Accomplishments of the 117th Congress

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Hoyer very much for this great opportunity and thank him for his incredible leadership in leading this Regional Leadership Council.

A special thank you to our leader, Leader Jeffries, for this very significant appointment to serve on this committee with so many outstanding Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be the representative of Region 7 on the House Democrats' Regional Leadership Council representing Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

In Louisiana, the month of August is known for its hurricanes. To see what climate change looks like, I invite you to visit us. Storms, floods, sea-level rise: our lives, our homes, our cultures are literally on the line.

I was honored to have my friend Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu back home during the district work period to talk about critical funding Democrats secured during the 117th Congress through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help combat the crisis in our climate.

We announced new climate resilience funding through two competitive grant programs, marking a pivotal moment in safeguarding our communities and building a more resilient Nation.

Democrats are dedicating more money to FEMA to empower communities nationwide to proactively reduce the vulnerability to floods, hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, extreme heat, and other climate- induced hazards. These are real.

As it was said earlier, what a shame that some would suggest it isn't real, that it is a hoax. Ask the people throughout America if they believe it is a hoax.

Louisiana received funds through both grant programs. Specifically, we had 55 projects selected totaling $207 million statewide, and my district alone receiving $96.5 million. These dollars reflect recognition of the growing threats posed by climate change and a commitment to addressing these issues head-on.

The benefits of these programs are happening all over Region 7 through FMA and BRIC grants.

Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants were awarded to: Alabama, $27,500; Mississippi, $2.4 million; North Carolina, $7.6 million; South Carolina, $1.2 million.

BRIC grants were awarded to: Mississippi, $315,000; North Carolina, $163 million; South Carolina, $40.7 million.

These investments in Region 7 are being used for projects like: Installing standalone emergency generators to be used in power failures affecting some 30,308 folks in Mississippi; protecting North Carolina's water supply, a Justice40 Project, and alleviating repetitive flood loss to critical lifeline utilities and emergency support services; and ensuring a South Carolina water treatment plant supply during flooding events.

Millions of Americans bear the brunt of climate change's impact every year. Whether through drought, extreme heat, wildfires, or floods, Louisiana knows the truth better than anybody else. These projects are not just infrastructure; they are lifelines that strengthen the fabric of our community.

We know that these are real. We know that it is making a difference. Democrats have been fighting for these issues and providing not just talk but real action. The cost of war has been real, and we have seen it in every way.

The Honoring our PACT Act addresses the full scope of issues affecting toxic-exposed veterans' access to VA care and benefits while reforming VA's presumptive decisionmaking process. It will expand VA's healthcare eligibility for over 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits and establish a presumption of service in connection for over 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers. It would eliminate the requirement that veterans prove exposure to toxic substances, a requirement that has often prevented many from accessing the care and benefits they earned and deserve.

This comprehensive bill expands access to care and benefits to the veterans who were exposed as they selflessly served our country. It also expands benefits to their loved ones and surviving family members.

I have joined my colleagues in widely promoting the benefits of this bill and encouraging veterans to apply. One year after its passage, more than 800,000 claims and counting have already been filed.

Veterans deserve more than a hollow thank-you for their service. They deserve action. Democrats are making good on our promise to care for all veterans exposed to toxic substances.

In Region 7 alone, we have 2.6 million veterans. This includes: Louisiana, 279,000; Alabama, 359,000; Arkansas, 211,000; Mississippi, 187,000; Tennessee, 453,000; North Carolina, 703,000; Puerto Rico, 81,000; South Carolina, 393,000.

Most importantly, we thank the families of veterans who tragically lost their lives because of being exposed to toxic substances during their time of service for their sacrifices.

Tonight, we are celebrating this historic achievement of the 117th Congress. We are seeing lives changed in real time. Democrats will keep fighting to make life better for all Americans, regardless of race, background, socioeconomic status.

Again, I am proud to be the representative for Region 7 on the Regional Leadership Council. We are working for you, and we aren't nearly done.

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