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John Neely Kennedy on Budget & Economy
Democratic Senate Challenger (LA)
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FactCheck: Yes, supported ARPA funds for natural disasters
Luke Mixon announced that he'll try to unseat Kennedy in Louisiana's 2022 election. Mixon said he doesn't believe the Republican senator has been representing Louisiana's interests. "Our infrastructure is crumbling and communities are flooding, but Sen.
Kennedy voted against billions of dollars to improve our roads and protect Louisiana communities from natural disasters," Mixon said.OTI FactCheck:: Mixon didn't explain himself, so contrast USNWR's report with Kennedy's response:
Kennedy press release 10/26/21- On Oct. 19, the Senate passed the Infrastructure & Disaster Relief Flexibility Act, cosponsored by Kennedy, to allow states to use unspent pandemic ARPA relief funds for natural disaster victims and for infrastructure
needs.
- On Sept. 30, Kennedy voted in support of the National Flood Insurance Program, including $595 million awarded to Louisiana.
- On July 15, Kennedy introduced the Gulf Coast Hurricane Aid Act, with $1.1 billion in disaster relief.
Source: OnTheIssues FactCheck on US News & World Report
, Oct 5, 2021
Balanced budget amendment to restore fiscal responsibility
Across America, families are required to live within a budget because they understand that you cannot spend more than you take in. Yet, Washington does not understand this basic idea. Washington is on a spending spree that's hurting our economy.
It's time that we go back to the basics and balance the budget.John Kennedy will restore fiscal responsibility in Washington. As Louisiana's State Treasurer, he stood up against powerful politicians and special interests to oppose government waste,
fraud and abuse.
John will help end the wasteful practice of pork-barrel spending. Louisianans know the difference between government spending designed to help a politician--which is shameful and wasteful--and spending designed to help hurting people.
Deficit spending is affecting the economy as well. John supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Just like American families, Congress must learn to live within its means.
Source: 2016 Louisiana Senate campaign website JohnKennedy.com
, Aug 31, 2016
Be concerned about economy, but not scared
In past debates Kennedy opened by aligning himself with John McCain, but [in this debate] he described his ideas for re-establishing economic stability in the financial markets and the
US economy, an attempt to take control of an issue widely considered a drag on GOP candidates nationwide. “I know many of you are scared. Don’t be. Be concerned, be angry, but don’t be scared,”
Kennedy said. “We will survive this economic crisis.”Landrieu, meanwhile, continued to push herself as a centrist senator who works across party lines and has brought home billions of dollars in aid to
Louisiana during her 12 years in Congress, particularly since the blows of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. “Send me back to continue to fight for you, to deliver for you,” she said.
Source: Associated Press on NOLA.com on 2008 Louisiana Senate Debate
, Oct 16, 2008
As state treasurer, manages $5B bank account
John Neely Kennedy was elected to his third term as State Treasurer on September 6, 2007. Kennedy manages the state’s $5 billion bank account including the investment of $3 billion in trust funds. He oversees all local and state bond issues, returns
millions of dollars in unclaimed property each year, and takes care of state fiscal matters. He works diligently to guard taxpayers’ money and rejects the status quo when it is not in the best interest of the state.
Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.johnkennedy.com, “About”
, Mar 2, 2008
Reinstitute the “Pay As You Go” rule
If I’m your next US Senator, here’s what I’ll do:- Reinstitute the “Pay As You Go” rule, which Congress eliminated in 2001 and which would require a 60% vote in Congress to start a new program that would increase the deficit unless a specific
revenue source or spending cut is identified.
- Limit any increase in annual federal spending to inflation and population growth, excluding Social Security, Medicare, the war and homeland defense.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, www.johnkennedy.com, “Issues”
, Oct 20, 2004
Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget
Families and businesses have to have balanced budgets. What makes the US Congress think it is different? If I’m your next US Senator, here’s what I’ll do: - Pass a constitutional amendment requiring that the federal budget be balanced.
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Eliminate all congressional pay raises until the budget deficit is reduced to zero.
- Create a bipartisan commission with authority to eliminate pork barrel spending.
- Begin a sunset review of every federal department, agency, program & service.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, www.johnkennedy.com, “Issues”
, Oct 20, 2004
Voted YES on $900 billion COVID relief package.
Kennedy voted YEA Consolidated Appropriations Act (COVID Relief bill)
NPR summary of HR133:
- $600 checks for every adult and child earning up to $75,000, and smaller checks if earning up to $99,000.
- Unemployment: extend enhanced benefits for jobless workers, $300 per week through March.
- Rental assistance: $25 billion to help pay rent; extends eviction moratorium until Jan. 31.
- SNAP assistance: $13 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- PPP loans: $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program loans, expanding eligibility to include nonprofits, news/TV/radio media, broadband access, and movie theaters & cultural institutions
- Child care centers: $10 billion to help providers safely reopen.
- $68 billion to distribute COVID-19 vaccines and tests at no cost.
- $45 billion in transportation-related assistance, including airlines and Amtrak.
- $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening
- $13 billion for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for growers and
livestock producers.
Argument in opposition: Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV-2) said after voting against H.R. 133: "Congress voted to spend another $2.3 trillion [$900 billion for COVID relief], which will grow our national debt to about $29 trillion. The federal government will again have to borrow money from nations like China. This massive debt is being passed on to our children and grandchildren. With multiple vaccines on the way thanks to President Trump and Operation Warp Speed, we do not need to pile on so much additional debt. Now is the time to safely reopen our schools and our economy. HR133 was another 5593-page bill put together behind closed doors and released moments prior to the vote."
Legislative outcome: Passed House 327-85-18, Roll #250, on Dec. 21. 2020; Passed Senate 92-6-2, Roll #289, on Dec. 21; signed by President Trump on Dec 27 [after asking for an increase from $600 to $2,000 per person, which was introduced as a separate vote].
Source: Congressional vote 20-HR133 on Jan 15, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 26, 2021