Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and chairs the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that he has secured $284.7 million for special projects in Louisiana through a package of three Fiscal Year 2026 spending bills passed by the U.S. Senate.
“My approach on the Senate Appropriations Committee is simple: I won’t ask for a penny more than Louisiana needs, and I won’t take a penny less than Louisiana deserves. That’s what I’ve accomplished through my work on this important three-bill spending package, which spends responsibly while providing more than $284 million for much-needed projects in Louisiana,” said Kennedy.
The funding comes from appropriations under three subcommittees: Energy and Water Development, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, and Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. The legislation now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature.
In his first year as chair of the Energy and Water Subcommittee, Kennedy negotiated a bill that allocates less money than the previous year while still delivering $246.97 million to Louisiana.
The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies portion provides $24.184 million for projects in the state. This includes support for laboratory equipment at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans ($7.5 million), funding for a semiconductor manufacturing training facility at University of Louisiana Lafayette ($5 million), development of virtual reality training at LSU National Center for Advanced Manufacturing ($2.5 million), technology upgrades at Northwestern State University ($1.8 million), an Emergency Mobile Command Center in Tangipahoa Parish ($2.195 million), new police equipment in Ruston ($1.5 million) and West Monroe ($794,000), enhancements to Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office ($1.395 million), forensic analysis resources at University of Louisiana Monroe ($825,000), and tools for the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Against Children Task Force ($675,000).
The Interior bill delivers $13.592 million to replace aging wastewater infrastructure in Kenner ($7 million) and Monroe ($4 million), upgrade waterlines in Calcasieu Parish/Lake Charles ($1.5 million), and improve drainage in St. Bernard Parish/Arabi ($1.092 million).
Kennedy represents all of Louisiana in the United States Senate with offices across several cities including Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport as well as Washington D.C., according to his official website. He serves on committees such as Appropriations; Budget; Energy and Natural Resources; Banking; Housing; Urban Affairs; and advances policies supporting veterans, farmers, small businesses and national security (source). He engages constituents through newsletters, town halls and public events while offering various services including assistance with federal agencies (source).
