Louisiana’s US Senator John Kennedy Calls Out Ridiculous Demands

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana is calling out what he describes as “waste and fraud” in federal spending, saying he will not support a budget deal that restores controversial line items or weakens accountability in Medicaid. Speaking from the Senate floor, Kennedy said his goal is to protect taxpayers and restore trust in how government money is managed.

Targeting Waste in Medicaid

Kennedy said one of the reforms at the heart of his party’s proposal would stop “double dipping” in Medicaid, claiming that 2.8 million people are enrolled in the program more than once or are also receiving Affordable Care Act subsidies.

He argued that closing these gaps could save $150 billion over ten years. The senator also emphasized that Medicaid would continue to grow, by about 2 percent per year, but without what he considers waste and abuse.

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Kennedy took issue with efforts by progressive Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to roll back eligibility checks and work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. “Our welfare programs were meant to be bridges, not parking lots,” Kennedy said. “If you can work, go to school, or serve your community, you should.”

Questioning Foreign Spending

Kennedy also criticized certain foreign spending projects, which he said were removed from the federal budget under former President Trump. Among them were grants for electric buses in Rwanda, pastry classes for sex workers in Haiti, and $6 million for media organizations serving Palestinians.

Kennedy claimed these projects are now being defended by “the socialist wing” of the Democratic Party, which he said is threatening a government shutdown unless the funding is restored.

A Call for a “Clean CR”

The senator said Republicans are asking for a six-week extension to continue budget negotiations without new spending demands. “All we’re asking for is a clean continuing resolution,” Kennedy said, accusing House progressives of holding the process hostage by demanding an additional $1.5 trillion.

Kennedy closed by saying the dispute is not about partisanship but about protecting taxpayers and ensuring accountability in federal programs.