Fighting to Confront the Challenges of COVID-19

This week, I was selected as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis. Our number one priority in Congress should be confronting the many challenges the Coronavirus crisis has thrust upon our nation, and working with the Trump Administration and each of our states to safely reopen our economy. Unfortunately, it seems as if House Democrats would rather continue to waste their majority on endless, partisan investigations that only serve their political vendetta against the President at the expense of the urgent needs of the American people.  

While I have strong misgivings about Speaker Pelosi’s intentions behind the creation of this select committee, I am honored to be named by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy as the lead Republican on the committee, and I’m ready to get to work confronting the challenges we face. Rather than letting this effort devolve into yet another political witch hunt, I am determined to focus the subcommittee’s work on three important areas that Speaker Pelosi continues to overlook: holding China accountable for hiding the truth about the virus from the world, helping ensure the success of the largest relief effort in American history, and providing clear and immediate guidance on how to safely reopen our economy. We must stick to the facts and keep our subcommittee focused on what matters: restoring the physical and economic health of the American people so we can reestablish the strength and security of our great nation.

Louisiana Fisheries Impacted by COVID-19 Receive $14.8 Million in CARES Act Funding

The Coronavirus pandemic is impacting every sector of the economy, and Louisiana’s fisheries industry is no exception. From decreased business for fishermen and recreational shops to a severe decline in demand from restaurants, Southeast Louisiana’s fisheries industry has been economically devastated by the virus. This week, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced $14.8 million in CARES Act funding for Louisiana fisheries impacted by COVID-19.

I applaud the Trump Administration for recognizing these impacts and allocating the CARES Act fisheries funding that I fought to include in the bill. The $14.8 million in CARES Act funding for Louisiana will assist in the recovery efforts, and I remain committed to working on additional solutions to help our fishing communities withstand this downturn.

Community Updates and Good News of the Week

• This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $10.5 million in funding for Louisiana Community Health Centers to expand COVID-19 testing. As our local economies begin safely reopening, this funding will boost testing capabilities so we can work to maintain the health and safety of our communities, defeat this virus, and come back stronger than ever.
  
  
• Ochsner Health is searching for participants for a new COVID-19 study that hopes to detect anti-bodies in participants to see if they have ever contracted the Coronavirus or been exposed to COVID-19 in the past.
  
  
• Wednesday was National Nurses Day. Our nurses are heroes, day in and day out, they risk their own safety to save lives on the front lines of America's fight with COVID-19. I would like to thank all nurses for their dedication and courage!
  
  
• National Hurricane Preparedness Week runs from May 3^rd to May 9^th. Please visit ready.gov/Hurricanes to help your family plan and prepare for hurricanes.

It is an honor to represent you in Congress. For more information please visit my website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.


God Bless,