Remembering U.S. Capitol Police Officer William "Billy" Evans
I was heartbroken to learn that Officer Evans was tragically killed protecting the U.S. Capitol.
Each day, Capitol Police officers put their lives on the line to protect us and keep the Capitol safe. Officer Evans was a hero. He made the ultimate sacrifice securing the Capitol and protecting innocent lives. I am praying for Officer Evans' family and for the full recovery of the other officer who was injured protecting the Capitol.
I am incredibly grateful for the bravery and dedication of our police officers and those who put themselves in harms way to save the lives of others, just as they saved my life from a gunman at a Congressional baseball practice in 2017.
Urging the Full Reopening of the American Economy
This week, I visited MMI Culinary in Kenner to speak on the importance of fully reopening Louisiana’s small businesses and why we need to reopen our economy fully.
COVID-19 has hurt Louisiana businesses and restaurants, and we must get them back in full operation as safely and quickly as possible as we return to normal. Click here or on the image below to watch my segment about fully reopening the American economy.
The Paycheck Protection Program has been a true lifeline to our local businesses and has helped keep them afloat. Louisiana businesses have received nearly $10 billion through the PPP, and this program has saved millions of jobs across the country and kept Louisianans employed so they can continue to work and support their families.
Mike Maenza, a local businessman and the founder of MMI, explained to me how the PPP saved his business from going under at the beginning of the pandemic. Mike said that 95 percent of his business was shut down, and without the PPP, he would not have been able to pay his employees. Click here or on the image below to watch my full interview.
Louisiana Receives Nearly $110 Million in GOMESA Funding for Coastal Restoration, Hurricane Protection
This week, Congressman Garret Graves and I announced that Louisiana would receive nearly $110 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) offshore energy revenues. This funding is vital for restoring Louisiana's coast and strengthening our hurricane protection efforts and is welcome news for the communities, small businesses, and people in our state.
Our coastline is the first line of defense against powerful gulf storms, which is why Louisiana took action to dedicate revenues generated from offshore energy exploration and production to coastal restoration and hurricane protection. This announcement is also a reminder that the actions taken by the Biden Administration to ban oil and natural gas leasing in the Gulf will deny us future coastal revenues and will have a destructive impact on the state of Louisiana and the protection of the millions of people who call this home. I’ll continue to strongly oppose these devastating policies.
Happy Easter!
Jennifer and I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Easter. As a Catholic, I take this time to reflect on our Savior Jesus Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
Easter is a significant time to celebrate our faith and to come together with family to remember Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us. Even if you can’t spend time with loved ones this year, I hope you’re able to find joy in the resurrection and reflect on the powerful words in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
On behalf of my family, I want to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Easter!
It is an honor to represent you in Congress. For more information, please visit my website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
