Joe Biden
U.S. military has left Afghanistan; evacuation of Americans and Afghans moves into next phase
WASHINGTON — Even as the last military planes left Kabul, members of Congress were still trying to facilitate the evacuations of more Americans and Afghans. Reps. Jason Crow (D-Co.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) are leading efforts to supply names and contacts of Afghans who helped the U.S. in the last 20 years […]
White House pledges to fight court order on oil and gas leases brought by Louisiana lawsuit
The Biden administration plans to appeal a federal court decision forcing the government to restart oil and gas leases that have been paused since January. But administration officials are also promising to comply in a way that takes into account the damage caused by fossil fuel development. The two-part move worries progressive activists and members […]
Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter wants to erase student debt
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-New Orleans) has made canceling student debt one of his top priorities as a new congressman. Carter filed legislation in late July to direct the U.S. Department of Education to get rid of up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt for each borrower. It was one of the first two […]
Trump allies’ lingering election ‘audits’ spark public skepticism, concerns in Congress
WASHINGTON — The months-long, Republican-led investigation in Arizona into the results of last year’s presidential election has cost millions of dollars and produced no evidence yet of major issues in tallying Maricopa County ballots. Yet supporters of former President Donald Trump are still attempting to follow Arizona’s lead by pushing for so-called audits in several […]
AG Jeff Landry sues U.S. Treasury over Rescue Plan mandate
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced Tuesday that he joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury Department, arguing against a provision in the American Rescue Plan Act that prohibits states from using federal pandemic relief money to cut taxes. Landry joined the lawsuit with two other Republican attorneys general from Mississippi and Texas. The filing […]
U.S. Senator makes surprise appearance at Louisiana House
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy made a surprise appearance on the floor of the Louisiana House Tuesday afternoon and encouraged state lawmakers to take advantage of green energy opportunities. Cassidy gave brief remarks to the House lawmakers at the request of House Speaker Clay Schexnayder. The Republican senator from Baton Rouge said Louisiana would soon receive […]
Louisiana Senate passes voting machines bill
The Louisiana Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would create a new voting commission to oversee the Louisiana secretary of state’s purchases of voting machines. Senate Bill 221, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, would establish the Voting System Commission within the Louisiana Department of State “for the purpose of independently reviewing any proposals […]
Concealed carry permits might no longer be needed in Louisiana
Two separate bills moving through the Louisiana Legislature would allow Louisianians to carry concealed weapons without applying for a concealed carry permit along with a third bill that would declare that federal gun restrictions can’t be enforced in Louisiana. On Tuesday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 118, sponsored by Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, in […]
Troy Carter elected to U.S. Congress
Louisiana State Sen. Troy Carter won Saturday’s runoff election for Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District, defeating opponent state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson. According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s unofficial results, with 100% of precincts reporting, Carter won with 55 percent of the vote to Carter Peterson’s 45 percent. Saturday’s special election to fill the seat […]
U.S. gun violence an ‘international embarrassment,’ Biden says in rolling out executive action
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden on Thursday reiterated his call on Congress to pass stalled gun legislation reform but also outlined executive action he’s taking on several gun control measures, following deadly mass shootings last month in Colorado and Georgia. “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic and it’s an international embarrassment,” Biden said in remarks […]
Secretary Kyle Ardoin forms non-elected commission to oversee Louisiana elections
Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has formed a commission of non-elected officials to provide an overview of the state’s election processes. The Louisiana Commission on Election Integrity and Voting will hold its first meeting after the conclusion of the 2021 regular legislative session, which ends June 10. “Despite the challenges brought on by natural […]
Trump-era ‘wealth test’ for immigrants dies in 4th Circuit
A legal dispute over the so-called “wealth test” for immigrants died in the United States 4th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday after the court denied a motion by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and other Republican state AGs that would have kept alive an appeal of a lower court ruling that blocked the policy. […]