WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) announced today that, S.2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, has been signed into law by President Donald Trump.  Sen. Kennedy is an original co-sponsor of the legislation.  This bill gives desperately needed relief to community banks and credit unions that have been suffering under the burdensome regulations of Dodd-Frank.  

President Trump thanked Sen. Kennedy for his efforts on the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act in the Roosevelt Room at the bill signing ceremony. 

Sen. Kennedy with President Trump at the bill signing ceremony. 

“For almost a decade, community banks and credit unions have been shackled by the tremendous regulatory burden of Dodd-Frank.  That’s why bipartisan lawmakers from the House and Senate came together to craft legislation that protects consumers while helping small businesses and rural communities rebuild and grow,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “I am proud to be a part of this historic moment, and I am grateful that President Trump has signed our bill into law.”

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R.-La) today issued the following statement on the now yearlong investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into the possibility of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

“Thursday (May 17) marked a year since Mr. Mueller began investigating possible interference by Russia in the American political system.  It’s time to wrap things up.  The investigation is important, but so are many other issues, from which the investigation distracts in time, energy and taxpayer money.  We need to stop Iran from exporting terrorism to Iraq, Syria and Yemen.  We need to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons.  We need to fight Russian President Vladimir Putin’s campaign to destabilize Western democracy.  We need to repeal Obamacare and lower the cost of health insurance.  We need to help the people of Venezuela regain economic stability and freedom.  We need to reform and extend the National Flood Insurance Program for the homeowners and businesses along the Gulf Coast.  We need to negotiate better trade deals with China.  We need to stop China from stealing American technology.  We need to lower the cost of prescription drugs and resolve the opioid addiction crisis.  Instead, on many days, we are suspended in an atmosphere of rumors, speculation and innuendo that works against Congress and the American people.  Respectfully, Mr. Mueller needs to start winding things down and report his findings to the American people.  I trust them to draw their own conclusions about Mr. Mueller’s report.”

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today introduced the Justice Against Corruption on K Street Act, also known as the JACK Act.  The JACK Act would require lobbyists to disclose if they have ever been convicted of bribery, extortion, embezzlement, illegal kickbacks, tax evasion or money laundering in their lobbying disclosure and registration forms. 

The bill’s title refers to Jack Abramoff, who didn’t have to mention his prison sentence for public bribery and other crimes when he re-registered as a lobbyist last year.  The JACK Act will ensure that members of the public know who is representing them in Washington.

“This idea is simple: If you have been convicted of a felony like bribery, extortion, embezzlement or tax evasion, you should have to disclose that when registering to become a lobbyist.  Corrupt lobbyists need to be brought into the sunlight, even if they’re wearing $6,000 suits,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “Political leaders and businesses need to know the backgrounds of those who are trying to influence public policy.  These corrupt lobbyists are the worst kind of swamp creatures and they need a one-way ticket out of Washington.”

“I think many people would be surprised to learn that lobbyists don’t need to disclose if they have been convicted of bribery, extortion, embezzlement, illegal kickbacks, tax evasion, or money laundering when they register to become a lobbyist, or to the businesses they could be representing and the Congressional offices they could be meeting with.  In any other profession, job interview or job application, you have to disclose that info and it’s just commonsense that those same rules should be applied to lobbyists.  That’s why I’m glad to join my friend Sen. Kennedy in introducing the JACK Act. This bipartisan bill will increase transparency and allow businesses to know who is representing them,” Sen. Manchin said.

###

“You can’t be a civilized society if you don’t appreciate and protect art and artists.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R. La.) today met with Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Dionne Warwick, Darlene Love and the late Otis Redding’s daughter Karla on Capitol Hill to discuss legislation that protects the contributions of legendary artists.

The artists were in D.C. to support Sen. Kennedy’s bill, the Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, and Important Contributions to Society Act, also known as the CLASSICS Act.  Sen. Kennedy introduced the bill with Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) in early February.  Their bill will help close a loophole that leaves some of our most cherished artists out of the federal copyright system and denies them fair compensation for their work.

Click here or the image below to watch Sen. Kennedy’s comments.

Sens. Graham, Hatch and Kennedy pictured with Smokey Robinson. 

Sens. Grassley and Kennedy pictured with Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Dionne Warwick, Darlene Love and Karla Redding, the daughter of the late Otis Redding. 

Click here or the image below to watch Smokey Robinson’s opening statement. 

Currently, federal copyright law does not protect sound recordings made before Feb. 15, 1972.  This has resulted in confusion, litigation and an unfair playing field for iconic artists in Louisiana and across the U.S.  The CLASSICS Act would acknowledge these artists’ contributions by compensating them when digital radio services use their recordings.  The act would bring federal law up to speed with the modern age of music platforms.

The legislation was discussed today at the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Art makes us more humane.  It helps us find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “This bill helps all artists.  It helps singers, songwriters, engineers, producers.  It helps the digital music industry because our world has changed and the world of music that we love so much has changed as well.”

“I’m very happy to come and represent this proposal,” said Smokey Robinson.  “My message is simple: Musicians who recorded before Feb. 15, 1972, deserve to be compensated the same way as those who recorded after that date.  I know a lot of musicians and producers and writers who have fallen on hard times and could really use that money.”

The CLASSICS Act is supported by the American Association of Independent Music, the Recording Industry Association of America, Pandora, musicFIRST, the Internet Association, the Recording Academy, SoundExchange, Screen Actors Guild?American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Federation of Musicians, the Content Creators Coalition, the Future of Music Coalition, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and the Living Legends Foundation. 

###