Mary Landrieu

11/16/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help protect homeowners from scams by companies and individuals claiming to have solutions for tainted Chinese drywall. In a letter to FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Sen. Landrieu and five other Senators raised concerns about deceptive practices that prey on consumers with defective drywall and asked the Commission to fully investigate and prosecute companies engaging in these activities.

The letter was signed by Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), David Vitter (R-La.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.).    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Congressman Charlie Melancon (La.-03) today congratulated Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on being awarded a $1,903,000 contract from the Department of Energy to research clean energy. The contract will support Nicholls’ work over the next three years as part of the Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium in Louisiana.

“We fought to secure these funds for Louisiana’s cutting-edge research universities so that we can ensure that our state, long an energy leader for the nation, continues to be a leader by developing the innovative alternative fuels of tomorrow, “ said Sen. Landrieu.    » read more »

FDA to Study Consequences of Proposal

November 13, 2009 -- WASHINGTON— U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) announced today that the Food and Drug Administration has halted movement on a proposed ban of the sale of fresh Gulf oysters during warm weather months, pending the results of a feasibility study.

After Congressman Melancon and U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu organized a meeting earlier this week with Gulf Coast members of Congress and senior officials at the FDA, the agency decided to study the possible effects of the ban before moving forward.    » read more »

Senator Landrieu gets commitment from FDA Commissioner Dr. Hamburg in phone call today.

11/13/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to halt a proposed plan to ban Gulf Coast oysters that are not subject to post-harvest processing. Sen. Landrieu received the news in a phone call with FDA Commissioner Dr. Peggy Hamburg earlier today.

Sen. Landrieu has been a staunch opponent of the FDA regulation, and has organized several calls and meetings urging top FDA officials to reconsider their proposed action.    » read more »

10/19/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today released the following statement regarding the Ocean Policy Task Force's public meeting this evening in New Orleans. Sen. Landrieu has been a staunch supporter of creating a clear federal policy that eliminates the chronic delays of implementing coastal protection projects, increases multi-agency coordination and partnership with the State, and establishes a long-term program to secure Louisiana's vibrant coast.

Sen. Landrieu said:    » read more »

Nine-year deal means as many as 300 new jobs in Lake Charles.

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today, lauded the awarding of a $3.8 billion KC-10 Contractor Logistics Services (CLS) contract by the U.S. Air Force to Northrop Grumman. The nine-year contract is estimated to bring between 150-300 full-time, skilled jobs to the Lake Charles area.

"The contract awarded by the Air Force will be a major boost to Louisiana's economy, particularly the Lake Charles area," said Sen. Landrieu. "The awarding of this contract is a show of confidence in the skilled workers of Southwest Louisiana."    » read more »

A column by United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La.

06/23/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- Last summer, Americans were reeling from the largest oil price spike the nation ever experienced. Oil prices had increased from $51 per barrel in January 2007 to nearly $150 in July 2008 — a nearly 200 percent increase in 18 months.

Skyrocketing energy prices led millions of hardworking families to demand that Congress change our policies to allow for more domestic oil and gas production. Americans from coast to coast were ready to cut ties with unfriendly foreign governments and produce our own energy right here at home.    » read more »

Children Uniting Nations event highlights efforts to improve the lives of America's children in foster care.

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today urged lawmakers and youth advocates to expand mentoring programs for children and young adults in foster care. Sen. Landrieu's comments came at a breakfast event kicking off the Children Uniting Nations (CUN) 4th Annual "Keeping the Promise to our Children" conference in Washington, D.C.    » read more »

06/08/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today met with President Obama's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor. If confirmed, Sotomayor will become the third woman to serve on the nation's highest court and the first Hispanic Justice.

Sen. Landrieu said:

"It was a pleasure meeting Judge Sonia Sotomayor today. In addition to having an impressive professional resume, her personal journey from the Bronx projects to the federal bench is truly extraordinary. Judge Sotomayor is a historic choice who will bring a wealth of experience and added diversity to the nation's highest court. I have confidence in her fair-mindedness, and I intend to support her Senate confirmation. "    » read more »

Landrieu-Bayh amendment focuses on greater efficiency as best way to achieve cleaner air, reduce greenhouse gases.

06/04/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today offered a new, commonsense approach to requiring that a greater percentage of the nation's electricity come from renewable sources. The Landrieu amendment would have removed the cap limiting how much energy efficiency gains can be used to meet the renewable electricity mandate. Under the Landrieu proposal, which failed by one vote at today's Energy Committee markup, efficiency gains would have become indistinguishable from any other renewable source of electricity.    » read more »

Grant Will Help Parish Expand East Bank Facility, Support Economic Growth

06/05/2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-03) today announced that St. James Parish would receive a $1.6 million federal Recovery Act investment to expand the capacity of the East Bank Water Treatment Plant. The planned expansion will enable new industries to locate in the parish, creating many new jobs in the region.    » read more »

After months of working on the issue with the administration and Louisiana delegation, projects will go forward.

06/02/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Disaster Recovery Subcommittee, today announced major progress for Louisiana hurricane recovery projects located in designated High Velocity Flood Zones.    » read more »

06/02/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today welcomed General Motors' announcement that its tentative sale of HUMMER will continue the assembly of the H3 and H3T at the Shreveport plant through at least 2010. As part of the proposed transaction, HUMMER will continue to contract vehicle manufacturing and business services with GM.    » read more »

06/02/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., today announced that two Louisiana floodplain easement applications have been selected for funding under the Recovery Act of 2009. The easements will cover 710 acres in Tensas Parish and 341 acres in Richland Parish. As a result of this $1,798,528 investment, about 300,000 hardwood trees will be planted. These trees will reduce the loss of future commodity crops by removing the land from crop production, and will help restore the habitat of the threatened Louisiana black bear.    » read more »

06/01/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., today announced that the St. Bernard Project, City Year, Inc. and Louisiana Delta Service Corps will receive more than $1.8 million in AmeriCorps grants. These funds were awarded through the Fiscal Year 2009 AmeriCorps State and National funding competitions.    » read more »