Media

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) joined Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson and community leaders to celebrate funding for their Justice Reform Initiatives. Last Congress, Rep. Carter secured $3,907,000 for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) through Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations funding. This money will be used to design internal job training and education programs, release protocols, and post-release procedures to minimize the disruption of being detained and smooth the reentry transition. OPSO will also use this money to upgrade and modernize its information technology and data system infrastructure.

“I’m so happy to present this funding to Sheriff Susan Hutson and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Hutson has been on top of this from the moment she took office. This money will allow OPSO to provide critical anti-recidivism, educational, and inmate welfare programming and update technology for efficiency and modernization. This will make deputies lives better through better working conditions and lead to better retention and recruitment of good officers,” said Rep. Carter.

“Thank you to Congressman Troy Carter for being a leader in Washington who values building safer communities and who sees the importance of investing into community projects that support our citizens—even those in our care and custody. We encourage our community partners to request consideration for a partnership with OPSO to help with the implementation of programs that can support making positive steps to support those in custody and those returning to their communities as we collectively work to improve our community overall,” said Sheriff Hutson.

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will grant $26,300,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Louisiana’s drinking water. This investment will be made available through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is bringing critical investments in our water systems, roads, bridges, and broadband,” said Rep. Carter. “Too many Louisianians are being harmed by exposure to PFAS and other dangerous contaminants in their drinking water. The funding announced today will provide millions of dollars to strengthen our state’s water infrastructure while protecting people’s health and boosting local economies.”

Congressman Carter advocated and voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.

###

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) released the following statement after hearing of the passing of New Orleans icon Bob Tucker:

“While New Orleans has lost its beloved native son, I have lost a true friend, mentor, and confidant.  Bob Tucker was a master architect in building the city we love. His service to the public over multiple administrations, including work in the offices of Mayors Moon Landrieu and Dutch Morial, was transformational.  I am so blessed and grateful to have known this phenomenal man, a real Trailblazer and Leader,” said Rep. Carter.

###

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration will award New Orleans $8,000,000 for airport terminal development projects. This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which Congressman Carter supported.

Specifically, this money will be used for site preparation work and the construction of a road between the North Terminal and South Campus parking and rental car facilities. This project will enhance safety, reduce carbon emissions from idling, and connect the terminal to transit and passenger rail.

“I am proud to share that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is bringing home $8 million to improve our airport terminal at Louis Armstrong Airport,” said Rep. Carter. “This is just one of the many tangible benefits of this bill in Louisiana and I was proud to support it.”

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.), Second Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), introduced a bill to honor Dr. Norman C. Francis with a Congressional Gold Medal.

Over the course of his dynamic career, Dr. Norman Francis was a leader in the drive towards a more equal society, leading our nation during the Civil Rights Movement to break down barriers in Louisiana. He is the longest-serving President of Xavier University, Congressman Carter’s alma mater, and set the standard for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) excellence in higher education. In 2006 he was given our country’s highest award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his “deep intellect, compassion, and character.”

“Dr. Norman C. Francis is an educator, institution builder, and civil rights activist whose mission to advance education empowerment through social justice has changed the nation,” said Rep. Carter. “He has dedicated his life to advocating for marginalized communities and his work will have an everlasting impact on my life. I thank him for his service and would be proud to present him with the distinguished recognition of a Congressional Gold Medal.”

The Norman C. Francis Congressional Gold Medal Act is co-sponsored by 34 members of Congress, including  Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02), Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (TX-18), Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC-06), Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), Rep. Bennie Thompson (MI-02), Rep. Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Don Davis (NC-01), Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MI-09), Rep. Donald Payne (NJ-10), Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11), Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43), Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Rep. Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09), and Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05).

Full bill text can be found here.

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) announced the introduction of a House Resolution recognizing and celebrating the 70^th anniversary of the 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott. This event was the first large-scale boycott in the segregated south and made local headlines, inspiring civil rights leaders across the region.

“The Baton Rouge Bus Boycott was a catalyst of the Civil Rights Movement,” said Rep. Carter. “Though it’s not mentioned in our history books, the four-day boycott demonstrated that change was possible and served as a starting point for one of the most consequential social revolutions in history. I am proud to introduce a resolution which recognizes the historical significance of this event.”

The full text of the resolution is below.

Resolution Text:

Recognizing and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott.

Whereas, in 1950, the Baton Rouge city council revoked the licenses of nearly 40 Black-owned bus services, which transported residents to and from Black neighborhoods, jobs, and businesses within the city;

Whereas the bus companies pledged to provide full and fair services to all riders, but the realities of segregation would make that pledge nearly impossible to keep;

Whereas racial segregation was a pervading and inherent part of life in the South, and the city buses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were a microcosm of the segregated society of the South;

Whereas, in 1953, the Black residents of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, took a courageous first step and staged the Nation’s first large-scale bus boycott, challenging segregation;

Whereas, during this time, Black bus passengers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were required to sit in the rear of the bus, to give up seats to White passengers, and, after paying their fare at the front of the bus, to exit and reenter the bus through the back door;

Whereas, during this time, 70 percent of the Baton Rouge bus companies’ business came from Black passengers;

Whereas, during this time, Black residents in Baton Rouge knew that protesting their unequal treatment could cause them to become victims of economic boycotts, violence, or other forms of intentional misconduct;

Whereas Martha White and other Black bus passengers were told to get up on a crowded bus by a White bus driver;

Whereas every Black passenger on the bus that day stuck together and refused to get off the bus;

Whereas the police were called to arrest the Black bus passengers, causing a walk out and a 4-day strike on local bus services;

Whereas Black church and civic leaders from all over Baton Rouge came together to form the United Defense League, with Rev. T.J. Jemison as president;

Whereas the United Defense League decided that nobody was going to ride the bus the next morning, prompting Black residents across Baton Rouge to carpool with each other;

Whereas this action cost bus companies $1,600 a day with no Black passengers due to the boycott and ceased bus operations across the city;

Whereas the boycott’s success reached far beyond the Baton Rouge city limits and gave Black people across the Nation inspiration and hope, setting the tone for the civil rights movement;

Whereas the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott represents the first large-scale, extended effort by Black people to success- fully challenge discrimination and segregation; and

Whereas, in 1956, 3 years after the Baton Rouge bus strike, the Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation on buses:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes and celebrates the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott, to pro- vide an opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the Nation;

(2) recognizes the historical significance of this milestone of the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott;

(3) reaffirms its commitment that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future; and

(4) expresses support for the Secretary of the Interior to explore how to provide appropriate markings to identify places associated with the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott.

###

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) was joined by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell at the Andrew P. Sanchez Multi-Service Center to announce the conclusion of the Road Home program.

“Hurricane Katrina made landfall almost 18 years ago, devastating families and whole communities,” said Rep. Carter. “After the storm, most New Orleanians struggled to cobble together enough money to rebuild their lives. The Road Home Program was supposed to be a solution. It’s true - some folks spent the money they received outside of program guidelines. Most of the people who hadn’t followed the rules were lower income or senior citizens who did not have sufficient resources to either rehabilitate their homes or to elevate them.

“Then the lawsuits started. For many low-income homeowners, the suits meant possible financial ruin and fear that their homes would be taken away.

“Today, all that stops. I’ve worked hard to find a solution everyone can agree on with the goal of bringing relief to Louisiana families. There will be no further payments required from impacted homeowners. The State will take final actions to close the Road Home Program and will repay the amount associated with non-compliance. They will also ensure properties acquired through Road Home are made available for redevelopment, prioritizing affordable housing. This announcement gives peace of mind to those who did their best to follow the program rules.

“Today, the Road Home ends.”

Background

In response to damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Congress awarded $13.4 billion in 2006 and 2007 of CDBG-DR funds to the State to address its housing recovery needs. 

The State established several programs to restore disaster-impacted housing and, including programs targeting homeowners, affordable rental housing, housing for people experiencing homelessness, and developer incentives. 

The goal of the Road Home Program was to assist single-family homeowners. 

Over 130,000 Louisiana residents received more than $9 billion of these funds through the State’s Road Home program, to incentive them to remain and rebuild and protect their homes and rental properties from future storm damage.

Homeowners who decided to reinvest in their damaged homes were eligible for the most generous levels of assistance.

Road Home remains the largest federally funded disaster recovery housing program in history.

In 2010, the HUD IG issued audits of Road Home which found significant issues with the program, and it cited homeowner noncompliance with the terms of their awards.

As a result, the State has embarked on a years-long effort to recapture funds from non-compliant homeowners and to recover funds paid to its contractor (ICF).  This means that liens and repayment plans were placed on individuals and families, who needed funds to support repairs and many Louisiana residents believe they did not receive sufficient funding to repair their homes.

###

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) led the Louisiana delegation in a bipartisan effort to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3901 MacArthur Blvd, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the “Dr. Rudy Lombard Post Office.”

Dr. Rudolph “Rudy” Lombard was born in the Algiers neighborhood in 1939 and is remembered as a New Orleans icon for his work as a Civil Rights Hero, educator, and lifelong community advocate. He grew up witnessing widespread discrimination against Black New Orleanians and his early life experience prompted him to become an activist. As a college student at Xavier University, Lombard famously led a sit-in at the McCroy’s Five & Dime store in protest of Jim Crow laws. Joining him in these protests were the “CORE Four,” Lanny Goldfincy, Cecil Carter, Jr., and Oretha Castle. Their case made its way to the Supreme Court in 1963 and, after review, their criminal mischief arrests were tossed out. This was one of several cases that became precedent for striking down segregation laws and practices.

“Decade after decade, Dr. Lombard took the lead in addressing inequities,” said Rep. Carter. “He saw a need and he addressed it, whether that was based on civil rights, economic and cultural empowerment, or public health. He was a man of action, a leader by example. Dr. Lombard was a standard-bearer and had an innate ability to create synergy around issues, build coalitions, and create movements. I am honored to lead this bipartisan initiative to cement his legacy.”

###

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Tonight, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) will be named Grand Marshal for the Krewe of Alla.

The Krewe of ALLA is one of the oldest and most storied krewes in Carnival. Established in 1932 during the depths of the Great Depression in Algiers, La., ALLA will celebrate its 91st anniversary in 2023. The krewe, now co-ed, has called the Uptown New Orleans parade route home since 2014 and is known for bright floats, generous throws, and multiple bands and marching groups.

“I am honored to be named Grand Marshal for the Krewe of Alla. Mardi Gras is an exciting time in New Orleans and I want to personally thank my friends at Alla for bestowing this upon me. I am truthfully humbled. Laissez les bons temps rouler!” said Rep. Carter.

###

BATON ROUGE, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award $12,312,207.04 to East Baton Rouge Parish for debris removal operations as a result of Hurricane Ida.

Hurricane Ida made landfall with hurricane force winds, heavy rain, and storm surge which deposited debris throughout the parish. This created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the general public.

“Storms know no boundaries and disaster relief shouldn’t either,” said Rep. Carter. “I know that debris removal is a costly, complex, and lengthy operation. This aid will help Louisiana facilitate necessary recovery in our region. Additionally, I will keep working to ensure that recovery from Ida is equitable and inclusive.”

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) announced that he will continue serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and was named to the House Committee on Homeland Security for the 118^th Congress. Representative Carter was also tapped by Leader Hakeem Jeffries to serve on the Regional Leadership Council and was elected as the Congressional Black Caucus’ Second Vice-Chair.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is one of the largest committees in Congress and has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation in the United States. The Homeland Security Committee works to protect civil rights by ensuring the homeland is secure from foreign and domestic threats.

“I’m excited to continue working with my democrat and republican colleagues in the 118^thCongress,” said Rep. Carter. “I will keep up the good work of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, making life better for Louisianans by focusing on infrastructure resilience, creating good-paying jobs, and emergency response and preparedness. In my new role on the Homeland Security Committee, I will prioritize protecting Louisiana’s critical infrastructure.”

This is Congressman Carter’s second term serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This is his first term serving on the Homeland Security Committee.

118^th Congress Committee Assignments:

• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Emergency Management and Technology, Ranking Member
  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, Member

• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Member
  • Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Member
  • Water Resources and Environment, Member

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) announced that he was appointed to represent Region 7 as part of Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries' newly created Regional Leadership Council. Region 7 includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and the Virgin Islands. The body, which consists of each of the twelve regions of the Democratic Caucus, will be Chaired by the Honorable Steny Hoyer.

“Over the past two years, House Democrats have delivered results. Period,” said Rep. Carter. “I am honored to represent the people of Region 7 as part of the Regional Leadership Council, and to make sure the impacts of bills like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Safer Communities Act, CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and others are felt across the country. As a Caucus, we are united and ready to get to work to make sure our constituents’ voices are heard.”

On the creation of the Regional Council, Leader Jeffries said: “The Regional Leadership Council will guide our partnership with the Biden administration as we implement historic legislation signed into law during the previous Congress. During the next two years, it is critical that the promise of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Safer Communities Act, CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act and other initiatives are brought to life in every corner throughout America. The Regional Leadership Council will focus like a laser beam on executing President Biden’s vision of investing in America. I thank Leader Hoyer and our twelve distinguished colleagues for undertaking the responsibility of helping to make sure that successful implementation occurs, public awareness of our legislative accomplishments increases and meaningful change is realized in all 212 congressional districts represented by House Democrats.”

Rep. Steny Hoyer added: “Democrats are bound by our shared purpose to ensure that American workers have the tools they need to compete and succeed in the twenty-first century economy. We worked to advance that mission last Congress, passing landmark legislation to help our nation weather an unprecedented global pandemic and to rebuild our economy stronger and more resilient than ever before. From the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act, House Democrats took action to create jobs and bring down costs for hard-working Americans while revitalizing the infrastructure and manufacturing that serves as our economy's foundation. We also secured the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and other legislation that will help ensure that all Americans can live in safety and security. This Regional Leadership Council is a powerful new tool that will allow us to build off that progress and to continue honoring our commitment to American workers and their families. It will foster greater cooperation between the Biden-Harris Administration and House Democrats as we convey our crucial agenda, implement this landmark legislation and show the public how Democrats continue to deliver results For the People. I thank Leader Jeffries for having the vision and insight to establish this council, and I am honored that he asked me to serve as its Chair. I look forward to working with him, House Democrats, and the Biden-Harris Administration to demonstrate what Democrats can continue to deliver by putting People Over Politics.”

The Members appointed to the Regional Leadership Council are:

• Chair: Rep. Steny Hoyer

• Region 1: Rep. Tony Cárdenas

• Region 2: Rep. Jared Huffman

• Region 3: Rep. Angie Craig

• Region 4: Rep. Robin Kelly

• Region 5: Rep. Derek Kilmer

• Region 6: Rep. Lizzie Fletcher

• Region 7: Rep. Troy Carter

• Region 8: Rep. Darren Soto

• Region 9: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

• Region 10: Rep. Madeleine Dean

• Region 11: Rep. Grace Meng

• Region 12: Rep. Lori Trahan

###