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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, it was announced that President Joe Biden intends to name Louisiana’s own Mitch Landrieu to supervise implementation of the recently passed $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. released the following statement:
“Leaders in Louisiana know how life-changing strong, resilient infrastructure can be for communities, and how critical it is to have swift, fair and efficient allocation of funds.
That’s why Mitch Landrieu is the right person for this job. His long record of service at both the local and state level in Louisiana, especially in the recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, provides him with the experience and perspective to get the job done.
I was fortunate to serve with him in the Louisiana House of Representatives, and I am thrilled for the chance to work with him to roll out this once in a lifetime, transformative infrastructure plan.
This is a huge win for Louisiana’s Second Congressional District, Louisiana, and the entire country.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. released the following video message in recognition of Veterans Day 2021.
The video can be downloaded here.
Transcript:
Happy Veterans Day. This is much more than just something to say.
Veterans Day is not just another day off. It’s not a day to picnic or to sleep late.
It’s a day that we pay homage to the men and women in uniform who protect our flanks, who protect our safety, at home and abroad.
We pay homage to you, those who served, those who have served, and those who have gone before us.
Those who made the ultimate sacrifice, they gave their lives.
On this day, and every day, may we honor the memory of those incredible brave souls who have gone before.
And we salute with the highest honor those that currently serve to protect this country that we love.
Happy Veterans Day.
God bless, and Godspeed.
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Louisiana is guaranteed more than $7 billion from the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that won final passage during a weekend vote in the U.S. House and will be eligible for billions more in allocations from the legislation.
Republican Louisiana U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a lead author on the bill, called its passage "a major victory for Louisiana and our nation."
"This infrastructure package will rebuild our roads and bridges, increase access to high-speed internet, strengthen our electric grid, add levee protection and improve flood resiliency," he said.
But despite Cassidy's enthusiasm, Louisiana's lone Democrat in the House, Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans, was the only member of the state delegation to vote for the bill.
“This is a transformational moment for the people of Louisiana, and the entire country," Carter said in a statement. "In Louisiana, we’ve learned the hard way what it means to have failing roads, bridges, water and flood control systems.
"In this package, Louisiana will get billions from the federal government to repair and update our roads, bridges, sewage and water systems, update flood protections, harden our power grid, increase internet connectivity and so much more."
All five Louisiana House Republicans — Garret Graves of Baton Rouge, Clay Higgins of Port Barre, Mike Johnson of Benton, Julia Letlow of Start and Steve Scalise of Metairie — voted against the bill.
Louisiana's House Republicans said the bill didn't dedicate enough money to traditional infrastructure like roads and bridges and that Louisiana didn't get its fair share of the money allocated.
“This is not an infrastructure bill; it’s a spending bill," said 4th District Congressman Mike Johnson, R-Benton. "Only a fraction of the spending is dedicated to actual infrastructure, and only a smaller fraction of that is guaranteed to make its way to Louisiana, while the rest is to be doled out at the discretion of bureaucrats."
"It’s a losing deal for Louisiana, further seizure of power by the thieves in suits of D.C., and an advancement of a plan so diabolical I am unable even to write of it here today," said 3rd District Congressman Clay Higgins, R-Port Barre.
But the White House said Louisiana is ranked No. 21 overall among states for its guaranteed portion and No. 7 among states in its $1 billion allocation for bridges.
The bill allocates about $7.25 billion in guaranteed funding for Louisiana, according to White House figures — $4.8 billion for roads, $1 billion for bridges, $470 million for public transportation, $580 million for water systems and $380 million for other segments like airports, broadband and electric vehicle charging stations.
Cassidy concluded his fellow Louisiana Republicans were "misinformed" rather than accusing them of playing politics to prevent Democratic President Joe Biden from securing a legislative win.
He said in addition to the guaranteed allocations, Louisiana will have a leg up on securing billions more than will directed by agencies. Cassidy has used broadband as an example, noting language in the bill that requires underserved areas like Louisiana to get preference on funding.
Segments of the infrastructure bill that could benefit Louisiana directly:
► Create an $8.7 billion program nationwide to help states like Louisiana improve resiliency of transportation infrastructure, evacuation routes and at-risk coastal areas.
► Authorizes, but doesn't fund an Interstate 14 Corridor to run from Georgia to Texas, which would include Louisiana stops in Leesville and Alexandria continuing through Natchez, Miss., and Alabama up to Augusta, Ga.
► $65 billion in grants nationwide for broadband deployment.
► $9.55 billion nationwide for ports and waterways that will directly benefit Louisiana's Port of Calcasieu, Port Fourchon, Port of New Orleans, Port of Baton Rouge, Port of South Louisiana, Port of Plaquemines and J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Cassidy said.
► $8 billion for hydrogen hubs to promote the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of hydrogen that Cassidy called "tailor made for Louisiana’s industry, existing infrastructure and energy sector."
► $5.1 billion investment in carbon capture, utilization and storage technology to develop CO2 pipelines and storage, which Cassidy said is "a process in which Louisiana leads the nation due to work being done by the private sector, like Gulf Coast Sequestration, and the state government to establish Class VI primacy in the state. This step is key in putting us ahead of states like Texas in establishing this industry," Cassidy said.
► $3.5 billion nationwide for Flood Mitigation Assistance grants. In the last fiscal year, one-third of applications for this program came from Louisiana, Cassidy said.
► $17 billion for Army Corps of Engineers infrastructure priorities, which includes $2.55 billion for construction of Coastal Storm Risk Management and Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction projects, specifically targeting states such as Louisiana that have been impacted by federally declared disasters over the last six years.
► $53 million for Lake Pontchartrain. Lake Pontchartrain will receive this funding over five years to support local restoration efforts.
► $53 million for EPA’s Gulf of Mexico ecosystem restoration program. This protects and restores the water bodies and coastal environments associated with the greater Gulf of Mexico region.
► $60 million for Louisiana and other states in the Mississippi River and Ohio River Basins to support states’ Nutrient Reduction Strategies and fight hypoxia.
► Louisiana will receive at least $371 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
► $4.7 billion nationwide for programs to plug, remediate and reclaim orphaned wells on federal, state and tribal lands. In Louisiana, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission reports there are nearly 4,000 orphan wells.
► $150 million for the Delta Regional Authority. Louisiana is one of eight states in the DRA, which focuses on distributing grants to improve economic and community growth.
► $3.5 billion nationwide for Superfund site cleanups over five years. The state cost share requirement is waived. Louisiana currently has 13 sites on the National Priorities List.
ATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Flooding in Louisiana is nothing new, but prevention and cleanup are a constant struggle.
That’s why Republican Congressman Clay Higgins wants to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This time, with some changes to try and make it better. It’s an effort both Democrats and Republicans support.
“Yes, not only do I support it, I’m a co-author of the bill. I’m proud to be a part of it,” said Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA).
The most notable proposed changes are extending the program for five years into September of 2026 and capping the amount you pay for coverage from the current 25% to just 9%. It will also put guardrails on FEMA and their new rating method, known as Risk Rating 2.0, to prevent any changes in interest rates that could weaken the program.
“You know, we have to go in a direction to where people aren’t having to keep applying for these grants by doing better to fix many of these things that cause people to need flood insurance in the first place,” Congressman Carter continued.
Marie Constantin with the Louisiana Storm Water Coalition said she could not agree more.
“The NFIP is only half of the solution. If we don’t pivot in the state of Louisiana and start giving storm water management permanent funding on utility bills and grants and other cobbled together monies, then what good is it?” Constantin said.
As a fierce advocate for stormwater flood prevention in the Baton Rouge area, Constantin said the NFIP is a two-sided coin.
“It’s huge and it’s helpful but in some sense, it’s hurting us because it’s allowing us to be in denial. You know, it’s only good if we do this other piece too and we are starting to do this other piece,” Constantin explained.
This bill is still making its way through Congress and some more changes are likely to be made along the way. But according to both congressmen, the timeframe for a vote looks like it could be sometime next year.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. joined with his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This long-awaited and overdue infrastructure bill was passed on a bipartisan basis, and will deliver enormous results to his home state of Louisiana.
After the final passage, the Congressman released the following statement:
“This is a transformational moment for the people of Louisiana, and the entire country. The building blocks of our nation have been falling into disrepair for far too long, and I am so proud that tonight the House of Representatives came together on a bipartisan basis to pass this long-term investment in the foundation of our nation.
In Louisiana, we’ve learned the hard way what it means to have failing roads, bridges, water and flood control systems. We need infrastructure we can count on, and that will withstand storms.
In this package, Louisiana will get billions from the federal government to repair and update our roads, bridges, sewage and water systems, update flood protections, harden our power grid, increase internet connectivity and so much more.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and will finally invest in the systems we need to remain competitive and successful in a global economy.
The American people need a strong foundation to stand on, and Congress has delivered.
There is much more to do to build a stronger America. Next, we must shore up our social safety net and invest in America’s kids, seniors and families by passing the Build Back Better Act. We are just getting started.”
Congressman Troy Carter recorded a video statement celebrating the historic passage of this vote.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. welcomes Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan’s upcoming visit to the Second Congressional District of Louisiana. The Administrator is visiting the region at the request of the Congressman and community groups and leaders as a part of his environmental justice listening tour.
Congressman Troy Carter has previously written the EPA Administrator calling for federal assistance to study and improve the public health and environmental impacts of emissions and polluting substances generated in the industrial hub of Louisiana’s River Parishes.
There has been longstanding concern for environmental justice issues in the industrial corridor of the River Parishes, especially regarding the elevated and disproportionate rates of cancer and respiratory conditions in the region.
“I am grateful that EPA Administrator Michael Regan is able to visit my district to highlight the issues of environmental justice in southeast Louisiana,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. “Communities in in New Orleans and the River Parishes have been concerned about issues of environmental justice for a long time, and this tour by EPA leadership is a first step toward building trust and forwarding actions on environmental justice. It is my hope that these meetings will lead to action and will bring the type of accountability, monitoring, research, and support that communities desperately need.
He continues, “While I believe that industry and communities can coexist, the health and safety of communities must always come first. Lives are on the line, and a strong partnership with this agency will help us make needed changes to protect our communities. I am confident that the EPA will move quickly to provide independent, third-party air monitoring and a cumulative health impact study as I requested.”
EPA Administrator Michael Regan provided the following comment: “At the urging of Congressman Troy Carter, I look forward to visiting Louisiana, where I’ll be on the ground with community members who are on the frontlines of fighting for environmental justice.”
Due to conflicting votes in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Troy Carter will not be able to join Administrator Regan in person.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. convened a private listening session between several members of Congress and family members of victims of police violence. The family members represented victims who died during incidents with law enforcement in Louisiana.
This listening session and discussion focused on sharing the stories of the family members and the path forward for justice.
The members of Congress that attended were Congressman Troy Carter, Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
The family members and close friends of victims of police violence in attendance were as follows:
- Ronald Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin
- Ronald Greene’s sister, Dinelle Hardin
- Ronald Greene’s friend, Terrance Key
- Dontrunner Robinson’s mother, Casa Bean
- Dontrunner Robinson’s brother, Myron Robinson
Several advocates from civil rights organizations were also in attendance.
“Meeting with and listening to these family members was powerful, humbling, and sobering all at the same time,” said Congressman Carter (LA-02). “Their stories exemplify how important it is that we take action on the federal, state, and local levels to increase police accountability and continue the never-ending fight for justice. Their loved ones should never haven been taken, but their passing cannot be in vain. This meeting is only a starting point. We must not rest until we have a justice system that actually metes out justice for everyone of every race and creed.”
Congressman Carter has previously called for a pattern-or-practice Department of Justice investigation into the Louisiana State Police, following extremely disturbing reports from their department, including the event that led to the death of Ronald Greene. Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Joyce Beatty also sent a letter in support of further investigation. There has already been one DOJ indictment of a Louisiana State Police officer.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in March 2021. Bipartisan negotiations on police reform policy have currently stalled in the Senate, but the message from all of the members who participated in today’s meeting is that the fight is not over.
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NEW ORLEANS, LA. – Today, Congressman Troy Carter highlights how the Democrats’ Build Back Better framework will meet the urgent needs of Louisiana’s kids and seniors in a new fact sheet, and how the expanded Child Tax Credit has already helped kids and families.
In the wake of the pandemic, high costs of child care, health care, home- and community-based care, early and higher education, housing, and more are hurting the most vulnerable in Louisiana and around the nation. The Build Back Better framework delivers transformative investments that will address these needs, while also ensuring that the wealthiest and big corporations pay their fair share.
“For far too long, Louisiana’s families have been held back by soaring costs – from child care to health care to education to the climate crisis and more,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. “Democrats’ Build Back Better framework – which we will soon enact into law – will deliver for the people in our state, with millions of good-paying jobs, historic middle class tax cuts and lower costs, so kids, seniors and families can thrive and succeed.”
A new report from the Joint Economic Committee estimated that 85,000 Child Tax Credit monthly tax cuts were sent to families in the Second Congressional District in the month of October. A total of $38.1 million in tax cuts went back in the pockets of southeast Louisiana families.
Statewide, 541,000 monthly tax cuts went to families in October for a total of $229.5 million. The average tax cut per Louisiana household for October was $424.
Nationwide, the Joint Economic Committee estimates the Child Tax Credit tax cuts are pumping $19.3 billion into local economies each month, supporting local jobs and businesses.
“This historic tax cut puts more of hardworking families’ own money back in their pockets so they can pay for child care, put gas in the car to get work, put food on the table, cover school expenses, spend money at our local businesses and continue to grow our local economy while building better lives for their families,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. “The expansion of the Child Tax Credit in the Build Back Better framework is just one of the many ways that the framework will change the foundation of America, especially for the youngest and oldest in our communities.”
Estimates from the White House show the following expected benefits to Louisiana’s kids and seniors under the Build Back Better framework:
- Child care: The average annual cost for child care in Louisiana is $8,205. The Build Back Better framework will expand access for 307,562 young children and ensure that no Louisiana family pays more than seven percent of their income on child care.
- Early education: Only 41% of 3- and 4-year-olds in Louisiana have access to publicly funded pre-K, while the average cost of private pre-K in the state is $8,600. The Build Back Better framework will expand access to free, high-quality pre-K to 60,031 additional young Louisianians – setting these children up for lifelong success and saving their parents thousands of dollars.
- Health care: By closing the Medicaid gap, expanding Medicare to include hearing care and extending relief for insurance purchased through the ACA, the Build Back Better framework will help 87,000 uninsured people in Louisiana gain coverage. Additionally, 68,100 people who purchase coverage on their own will save hundreds on health insurance premiums each year.
- Lower taxes: Before Democrats secured the expanded Biden Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan, 19% percent of Louisiana children lived in poverty. The Build Back Better framework extends this life-changing tax cut and continues our historic progress toward reducing child poverty. The framework will also provide a tax cut of up to $1,500 in tax cuts for 281,900 low-wage workers in Louisiana by extending the American Rescue Plan’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expansion.
Congressman Troy Carter continues to support passage of both the Build Back Better Act and the bipartisan “Invest in America” infrastructure package.
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