John Kennedy

01/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/15/2026 18:28

Kennedy delivers $284.7 million for Louisiana special projects in package of three spending bills

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, secured a total of $284.7 million for special projects in Louisiana in a package of three Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 spending bills today 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 package combines spending from the Kennedy-chaired Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, and the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. It now moves to President Donald Trump's desk for signature.

FY 2026 Energy and Water Development Conference Bill:

In his first year leading the Energy and Water Subcommittee, Kennedy negotiated a final bill that spends less than the previous year, proving that Washington can cut costs without compromising results.

In doing so, Kennedy secured $246.97 million for Louisiana. More details are available here.

FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Conference Bill:

Kennedy delivered $24.184 million for Louisiana through the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies spending bill.

From the Department of Commerce:

  • Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center New Orleans ($7.5 million)
  • Purchases laboratory equipment to be used in the university's newly renovated 160,000 square-foot research lab space.
  • University of Louisiana Lafayette ($5 million)
  • Supports a university-based semiconductor manufacturing training and research facility, which will train about 1,500 operators, technicians, engineers, and data scientists.
  • LSU National Center for Advanced Manufacturing ($2.5 million)
  • Develops a virtual reality platform at LSU to train users in advanced materials analysis and microscopy, working alongside NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility.
  • Northwestern State University ($1.8 million)
  • Equips Innovation Park at Northwestern State University with advanced technology and supplies, fostering hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, and research in fields like artificial intelligence, engineering, and media production.

From the Department of Justice:

  • Tangipahoa Parish ($2.195 million)
  • Purchases a new, self-sufficient Emergency Mobile Command Center.
  • Ruston, La., Police Department ($1.5 million)
  • Funds equipment and technology to increase public safety response, better recover stolen property, and solve more crimes.
  • Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office ($1.395 million)
  • Equips the office with a CAT Scanner for virtual autopsies, walk-in coolers, an emergency generator, and a forklift.
  • University of Louisiana Monroe ($825,000)
  • Analyzes counterfeit medications and active ingredients, safeguarding public health and supporting law enforcement efforts in Northeast Louisiana.
  • West Monroe, La., Police Department ($794,000)
  • Equips police with 48 in-car radios, 52 handheld radios, five mobile surveillance camera trailers, six license plate reader cameras, and digital forensic tools.
  • Louisiana Bureau of Investigation ($675,000)
  • Provides a mobile forensic van, four forensic workstations, 20 field forensic laptops, forensic software, and two agent SUVs for the Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Against Children Task Force.

FY 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Conference Bill:

Kennedy achieved $13.592 million in wins for Louisiana in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies spending bill.

  • City of Kenner ($7 million)
  • Replaces the City of Kenner's aging wastewater pumps, control panels, piping, and valves.
  • City of Monroe ($4 million)
  • Replaces pumps, valves, and electrical instrumentation/controls at several lift stations owned by the City of Monroe.
  • Calcasieu Parish ($1.5 million)
  • Assists the City of Lake Charles in installing and upgrading waterlines and replacing outdated meters.
  • St. Bernard Parish ($1.092 million)
  • Improves drainage in Arabi, La., mitigating the impacts of potential flash flooding.

Full text of the three-bill spending package is available here.

John Kennedy published this content on January 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 16, 2026 at 00:28 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]