State of Louisiana Archives: on Homeland Security
John Bel Edwards:
West Point grad; served 8 years in US Army
John Bel Edwards' ramrod posture reveals his soldierly training. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mr. Edwards served eight years in the U.S. Army and then
returned home to Louisiana, where he completed law school and won a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives, all before the age of 43.
Source: America Magazine on 2019 Louisiana gubernatorial race
Dec 14, 2018
John Neely Kennedy:
We don't need a military parade to show off American power
President Trump's proposed military parade could cost as much as $30 million, budget director Mick Mulvaney said: "I've seen various different cost estimates of between $10 million and $30 million depending on the size of the parade." Trump has proposed
a military parade multiple times during his presidency.Democrats have joined with some GOP lawmakers to speak out against the parade, with many saying it could come off as "totalitarian" and would evoke demonstrations in North Korea and Russia.
Some have said a parade would be a waste of money, and that more should be invested into services like mental health care for veterans instead.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) expressed opposition to a parade, saying, "America is the most powerful country in all of human history; you don't need to show it off."
Source: The Hill coverage of 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2018
Clay Higgins:
I have no problem with FISA: not a secretive rubber-stamp
FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) has been criticized as being "too secretive". I don't think it's possible to be too secretive in a room full of attorneys and government agents. It has been criticized as being a "rubber stamp" court for the
NSA. This refers to the 99% approval rate of submitted warrant applications. However, that criticism ignores the fact that the majority of FISA judicial review and oversight takes place during pre-submission procedures--procedures put in place to make
sure the submitted warrant request meets FISA judicial standards and legal precedent. This procedure means that many, perhaps 25% or so, are rejected initially but then are either re-submitted, based on FISA requirements, or pulled entirely. I have no
problem with FISA. We must use every asset to keep America safe from terrorist attacks. Warrants for electronic surveillance is certainly an important tool and it needs to be used.
Source: 2016 Louisiana House campaign website CaptainHiggins.com
Dec 10, 2016
Mike Johnson:
No cheap talk: grow our local defense establishments
At a time when our country is facing threats we have never experienced before, we need leaders who stand on a proven record and provide real solutions--rather than cheap talk. That is why I am prepared to lay out specific details of what I will do as
your next Congressman- I will support and grow Barksdale and Fort Polk, both located in the 4th District.
- The thousands of troops stationed at Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center, better known as "the Home of Heroes," is a
critical economic engine in southwest Louisiana.
- The impact of the 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, cannot be overstated: supplying an economic impact of over $750 million and employing over 10,000 individuals.
- In
Congress, I will fight for new investment in military assets and preparedness, state-of-the-art equipment, and every resource needed to maintain our vital intelligence and security interests in an increasingly dangerous world.
Source: 2016 House campaign website MikeJohnsonForLouisiana.com
Dec 10, 2016
John Neely Kennedy:
Increase size of the military; increase spending for defense
During the 1990's, military personnel and spending decreased significantly, resulting in an inability to modernize our forces for today's challenges. In order to meet these 21st century challenges, John supports increasing the size of the military as
well as spending for defense. Investing in defense means that we can provide our troops with modern equipment and pay for the health care they deserve.
Congress has played politics with our national security, with Senators delaying funding for our troops in harm's way based on their partisan and personal agendas.
Today we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, central fronts in the fight
against Islamic fundamentalism, but the threat is global. The challenge of defeating Islamic fundamentalism cannot be left to one country. We must revitalize old alliances and create new ones to meet these challenges.
Source: 2016 Louisiana Senate campaign website JohnKennedy.com
Aug 31, 2016
Thomas Clements:
Why do we need military bases in the Phillipines?
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Expand the military"?
A: Why are we˙building military bases now in Philippines for the next ten years? Sanctions of economics value can send the same message without show of force.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Louisiana Senate race by OnTheIssues
Jul 31, 2016
David Vitter:
Help defense budget, but follow the sequester
The House and Senate are expected to vote on their budget resolutions by the end of month, which will reportedly leave sequestration caps in place. Those spending limits have been sharply criticized by defense hawks such as Sen. John McCain (R-AZ),
who says that the nearly $1 trillion in planned cuts to the Pentagon's budget over the next decade would hollow out the nation's military.
Vitter said he does not quite align with McCain's view and is concerned about making the U.S. deficit larger in order to boost defense. Republicans are currently discussing other mechanisms they could insert into the budget to alleviate the defense
cuts, Vitter said. "The budget should reflect the sequester," he said. "I also support changes to help defense." Budget experts note that entitlement programs, rather than the military, will be the primary driver of deficits in the next decade.
Source: Free Beacon coverage of 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial race
Mar 12, 2015
Ralph Abraham:
Never forget our veterans: we owe them
Veterans--Never Forget: What a tragedy that our Veterans are dying while waiting for competent healthcare.
Every freedom we enjoy is directly related to the service and the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. We Owe Them.
Source: 2014 Louisiana House campaign website, RalphAbraham.com
Dec 5, 2014
Garret Graves:
Maintain a numerically superior nuclear arsenal
Q: The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries?
GRAVES: Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Ralph Abraham:
Maintain a numerically superior nuclear arsenal
Q: The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries?
ABRAHAM: Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Jeff Landry:
End the war on terrorism by winning the war
The way to successfully end the war on terrorism is to win the war. We must ensure that our nation remains free and that we protect our citizens from acts of terrorism. Our troops and our intelligence agencies need the proper tools to protect them from
harm & help our nation be successful.I will ensure our veterans get the treatment, respect & care they deserve. They have stood for us in so many places worldwide, we must stand for them. When we fail to stand up for our veterans, we fail as a Nation.
Source: 2010 House campaign website landryforlouisiana.com, "Issues"
Nov 2, 2010
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021