Sen. Kennedy Meets With Flood Victims, Volunteers in South La.

LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana, May 24 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release on May 21, 2021:

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today met with flood victims and disaster relief volunteers in Lafayette, Carencro and Lake Charles, La. The current flooding hits Louisiana after historic hurricanes struck the state last fall.

"The most important things in life aren't things--they're people. The men and women of south Louisiana are again proving that Louisiana can pull through anything as long as we're pulling together. It was an honor to visit their communities and hear their stories of strength today.

"After Hurricanes Laura and Delta and flooding from this historic rainfall, neighbors are again helping neighbors. But they still need help. I would support a presidential disaster declaration in the wake of these floods. Now, it's time for the White House to show our people they're not alone and move on getting supplemental disaster relief to Louisianians on the ground," said Kennedy.

Kennedy also met with Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter and disaster relief volunteers who have been helping victims on the ground in Lake Charles, La.

Background on requests for disaster relief:

Kennedy continues to support supplemental disaster relief for Louisiana as the state is still rebuilding after Hurricanes Laura and Delta and from this week's flooding.

Once Congress receives a request for supplemental disaster aid from the White House, legislators can appropriate relief funds and send that bill to the president for his signature. The White House has not yet made a request for supplemental relief for Louisiana following the last year of hurricanes and flooding.

* On May 20, Kennedy spoke directly with Housing and Urban Development Secretary (HUD) Marcia Fudge about supplemental disaster relief for Louisiana. Fudge said she was personally supportive of the aid and would talk to the White House about when it might make the necessary request to Congress for that relief.

* On May 19, Kennedy pressed HUD for answers about why the White House has been silent on providing disaster relief to southwest Louisiana.

* On May 18, Kennedy again urged President Biden to provide supplemental disaster relief for southwest Louisiana. His letter is here.

* On May 18, Kennedy criticized FEMA for trying to raise flood insurance premiums for Louisiana residents without explaining how those decisions have been made. FEMA's new rating system would change the way premium rates are calculated, potentially making flood insurance unaffordable for Louisiana families in flood-prone areas.

* Last week, Kennedy helped introduce the Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act, which would allow rural homeowners, renters and small businesses to more easily access disaster relief in the wake of a natural disaster.

* In December 2020, Kennedy wrote to President Trump for supplemental disaster funds to help Louisiana recover from extensive hurricane damage caused by the 2020 season's storms.

* In September 2020, Kennedy wrote to Senate leadership, Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), to request that the Senate consider emergency supplemental aid to help Louisiana residents recover from Hurricane Laura.