Senator John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has introduced the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) Reauthorization Act. The legislation would enable a partnership of organizations to continue training first responders and other personnel for large-scale events.
“Our country has big plans for the next few years, and that comes with an important responsibility to protect the American people. That’s why my bill would renew the partnership that trains first responders to keep events like the World Cup and Summer Olympics safe and secure. The National Domestic Preparedness Consortium—with LSU and the state of Louisiana’s help—is helping America get this critical job done, and I’m proud to have their back,” Kennedy said.
The NDPC consists of organizations that train personnel such as first responders, police officers, and emergency medical professionals for significant gatherings including sports games and political conventions. With the United States scheduled to host both the World Cup in 2026 and the Summer Olympics in 2028, continued funding for NDPC is considered essential. The consortium was last fully authorized in Fiscal Year 2020 but has received annual appropriations since then.
Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education (NCBRT/ACE), a founding member of NDPC, has trained between 45,000 and 60,000 first responders in Louisiana since 1998.
“The National Domestic Preparedness Consortium plays a critical role in keeping America safe. It delivers advanced, real-world training to first responders in every state and territory so they are prepared to respond to terrorism, natural disasters, and emerging threats. Reauthorizing NDPC strengthens our national security posture and ensures that the men and women on the front lines have the tools and training they need to protect the American people,” said Jeff Mayne, Executive Director of LSU NCBRT/ACE.
Kennedy represents all of Louisiana in the U.S. Senate according to his official website. He engages with constituents through newsletters, town halls, public events, operates district offices across several cities including Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans, and Shreveport (source). His legislative work includes advancing policies related to veterans, farmers, small businesses as well as national security (source). Kennedy also serves on committees such as Appropriations; Budget; Energy and Natural Resources; Banking; Housing; Urban Affairs (source).
The full text of the NDPC Reauthorization Act is available online.
