Congressional Leadership Matters

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Jackson for the great work that he continues to do. I thank him for his illustrious words and for the opportunity to participate in the CBC Special Order.

2023 has been an exciting and action-packed year. It has been an honor to serve as the second vice chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus under the leadership of my dear friend Congressman Steven Horsford, Democrat from Nevada.

As a member of the Regional Leadership Council for Region 7 and on the House Homeland Security and Transportation Infrastructure Committees, this session has been yet another one that we continue to work.

I am proud that, despite the pushback from our friends on the other side almost at every opportunity, we have accomplished historic investments for the American people. I would like to highlight just a few of them that we challenged all year long.

Environmental justice must be at the center of any action to address disproportionate health and environmental impacts on communities, especially communities of color. This year I hosted multiple EPA executives, including the EPA Administrator, Michael Regan, and the Secretary of Department of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, and other leaders from my district.

Louisiana was also selected to establish new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance grants, creating the first ever in Louisiana Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center that will give communities an opportunity to have technical access to attract and have access to real resources to defend communities against environmental injustice. That is a success. The first that we have had in a long time at this level.

This will provide resource to help communities and nonprofits navigate the complex Federal grant process. Additionally, in Louisiana, we know better than anyone that storms are coming stronger, staying longer, coming faster, and leaving more havoc in their path, having greater impact than ever before.

Adequate funding is essential to enhance the resilience of our roads, bridges, and levies, ensuring they can withstand and recover from future natural disasters. By investing in robust infrastructure, we not only protect people's lives and property, but also bolster the overall economic sustainability of our region. Strengthening our infrastructure is a proactive measure that reduces long-term costs associated with disaster recovery, ultimately fostering a safer and more sustainable future for all Americans.

We have continued to see promises kept as funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes its way to the communities around the country.

I am committed to advocating for the vital funding to fortify our infrastructure, recognizing its pivotal role in safeguarding our communities against ever-present threats of natural disasters.

Just as important as protecting our Earth is the health of our minds and bodies of that of our citizens. Regardless of age, location, education, and economic standing, racism is the biggest barrier to mental health for the Black community.

This year, I convened multiple forums where I brought together visionaries, activists, and leaders who are shaping the future of this field in the Black community. These events focus on themes, including reduction in the isolation that our children saw during and after COVID, improving campus safety, and increasing access to healthcare providers. I am committed to fighting for greater representation in industry in the mental health area where we are significantly underrepresented with providers of this level of care.

Our veterans give so much to us, we owe it to them to make sure that we do all that we can to help them live healthy, productive, and meaningful lives during and, most importantly, after they come home. Far too many of our veterans come home to find themselves homeless, without a job, without resources, without someone to care after they have provided for us the greatest contribution, protecting our flanks. The freedom that we enjoy isn't free. It is paid by our veterans who put their lives on the line and sacrificed their family time. They should get the best services when they are away and when they come home.

This year, I hosted multiple VA curbside events across LA-02 to bring Federal resources to the front doors of our veterans and our citizens. That includes specific help for veterans like signing up for disability pay and receiving VA benefits, assisting with FEMA case work, and getting assistance with tax refunds.

This is only a small snapshot of the work House Democrats have done this year in fighting for all Americans. I will continue to put people over politics and work tirelessly for Louisianans to empower them with the necessary resources to not just survive, but to thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I wish everyone a merry Christmas, happy holidays, happy Hanukkah, happy Kwanzaa, and a blessed New Year.

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