A Note From the Desk of Congresswoman Letlow
Dear John xxxxxx,
It is no secret that our country faces tremendous challenges. Every day, I hear from working families and small business owners across the Fifth District who are struggling to make ends meet in this economy. The pain in your pocketbook and at the gas pump is real, with inflation expected to cost the average household nearly $5,000 more this year, and gas prices are nearing $5.00 a gallon on average.
It’s clear that if we’re going to put our country back on the road to economic prosperity, we can’t just stand by while the President and this majority keep doubling down on the failed policies of the past. That’s why I’ve joined with my colleagues to put forward sensible, common-sense legislation, such as bills that will restart our domestic oil and gas production, reopen the Keystone Pipeline, and help solve the supply chain crisis.
As the newest member of the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to using my position to serve as a fiscal watchdog, demanding transparency, and accountability over government spending. We’re working to restrain the growth of government, guide smart and strategic investments in Louisiana’s future, and ultimately be responsible stewards of your tax dollars.
My team and I are always accessible to you through this newsletter and our website. Please feel free to contact our office directly with any questions or concerns. We are here to serve you.
Sincerely,
Julia Letlow
Member of Congress
Update from the Appropriations Committee
I’m excited to be the newest member of the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful panels on Capitol Hill. We directly determine how the federal government will spend your tax dollars and fund our nation’s critical priorities. Quite literally, it holds the country’s purse strings. The founders believed that it should be the people’s representatives, not the President, who make those critical decisions, and the House Appropriations Committee is where that work begins.
Louisiana hasn’t had a seat at the table in House Appropriations since Congressman Rodney Alexander left office nearly a decade ago. Now, our state will be there not just during the larger debates over the federal budget, but also in a much stronger position when it comes to those critical moments, like the ones we’ve experienced in the past few years when our state required additional assistance from Congress due to natural disasters. Our taxpayers send millions to Washington every year, and while I don’t have power over how much of your taxpayer dollars are sent to Washington, I do have influence over where those dollars go. I pledge to be the fighter who will bring those dollars back home. I’m committed to finding every opportunity to lower your taxes and being a responsible steward of our government’s funding.
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Dobbs Ruling: A Major Victory for Life
Click HERE or on the photo to watch my full remarks
With the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Dobbs case, a major victory was won for life with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This ruling is an answer to our prayers and a shining beacon of hope for the American people.
When we talk about what we have fought for, it is this simple truth – every soul is precious and deserves life. As a mom, I can tell you – the bond that grows between you and your child over those nine months is a sacred miracle. It is something you feel every moment – from the second you find out you’re expecting to months later when you watch your precious and innocent child take their first beautiful breaths.
The Supreme Court made the right decision by moving this debate to where it belongs – in the hands of the people’s representatives.
Years from now, we will tell our children and grandchildren about the day when the United States finally and firmly stood for life.
Legislative Update
Click HERE or on the photo to watch my full remarks
As a mother of two children under five, I am deeply concerned about parents across the nation who do not have access to baby formula to feed their children. I recently participated in a legislative hearing where I directly pressed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner about this crisis and how quickly formula can be returned to shelves. Unfortunately, the Commissioner could not give me a timeline of when baby formula would be widely available.
Click HERE or on the photo to watch my full remarks
This past week in the House Appropriations Committee mark-up on the Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture, FDA, and Related Agencies bill, I spoke in support of an amendment that would withhold 30 percent of funds from the Office of the FDA Commissioner until FDA provides a report and plan to address the prolonged infant formula crisis.
- Over the last two months, the United States Supreme Court has been scrutinized and wrongfully threatened. That’s why I cosponsored H.R. 7705— The Supreme Court Police Parity Act of 2022, and H.Res. 1111 to protect our justices and condemn the premature leak of the Dobbs opinion and any form of violence and property damage to SCOTUS Justices. Judicial decisions should always be confidential and independent.
- To adequately address the baby formula shortage crisis, I cosponsored H.R. 7718— The Formula Act of 2022, which encourages domestic production and ensures we are importing high-quality formula to mitigate the current shortfall and guarantee the final product can be safely consumed. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have direct oversight of federal funds that will alleviate this disaster, and make sure the shortage is both correctly and fully addressed.
- The southern border crisis is exacerbating; thousands of migrants are being detained, and fentanyl border seizures have increased by 134%. That’s why I cosponsored H.R. 6184—The HALT Fentanyl Act. This legislation will give law enforcement permanent tools to keep fentanyl-related substances out of our communities. We see record-high seizures at the border as it is making its way across our communities, and it is critical we pass this legislation before it is too late. Fentanyl is killing people at record rates.
- Veterans are distinguished members of our community, and they deserve the best care. To ensure that the VA is prioritizing our veterans are receiving the resources they need, I cosponsored H.R. 7637—The Veterans First Act, which would prohibit the VA from giving illegal immigrants support at the southern border over our nation’s veterans. Our American heroes should not have to pay the price of this Administration’s failed policies.
- After hearing from numerous parents concerned about fairness in their children’s sports, I cosponsored H.R. 426— The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2021. This legislation seeks to embolden Title IX provisions relating to athletics and treat gender based on an individual’s biological sex. If any entity that receives federal funding runs an athletics operation allows a male to participate in women’s sports, they would be violating regulations of Title IX.
Click HERE to keep up with all of the legislation we are sponsoring and co-sponsoring in Congress, including bills to reform the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Fighting for Our Farmers: Giving an Update at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s Convention
It was an honor to join farmers and producers from across the Fifth District and our state at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention. From the Farm Bill to fertilizer prices, we discussed all things agriculture and provided an update on the critical work we have underway on Capitol Hill. As Louisiana’s only member to serve on an agriculture committee or subcommittee, we’re leading the charge for our farmers.
When it comes to Louisiana agriculture, our women are paving the way. I loved visiting with the women of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation to discuss how we can advocate for more women’s involvement in farming and ranching across our region. I’m inspired by their dedication to agriculture and am looking forward to working with them to address our state’s pressing needs.
Visiting the Chambers of Commerce in Central Louisiana and Amite
We joined the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Amite Chamber of Commerce to give an update on the critical work we have underway in Washington and the results we’ve been able to deliver for the Fifth District, such as $6.5 million for England Airpark. I look forward to using my position on the Appropriations Committee to bring home more investment in our region and help spur the economic development that is truly transformational for our communities.
Amazing Art: Welcoming Our Competition Winner to the Capitol
The incredibly talented Kensley Caskey of Quitman is our winner of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition for the Fifth District. We’re so excited to have her amazing artwork, American Retirement, on display in the Capitol for the next year.
Welcoming Louisiana Students to Capitol Hill
It’s always great to host Louisiana students on Capitol Hill. Congressman Mike Johnson and I enjoyed speaking with the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives’ student delegates about our work in Congress during their visit to Washington.
Honoring Our Heroes: Visiting the American Legion and Presenting Medals
One the best parts of serving as the Fifth District’s Congresswoman is having the opportunity to meet so many of our heroes. It was fantastic to join the American Legion in Monroe to talk about the numerous bills we are sponsoring to provide our veterans with better services and care, as well as provide an update on our efforts to keep the VA Hospital in Central Louisiana open.
It was an honor to officially present two of the Fifth District’s outstanding veterans, Jerry Hicks and Melvin Stephens with the medals to recognize their bravery, heroism, and service to our nation. If you’re a veteran and need to obtain your medals, please reach out to our office’s veterans’ liaison, Dane Guidry at [email protected] or call (318) 570-6440.
A Capitol Flag for Bastrop’s “Flag Man”
In Bastrop, Buck Harper is known as the “Flag Man” for his commitment to ensuring that American flags are placed and flown throughout Morehouse Parish. It was an honor for our team to present him with a flag from the U.S. Capitol to recognize his amazing work.
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