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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. announced over $2.6 billion in funding for projects in Louisiana to repair damage caused by storms and start new projects to protect communities from future disasters. This funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2021 Disaster Supplemental. Congressman Carter was the only member of the Louisiana House delegation that supported passage of both of these laws.

This funding will go to vital projects in Louisiana’s Second District and across the state. Important projects receiving funding include:

• Morganza to the Gulf - $378 million for construction of levees to protect communities in Louisiana
• New Orleans to Venice Hurricane Protection - $783 million for construction of levee on the east and west banks of Plaquemines Parish
• West Shore Lake Pontchartrain - $450 million for a resiliency assessment to improve the ability of the vital West Shore project to withstand future natural disasters. This project protects communities in the River Parishes from flooding and storm damage.
• Southeast Louisiana (SELA) - $94.3 million to complete more features of the important drainage projects in the Algiers sub-basin
• Comite River Diversion Project - $125 million for reinforcement and armoring to better protect it from future natural disasters. This project helps protect the people of Central and nearby communities from flooding.

“These projects all have one thing in common – they protect people in Louisiana from flooding,” said Congressman Carter. “Many other projects being funded today repair damage caused by previous storms. Providing better protection from storms and flooding is one of the most important thing government can do for our communities. For decades, these projects have sat without any, or sufficient funding. I was proud to vote for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act so that communities from Algiers to LaPlace to Baker can get the protection and investment they deserve.”

The Biden Administration announced today that the Army Corps of Engineers will invest $14 billion in 500 projects across the nation to focus on strengthening critical supply chains. Due to decades of underinvestment, accelerating climate threats and pandemic interruptions, supply chains have struggled to keep pace. This has slowed the nation’s economic recovery and burdened families and businesses with added costs and delay. These new investments will create jobs and economic opportunity, while strengthening key water infrastructure projects, improving resiliency to the climate crisis and restoring the environment.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The Disaster Relief Supplemental was signed by President Biden on September 30, 2021.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. of Louisiana’s Second Congressional District tested positive for COVID-19 and shared the following statement:

"This morning, I tested positive for COVID-19 and am experiencing cold-like symptoms.

I am so thankful to be fully vaccinated and have received my booster shot, measures which are highly protective against more severe symptoms and illness.

I will isolate while recovering and will continue to follow the guidance of the House Attending Physician. Throughout my isolation I will continue to work remotely on behalf of my constituents of southeast Louisiana.

My sincere thanks to all of the healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly throughout this public health crisis to protect all of us.

If you have not yet been vaccinated or boosted, please take this as a sign and get your shot today. Along with wearing masks, vaccinations are the best way to protect ourselves, our health systems, and our communities.”

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NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. announced the first round of investments in repairing Louisiana’s bridges under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congressman Carter put in the hours with his committee colleagues and White House contacts to mark-up and ultimately pass this historic investment for our nation and Louisiana. The Infrastructure Law will specifically provide $202.7 million for Louisiana’s bridges in Fiscal Year 2022, which is just the first installment of a historic total $1 billion investment in the state’s bridges over the next five years.

Congressman Carter was the only member of Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation to vote for the Infrastructure Law. However, benefits from the program’s billion-dollar investments will be felt in every parish and every corner of the state.

The funds announced today will soon be sent to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for distribution.

Louisiana has the third largest bridge infrastructure in the nation when the number of bridges and bridge size is accounted for. Currently, there are 7,846 state owned bridges, with 795 needing major rehabilitation or replacement, and 4,736 locally owned bridges, with 793 in need of rehabilitation or replacement.

According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, some of the bridge projects that will advance this year thanks to this funding include, among others:

• US 90Z Harvey Canal Tunnel Rehabilitation in Jefferson Parish
• US 61 Jefferson Highway Overpass Repair in East Baton Rouge Parish
• LA 47 Intracoastal Waterway Gulf Outlet Bridge Rehabilitation in Orleans Parish
• LA 404 Bayou and Canal Bridges in Iberville Parish

“The Infrastructure Law is delivering real, results for our community, and I am proud to have been a key part of bringing these investments to life through my work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” said Congressman Carter. “Repairing our bridges will make our community safer, create jobs in our local economy, allow commerce to move more efficiently, and help us stay connected. The first part of my districtwide ‘Building a Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour’ last month celebrated several projects across the Second Congressional District that will make daily life better for Louisianians. With the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, today’s funding announcement makes clear that the impacts of the Infrastructure Law are wide-reaching, and will fundamentally change Louisiana for the better, from the ground up.”

An audio recording of the Congressman’s above quote is available here.

The investment announced today is designed to help Louisiana repair local bridges that are critical for getting to school and work, moving commerce, and connecting communities. The Infrastructure Law also includes a separate program designed to support larger bridges through a competitive grant program. Details on that program will be announced at a later date.

For more information on the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Formula Program funding to states click here. 

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 NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. shared two federal funding announcements that will help the people of Louisiana rebuild from Hurricanes Ida and Laura, recover from COVID-19, and lower home energy for families this winter. The grants and programs are funded by the American Rescue Plan and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), respectively.

Louisiana has already experienced cold and variable temperatures this winter. A new report from the White House outlines how Congress delivered funds to nearly double the annual investment to help Louisiana’s families afford energy costs. In total, Congressman Carter helped secure $91.7 million for Louisiana through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the American Rescue Plan and annual appropriations. As Americans continue to deal with the impacts of the pandemic and high energy costs, Louisiana’s families and seniors can use this funding to help cover the costs of staying warm this winter, by paying utility bills and for energy repairs. 

Local families who need assistance should contact the Housing Finance Manager for the Louisiana Housing Corporation Energy Assistance Department. Contact information here.

“As hardworking Louisianians continue recovering from the pandemic and recent storms, this investment is helping families afford energy costs and stay warm, safe and healthy this winter,” said Congressman Carter.

Click here to read the new White House report for Louisiana.

Also this week, FEMA announced reimbursement funding for efforts in Louisiana to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and recover from Hurricanes Laura and Ida.

“These intersecting and overlapping disasters have brought enormous challenges to many Louisianians over the past two years,” said Congressman Carter. “This funding demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to helping Louisiana recover in the face of hurricanes and COVID-19.”

This funding includes the following awards:

Louisiana Housing Finance Agency (LHFA), $27.1 million. 100% federal cost share

This is a full reimbursement payment for emergency protective measures the state conducted to provide non-congregate sheltering services, food, and personal hygiene supplies for those unhoused or displaced due to hurricanes during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Jefferson Parish, $33.7 million, 100% federal cost share

This repayment will cover the costs the Parish incurred conducting essential sewer and sewage maintenance during Hurricane Ida.

St. Charles Parish, $5.3 million, 90% federal cost share

This funding will allow St. Charles Parish to recover costs spent on debris removal and road/vegetation clearing during Hurricane Laura in 2020.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the first anniversary of the January 6^th attack on the United States Capitol, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. released the following statement:

“Like most Americans, I witnessed the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol through the television screen — I was still running for election to the House of Representatives.

Even from a thousand miles away, the insurrectionist’s brutal and conspiracy-driven attack on our democratic system and this sacred building shook me to my core.

I honor the experiences and bravery of the Capitol Police,  Members of Congress, staff, and law enforcement who went through this traumatic event and I stand with the work of the Select Committee on the January 6 Attack to determine the full truth and keep seditionists accountable.

Congress must strengthen the pillars of our beloved American democracy to ensure that we both protect the voting and civil rights of our citizenry, and never see another dark day like January 6th again.”

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