John Neely Kennedy on Government Reform Democratic Senate Challenger (LA)

Ensuring election transparency is a noble goal

Sen. Kennedy said in a statement that he went to the Capitol to give a voice to Louisianians who were concerned about election integrity. "I joined several Senate colleagues in calling for a bipartisan commission to inspect election issues raised across the country," Kennedy said. "Our proposal was not successful, but our goal to ensure full confidence and transparency in our elections - for all Americans - is a noble one, and I'll keep pursuing it."

No pay-for-play; campaign contributions notwithstanding

Landrieu suggested that was an impropriety since Kennedy can decide what projects appear on commission agendas each month. “There’s a lot of talk around Louisiana about how you get on the agenda,” Landrieu said.

Kennedy denied any pay-for-play suggestions, and he said he was glad to compare his record to Landrieu’s campaign contributions, which he said include $300,000 from Wall Street firms and more than $200,000 from executives with collapsed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “Sen. Landrieu criticizing my fundraising is a little bit like being called vain by Donald Trump,” Kennedy said.

Full disclosure of all earmarks

“Senator Landrieu’s gleeful celebration of yesterday’s temporary defeat of earmark refor legislation is exactly what’s wrong with politics today--and why Louisianans are fed up with Washington. Reform is carrying the day in our state, and John Kennedy will never stop fighting to bring accountability and sunshine to our earmarking process.”

“Senator Landrieu has a clear, twelve year record in staunch defense of earmarks. We wish her good luck with that. But a Washington politician who refuses to fully disclose each and every one of her earmarks, then doubles down by attacking her opponent for supporting earmark reform is out of touch and on the wrong side of history in Louisiana.”

No pay raise for state elected officials, including himself

Kennedy cited additional reasons for not accepting a pay raise including the deal he made with voters when he was elected to take the State Treasurer’s position at $85,000. Kennedy also said his current salary is a small fortune for many Louisianians, and he noted that teachers, school workers and state employees are not receiving raises this year.

President Trump not guilty of inciting insurrection.

GovTrack.us summary of H.Res.24: Article of Impeachment Against Former President Donald John Trump:

The House impeached President Trump for the second time, charging him with incitement of insurrection. The impeachment resolution accused the President of inciting the violent riot that occurred on January 6, when his supporters invaded the United States Capitol injuring and killing Capitol Police and endangering the safety of members of Congress. It cites statements from President Trump to the rioters such as `if you don't fight like hell you're not going to have a country anymore,` as well as persistent lies that he won the 2020 Presidential election.

Legislative Outcome:

Bill introduced Jan 11, 2021, with 217 co-sponsors; House rollcall vote #117 passed 232-197-4 on Jan. 13th (a YES vote in the House was to impeach President Trump for inciting insurrection); Senate rollcall vote #59 rejected 57-43-0 on Feb. 13th (2/3 required in Senate to pass; a YES vote in the Senate would have found President Trump guilty, but since he had already left office at that time, a guilty verdict would have barred Trump from running for President in the future)

Voted NO on two articles of impeachment against Trump.

RESOLUTION: Impeaching Donald Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors.

ARTICLE I: ABUSE OF POWER: Using the powers of his high office, Pres. Trump solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 US Presidential election. He did so through a course of conduct that included
1. Pres. Trump--acting both directly and through his agents--corruptly solicited the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations into a political opponent, former Vice President Joseph Biden; and a discredited theory promoted by Russia alleging that Ukraine--rather than Russia--interfered in the 2016 US Presidential election.
2. With the same corrupt motives, Pres. Trump conditioned two official acts on the public announcements that he had requested: (A) the release of $391 million that Congress had appropriated for the purpose of providing vital military and security assistance to Ukraine to oppose Russian aggression; and (B) a head of state meeting at the White House, which the President of Ukraine sought.
3. Faced with the public revelation of his actions, Pres. Trump ultimately released the [funds] to the Government of Ukraine, but has persisted in openly soliciting Ukraine to undertake investigations for his personal political benefit.

ARTICLE II: OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS:
1. Pres. Trump defied a lawful subpoena by withholding the production of documents sought [by Congress];
2. defied lawful subpoenas [for] the production of documents and records;
3. and directed current and former Executive Branch officials not to cooperate with the Committees.