A Note From the Desk of Congresswoman Letlow

I’ve been in Washington this past week continuing my work to deliver results for Louisiana’s Fifth Congressional District. Congress has now passed 11 of the 12 government funding bills for this year, a major step toward returning to responsible spending practices. This form of governing ensures we don’t end up with massive, bloated bills defined by runaway government spending.

My attention also remains at home as Winter Storm Fern continues to affect Northeast Louisiana. Extremely cold temperatures, dangerous ice, and power outages created hazardous conditions across the region. Governor Jeff Landry has requested additional federal aid to support our recovery, and I am asking FEMA to heed his request and offer additional assistance for our communities.

For more updates on issues affecting Louisiana, see my newsletter below. I take my responsibility to serve as your voice very seriously. I encourage you to reach out to my office or visit my website any time we can be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Julia Letlow, Ph.D.
Member of Congress

Battling Winter Storm Fern

My office has remained in close communication with utility companies, first responders, and local officials following the significant ice accumulation and power outages in Northeast Louisiana. This was very personal to me, as my roots lie in Northeast Louisiana and my parents lost power themselves. While most families have had their power turned back on, the storm created significant damage that won’t go away overnight. I am pushing FEMA to provide more emergency assistance for our communities, and constituents should report losses or damages at damage.la.gov.

Restoring Trust in Our Elections

Last year I proudly voted for the SAVE Act, legislation that strengthens election integrity by ensuring only eligible U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. Safeguarding the ballot box is essential to maintaining confidence in our democratic process, and this commonsense measure helps protect the voice of every lawful voter. Unfortunately, the SAVE Act has stalled in the Senate. While we continue to push the Senate to take up this important measure, this week I cosponsored a new version, the SAVE America Act, which also requires a photo ID when voting. By supporting this legislation, I reaffirmed my commitment to fair, secure, and transparent elections and the simple principle that American elections should be decided by American citizens.

Strengthening Infrastructure and Public Safety

As Louisiana’s only member on the House Appropriations Committee, I was proud to deliver support for real infrastructure and public safety needs across Louisiana in the recent transportation funding bill. This funding was signed into law by President Trump, and will support targeted needs in North and South Louisiana. I secured $5 million for critical repairs and improvements to port infrastructure at the Ports of Lake Providence, Tensas, and Vidalia, helping ensure our region remains a reliable hub for moving products across the country. By investing in our ports, we are strengthening supply chains and making our economy more competitive.

I also secured $3.5 million to support the construction of a new, advanced flood-rescue training facility at the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy in Baton Rouge. This state-of-the-art indoor facility will allow first responders to train year-round in realistic flood and water rescue environments. By investing in high quality training and disaster prep, we are ensuring Louisiana’s first responders have the tools they need to save lives and keep our communities safe when disasters strike. For a full list of projects I delivered, visit my website here.

Investing in the Next Generation

I was proud to support the creation of Trump Savings Accounts, a new initiative that empowers parents to begin building wealth for their children from the moment they are born. Under this program, newborns born from 2025-2028 will receive a $1,000 contribution to an investment account, giving families a meaningful head start toward long-term financial security. Trump Savings Accounts are among the most impactful provisions of the Big Beautiful Bill, a game changing investment in our children’s future that I voted for. By encouraging early saving and financial responsibility, this legislation helps put our children on a stronger path to success and reinforces our commitment to families across Louisiana.

Celebrating Our Young Heroes

I recently called Jacob Heinz of Baton Rouge to congratulate him on his recent appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point! I nominated Jacob based on his outstanding qualifications, and applaud his willingness to step up and serve our country.

Calling Young Louisiana Artists!

I am pleased to announce the start of the Congressional Art Competition! This nationwide visual arts competition recognizes the creativity and artistic achievement of high school students across Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, providing students with a unique opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.

The winning artwork from each congressional district will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one full year, offering students the chance to have their work seen by Members of Congress and visitors from across the country. The submission period for this year’s competition runs from February 2 through March 16, and I encourage our high school students to participate and share their remarkable talent! You can learn more on how to apply at letlow.house.gov/art.

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