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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, amid extreme MAGA Republicans’ continued threats to American’s personal freedoms, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. voted to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s desk. This landmark legislation takes several key steps to defend marriage equality: officially repealing the bigoted and unconstitutional “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), upholding couples’ right to equal protection under federal law and requiring states to recognize valid out-of-state marriages.

“Today, I proudly voted to ensure the federal government never stands in the way of marrying the person you love,” said Congressman Carter. “As extreme MAGA Republicans threaten more of Louisianian and American personal liberties, the Democratic Congress is fighting to honor the dignity and equality of every American. The Respect for Marriage Act is a historic step forward in that fight – sending a clear signal that hate and bigotry have no place in America. This landmark legislation will uphold marriage equality under federal law: tearing DOMA off the books for good, enshrining married couples’ right to equal protection and barring discriminatory officials from invalidating out-of-state marriages.”

The only member of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to vote in support of the Respect for Marriage Act,

Congressman Carter has been a lifelong advocate for the rights and issues of the LGBTQ+ community. In 1993 as a Louisiana State Senator, he filed the first ever state bill to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. He continued advocating in a Republican-run State Capitol to pass that bill throughout his tenure as a state legislator.

SarahJane Guidry, Executive Director for the Forum for Equality, Louisiana’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender human rights organization, shared the following statement: "Today's victory is a shining example of how far we’ve come towards fully accepting and celebrating love, family, and the freedom to be our authentic selves. The Respect for Marriage Act will provide clarity and stability for hundreds of thousands of same-sex and interracial couples who are connected through the commitment of marriage. The momentum for the Respect for Marriage Act mirrors the overwhelming support for equal treatment for LGBTQ people among a supermajority of Americans, and here at home. It is a clear indication that the State of Louisiana needs to follow the example of Rep. Troy Carter, and work together to pass fundamental, basic rights for the LGBTQ community through bipartisan leadership."

Since the Republican-appointed Supreme Court’s outrageous Dobbs decision, extreme MAGA Republicans have set their sights on other basic personal freedoms.  In his concurring opinion, Clarence Thomas explicitly called for the Court to reconsider its Obergefell decision upholding marriage equality.  

The Respect for Marriage Act will take several steps to protect the inviolability of same-sex and interracial marriages:

· Repealing the “Defense of Marriage Act”: While the Supreme Court has effectively voided DOMA, this unconstitutional and discriminatory federal law still remains on the books.  The Respect for Marriage Act will repeal this statute once and for all.

· Enshrining Marriage Equality Into Federal Law: This legislation will uphold married couples’ right to equal protection in all areas covered under federal law, such as Social Security, tax filings and veterans’ benefits.

· Barring Discrimination By State Officials: This legislation prohibits state officials from denying recognition of an out-of-state marriage on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.

Previously passed by the House earlier this year, the Respect for Marriage Act was amended and advanced by the Senate last week.  With today’s House vote, the final bill now goes to the President’s desk for his signature.

The Respect for Marriage Act is strongly supported by leading advocacy organizations, including the ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Forum for Equality (Louisiana), Freedom for All Americans, GLAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Women’s Law Center and PFLAG.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Last night, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. was unanimously elected to the leadership position of Regional Whip in a vote conducted by members of the Democratic Caucus. Louisiana is a part of Region 7, which includes the states of Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and the territory of the Virgin Islands.

“I’m honored to take on this role and add our voice, Louisiana’s voice, to the Democratic leadership team,” said Congressman Carter. “The states and territory of Region 7 have many unique issues facing our constituents, including natural disaster response and recovery. I am eager to work with our new Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar to uplift the voices of consituents and members of Region 7.”

Carter will formally assume the position when the 118th Congress is sworn on January 3rd, 2023 when the 118th Congress convenes.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) was elected to serve as the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) Second Vice-Chair in the 118^th Congress. This is the third-most senior position in caucus leadership and is a member of the Executive Committee. This role was previously filled by Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence of Michigan, who is finishing her fourth term in Congress. Congressman Carter will take on this role during his sophomore congressional term.

“I am humbled and grateful to for the opportunity to serve as Second Vice-Chair in the powerhouse institution that is the Congressional Black Caucus, and I thank my colleagues for entrusting me with this leadership position” said Congressman Troy Carter. “I came to Congress to be the voice of my constituents, and it is a job that I take very seriously. I also serve on Capitol Hill as the only Black congressmember in a delegation representing a state that is one-third African American. This is an enormous responsibility, and I know that the greater Black community in my state depends on me to advocate for our shared community within systems that too-often are designed to silence our voices. I will not be silent. In this leadership role in the Congressional Black Caucus, and everyday as a Congressman, I will continue fighting for the issues that make a difference to all Louisianans and Americans.”

Since its establishment in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus has been committed to using the full Constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities have a shot at the American Dream. The CBC is often referred to as the “Conscience of the Congress.”

While the CBC has predominately been made up of members of the Democratic Party, the founding members of the caucus envisioned a non-partisan organization. Consequently, the CBC has a long history of bipartisan collaboration and members who are both Democrat and Republican.

The full results of the 118^th Congressional Black Caucus leadership election will be shared by the Congressional Black Caucus here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. released the following statement following Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that she will not seek a leadership post in the Democratic party in the upcoming Congress.

“Last week the American people used their voices to vote at the ballot boxes. While the final tally did not ultimately result in a continuing Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, it did show that the institution of democracy is strong, a robust rejection of political conspiracy and violence, and that the people’s voice will prevail.

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s historic, dedicated, and accomplished leadership as Speaker of the House of Representatives will go down in history as an era of progress, service, and success for the American people. She is woman of faith, a true public servant and patriot, and her style of leadership inspires hope, loyalty, and hard work.

“An entire generation of Americans has been inspired by her shining example of leadership, grace, and moral fortitude, even through dark times and dangerous days. My prayers are with her and her family as her husband, Paul Pelosi, continues to recover from the terrible attack he faced last month.

“Our nation is undoubtedly better for her 35 years of service in the House of Representatives, and I am so grateful that her expertise, knowledge, and immense strategic ability will remain in the chamber as she continues to serve the people of San Francisco.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – On Veteran’s Day 2022, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R, S.C.) introduced important legislation to support veterans and V.A. systems in their districts and across the country. The bipartisan WARTAC Improvement Bill would help raise awareness about and bring improvements to the Warrior Training Advancement Course of the Veterans Benefit Administration, or WARTAC. This is a program within the Department of Veteran’s Affairs that helps veterans re-enter the civilian workforce into meaningful roles that also support their fellow veterans. However, just 373 veterans were enrolled in WARTAC last year, leaving a lot of opportunity to grow programmatic participation.

Every year, over 200,000 brave service members transition out of the Armed Forces and back into civilian life. Due to the unique nature of life in the military, this transition can be daunting and difficult for many. These hardships were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which veteran unemployment shot up to 6.5% in 2020, with service members of color and women veterans disproportionately impacted.

“Our veterans give so much to us, we owe it to them to make sure we do all we can to help them live healthy, productive, and meaningful lives after their service,” said Congressman Carter. “This Veteran’s Day, I’m proud to introduce legislation to improve job opportunities and services for our veterans as they re-enter civilian life. We know that many veterans struggle with mental health, housing, and employment after their military service. By connecting returning service members with critical jobs in the V.A., the WARTAC Improvement Bill can be a win-win for veterans and our wider communities.”

“The transition back into civilian life can be a challenge for many of our brave service members,” said Congresswoman Mace. “The Warrior Training Advancement Course is an important workforce training program that not only prepares transitioning service members for a career at the VA but gives the VA more qualified employees to process veterans’ benefits claims. This bipartisan legislation helps us learn more about and improve the Warrior Training Advancement Course and is an important step forward in not only improving this crucial transition but allowing more veterans to receive their disability benefits faster.”

While the V.A. and partners have worked hard to bring the veteran unemployment rate back down, there are still over 220,000 unemployed veterans nationwide. With the Veteran’s Benefit Administration (VBA) already dealing with a severe backlog in cases, and with many more coming due to passage of the PACT Act, the VBA is in dire need of qualified Veteran Service Representatives and Rating Veteran Service Representatives to process these claims.

This bipartisan legislation will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report to the bicameral Committees on Veterans Affairs annually on the Warrior Training Advancement Course of the Veterans Benefit Administration, create a structural opportunity to process feedback, and analyze the program for effectiveness and opportunities to grow and improve.

Several groups including Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and The American Legion also support the legislation.

DAV National Commander Joe Parsetich said, “As an organization of veterans serving veterans for over 100 years, DAV understands that a service member’s successful transition to civilian life is not complete until they secure meaningful employment, which is why VBA’s WARTAC program is so invaluable. It’s imperative, though, that the VA analyzes and reports the efficacy of WARTAC to Congress to ensure the department receives the proper resources to serve our nation’s veterans through such programs. We thank Rep. Carter for introducing this legislation and his leadership on this issue.”

More specifically, The WARTAC Improvement Bill would:

• Include recommendations for best practices and will also include data sets on the number of eligible participants, enrolled participants, participants who successfully complete the program, information on how the Secretary provides the training, and other information deemed relevant.

• Require that the Secretary will report on hiring information and the cost savings of the program including the determination of the Secretary whether other federal agencies may also save money by establishing a program like WARTAC.

• Help veterans receive their benefits more efficiently by increasing the VBA’s hiring capacity

The bill text as introduced is available here.

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NEW ORLEANS, L.A. -- Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. released the following statement after winning his race to be re-elected as Congressman for Louisiana's Second District.

"I am humbled and grateful that the people of Louisiana’s Second Congressional District have re-elected me to serve another term in Congress.

"It is an honor to represent southeast Louisiana in the House of Representatives and I want to thank you for placing your trust in me. As I continue to fight for a better tomorrow, I will always be guided by the opinions, perspectives, and stories of my constituents.

"I promise that every day that I’m blessed to serve you, I will be the voice of the people."

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NEW ORLEANS, L.A.  – Today , Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) was pleased to announce Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) latest allocation of disaster relief funding for Louisiana of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. This comes as a part of the $1.447 billion in CDBG-DR that HUD allocated nationally to help communities recovering from these disasters and to build inclusive resilience to climate change.

These funds will be allocated to state and local governments that previously received only partial CDBG-DR allocations for 2021 and 2022 disasters, including Hurricane Ida. Louisiana’s Second Congressional District – which Congressman Troy Carter proudly represents – will receive around $834.5 million in CDBG-DR funding.

“The road to recovery after a natural disaster can be long and winding for impacted communities struggling to rebuild their lives,” said Congressman Carter. “The federal government should never make a tough situation worse. We must always step up to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of these disaster survivors, not only building back what was lost, but thoughtfully strengthening communities to weather future storms. I have been a vocal advocate for additional disaster aid after last year’s terrible storm, and I’m proud to have helped bring these funds home. The allocation of these millions of dollars in disaster relief grants will help power Louisiana, and its people, toward full recovery from Hurricane Ida.”

HUD is allocating the $1.447 billion to 10 local governments and 13 state governments that previously received partial CDBG-DR allocations for 2021 disasters.

The allocations in Louisiana are as follows:

• The State of Louisiana is receiving: $831,502,000

• Lake Charles is receiving: $7,042,000

• Baton Rouge is receiving: $3,038,000

With the additional funds allocated today, HUD has now allocated a total of $3.66 billion to these 23 communities to recover from 2021 disasters, prepare for future disasters, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.  

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