A Note From the Desk of Congresswoman Letlow

Helping Louisiana families thrive is a top priority for me in Congress - In D.C., we’ve focused on prioritizing the concerns of our hardworking teachers, firefighters, police officers, public servants, farmers and foresters to ensure their concerns are heard and actions are being taken to find the necessary solutions to move our communities forward.

This month we’ve taken action on finding a solution to repeal the unfair provision of WEP and GPO, directly discussed the urgent need for efficient support systems for our agriculture industry to continue feeding our communities, and co-sponsored legislation to address the ongoing pine beetle infestation affecting our foresters.

Hearing about your concerns and what is affecting you and your families the most is a crucial step in our process to build a better tomorrow for future generations.

Please feel free to always reach out to my office directly when you have questions, comments, or concerns. Our team is always accessible through our website by clicking here. We are here to serve you!

Sincerely,

Julia Letlow, Ph.D.
Member of Congress

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

I continue to work hard to bring awareness to the harmful effects of WEP and GPO, and to bring H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, to the floor for a vote. I know this issue directly affects so many Louisianans, and I remain committed to ensuring that our hardworking teachers, firefighters, police officers, and public servants are no longer penalized and denied the money that they paid into Social Security.

WEP and GPO provisions unfairly reduce or eliminate social security benefits for individuals who devoted their careers to public service. Nationally, WEP affects more than 2 million Americans, and GPO affects 735,000. In Louisiana, 52,000 have been impacted by WEP, and 40,000 have been affected by GPO.

House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing with Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack

Our farmers have faced significant losses due to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, similar to Hurricane Francine. This month, I addressed these concerns with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack during a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing. I asked him how his department would ensure farmers receive the necessary assistance during such challenging times.

I am encouraged by his commitment to work with us to provide timely and efficient assistance to farmers impacted by disasters, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure our farmers get the support they need.

Watch more of my conversation HERE:

Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act of 2024

As many of our foresters have experienced, pine beetles are devastating large swaths of forest lands across the south, especially in Louisiana. The infestation has deeply invaded the pocketbooks of our public and private landowners as they have lost a significant amount of their timber investments.

This month I was proud to cosponsor H.R. 8024, the “Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act of 2024,” which aims to help foresters as they fight against invasive pests like the pine beetle. This bill would strengthen existing federal programs and provide the USDA with additional resources needed to support forest landowners, timber businesses, and local communities impacted by forest-related disasters.

This legislation is critical to respond to the ongoing infestation and prevent further outbreaks from affecting our hardworking forest landowners and their livelihoods.

September was filled with meeting more incredible people in the Fifth District and seeing their industries in action. I heard from local leaders and entrepreneurs who shared the concerns, dreams, and goals of our communities, and discussed a wide range of topics from safety to agriculture. Every individual in Louisiana’s Fifth District plays a crucial role in shaping our state’s future. I truly appreciate those who took the time to meet with me, and I’m eager to reconnect with all of you in the district soon!

I had the pleasure of hosting so many Louisianans in my D.C. office this month to discuss a variety of topics such as agriculture, infrastructure, and education. Additionally, I had the privilege of hearing from a group of students who are already getting involved in our communities. Each individual residing in Louisiana’s Fifth District contributes significantly to our state's success, and I am grateful to everyone who made time to meet and collaborate with me during their time in the nation’s capital.

September Legislative Update:

Floor Activity:

• I supported H.R.9456, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act which adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and takes important steps to prevent foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. farmland.
• I supported H.R.9076, the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act which shifts the focus of the child welfare system towards family preservation, preventing child abuse and neglect, and supporting the care of nearly 400,000 children in foster care.
• I supported H.R.5179, the Anti-BDS Labeling Act which reaffirms the commitment of the United States to our ally Israel by preserving labeling regulations issued by the Trump administration related to goods imported from Israel.
• I supported H.R.7909, the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act which makes domestic violence and sex offenses grounds for refusing non-U.S. nationals entry into the United States or deporting those already here.
• I supported H.R.3724, the End Woke Higher Education Act which limits the ability of accreditors to link federal funding to the political or ideological beliefs of an institution of higher education.

Notable Bills and Letters:

• I cosponsored H.Res.1447, Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 22 through September 28, 2024, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week".
• I cosponsored H.R.2620, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023 which strengthens penalties for the theft and attempted theft of firearms from federally firearms licensed dealers.
• I cosponsored H.R. 4335, the VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act, which would require details on VA home loans to be included in the information provided by the Federal Housing Administration.
• I cosigned a letter urging House Republican Leadership to work towards passing the 2024 Farm Bill. This letter highlights the harsh conditions our farmers are facing across the country and the urgent importance of passing a farm bill to support them.

Want to keep up with the latest from our office? Click below and follow our social media accounts!