A Note From the Desk of Congresswoman Letlow

Helping Louisiana families thrive is a top priority for me in Congress - this starts with supporting our largest industry and the farmers, ranchers, and producers who feed our nation and fuel our economy.

This month, I wanted to ensure we deliver on our promise to the agriculture community by providing much-needed emergency assistance to crawfish farmers and combatting the effects of extreme weather and drought. I also sponsored legislation that will provide farmers with more flexibility when it comes to their crop insurance plans and questioned USDA officials on this topic during a House Appropriations Committee hearing.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Fifth District, and I will always fight for our farmers and the critical industry they represent.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with your questions and concerns. Our team is always accessible through this newsletter and our website. We are here to serve you!. 

Sincerely,

Julia Letlow, Ph.D.
Member of Congress

Continue reading for more on my travel through the Fifth and work in D.C. for Louisianans.

After months of dialogue with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide emergency assistance to our crawfish producers, the Department announced that crawfish will be covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program. In addition, the USDA Farm Service Agency will begin delivering relief for crawfish production losses suffered in 2023 and moving forward.

I began the push for crawfish assistance in September of 2023 with my Drought Assistance Improvement Act, following the severe drought disaster Louisiana experienced last summer which put our crawfish industry on life support. This bill proposed an expansion of ELAP coverage for farm-raised fish producers, specifically adding the inclusion of crawfish farmers who have experienced losses caused by extreme weather or drought. Following the introduction of this bill, I wrote a letter to Secretary Vilsack and included language in the FY2024 Appropriations Bill directing the USDA to take action on this issue.

This month, I questioned a USDA official about the status of the Department’s efforts to help combat the crawfish crisis. One week after I questioned him, the good news about crawfish ELAP inclusion was released.

See what he had to say below:

Read the latest on my efforts to deliver this promise to our crawfish industry HERE.

Farmers have to deal with extreme conditions and unpredictability during their seasons and are unfortunately left without the support they need when faced with sudden crop losses. This month, I partnered with Senator Kennedy to introduce the Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act which will serve our Louisiana farmers and provide increased and flexible insurance coverage for farmers who have experienced crop quality loss.

The policies existing in the current Federal Crop Insurance Act do not always provide farmers with the flexibility that is needed for the often unpredictable crop quality losses. The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act will improve the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation’s (FCIC) review process of quality losses and requires the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) to establish a regional discount factor for crops in times of disaster.

I was truly touched this month as Majority Leader Steve Scalise, along with our entire Louisiana delegation, supported legislation to name a post office in Rayville, LA as the “Luke Letlow Post Office.”

My late husband dedicated his life to making Louisiana’s 5th District a better place, and his purpose was always driven by people and his passion was public service. As someone who deeply loved Richland Parish and spent countless hours learning about its history, I know he would consider it the recognition of a lifetime to have the Post Office named in his honor. Our family is so proud to see this fitting memorial to his legacy in the place we call home.

I am pleased to say this legislation passed in the House. I look forward to seeing it pass in the Senate, and one day taking my children to visit the Post Office in person.

My committee work was in full swing this month as the House Committee on Appropriations got together to hold the first full committee markup of the year and started with the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

This bill passed through committee and reflects the deep commitment to our servicemembers by fully funding our veterans' healthcare and benefits, investing in military family housing, and providing critical funding to the Indo-Pacific to help ensure we're meeting our national security needs both at home and abroad.

I'm committed to supporting our veterans, military families, and national defense, and this bill reflects that commitment.

Read more about how we voted to support veterans HERE.

In honor of National Police Week this month, I co-led and cosponsored numerous pieces of legislation that pay respect to the men and women in blue and ensure those who have lost their lives in the line of duty are properly memorialized.

I co-led H.Res. 1210, with fellow Louisianan Congressman Clay Higgins, which condemns the crisis at the border created by the Biden administration. As a result of President Biden’s open border policies, the men and women in law enforcement and border control are subject to dangerous and life-threatening situations. We must continue to support our border patrol agents and call on President Biden to change course. I am happy to share that this resolution passed the House of Representatives.

I joined Congressman Michael Guest, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, and Congressman Chris Pappas in introducing H.Res. 1226 which seeks to honor and memorialize law enforcement whose lives were lost in the line of duty. In addition, the resolution expresses unwavering support for law enforcement across the nation and recognizes the importance that police officers have all the equipment and resources necessary to keep our communities safe in order to protect them while they tirelessly protect us. We honored 13 Louisiana officers who paid the ultimate price in keeping our communities safe.

As usual, I had the pleasure of meeting with so many constituent groups in Washington D.C. this month. We discussed a wide array of topics including healthcare, infrastructure, and education opportunities to help our Louisiana communities grow and thrive. I was also lucky enough to speak with a bright group of students from Ruston Jr. High. Every single resident of Louisiana’s Fifth District plays an integral role in the success of our whole state. I appreciate everyone who took the time to meet with me, and I look forward to seeing y’all back in the district soon.

This year, I had the honor of giving the Ouachita Christian School Class of 2024 commencement address. As an alumna of the school myself, I was so grateful for the opportunity to speak to the class of 2024 about the unforgettable experiences, incredible people, and joy Ouachita Christian School has provided generations of students.

Graduation and moving on to the next milestone in your life comes with a mix of emotions. But I have found one thing that helps me move through the unknown, and it is the message I wanted to leave with these graduates. Happiness is a feeling, joy is a state of being. Always choose joy. Finding joy in the little things and when you least expect it will take you far.

Good luck to all of this year's graduates!

As a proud mama, I have to take this opportunity to recognize my very own graduate. My son Jeremiah graduated from kindergarten just a few weeks ago. Let me tell you, that took “tugging on your heartstrings” to a whole new level! He and his sister Jacqueline are growing up far too fast, but I cannot wait to see where life takes them with each new milestone crossed.

May Legislative Update:

Floor Activity:

• I supported H.R.8146, the Police Our Border Act which would require the Department of Justice to report on the harm the Biden Administration's refusal to secure the border has done to law enforcement including exposure to dangerous narcotics and injuries that have occurred in the line of duty tied to border security violations.
• I supported H.R.7343, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants who have assaulted law enforcement officers or other first responders.
• I supported H.R.7109, the Equal Representation Act, which requires a citizenship question to be added to the Census and ensures that only American citizens are represented in Congress and the Electoral College.
• I supported H.Res.1213, a resolution recognizing the unique dangers faced by law enforcement and showing support for their tireless efforts to keep our communities safe.
• I supported H.R.4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act which provides a framework for federal regulations regarding digital assets protecting consumers and innovation.
• I supported H.R.4581, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024, which expands access to the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to include research and healthcare interventions preventing stillbirth.
• I supported H.R.6285, Alaska’s Right to Produce Act of 2023, which counters the Biden Administration's decision to ban oil and gas production on 13 million acres of Alaskan land and allows Alaskan Native tribes to benefit from production.
• I supported H.R.615, Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023, which prohibits the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from banning lead ammunition and tackle on lands and waters under their jurisdiction.

Notable Bills and Letters:

• I cosponsored H.R.4721 the Main Street Tax Certainty Act which makes the 20% qualified business income tax deduction for small and family-owned businesses permanent.
• I cosponsored H.R.8369, the Israel Security Assistance Support Act which would prevent the Biden administration from interfering with the delivery of security assistance that has already been passed by Congress and signed into law by the White House.
• I cosponsored H.R. 8364, the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act which would remove statutory burdens on law-abiding gun owners and improve the legal firearm purchase process for law-abiding U.S. citizens and active-duty military.
• I cosponsored H.Res.1193, a resolution recognizing Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week to raise awareness about the effect of maternal mental health on maternal-child health and encourage continued research to improve health outcomes.
• I co-led H.R. 8532, the Connected Maternal Online Monitoring Act which would address barriers to maternal health in remote areas and require CMS to provide recommendations and resources to state Medicaid programs on how to increase coverage of decides that aid in remote monitoring.
• I cosponsored H.Res. 1214 to recognize the Week of May 6 as Teacher Appreciation Week and honor the resilience, dedication, and commitment of America’s teachers.
• I cosigned a letter to the Secretary of Education urging the Department to withdraw its latest attempt to transfer student loan debt onto American taxpayers. The Department’s newest proposed rule will cost hard-working Americans an additional $147 billion.
  

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