“What goes on at this federal prison affects inmates, staff and the broader Oakdale community. We need answers about what happened in Oakdale and how the Bureau of Prisons is going to mitigate this outbreak.”

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent a letter to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) urging that the agency take decisive action to address the COVID-19 outbreak at the federal correctional institution in Oakdale, La. The letter seeks answers to specific questions regarding the BOP’s plans to mitigate the spread of COVD-19 to inmates, officers and staffers.

“What goes on at this federal prison affects inmates, staff and the broader Oakdale community. We need answers about what happened in Oakdale and how the Bureau of Prisons is going to mitigate this outbreak,” said Kennedy.

“We must contain coronavirus wherever we find it. This is for the safety of the support staff, guards, law enforcement, their families and all others concerned in Oakdale. Our letter seeks more information on how the Bureau of Prisons is working to that end,” said Cassidy.

“We recognize these are challenging times for the Bureau of Prisons, but the situation at Oakdale FCI is unacceptable. The BOP must take decisive action to protect the health and safety of the staff, officers, prison population and surrounding community,” said Johnson. “I want to thank Senator Cassidy and Senator Kennedy for joining me in this effort. We look forward to the BOP’s prompt response.”

The signed letter can be viewed here.

“Doctors and nurses are in the trenches fighting the coronavirus, and we’re in a zero-sum reality when it comes to life-saving medical supplies. Abortions are elective, deadly and wrong—especially when they siphon masks, gloves and cleaning supplies away from the front lines of a pandemic.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) released the following statement in response to reports that abortion clinics remain open across the country and in Louisiana despite stay-at-home orders for non-essential services. Many clinics continue to perform elective abortions despite the need to conserve medical supplies by delaying non-essential procedures so that health care providers can combat the coronavirus.

“Doctors and nurses are in the trenches fighting the coronavirus, and we’re in a zero-sum reality when it comes to life-saving medical supplies. Abortions are elective, deadly and wrong—especially when they siphon masks, gloves and cleaning supplies away from the front lines of a pandemic. I urge elected officials everywhere to recognize that abortions are in no way an essential service. We need to direct medical gear to hospitals battling this crisis,” said Kennedy.

“Unless the Federal Government provides meaningful relief to the independent offshore oil and gas companies in the next 30 days, the continued viability of the industry will be in serious jeopardy. . . . The loss of this important industry would have a devastating effect on Louisiana and would negatively impact the national security interests of the United States.”

WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) today asked President Donald Trump to direct the Secretary of the Interior to provide royalty relief to independent offshore oil and gas companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the oil battle between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

“We are writing to urge you to direct the Secretary of the Interior to take immediate and decisive action to provide relief to the independent offshore oil and gas companies who operate in the Gulf of Mexico. Unless the Federal Government provides meaningful relief to the independent offshore oil and gas companies in the next 30 days, the continued viability of the industry will be in serious jeopardy. . . . The loss of this important industry would have a devastating effect on Louisiana and would negatively impact the national security interests of the United States,” the senators wrote.

In addition to sustaining tens of thousands of jobs, independent oil and gas companies paid the federal government over $1.5 billion in royalties in 2018.

Kennedy and Cassidy also spoke recently with Interior Secretary Bernhardt to request that he temporarily suspend royalty payments from oil and gas producers to the federal government.

The letter is available here.

“Oil and gas jobs remain a vital part of Louisiana’s economy, and factors outside workers’ control are jeopardizing those jobs. The simplest, smartest lifeline we can extend to the oil producers is pressing pause on the royalties the federal government charges them.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has spoken with Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to request that he temporarily suspend royalty payments from oil and gas producers to the federal government.

“Oil and gas jobs remain a vital part of Louisiana’s economy, and factors outside workers’ control are jeopardizing those jobs. The simplest, smartest lifeline we can extend to the oil producers is pressing pause on the royalties the federal government charges them. Families and independent producers have worked long and hard to support America’s energy independence. They deserve a little flexibility in return,” said Kennedy.

Low barrel prices are putting enormous strain on the state’s oil industry, and Kennedy reached out to the Interior Secretary in an effort to preserve countless Louisiana jobs. Many oil producers operating in the Gulf of Mexico would benefit from a suspension of royalty payments, including small and medium-sized companies.

Kennedy also spoke recently with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the U.S., urging her to end the disagreement with Russia that has helped send oil prices plummeting.