Dear Friends,
As 2020 comes to an end, I wanted to provide an update on several accomplishments from this past year that will benefit Louisiana’s First Congressional District, including critical COVID-19 relief.
If you would like to continue receiving these updates, please sign up for my newsletter and visit my website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
COVID-19 Relief
COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives in Louisiana
Thanks to President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed, a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine has been delivered in record time.
This week, the first shipments of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Louisiana and have already been adminstered to several frontline healthcare workers, and nursing home and long-term care facility residents and staff. The state expects to receive more doses weekly once additional COVID-19 vaccine candidates are approved. As I receive more information on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, I will continue to provide updates on vaccine distribution in Louisiana.
COVID-19 Relief
As Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, I’ve had a front row seat to the largest relief effort in American history. While there’s still more to do, our work on legislation such as the CARES Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), has supported countless American small businesses, thousands of jobs, and our healthcare providers:
- The CARES Act – the most impactful relief package providing direct economic assistance and $100 billion to support healthcare providers. This includes over $2 billion in Provider Relief for 6,313 Louisiana Health Care Providers.
- The Paycheck Protection Program – a nearly $350 billion program to provide eight weeks of cash-flow assistance to small businesses, helping workers remain employed and allowing small businesses to stay afloat. In Louisiana alone, 78,866 businesses received over $7 billion in PPP funding.
As Congress finalizes additional COVID-19 relief, please visit my website or sign up for my newsletter for specific details when they are available.
Fighting for Louisiana’s First Congressional District
Securing Critical Resources for Southeast Louisiana
The House recently passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA), which includes provisions I added that will strengthen flood protection and improve the navigation projects essential for Louisiana’s economy and America’s maritime industry. I'm proud to have secured authorizations in this bill that will:
- Protect Louisiana families from being forced to pay bloated tabs when critical flood protection and coastal restoration projects aren’t delivered by the Army Corps of Engineers in a timely and affordable manner.
- Deepen Baptiste Collette, the Houma Navigation Canal, and Port Fourchon Belle Pass, all of which will strengthen Louisiana’s position as a leading export state and a top producer of our nation's oil and natural gas.
- Authorize a study for the Tangipahoa River that will produce necessary solutions for flooding in the region.
Strengthening Louisiana Infrastructure & Coastal Restoration
This year’s record-breaking hurricane season in Louisiana serves as a stark reminder about the importance of investing in hurricane and flood protection, as well as coastal restoration efforts. An investment in Louisiana infrastructure is an investment in the American economy, and I’m glad we were able to secure major progress on the following projects that are so important to our state and nation:
- LA Highway 1 – Just this year, we witnessed multiple closures of LA Highway 1 after it became impassable due to severe flooding from various hurricanes and tropical storms. Along with being a major hurricane evacuation route, LA 1 provides sole access to Port Fourchon and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP). In June, I was proud to work alongside the Trump Administration to secure $135 million in federal funding to elevate LA Highway 1. This is a major victory for the protection of Louisiana families and for safeguarding access to our nation’s oil and natural gas supply.
- Widening I-12 – Earlier this year, construction began on the I-12 expansion in St. Tammany Parish. Widening I-12 in St. Tammany Parish has been a high priority of mine, and in 2018 I worked closely with the Trump Administration to secure a $25 million BUILD Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help complete this vital project that will improve safety, significantly reduce traffic, and boost economic growth throughout Southeast Louisiana.
- Coastal Restoration – In February, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced $85 million to deepen the Mississippi River to 50 feet, increasing Louisiana’s ability to move more commerce through the Port of New Orleans. This critical project also provides a dual benefit of rebuilding Louisiana’s vanishing coastline. Deepening the river will give the state the ability to take that sediment and use it to rebuild our coast, increasing lifesaving flood protection.
- In March, the Trump Administration announced that Louisiana will receive $124.6 million in revenue sharing funding as required by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA). This critical funding allows us to restore our coast and protect families and small businesses from future storms, as well as protecting the vital infrastructure important to our entire nation.
It is an honor to represent you in Congress. If you would like to continue receiving these updates, please sign up for my newsletter and visit my website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
