Dear John, 

This has been another busy month in Washington, D.C., and I want to ensure that you stay informed of what I’m doing to represent you. I have been hard at work securing funding for climate resilience in Louisiana and passing legislation to honor New Orleans activist and legend Dr. Rudy Lombard. You will also find updates from me on the U.S. House Speaker's race and the saltwater intrusion below.

Carter in Congress

Congress Elects a New Speaker of the House

This week, Republicans finally elected a Speaker of the House after three weeks of chaos. My vote for Speaker will always be Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Leader Jeffries and the Democratic agenda put people over politics. It’s a vote I proudly cast. However, a Speaker is chosen from the majority party. In this case the Republican Party has chosen Congressman Mike Johnson. I trust that Speaker Johnson will do everything in his power to bring order back to the People’s House. Let's move forward and get back to work.

 Read my full statement.

DOE GRIP Grants Invest in Louisiana’s Electric Grid

I am proud to announce $300 million for two projects in Louisiana that I championed to boost the reliability of electrical grid infrastructure and deliver affordable, clean energy. This funding comes from the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program and will modernize the electric grid to reduce the impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather worsened by climate change. This is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I proudly voted for and helped craft. I will continue to work with Secretary Granholm and the Biden-Harris Administration to make these transformative projects a reality. Learn more.

PRIME Act 

I introduced the Performance, Resources, Inclusion, Matters for Equity (PRIME) Act to increase funding for athletics at HBCUs and Junior Colleges. The success of these sports teams is often thwarted by a lack of funding. These schools should be able to provide the support and resources their students deserve. Learn more.

Providing Aid in the Aftermath of Storms

I partnered with Congressman Garret Graves (R-La.) to introduce a bill which will extend the Duplication of Benefits (DoB) relief provision in the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018 for an additional five years. Without this bill, the provision will expire this year, putting current and future disaster victims at risk.

Storms don’t discriminate. They affect us all, regardless of race, political party, or socioeconomic status. My bipartisan bill would allow governors to ask the federal government not to consider a loan a duplication of a grant following a disaster. It’s wrong to tell someone desperate to return home after a storm that because they took out a loan, they will be unable to benefit from future federal programs. Learn more.

Dr. Rudy Lombard

The House of Representatives just passed H.R. 996, my bill to designate the Post Office located at 3901 MacArthur Blvd. in New Orleans, the "Dr. Rudy Lombard Post Office." Like the Carter family, Dr. Rudolph “Rudy” Lombard was born in the Algiers neighborhood in 1939 and will always be remembered as a New Orleans icon for his work as a Civil Rights Hero, educator, and lifelong community advocate. The entire Louisiana House Congressional delegation supported this legislation. Learn more about Dr. Rudy Lombard.

Carter in the Community 

Saltwater Intrusion Update

I know there are many of you who have been concerned about the Saltwater Intrusion which impacted parts of our district and threatened to impact multiple parishes. Predictions for when or if areas will be affected are determined by the 28-day weather forecast and are subject to change. As of today, we can breathe a sigh of relief because St. Bernard Parish and all further points upriver are NOT projected to see levels exceeding drinking water standards through December.

In other positive news, the drinking water advisory in Plaquemines Parish has been lifted. I will continue providing updates through my official channels, including on my social media accounts, @RepTroyCarter.

Curbside Passport Clinic

My LA-02 Curbside Passport Clinic was a success! I’m happy that my office could assist our constituents as the holiday season approaches. It’s not too late, if you need assistance, contact my office at (504) 288-3777 and stay tuned for announcements about upcoming events.

CBC Mental Health 

I am fighting for the well-being of our communities, including our mental well-being. It’s OKAY to not be OKAY, but it is imperative that we take care of ourselves and one another to confront mental health challenges. I hosted a Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation panel titled “Our Kids Are Not OKAY and Neither Are We” during the 52nd Annual CBC Annual Legislative Conference which brought together experts, visionaries, activists, and leaders who are shaping the future of mental health care in the Black community.

I’m fighting to break the stigma, prioritize self-care, and create a safe space for all people to thrive. Learn more.

Funding for Climate Resilience in Louisiana

I was extremely proud to join my friend Senior Advisor to the President, White House Infrastructure Coordinator, and former Mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landrieu, to announce $207M in funding for climate resilience in Louisiana. The selections, through two competitive grant programs, will help our communities enhance resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.

Millions of Americans bear the brunt of climate change's impact every year, whether through droughts, extreme heat, wildfires, or floods. These funds reflect a recognition of the growing threats posed by climate change and a commitment to addressing them head-on. Learn more.

New Orleans Recycling Expansion and Planning

I joined Dr. Earthea Nance to celebrate a $3,982,000 million grant for the City of New Orleans. This funding was made possible through the EPA’s the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program (SWIFR) and will be used to construct a new Materials Recovery Facility, expand current residential curbside recycling, and develop a 10-year solid waste master plan.

I’m committed to environmental sustainability, and this grant funding is a significant milestone in New Orleans’ journey towards a greener and more environmentally responsible future. I’m also proud that this grant aims to ensure that federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Environmental justice MUST be at the center of any action to address disproportionate health and environmental impacts on communities, especially communities of color. Learn more.

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