$135 Million Awarded to Elevate LA Highway 1

After months of hard work, the Trump Administration’s award of $135 million in federal INFRA funding to elevate LA Highway 1 is a major victory for our region’s safety and America’s energy security. Elevating LA 1 has long been a top priority of mine, and I have worked closely for years with DOT Secretary Elaine Chao, Governor Edwards, and local leaders to secure this vital funding. This grant funding is also the largest amount awarded in the country.

As recently as June 8th, LA 1 was closed after becoming impassable due to flooding from Tropical Storm Cristobal. Along with being a hurricane evacuation route, LA 1 provides sole access to Port Fourchon and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP). Elevating LA 1 is not only essential for the protection of Louisiana families, but absolutely vital for achieving American energy dominance and safeguarding access to our nation’s oil and natural gas supply.

It was an honor to join Governor Edwards, local officials and other supporters in Golden Meadow earlier this week to highlight the importance of this funding for our region.

Discussing LA Highway 1 in Golden Meadow

Demanding Answers on Preventable Nursing Home Tragedies

This week, I joined my colleagues on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis to demand answers from governors of five states that forced nursing homes to take in COVID-positive patients as part of their pandemic response.

The decision of several governors to ignore federal protocols and instead mandate COVID positive patients be forced back to their nursing homes ended up being a death sentence for tens of thousands of our nation's most vulnerable citizens.

We owe it to those who died and their grieving families to get to the bottom of why these deadly decisions were made by these governors, ensure we stop this from still taking place, and prevent tragedies like these from happening again as we continue to battle this deadly virus. Click here to watch my interview with Fox & Friends discussing the devastating toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on nursing home residents, and how I’m fighting for answers.

Police Reform in America

This week, President Trump signed a bold Executive Order on policing in America. In the past few weeks we have seen communities across America come together to demand equality, justice, and accountability from all levels of government — from local police departments, to mayors, and governors. We must work for greater accountability and justice while also recognizing the heroic work law enforcement officers do every day to keep our communities safe.

My life was saved by police officers, and I got to see first-hand the best that law enforcement has to offer. The move to defund police departments across the country is a dangerous and radical idea, and would make our communities less safe. President Trump is taking decisive action to confront these problems, and it is now up to Congress to rise to the challenge and pass real, bipartisan reform on these serious issues.

I joined WWL this week to discuss the ongoing conversation on police reform in America. Click here or on the image below to watch my interview.

Joining WWL for an interview on police reform

Important Updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Earlier this week, the SBA and Treasury Department issued revised guidance for the Paycheck Protection Program. This guidance implements the PPP Flexibility Act (PPPFA), signed into law by President Trump on June 5, 2020, and expands eligibility for certain businesses.

Additionally, the SBA and Treasury Department issued a revised PPP loan forgiveness application. The "EZ" application requires fewer calculations and less documentation for eligible borrowers. Details regarding these provisions are available in the instructions to the new EZ application form. These changes intend to create a more efficient process and make it easier for businesses to realize full forgiveness of their PPP loan.

• Click here to view the EZ Forgiveness Application.
• Click here to view the Full Forgiveness Application.

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


God Bless,