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Members of Congress Press for Action to Protect U.S. Sugar Producers from Predatory Trade Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) joined Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) to send a bipartisan, bicameral letter, along with 112 of their colleagues, in support of efforts by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer to utilize a Section 301 investigation into unfair and discriminatory trade practices by foreign sugar-producing countries. They call on USTR to take appropriate action to protect American sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers, processors, refiners, and factory workers from being undercut by discriminatory foreign trade practices. In the letter, the members of Congress:

• Highlighted that the tier two tariff, meant to defend U.S. sugar production from being undercut by discriminatory foreign trade practices, has not been updated in 26 years and has become wholly ineffective.
• Noted that the erosion of the tier two tariffs has led to a more than 700 percent increase in out-of-quota sugar imports between Fiscal Years (FY) 2021 and 2025 compared to the prior five-year period.
• Highlighted a recent study by the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Agricultural Risk Policy Center analyzing the impact of over-quota sugar imports on domestic sugar prices, which found that Tier-2 imports depressed U.S. domestic raw sugar prices and resulted in an estimated loss of up to $1.8 billion for the domestic U.S. sugar industry last year.
• Cited peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics that confirms the retail prices of sugar-sweetened foods are not driven by the cost of sugar.
• Urged Ambassador Greer to take action to level the playing field for U.S. producers, including imposing tariffs sufficient to return sugar imports to historic norms.

“The sugar farming families and workers across our States support more than 151,000 jobs in more than two dozen states while generating more than $23 billion in economic activity each year. We are gravely concerned about the surge in unfairly traded foreign sugar imports, which, along with higher input costs, are plunging the domestic industry into crisis and presenting an imminent threat to the industry’s long-term viability,” the Members wrote.

“U.S. sugar policy is a necessary response to a global playing field where foreign countries routinely sell sugar at well below the world cost of production… In the past 10 years, 14 percent of our nation’s beet sugar processing facilities and 12 percent of our domestic cane sugar mills and refineries have closed, including the complete loss of sugarbeet farming in California (2025) and sugarcane farming in Hawaii (2016) and Texas (2024). Absent action to protect the domestic sugar industry from discriminatory foreign trade practices, these continued revenue losses will only mount, threatening the future existence of domestic U.S. sugar production. We strongly urge you to investigate these unfair trading practices that disadvantage our domestic sugar industry and take decisive action as appropriate.”

Read the full letter here.

The following organizations have endorsed the letter: Amalgamated Sugar Company, American Crystal Sugar Company, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Sugar Alliance, American Sugar Cane League, American Sugar Refining, Inc., American Sugarbeet Growers Association, Big Horn Basin Beet Growers Association, Big Horn County Sugar Beet Growers Association, Colorado Sugarbeet Growers Association, Elwyhee Beet Growers Association, Florida Crystals Corporation, Florida Sugar Cane League, Michigan Sugar Company, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, NebCo Beet Growers Association, Nebraska Sugarbeet Growers Association, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association, Snake River Sugarbeet Growers, Southern- Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, Southern Montana Sugarbeet Growers Association, Sugarcane Growers Cooperative of Florida, US Beet Sugar Association, US Sugar, Western Sugar Cooperative, Wheatland Beet Growers Association, Wyoming Sugar Company, Alma Plantation, Cajun Sugar Company, LLC., Cora Texas Manufacturing Co, Enterprise Factory, Lafourche Sugars Corp, Louisiana Sugar Cane Co-op, Lula Sugar Factory, Raceland Raw Sugar Corp, St. Mary Sugar Co-Op, Sterling Sugars, and Westfield Sugar Factory.

Background:

Sugarcane production is a cornerstone of Louisiana's economy and culture, generating billions of dollars in economic impact annually. Louisiana’s sugarcane industry is why New Orleans proudly hosts the Sugar Bowl each year. Approximately 13 million tons of sugar cane are produced on more than 400,000 acres of land in 22 Louisiana parishes. Much of the cane is processed at the 11 raw sugar factories in the state. The industry supports roughly 17,000 jobs through the production and processing of sugarcane in Louisiana.

Last week, Congressman Carter and Congressman Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer urging a Section 301 investigation into unfair practices harming the American seafood industry. Read that full letter here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressmen Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer urging a Section 301 investigation into unfair practices harming the American seafood industry.

Our fishermen have long played a crucial role in the Louisiana economy and culture, providing jobs, supporting coastal communities, and ensuring a reliable domestic seafood supply. Louisiana’s shrimp industry has led the United States in shrimp production, averaging about 100 million pounds in annual landings and accounting for nearly 50% of Gulf shrimp landings over the past 25 years. However, the ongoing influx of unfairly subsidized, low-cost imported shrimp has placed this industry in an untenable position. Foreign seafood companies have also been documented to engage in labor abuses and false labeling, among other issues. All of this has contributed to a significant decline in the domestic seafood industry. A Section 301 investigation offers an important tool for correcting trade imbalances and ensuring fair competition across the seafood sector.

“Consistent with the Executive Order and your stated intent, we respectfully request that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) initiate a broad Section 301 investigation into unfair acts, policies, and practices affecting trade in seafood and seafood products,” the Members wrote. “A Section 301 investigation encompassing a broad spectrum of unfair practices, including false labeling and species designations, the abuse of banned antibiotics and fungicides in aquaculture, export and production subsidies, environmental harm, structural excess capacity, labor abuses, and permissive standards with respect to gear usage, would allow the Administration to effectively leverage access to our market to improve conditions overseas and level the playing field for the American seafood industry within its own domestic market.”

“Because of the breadth and complexity of these challenges, we encourage the USTR to pursue a seafood-specific Section 301 investigation that examines all unfair acts, policies, and practices across the full seafood supply chain from countries including, but not limited to: Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam, ” the Members continued.

The letter is endorsed by many seafood industry associations, including the Catfish Farmers of America, Southern Shrimp Alliance, California Sea Urchin Commission, North American Marine Alliance, Oregon Trawl Commission, Hawaii Longline Association, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, North Carolina Fisheries Association, California Pelagic Fisheries Association, Fishing Communities Coalition, Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association, Alabama Farmers Federation, and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.

“Time and again I hear from Louisiana Farm Bureau members who have a simple request of their lawmakers: help us do business on a level playing field. Congressmen Carter and Congressman Higgins clearly have heard that plea and are raising their voices for us in a big way. We appreciate them calling on USTR to initiate a Section 301 investigation on seafood and we join them in this request to give our crawfish farmers, shrimpers, and other seafood producers a fighting chance,” said Richard Fontenot, President of Louisiana Farm Bureau 

“The U.S. shrimp industry is grateful to Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter for spearheading a Congressional request to the United States Trade Representative to launch a Section 301 investigation — one that can comprehensively address the unfair acts, policies, and practices harming American seafood producers. We ask the Trump Administration to seize this opportunity to address unfair trade practices, eliminate unsafe imports, and level the longstanding unfair playing field for American producers. Under fair market conditions, American shrimpers can sustainably harvest tens of millions of additional pounds of shrimp each year — preserving a way of life for fishing families and boosting coastal economies from Texas to North Carolina,” said Blake Price, Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

Read the full letter here.

Background

Congressman Carter and Congressman Higgins are authors of the bipartisan Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, which grants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) additional authority to order the destruction of foreign products that fail health inspections at import facilities, ensuring that contaminated, unsafe, and mislabeled seafood imports do not harm American consumers.

In March 2025, Congressman Carter and a bipartisan coalition of Gulf representatives introduced the Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2025, which passed the House on May 12, 2026. This bill requires U.S. representatives to the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, and other international financial institutions to oppose financial assistance to foreign countries for projects that support shrimp farming, processing, or exporting of shrimp from any foreign country to the United States.

Congressman Carter is also an original co-sponsor of the Safer Shrimp Imports Act, which would require foreign shrimp producers to meet the standards that domestic producers face before exporting their shrimp to U.S. markets.

Last year, Congressman Carter sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jameison Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick outlining his concerns about harms inflicted on the U.S. domestic shrimp industry due to unfair trade practices and non-reciprocal trade agreements.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA —Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement:

“While Senator Price’s SB 407 failed in committee last night, it is my sincere hope that its core principles can still be incorporated through amendments to SB 121, which did pass.

“SB 407 offered a fair and balanced approach by creating two districts in which African American communities would remain relatively whole, thereby preserving the opportunity for African American voters to elect candidates of their choosing.

“As this process moves forward, I will continue advocating for fairness, equity, and representation that truly reflects the demographics and voices of our great state.”

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View photos of the event here

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Yesterday, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) in partnership with the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport announced the winner and nine finalists of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition from high schools in Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District (LA-02).

Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors a nationwide high school arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in each Congressional District. The winning piece will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building for a year. Additionally, reproductions of the nine finalists' portraits will be displayed at the Airport on Concourse A for six months beginning this summer.

“Each year, this nationwide competition reminds us that art is more than paint on a canvas or an image in a frame,” said Rep. Carter. “Art tells stories. It challenges injustice, sparks dialogue, preserves culture, and inspires hope. Here in New Orleans, creativity is woven into the very fabric of our communities, and these students carry that legacy forward with extraordinary talent. I want to congratulate our winner and all the finalists, as well as every student who participated this year, on a phenomenal body of artwork.”

This year’s winner is “Afro-futuristic Hairstyle” by Lauryn Landers. Lauryn used inspiration from her own hairstyles to create this piece out of acrylic and hair on canvas. “Hair is an important part of how I express myself, so this piece became a way to explore identity and culture in a personal way. I am able to push the hairstyle beyond realism while keeping it recognizable, using exaggerated shapes and textures to give it a futuristic, almost sculptural feel,” said Lauryn.

"This art competition is especially meaningful because we are committed to students and education," said Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. "Our airport is the front door to New Orleans and the entire region, and we are proud to showcase the next generation of Louisiana artists to our passengers."

The 10 finalists for the 2026 LA-02 Congressional Art Competition are:

• Winner - Lauryn Landers, "Afro-futuristic Hairstyle" - New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, 12th Grade
• Frida Godwin, "Still Life with Snowball and Beads" and "Still Life with Trumpet" - Louise S. Mcgehee, 9th Grade
•  EdDion Baines, "One Swan Two Farms" - Edna Karr High School, 11th Grade
• Sara Vukelic, "Bridge Over Quiet Bayou" - The Willow School Nola, 9th Grade
• Vivian Stewart, "A Flag's Shadow" - Stewart Academy Home School, 10th Grade
• Molly Reyher, "Les Swamps Sales and Sel", Benjamin Franklin High School, 10th Grade
• Dathan April, "A Gentle Hand", Archbishop Shaw High School, 10th Grade
• Marianne Nguyen, "The Woman in the Pond", Benjamin Franklin High School, 11th Grade
• Sage M. Cooper, "I've Seen Stranger Things", White Castle High School, 11th Grade

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – Tonight, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) convened a Voting Rights Town Hall discussion at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Congressman Carter was joined by Mayor Helena Moreno, New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell, Members of the New Orleans City Council, Members of the Orleans Legislative Delegation, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, and representatives from Louisiana ACLU and Power Coalition. This is the first in a series of Town Hall meetings following the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais.

“What we witnessed from the Supreme Court is not simply a legal decision about lines on a map. It is part of a larger struggle over who gets represented, whose voices matter, and whether the promise of American democracy truly belongs to all of us,” said Rep. Carter. “For generations, people marched, bled, sacrificed, and even died to secure the right to vote and the right to fair representation. Those rights were not handed to us. They were earned through courage, protest, prayer, and perseverance. This is bigger than politics. This is about preserving democracy for the next generation. History will remember this moment. The question is: when democracy was tested, did we stand up, or did we stand silent?”

You can read Congressman Carter’s past statements since the decision in Louisiana v. Callais here.

“Protecting voting rights means protecting fairness, representation, and the belief that every voice matters. Future generations will remember whether we stood up for democracy when it mattered most,” said Mayor Helena Moreno. “To critics who say that the Mayor of New Orleans should stay out of this issue, I say diluting the power of New Orleans’ Black voters, in particular, is a major issue for the City of New Orleans. I will absolutely stand up every time for this particular issue.”

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NEW ORLEANS, LA —Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement:

Statement from U.S. Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr.

“I have spoken with St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes, and I am relieved to report that, at this time, no fatalities have been associated with the plant fire. We are encouraged that the flames are now under control and that air monitoring systems are being activated out of an abundance of caution to help protect nearby residents and families.

“I want to thank Parish President Pomes, our local leadership, firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS teams, and all first responders on the scene for their swift, courageous, and tireless efforts during this emergency. Their professionalism and dedication are helping to keep the community safe during a very serious situation.

“We will continue monitoring developments closely and will remain in communication with local and state officials as more information becomes available.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) have introduced the Medicaid Outreach and Assistance for Communities Act of 2026. This bill will help ensure Americans keep their health insurance coverage under Medicaid—especially now that H.R. 1’s new work reporting requirements, starting in 2027, will make it harder for people to stay enrolled, even if they’re eligible. This month, Louisiana started sending out new Medicaid notices explaining upcoming changes.

“Louisianians deserve peace of mind knowing they won’t lose their health care simply because the federal government has made the system harder to navigate,” said Rep. Carter. “States like ours already work hard to help people sign up for Medicaid and stay covered. My bill gives states the resources they need to continue and expand that work so no one falls through the cracks because of red tape.”

As states prepare for the increased administrative burden created by more frequent eligibility checks and new reporting rules, this legislation strengthens state capacity by offering 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid outreach, application, and enrollment assistance. This enhanced federal match would apply to states who are conducting outreach and assisting all Medicaid-eligible individuals; including adults in Medicaid expansion populations who will soon be subject to work-reporting requirements.

“Republicans’ Big Ugly Law left millions of Americans without clear guidance on how to complete new paperwork and jump through administrative hoops to stay covered by Medicaid,” said Rep. McClellan. “Our bill addresses this looming crisis by requiring the federal government to help Medicaid recipients keep their health insurance and navigate new barriers to enrollment. As Virginians look to their state and federal agencies for relief, we must meet the moment and deliver much-needed relief to those worried about losing their health care coverage.”

Background:

The Medicaid Outreach and Assistance for Communities Act of 2026:

• Helps Americans stay enrolled in Medicaid.
• Provides financial support to states providing outreach and application/enrollment assistance to all Medicaid-eligible individuals, including the Medicaid expansion population who will be subject to work-reporting requirements outline in H.R. 1.
• Prepares states for the extra work caused by H.R. 1’s work‑reporting requirements.
• Protects eligible Americans from losing coverage simply because the system becomes more complicated.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

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“I have been adamant that Louisianians deserve fair representation that reflects our state – which is comprised of 1/3 Black residents. That means, according to the math, there should be two seats where Black voters get a say in who represents them in Congress.

“While multiple maps have been discussed, no one knows what a new congressional map will look like. I’m focused on ending the suspension of an ongoing election and the active voter disenfranchisement taking place in our state.”

“Geaux VOTE!  Despite the suspension of the U.S. House elections, I am still encouraging voters to go to the polls and make their voices heard.

“We are hopeful that the courts will overturn this decision, and if they do, every vote cast will matter and must be counted.

“At the end of the day, participation is the foundation of our democracy. We should never discourage people from voting.”

“Calvin Duncan was duly elected by New Orleans residents. He should assume office and fulfill the role he was elected to serve in.

“This is a sham and clear attempt to undermine the will of the people.”

NEW ORLEANS, LA —Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement:

“Justice seems to have prevailed.

“Thank you to U.S. District Judge John deGravelles for upholding the Constitution and protecting the will of the voters. Clerk-elect Calvin Duncan can now move forward, and SB 256 has been rightly blocked.

“The people spoke. The law matters. Democracy must stand.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement as the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Louisiana v. Callais:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a devastating blow to the promise of equal representation in our democracy. This ruling is about far more than lines on a map — it’s about whether Black Louisianians will have a meaningful opportunity to make their voices heard.

“For decades, the Court’s majority has steadily chipped away at the Voting Rights Act of 1965.The consequences of this decision are immediate and severe: the hard-fought progress that led to the creation of two majority-Black congressional districts in Louisiana is now in jeopardy.

“Let’s be clear: this is not about so-called ‘colorblind’ principles. History has shown us time and again that policies claiming neutrality, from literacy tests to poll taxes, have been used to silence Black voices. Louisiana knows this history all too well. Without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, there is no evidence to suggest that Black voters in our state will be able to elect candidates of their choice.

“Approximately one-third of Louisiana’s population is Black, yet only a handful of Black citizens have ever represented our state in Congress. That stark reality underscores the continued need for protections that ensure fair and equal representation. When Black communities lose representation, their concerns are too often ignored, and their voices diminished.

“This decision will embolden efforts to dismantle majority-Black districts and fracture communities that have finally begun to see themselves reflected in their government. This isn’t just about federal representation. This decision will also impact state and local governments, impacting Black representation in state capitols and city council chambers across the country. It sends a dangerous signal that the progress we have made can be undone under the guise of legal theory.

“The Voting Rights Act is not a relic. It is a living promise, a commitment that our democracy belongs to everyone. It was enacted to correct nearly 200 years of exclusion and injustice, and its protections remain just as necessary today as they were 60 years ago.

“America stands at a crossroads. We can move forward and ensure that every community has a voice, or we can slide backward into a past where representation is reserved for a few. Today’s decision moves us in the wrong direction.

“But this fight is not over. We will continue to work in Congress and with our communities to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act and defend the fundamental right to vote.

“We must not allow the erosion of this promise — not now, not in Louisiana, not anywhere, and not on our watch.”

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