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Dear John,
April was an exciting and productive month in Congress as I continue to represent YOU!
I’m back in Washington, DC next week to fight against the extreme Republican no-good budget proposal. We must raise the debt limit NOW without wrecking people’s lives and livelihoods.
I voted against the GOP “Default on America Act” at the end of April. This legislation presents Americans with a terrible choice: either House Republicans will wreck our economy or inflict cruel cuts that hurt everyday people in LA-02 and around the country. We can’t let that happen.
CARTER IN CONGRESS
Risk Rating 2.0
Our state is routinely impacted by natural disasters that have devastating effects. Unfortunately, there are longstanding inequities in disaster relief, especially for low-income and rural communities. As your voice in our nation’s capitol, I am ensuring that your concerns about relief and recovery are being addressed. FEMA’s new Risk Rating 2.0 system is raising flood insurance prices for citizens of LA-02. Flood insurance and other relief should be available to EVERYONE.
During a recent Homeland Security Committee Hearing, Secretary Mayorkas agreed, on the record, that Risk Rating 2.0 needs more consideration. Watch the video:
Crawfish and Cannabis Reform
The criminalization of cannabis continues to disproportionately impact communities of color. I hosted a Crawfish and Cannabis Reform event with my colleagues and various stakeholders to discuss the importance of cannabis reform legislation. Bills like my CLIMB and Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Acts would bring us one step closer to long-overdue, commonsense reforms that move this industry forward in an equitable way.
I’ll keep up the pressure as your Congressional Cannabis Champion!
Southern Border Visit
I had the opportunity to join Democratic Members of the Committee on Homeland Security to visit the Southwest Border. The visit included a discussion of border security and immigration issues with local officials and tours of the DHS border facilities and technologies in Brownsville and McAllen, Texas.
Most migrants coming to our border have no other legal pathway to U.S. citizenship and are here seeking asylum – which is their legal right. However, our system was not set up for the kind of volume we are experiencing, and it is unsustainable. We need comprehensive immigration reform to fix our broken system and save lives. I was grateful for the opportunity to visit Texas and learn first-hand from professionals who are in the thick of this crisis.
CARTER IN THE COMMUNITY
Donaldsonville Community Project Funding
For far too long, the City of Donaldsonville has had leak-prone drainage infrastructure that pose a threat to members of the community. I secured $4 million in federal community project funding to help fully replace this infrastructure. I was thrilled to present a check for this funding to the city and I am excited to observe the outcome of this project as it progresses. Promises made, promises kept!
Homelessness is NOT An American Value
Housing is a basic human right and I am working to ensure that it is accessible and affordable for everyone. UNITY of Greater New Orleans has been given a $14.9 million grant to support people experiencing homelessness through outreach, access to shelters, and services to obtain permanent housing. This delivers on my call for more federal funding to support unhoused people in our community. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Watch the video:
EPA Administrator Regan Visits Louisiana
At the beginning of April, I hosted U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan for a press conference announcing new actions to address emissions of toxic air pollution from chemical plants and reduce cancer risks from exposure to these chemicals in many communities across the country.
It’s no secret that emissions in our River Parishes are more prevalent than in other parts of the United States. LA-02 includes an industrial hub of nearly 150 oil refineries, plastics plants, and chemical facilities spanning from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, but it is foremost an area that thousands of families call home. It is important that we reduce emissions from these dangerous plants to improve the quality of life for residents, raise life expectancy, and lower the risk of cancer. Environmental justice MUST be at the center of any action to address disproportionate health and environmental impacts on communities, especially communities of color.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NEW Infrastructure Website
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is yielding real results in our state. It is important to me that this information is transparent and accessible, so I created a website where you can find resources, get updates on what I’m doing to improve our infrastructure, and watch my Virtual Town Hall with White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu. More here: https://troycarter.house.gov/services/louisiana-infrastructure-funding
Being the voice for the people of Louisiana's Second Congressional District is a privilege and I am honored to serve you. For the latest updates on my work, follow my social media accounts at the links below!
Sincerely,
Troy A. Carter, Sr.
Member of Congress
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