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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) released the following statement celebrating Black History Month 2024:

“Black History Month is a special time to honor and celebrate the accomplishments, culture, history, and essence of the Black community. It’s a reminder to reflect on our past and uplift one another.

“I’m proud to represent the Second Congressional District of Louisiana, a state with a rich culture that thrives from the impact of Black trailblazers and knows the importance of community. As a Black man, a father, an advocate, a legislator, and a public servant, I am grateful to contribute to this history.

“This February, I renew my commitment to advancing policies that defend civil and voting rights, promote racial justice, educate our children, and invigorate our local economies. Black History Month is as much about honoring our past as it is looking to the next generation. We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us as we look to what we will accomplish in the future.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) and Garret Graves’ (R-La.) bill to extend the Duplication of Benefits (DoB) relief provision in the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018 was included as an amendment to H.R. 7070, the Wildfire Response Improvement Act. Without this legislation, current and future disaster victims will continue to be at risk.

“Louisianians know better than anyone that storms are staying for longer, coming on stronger, and leaving more havoc than ever before. In their aftermath, many depend on federal government resources to rebuild their homes and businesses,” said Rep. Carter. “No one should be penalized for taking advantage of a loan when they later learn about a grant to get them back on their feet. We should not add insult to injury for people who are trying to rebuild. The federal government should be there to make it easier and more accessible for people to reestablish themselves. Yet, some of these backward policies have made it harder for those suffering to access resources. I want to thank my colleague Congressman Garret Graves for working in a bipartisan manner to resolve this issue which has hurt so many.”

“Whack-a-mole, moving the goal posts… call it what you want. Bureaucrats have worked hard to prevent Louisiana flood victims from getting the congressionally mandated disaster assistance needed to rebuild south Louisiana communities. Flood waters don’t discriminate, but federal bureaucrats sure do,” said Rep. Graves. “We promised the remaining 2016 Flood victims that we were not going to stop until they receive the relief that they deserve. This is just one of the many efforts in our multi-pronged strategy – we’re glad to see this advancing in the House, but we’re not going to give up until folks are made whole.”

Background

After the 2016 Flood, the Louisiana delegation secured $2.9 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to help flood victims rebuild and protect our community from future flooding events.

However, recovery funds promised to victims were reduced or eliminated if a homeowner had qualified for a federal disaster recovery loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Because the homeowner was already approved for federal relief, HUD stated it would be a “duplication of benefits” for them also to receive a federal recovery grant from the CDBG-DR program. While SBA loans are required to be repaid to the federal government, CDBG-DR grants were one-time payments to victims and do not require repayment.

In 2018, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee included language in DRRA to clarify that a loan is not duplicative of a grant because the federal government makes different kinds of assistance available at different times after a disaster.

But, when HUD implemented this DoB fix, the agency said that a loan is still considered duplicative of a grant if a homeowner makes more than 120 percent of the area median income (AMI). As a result, many remaining DoB homeowners were prevented from accessing the grant dollars, even if they had simply applied for a loan and never received it. The AMI requirement did not apply to original flood victims, only those who had received eligibility through the DRRA DoB fix. Carter and Graves’ legislation clarifies that HUD cannot use an additional income test to determine eligibility for duplication of benefits relief.

Watch Rep. Carter’s remarks on this bill in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) issued the following statement in response to sham articles of impeachment for Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas:

“As colleagues in the United States House of Representatives, Democrats and Republicans must work together. By introducing bogus articles of impeachment for Secretary Mayorkas, we’re not looking for real solutions. Imagine what our democracy would look like if we started impeaching one another simply because we disagreed on politics, policy, or ideology. It’s a dangerous slope that none of us would survive.

“Our founding fathers were clear that policy differences are NOT grounds for impeachment. I believe that Risk Rating 2.0 is a bad, ill-conceived, hurtful, downright wrong policy. In fact, I’ve said that to Secretary Mayorkas on the record multiple times, but my difference in opinion on this is not grounds to impeach him. The Constitution plainly states that impeachment is only justified by truly extraordinary misconduct. Republicans don’t have any evidence to support the Constitutional standard for impeachment.

“Let’s get back to the work of the American people. We all want what’s best, but we’re divided by a hoax with no substance.”

Watch Rep. Carter’s remarks in the Committee on Homeland Security here and here.

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NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) issued the following statement after the announcement that former Entergy New Orleans President and CEO Daniel F. Packer, Jr. passed away:

“Dan Packer’s life was a testament to resilience, leadership, and commitment to public service. He reached historic heights when he became the first Black man to manage a U.S. nuclear power plant, demonstrating his capability and breaking barriers. As President and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, Packer played a crucial role in their response to Hurricane Katrina. Under his leadership, Entergy New Orleans filed for bankruptcy protection after the storm, and Packer worked tirelessly to secure federal funding to protect customers from large rate increases. His legacy extends beyond the boardroom; he will be remembered as a role model for aspiring leaders. His leadership during Hurricane Katrina, commitment to public service, and groundbreaking achievements in the corporate world solidify Dan as a trailblazer whose impact will be remembered for generations. I offer my condolences to Dan’s wife Catherine and five children. May he rest in peace.”

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NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) issued the following statement after the announcement that Former Councilwoman Wilma Irvin passed away.

“Today, we celebrate the life of Former Councilwoman Wilma Irvin, a beloved Jefferson Parish pioneer. As the first woman and Black person to serve on Kenner’s City Council, she paved the way for future leaders. Beyond her political achievements, Irvin's commitment to education and community welfare, as demonstrated through her roles in academia and advocacy for the elderly, showcases a life well-lived and a lasting impact on our community. Her legacy will be remembered in Louisiana as a dedicated public servant. May she rest in peace.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will grant an additional $226,220,195 to the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) Louisiana International Terminal Project to build a new container terminal in St. Bernard Parish along the Mississippi River. This funding was made possible through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFR) grant program, which is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Congressman Carter helped craft and voted for.

“This grant funding is a historic step towards transforming the economic landscape of Louisiana and solidifying our position as the premier international Gulf gateway,” said Rep. Carter. “This additional investment will leverage Port NOLA's extensive connectivity to interstate systems, railroads, waterways, and hubs. This is yet another example of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law bringing critical investments to our great state, and I am proud to see the legislation I championed yield big results.”

In addition to the $226 million INFRA Grant, the DOT recently awarded Port NOLA $73.77 million through its MEGA Grant program, totaling $300 million in federal grant dollars to support the first construction phase of the $1.8 billion container terminal.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this landmark grant award, which underscores decades of site and market analysis and reflects the recognition of our transformational project on a global scale,” said Port NOLA President and CEO Brandy Christian. “Not only is this the biggest economic development grant in Louisiana history, but also the largest federal investment in a new container terminal in USDOT history. We express our deepest appreciation to Louisiana’s federal delegation, state leadership and the Biden Administration for their confidence in our vision and look forward to delivering on this investment.”

Learn more about the Louisiana International Terminal Project here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reforming its federal assistance policies and expanding benefits for disaster survivors to cut red tape, provide funds faster, and create more flexibility. With the increased frequency and impact of extreme weather events, these updates will provide survivors with faster and easier access to resources they need following natural disasters.

“The importance of federal resources directed towards disaster recovery cannot be overstated. In Louisiana, we know better than anyone that storms are staying for longer and doing more damage than ever before. In the face of increasingly frequent natural disasters, these sweeping resources play a crucial role in rebuilding communities, providing essential aid, and restoring normalcy for Louisianians. I’m excited about this announcement, which will help ensure a swift and comprehensive federal response to safeguard the well-being and resilience of disaster-prone regions,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

In addition to leading efforts in emergency preparedness within the Homeland Security Committee, Reps. Carter and Thompson also serve as co-Chairs of the Congressional Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus. Established in May 2023, the Caucus promotes the benefits of resilience and the need for equity in the country’s disaster preparedness and response infrastructure.

“FEMA's announced changes to its Individual Assistance program demonstrate a commitment to expedite disaster assistance – cutting through bureaucratic hurdles to provide disaster survivors with faster and more flexible support. As disasters become more frequent and intense with the effects of climate change, we will need to make sure our disaster assistance system is working as efficiently and as effectively as possible. These changes will ensure more equitable outcomes and empower communities to recover swiftly and resiliently after disasters. I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for making these changes a reality,” said Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Learn more about the Disaster Assistance Program updates here.

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BATON ROUGE, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) released a statement following the Louisiana Legislature’s passage of SB8, which redraws the state’s congressional districts to include a second majority-minority district:

“Louisiana did the right thing. Math prevailed.

“Almost two years ago, I stood outside the United States Capitol with colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus and called for the Louisiana Legislature to recognize the simple fact that one-third of six is two.

“It has been a tough fight to get a congressional map that fairly represents every Louisianian, specifically creating two districts that give African Americans equal representation. So many have worked tirelessly to make this historic moment happen – the NAACP, the Urban League, the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, and many others.

“I am particularly pleased that this historic moment has paved the way for generations of change-makers in our great state for years to come.”

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BATON ROUGE, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) sent a letter to the Honorable Cleo Fields, Chairman of the Louisiana State Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs expressing his support for a constitutional congressional map that creates two majority-minority districts.

“As a former member of this beloved body, I know your hearts because I have had the opportunity to see them up close and personal. While we have not always agreed on policy we have always agreed on the love of country, community and the great people of Louisiana. Martin Luther King, Jr. said ‘the time is always ripe to do what is right.’ Today, Louisiana stands ready to enact constitutional congressional maps that reflect that math is math. One third of six is two. I am willing to work with anyone to produce a constitutional map creating two majority-minority districts that give Black candidates a meaningful opportunity to win. Louisiana stands ready to show that all of its citizens deserve the equal opportunity to elect their candidates of choice. Louisiana stands ready to do the right thing. I trust that my former colleagues and distinguished members of this committee will not wait,” Congressman Carter wrote.

Read the full letter here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) held a press conference with the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus (LLBC), civil rights leaders, the NAACP, and Urban League of Louisiana. expressing their united commitment to work with the Louisiana Legislature and Governor Landry to develop a constitutional map that contains two majority-minority congressional districts. Congressman Carter’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below:

“Hello and thank you. I am so glad we are here together. I know there is a lot going on right now and some members may be in meetings or in transit given that the session is about to start. It’s always a pleasure to come home to the building where I began my elected service. We are gathered here on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – because of the past. We are also here, however, because of the present and the future.

“We are here because the Supreme Court has stated: Louisiana has unconstitutional congressional maps. We have been given an opportunity to correct this and look to the future.

“It is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and, though I know it was chosen because it was the earliest possible time to call for this session, it would be irresponsible of me not to acknowledge Dr. King’s legacy. So, to begin, I will simply say as he did ‘the time is always ripe to do right.’

“Today, Louisiana has an opportunity for a fresh start. The opportunity to craft fair Congressional districts that allow all of its people to meaningfully participate in the elections of those who represent them. For nearly two years, I have consistently called for the creation of a second majority-minority district. Math is math and 1/3 of the population deserves the opportunity to fairly elect a candidate of their choice. The courts have spoken, and they have given us the opportunity to draw constitutional districts ourselves. The time is clearly ripe to do what is right.

“I served in this body, and my experience is that everyone here loves Louisiana and wants to do the right thing. This is an opportunity for the legislature to prove that when right is staring us in the face, that they will do the right thing. In my heart I know my friends throughout this building will.

“I know there will be external pressures to continue to delay this past the next election. I know those pressures can seem all consuming, and that kicking this back to the courts might seem politically expedient. Elected officials have multiple obligations. Politics does matter. Ideology does matter. But nothing matters more than doing what’s right. This is our responsibility, not the judiciary. Don’t leave it to them. Math is math.

“I stand here with my friends from the Legislative Black Caucus, the NAACP, Urban Leauge of Louisiana, and civil rights leaders to firmly state that we are unified and ready to work with anyone who is working to create a map that establishes two majority-minority districts that give Black candidates a meaningful opportunity to win. While we know there will be multiple maps presented, working together we can craft the best map to accomplish our shared and sacred goal.

“We all know that Dr. King said ‘a right delayed is a right denied.’ The Supreme Court has ruled that Louisianians have already had their right to fair maps delayed in one election. I am hopeful that the entire legislature came here today to protect everyone’s voting rights. I know, working together, we can do the right thing. God bless you and thank you.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) sent a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack requesting an extension of the deadline to apply for farm aid under Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This will help Louisiana Black farmers receive what they rightfully deserve.

“My support of the Biden Administration in its efforts to relieve debt for socially disadvantaged farmers under the American Rescue Plan was a historic opportunity to create long-overdue equity for farmers left behind due to decades of discriminatory practices. Unfortunately, due to decades of discrimination against Black farmers it is time consuming and challenging for many to compile the necessary documentation to access this important assistance,” Congressman Carter wrote. 

Congressman Carter is requesting that Secretary Vilsack use his existing authority to leave the portal open for an additional 90 days. 

Read the full letter here.

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