting our environment,  and  of reforming our education system; all lose significant meaning if our communities are not safe.      As Attorney General I warned that the goal of criminal justice reform should not be about letting people out of jail, but how to keep people from going to jail. 

Those warnings went unheeded.   Last year I promised the people of this state, if elected Governor, I would do everything within my power to improve the safety of our communities through both legislative and executive action.  Today we continue that process.  Everyone in this room is aware that crime has put a national spotlight on our great state.  

In 2021 Louisiana had the highest violent crime rate in the nation.  In 2022, three of our cities were in the top 10 most dangerous cities in America. 280 people were murdered that year in New Orleans alone, earning that city the title of “murder capital” of the country.   

Last year more children were murdered in New Orleans than any year in the past decade.   

While these statistics are sobering, they can seemingly be just numbers, or a passing news story.  

However, for the victims, it is life altering.  The effect of being a victim of crime does not end the day after. For most, the nightmare only begins.       

While these victims carry the burden of loss, they are also thrown into the unknowns of a criminal justice system that has forgotten them.    

The proposals we layout today were constructed by listening.       

Listening to the voices of the people,   

Listening to those responsible for protecting us,  

Listening to those responsible for administering justice, and 

Listening to those who matter the most--the victims of crime.               

Today I invite you to meet some of the faces of the crime statistics in Louisiana.  

Faces like, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Guzzardo, who are here today on behalf of their daughter Stephanie.  In 1995, Stephanie was murdered along with her co-worker at Calendar’s Restaurant in Baton Rouge. Stephanie pleaded for her life as Todd Wessinger pulled the trigger, robbing the Guzzardo’s of their beautiful daughter’s life.  They have lived with the pain each day since, with a promise of justice that goes unanswered.   

Our criminal justice system has lost balance.   

The steps we take to restore that balance are difficult to accept for some.  However, when promises are made to a victim’s family and friends, granting them that justice, restores balance.   Our capital punishment law serves to bring justice for crimes of horrific violence.  When these sentences are handed down, they form a covenant between the State and the victims, and their family and their friends.    

Justice requires that we uphold that covenant.       

We propose legislation that would declare any and all records or information pertaining to carrying out a sentence be strictly confidential and not subject to public disclosure.  Our legislation would make it a felony to violate that law and also allow the victim’s families to recover damages.    

Should our State be unable to obtain the necessary drugs, our proposed legislation will provide alternative legal methods of carrying out these sentences that have been approved by our Courts.  

Capital punishment is lawful, and we intend to fulfill our legal duty to resume it.     

While planning these proposals, I sought the input from those in law enforcement.  As a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy, I have seen the best - and the worst a community has to offer.  I have walked in the very shoes of those who stand on that thin blue line, protecting us from those who seek to disrupt the peace that we deserve in our communities.   

We are honored to have with us today Sheriff Doug Hebert and Sheriff Kevin Cobb, the current and past presidents of the Louisiana Sheriffs Association.  They are joined here with several other Sheriffs and local law enforcement officers. 

Our law enforcement officers serve you with bravery and dedication; while being underpaid, under appreciated, and under equipped for the tireless, thankless, and dangerous job we ask of them to perform day and night.            

They sacrifice their lives for you and me.  It’s time we sacrifice more than rhetoric for them.           

They encounter the worst.  It’s time for us to give them our best.           

They have our backs.             

It’s time we had theirs.           

Risking their lives for us, should not mean risking civil liability when one makes a good faith error or when faced with a meritless accusation.    

That is why the qualified immunity we seek in this session will give them confidence and peace of mind as they perform their job.  This proposed legislation will also help us recruit the best and brightest into law enforcement.  It will reduce the number of unnecessary and in many instances, frivolous lawsuits filed against our officers.  All without sacrificing public safety.  

I have always stood with these men and women and will continue to protect them when they perform their duties in good faith.   

And you should too.   

I ask you to reach out to the officers in your district.  Seek their advice on the proposed legislation.  You will hear from the very best in your communities what they have to offer, who have first-hand knowledge of the criminality prevalent in our state.   

I have also listened carefully to our District Attorneys, their Assistants, and many Judges who administer our criminal justice system daily.  They have expressed to me their frustration with the leniency of sentencing, and our misguided post-conviction programs that feed recidivism by constantly returning un-reformed, un-repentant, and violent criminals to our neighborhoods.   

The revolving door is insulting.    

Right now, up to 70% of a sentence may be removed for “good time”.  This “good time” requires no effort of the inmate to participate in programs that would provide educational, job skill training, or rehabilitative services. Good time is rewarded to inmates with really no effort on their part. 

It’s like a participation trophy for jail!   

What we need is truth in sentencing that will incentivize inmates to complete certain re-entry programs, earn a GED, learn a job skill, and in doing so earn a reduction in sentence;   preparing them to re-join society in a productive, safe, and responsible manner.  Real rehabilitation not only makes our communities safer, but it is cost effective. 

Without meaningful reform, those being released come back into the system again and again, making our communities less safe.  This has caused violent crime to rise, victims to be put at risk, and our criminal justice system to remain broken.      

Where is the cost savings in that?            

While many say focus on the cost, I say focus on the cost to society, I say focus on the cost to our citizens in loss of property, in the disruption of their lives, and in the irreparable tragedy of losing a loved one.     

In attempting to bring truth in sentencing, we propose legislation that limits the number of claims that may be filed by a convicted felon.  These are real monetary saving measures that will help offset any cost associated with other proposals.  

The 2-year prescription for filing an inmate claim is currently not enforced, resulting in hundreds of frivolous claims by inmates, costing the state money.    

Sadly, we have seen radical activists hard at work to empty our prisons.  They disregard the deadlines that are in place for seeking post-conviction relief.  Similarly, there has been a complete disregard for policies put in place by the parole and pardon board.  We are asking for mandatory deadlines to be put in place, so that victims are not misled.  

The legislation will also require that an inmate not commit a disciplinary offense for at least three years prior to a hearing.  Any consideration in sentencing should be merit based.    

With our focus on the victims, we propose a mandatory 90-day notice be provided to the victims prior to any hearing being granted.      

By continuing to focus on victims we send a message that they shall once and for all be heard in the process of criminal justice reform. 

And they demand transparency.  

The lack of transparency in our criminal justice system is unacceptable.  

Neither victims, defendants, nor the general public have access to information about what exactly is happening in criminal courts on a daily basis.  

Ask Dr. Patrick Dennis, who is here today and who testified before the Legislature last year about being held at gunpoint by a juvenile, never notified of the trial date, only to learn later that the gunman was released.  This same juvenile held 14 other victims at gunpoint within a three-day period.  

Ask Elisabeth and Noah Hansard who are here today. 

Elisabeth also appeared before the Legislature last year, because her son, Noah, was robbed and shot in New Orleans by a juvenile. 

He is now confined to a wheelchair.  Elisabeth and Noah have no way to access information about their case in juvenile court and still have no idea if the shooter had a previous criminal record.  

Ask Mrs. Sherilyn Price, who is also here with us today and who also testified before you about how she was misled about the murder of her son, the popular comedian Boogie B.  Boogie B was struck by a stray bullet in a grocery store parking lot when he was in town visiting his family for Christmas.  His mom was never informed of when the perpetrator was arrested nor that a bond hearing was set.     

Jania and Jaylan Blount join us today.  Their mother, Cassandra, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in the parking lot outside of her apartment complex.  

The perpetrator fled the scene to Tennessee and shot a police officer there.  At the time he murdered Cassandra, he had been arrested over 25 times and was on probation.   

These women deserve answers to very important questions.  

Why was he given probation?  

Why was he out on the streets?  

What happened in each of his 25 prior arrests?  

But these are only a few stories out of thousands that can be told in support of our Truth and Transparency program, which we tried to pass during the 2023 Legislative Session.  

Victims and the public have a right to know what is happening in our criminal justice system and where it is failing. Our transparency legislation will allow people to access this information and provide online access to the data from our criminal and juvenile courts. Through this simple and common-sense measure, we hope to ease the suffering of victims, offer more transparency in the legal process, and find better solutions to our crime problem.    

Louisiana was once defined by our great cities.  They were gems of the South and cornerstones of our State.  Over the last two years, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and New Orleans have all made the top ten most dangerous cities in the country; with New Orleans making the list of the top ten most dangerous in the world. Carjackings, homicides, violent crime, and juvenile gangs terrorize our citizens there.            

I have listened carefully, I have heard their pleas, I have felt their frustration, I have seen their sorrow, and I have watched as they have wept and prayed for relief from the palpable pain that crime has brought to their neighborhoods.    

Ask anyone in the world where Louisiana is and some may hesitate, but ask them where New Orleans is, and they know instantly. It is one of our greatest treasures.  Restoring it to greatness and glory, is a tide that will lift all boats.  

Sadly, crime is plaguing this magnificent city where right now, one in every 14 black men will be murdered by the age of 35.   

Tell me where is the justice in that?    

Previous Governors and previous Legislatures have dispatched and funded the State Police in the city at certain times, with the goal of securing the French Quarter and the business district.  While these initiatives have had short term success, once relaxed, the effort becomes lost.   

I say it is time to secure the entire city of New Orleans, that is why I am proposing a permanent Nola troop. One whose goal is to help protect the entire city and all its citizens, not just the tourist and the business areas.  

This entire beloved city deserves to live in peace and safety.      

Carjackings are plaguing the city as well and terrifying its residents.    

In March 2022 four teenagers ranging from 15 to 17 attempted to steal 73-year-old Linda Frickey’s car.  They sprayed Mrs. Frickey with mace, punched her, and in trying to pull her out of the car she was entangled in the seatbelt.  

As the teenagers drove away Ms. Frickey was dragged over 200 yards before being dislodged from the vehicle ripping her arm from her body.  She died 20 minutes later. Her sister Jinny Lynn joins us today.  

Also with us today is Miss Nadia Sanchez of New Orleans whose mother, Jeannot was carjacked in New Orleans in 2018.  During her carjacking, the perpetrators rolled over her and killed her with her own car in her own driveway, and in front of her family.      

And yet, these are just a fraction of the carjacking horror stories unfolding in our cities underscoring why we propose elevating the mandatory minimum sentencing for carjacking from 2 years to 5 years.  

If the act results in bodily injury, the mandatory minimum should be 20 years.    

So, to those who make the decision to carjack someone in Louisiana, here me clearly--you better hope the car is full of gas and can you go where we can never find you, because when we do; you will spend a long time in jail!       

As you are aware, many of the crimes discussed have been committed by juveniles, highlighting how our juvenile justice system is failing our kids.                                          

Mr. Cortez Collins’s 17-year-old son, Corterion, was senselessly shot and killed in December of 2022, by a juvenile.  He was a high school senior.  The case was not transferred to adult court as it should have been, and the juvenile who committed will only serve a very few years for Corterion’s murder.    

Explain that to Mr. Cortez Collins.

The former Administration’s criminal justice re-investment lowered the age of 17-year-olds charged with a violent crime. By lowering the age, it has resulted in actual incidents of older criminals recruiting 17-year-olds for criminal activity, knowing the consequences would be minimal. It has fast-tracked too many of our teenagers into a life of crime. The effect has been catastrophic.   

These juveniles are not innocent children any longer; they are hardened criminals.  They violently attack our citizens, our law enforcement officers, and even our juvenile correction officers without hesitation.    

Darrelle Scott, was robbed and shot by a 13-year-old while walking in New Orleans East. Darrelle is now paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.  The juvenile was not able to be transferred to adult court because he was too young.  He has been moved to an unsecured facility and has escaped repeatedly.   

An unexpectable amount of the shootings occurring in Louisiana are being performed by 17 years olds or younger. Corrections officials will tell you that 16 and 17-year-olds have destroyed our juvenile detention facilities.  As a result, we are paying other states $600/day per person, to house these violent inmates.    

We propose to correct the age by legislating the prosecution of any person 17 years of age charged with a felony, be tried as an adult. Furthermore, the proposal will require all juveniles adjudicated of any violent crime be in custody for a minimum of three years.                

I questioned a friend who has been in law enforcement his entire adult life, whether he ever pursued or arrested someone for homicide who possessed a concealed carry permit.  He could not cite a single instance.   

While criminals carry guns without regard for the law, lawful gun owners are our most law-abiding citizens.  Their armed presence helps deter violent crime.  

It is time Louisiana join 27 other states who have created a constitutional right to carry a firearm without the government’s permission.  

This body has repeatedly passed it. 

Now you have a governor who will sign it. 

Our proposal does not terminate the concealed permitting process.  Many citizens travel to other states with their firearms and their permit will satisfy any reciprocity demands.    

We also offer enhanced immunity from liability when one is forced to use a firearm lawfully and has a concealed permit.      

We all know that a good person who makes a bad decision deserves a second chance.   

We ask that you work with us to expand our drug courts.  

It is noted that those completing Drug Court programs receiving structure and supervision are nearly 50% less likely to be arrested again. It is why in 2021 this body passed a bill to do just that.  Unfortunately, the bill was vetoed over politics.  

Now you have a Governor that will sign it!    

Currently, we spend $75 million a year on public defenders for those unable to pay for their own criminal defense.  The Louisiana Public Defender system lacks accountability and has strayed from providing defense and moving criminal cases.            

We propose to increase transparency and re-focus the mission of providing defenders and support personnel for much needed efficiency.      

I would again like to share my gratitude to the weary victims of crime who have joined us here today. I ask you to take the time and show courage in hearing their stories. 

When you do…             

you will hear what I have heard, you will see their pain, you will witness their patience dissipate, you will feel the burning desire for justice they endure every waking hour, and you will conclude, like me, that the simplicity of right and wrong that once guided society has sadly and dangerously been misplaced.           

The propensity of some to signal their virtuous compassion for criminals has become a liberal custom to many, without forethought of the consequences to society and the danger it creates in our neighborhoods and homes.             

They turn reckless commentary into political causes which undermine the principles that have made America safe. Today, I ask you to place the voices of the tired, the weary, and the broken-hearted victims of crime in this state, above the irresponsible rhetoric that is destroying our quality of life.          

I would like to ask all who have been a victim of crime and all those in law enforcement to please stand.           

To the ladies and gentlemen of this Legislature, I say, let this session be about them, and those who protect us.    

Let us take back our streets for them.            

Let us empower our citizens to live their lives without fear and mourning.            

Let us end the irresponsible and deadly tolerance for violence, flagrant theft, and the dealing of deadly drugs.     

Our good citizens work hard, play by the rules, and only seek to raise their families in peace.           

Let’s place their values above the selfish, criminal minded element that is destroying our quality of life.          

I humbly ask that you, they humbly ask you, to adopt these proposals in this session,  for the people for the next generation,  for our men and women of law enforcement and corrections,  and for these victims.          

God bless Louisiana and the people we represent.                     

Governor Landry Issues Executive Order: Declares State of Emergency Due to Officer Shortage in Louisiana

Baton Rouge, LA- Today, Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency due to the police officer shortage across Louisiana. The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association estimates that Louisiana sheriffs’ offices were down approximately 1,800 deputies statewide resulting in record-low employment and an increase in response time. EO is attached.

“We applaud Governor Landry for highlighting the importance of the law enforcement profession and our state’s desperate need to fill valuable front line deputy positions,” said Michael Ranatza, Executive Director, Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.

“As a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy, I understand the vital role our law enforcement officers play in our communities. Currently, our state is facing a shortage of officers, resulting in increased crime and less public safety. Today’s executive order, and the upcoming crime special session, will ensure our law enforcement officers are supported and we can begin to bring law and order back to our state,” said Governor Jeff Landry. 

Redlining America’s girth: New medicines help battle obesity

Believe it or not, and despite what you’re hearing, when it comes to addressing the American epidemic of obesity, there is no magic pill. The good news, however, is that for the first time, there are new medicines that seem to be magic — because they work.

The new group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists are headline news. Why? Because they are more effective than any previous class of drugs in getting patients to lose weight and, equally important (and in combination with diet and exercise), keep it off. Initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration for patients with diabetes, they have become so popular among people who want to lose weight that the companies that manufacture them can’t keep up with demand.

And many insurance providers (most notably Uncle Sam) are worried that helping America successfully combat obesity will break the national health care piggy bank. Nothing could be more incorrect and shortsighted. Let’s make one thing crystal clear — helping America slim down must be a national priority lest we allow obesity and the diseases that often come with it (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and some cancers, to name a few) to bury us both financially and literally.

Read more: Redlining America’s girth: New medicines help battle obesity

Turn Your Ex In for Valentine's Day

Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office wants you to know that you can turn in your ex this Valentine’s Day.

"Have an ex-Valentine with an outstanding warrant?" the post asks. "Call 225-686-2241."

Read more: Does your ex have a warrant? Turn them in for Valentine's Day, Livingston sheriff says.

Rep. Clay Higgins on Impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas

…and so it was done. https://t.co/hKHMtk4RDq

— Rep. Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) February 14, 2024

SOTH Mike Johnson Shuts Down Senate Foreign Funding Bill

BREAKING: Speaker Johnson holds the line, shuts down the Senate foreign funding bill:

"The Republican-led House will not be jammed or forced into passing a foreign aid bill that was opposed by most Senate Republicans. pic.twitter.com/g1iimurJF4

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 14, 2024

Governor Jeff Landry Issues Statement on Withdrawal of BCBSLA Transaction

Baton Rouge, LA– Today, Governor Jeff Landry issued the below statement following Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana’s withdrawal of its Plan of Reorganization and the cancellation of the LDI hearing. 

“From the beginning, we recognized that any transaction such as this would be disruptive to the healthcare landscape of the State. We appreciated the cooperation we received from both parties, our Commissioner of Insurance, and the legislature in both asking the tough questions, looking for solutions, and providing the answers so that the policyholders could make an informed decision and the State would be prepared if such a transaction occurred,” said Governor Jeff Landry.

Miguez Files a Constitutional Carry Bill in Louisiana Legislature

This week marks a pivotal moment for our second amendment rights in Louisiana. I’ve officially filed #SB1, the Constitutional Carry Bill, to give our citizens more freedom to protect themselves and their loved ones in public without unnecessary governmental barriers. #2A pic.twitter.com/ibXmC2OUrR

— Blake Miguez (@BlakeMiguezLA) February 11, 2024

GROW LOUISIANA COALITION: Governor Jeff Landry Backs Industry and Announces $100 Million for Chevron’s Geismar Expansion Project

“The Oil and Gas Industry built Louisiana and keeps our economy moving. Our administration will always be a strong voice for this industry and support the vital jobs it creates,” said Governor Jeff Landry. The Geismar facility was the first stand-alone renewable diesel production facility in the U.S. when it was completed in 2010. This expansion project is expected to bring 90 new permanent jobs and 1,500 temporary jobs. Once completed, the improvement and expansion project will increase site capacity by 250 million gallons, from 90 million gallons to 340 million gallons per year.

On Monday, February 5, Gov. Landry also signed a proclamation and executive order on behalf of the oil and gas industry. The proclamation states that Louisiana is open for business and the administration will work tirelessly to ensure the oil and gas industry can thrive in our state. The executive order directs the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to promote the streamlining of permitting processes associated with the oil and gas industry. 

Source: BRProud

Governor Landry Issues Call for Crime Special Session

Baton Rouge, LA- Today, Governor Jeff Landry called the Louisiana Legislature to convene for a special session focused on tackling the issue of crime that is plaguing our state and holding us back. Throughout this session, the legislature will create laws that strengthen our criminal justice system and repeal soft on crime policies that enable criminals and hurt our communities.  Executive Order is attached.

“This special session begins to fulfill the campaign promises we made to the people of Louisiana to make our State Safe Again. No one, regardless of their neighborhood or zip code, should feel unsafe. We all want safer communities,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “We will defend and uplift our law enforcement officials and deliver true justice to crime victims who have been overlooked for far too long. I am eager to enact real change that makes Louisiana a safer state for all.” 

Louisiana governor vows to help Texas with National Guard troops

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) on his decision to join governors in helping Texas with the ongoing border crisis

Kennedy denounces Biden administration’s attack on LNG: “President Biden is committing energy suicide”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), the ranking member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee on Appropriations, today spoke on the Senate floor to condemn the Biden administration’s pause on new and pending permits for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports. 

Kennedy detailed several Biden administration policies that have harmed America’s energy independence and argued that President Joe Biden’s hostility toward America’s domestic energy sector will hurt the U.S. economy, jeopardize national security and make life more expensive for Louisianians.  

Key excerpts from Kennedy’s remarks include:

“President Biden is committing energy suicide for America. Regrettably—and I mean that—regrettably, too many times in the past three years and on too many issues, we have seen President Biden act as a sock puppet for a faction of neo-socialist Americans who don't like our country, who think our country was wicked when it was founded and that it’s even more wicked today.

“This faction, which President Biden has supported far too often, thinks our country must be torn down and rebuilt, and, of course, they want to be the ones to rebuild it. Now this faction turned its sights, with the help of President Biden, on America’s hard-fought energy independence. President Biden just aided this faction in destroying America’s energy independence and committing energy suicide by declaring a moratorium on new gas terminals in America.

“Apparently, President Biden’s new policy is to give up our own oil and gas and buy the energy that we need from countries that hate us so they will have more money to buy weapons to try to kill us. Stupidity, Mr. President, stupidity should hurt more. I realize you can’t fix stupid, but you can vote it out.”

. . .

“Energy independence is America’s jackpot lottery ticket. Now, we’ve worked hard for it, but it’s our jackpot lottery ticket, but, for some reason, President Biden wants to light our winning numbers on fire.

“He is committing energy suicide. Did I mention that? At every turn, the Biden administration has taken steps to make it more difficult, more expensive and sometimes flat-out impossible to produce, transport and sell the energy products that we need to power America. These foolish policies—the latest of which is a moratorium on LNG—these foolish policies are killing American jobs. They’re killing American jobs, they’re driving up energy prices, they’re jeopardizing our national security and it needs to stop, Mr. President.”

. . .

“Liquified natural gas—it’s not complicated, America helped invent it. You just take natural gas—which is in its gaseous forms—and you cool it, turn it into a liquid, put it on a ship and you can send it all over the world. That’s how we kept Europe open after Putin cut off its oil and natural gas. It was a lifeline for our allies in Europe. It’s a lifeline for many of our friends in west Asia, and President Biden, before this moratorium, he promised our allies in Europe that they could rely on the United States for their LNG needs.

“Now, President Biden has chosen to stab America’s LNG producers and our allies in the back—not in the front, in the back—by prohibiting new LNG export terminals. This decision is going to kill dozens of multi-billion-dollar new terminal projects, including a project in Louisiana that we call Calcasieu Pass 2. . . . It would have brought thousands of good jobs to Louisiana and to America. It would have produced the energy to keep this country safe, to keep this country warm and to help our friends, but President Biden has put all those jobs and the terminal itself in jeopardy. Why? Politics. To appease that neo-socialist faction that I talked about that don’t even like our country.”

. . .

“Energy independence keeps America safe. It keeps America strong. It keeps America prosperous. . . . Louisianians do not want to rely upon the whims of our adversaries to keep our country running.

“We cannot let President Biden commit energy suicide to appease the radical left in the loon wing of his party. So, I ask my colleagues, Mr. President, to join me in pushing back against President Biden’s anti-energy agenda and his moratorium on liquified natural gas.”

Read Kennedy’s recent Wall Street Journal op-ed on LNG here.

View Kennedy’s full remarks here.