Troy A. Carter

Congressman Carter Statement on Aftermath of Louisiana v. Callais

NEW ORLEANS, LA —Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement: “I have been adamant that Louisianians deserve fair representation that reflects our state – which is comprised of 1/3 Black residents. That means, according to the math, there should be two seats where Black voters get a say in who represents them in Congress. “While multiple maps have been discussed, no one knows what a new congressional map will look like. I’m focused on ending the suspension of an ongoing election and the active voter disenfranchisement taking place in our state.” ###

Congressman Carter Statement on SB 256 Blockage

NEW ORLEANS, LA —Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement: “Justice seems to have prevailed. “Thank you to U.S. District Judge John deGravelles for upholding the Constitution and protecting the will of the voters. Clerk-elect Calvin Duncan can now move forward, and SB 256 has been rightly blocked. “The people spoke. The law matters. Democracy must stand.” ###

Congressman Carter Statement on Louisiana v. Callais

Position: Congressman Carter opposes the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision, arguing it undermines the Voting Rights Act and threatens Black representation in Louisiana and nationwide. He calls for congressional action to restore Voting Rights Act protections.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement as the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Louisiana v. Callais: “Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a devastating blow to the promise of equal representation in our democracy. This ruling is about far more than lines on a map — it’s about whether Black Louisianians will have a meaningful opportunity to make their voices heard. “For decades, the Court’s majority has steadily chipped away at the Voting Rights Act of 1965.The consequences of this decision are immediate and severe: the hard-fought progress that led to the creation of two majority-Black congressional districts in Louisiana is now in jeopardy. “Let’s be clear: this is not about so-called ‘colorblind’ principles. History has shown us time and again that policies claiming neutrality, from literacy tests to poll taxes, have been used to silence Black voices. Louisiana knows this history all too well. Without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, there is no evidence to suggest that Black voters in our state will be able to elect candidates of their choice. “Approximately one-third of Louisiana’s population is Black, yet only a handful of Black citizens have ever represented our state in Congress. That stark reality underscores the continued need for protections that ensure fair and equal representation. When Black communities lose representation, their concerns are too often ignored, and their voices diminished. “This decision will embolden efforts to dismantle majority-Black districts and fracture communities that have finally begun to see themselves reflected in their government. This isn’t just about federal representation. This decision will also impact state and local governments, impacting Black representation in state capitols and city council chambers across the country. It sends a dangerous signal that the progress we have made can be undone under the guise of legal theory. “The Voting Rights Act is not a relic. It is a living promise, a commitment that our democracy belongs to everyone. It was enacted to correct nearly 200 years of exclusion and injustice, and its protections remain just as necessary today as they were 60 years ago. “America stands at a crossroads. We can move forward and ensure that every community has a voice, or we can slide backward into a past where representation is reserved for a few. Today’s decision moves us in the wrong direction. “But this fight is not over. We will continue to work in Congress and with our communities to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act and defend the fundamental right to vote. “We must not allow the erosion of this promise — not now, not in Louisiana, not anywhere, and not on our watch.” ###

Congressman Carter Introduces Bipartisan Offshore Parity Act to Create Equal Offshore Gulf State Boundaries

Position: The release advocates for legislation that would extend offshore jurisdiction boundaries for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama from three to nine nautical miles, aligning them with Texas and Florida, to increase state control over energy resources, fisheries, and revenue generation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), and U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS), Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Shomari Figures (D-AL) introduced the bipartisan Offshore Parity Act, legislation to establish equal offshore boundaries for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama—bringing them in line with Texas and Florida. “This is a critical step toward equality, ensuring that Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have the same authority over their waters as Texas and Florida,” said Rep. Carter. “This bill will empower us to manage our energy resources, protect our coastal communities, and strengthen our fisheries—securing economic benefits for our states.” Under current law, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama have jurisdiction over three nautical miles offshore, while Texas and Florida maintain nine nautical miles. The Offshore Parity Act would extend the boundaries of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to nine nautical miles, generating greater revenue for the states from energy and marine resources. “For too long, Mississippi and our Gulf Coast neighbors have operated under an outdated and unequal system,” said Rep. Ezell. “This bill is about fairness. Expanding our offshore boundaries will strengthen our economy, support energy production, and give our state the same opportunities already afforded to Texas and Florida.” “There's no reason Alabama should have less access and control of our shores than Texas and Florida have over theirs," said Rep. Figures. “This bipartisan bill levels the playing field by making a commonsense update that ensures all gulf states have equal offshore boundaries.” “This bill ensures that states are on equal footing regarding offshore boundaries,” said Rep. Higgins. “The expansion from three to nine miles of state waters would provide Louisiana with greater control and economic benefit from its offshore resources. My office will continue to advocate for our coastal communities and industries.” Background: The Offshore Parity Act proposes amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to reflect the expanded boundaries and align fisheries and resource management accordingly. This legislation builds on prior efforts introduced in the 118th Congress and continues longstanding advocacy from Gulf Coast states seeking equal treatment under federal law. The current disparity dates to the Submerged Lands Act of 1953, which granted Texas and Florida expanded offshore boundaries while limiting Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama to three nautical miles. The State of Louisiana challenged this restriction before the United States Supreme Court in 1969, which ruled in United States v. Louisiana that Louisiana could not prove it had jurisdiction over waters extending nine nautical miles from its coastline before it entered the Union, and therefore its state waters would remain at three nautical miles. The Offshore Parity Act fixes this disparity. By establishing parity, the bill is expected to enhance economic development, increase state revenues, and provide greater local control over coastal resources. Full text of the bill can be found here. ###

Congressman Carter Speaks Out Against Criminalizing Homelessness

Position: Congressman Carter opposes HB 211, which would criminalize homelessness, arguing that homelessness is a condition resulting from systemic failures in housing, mental health care, and economic opportunity rather than a crime. He contends that criminalization is ineffective, fiscally wasteful, and counterproductive, and calls instead for investment in affordable housing, mental health services, and workforce support.

BATON ROUGE, LA – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement: “Let us be clear about what we are discussing. Homelessness is not a crime. It is a condition. It is the visible evidence of systems that have failed too many of our people. Failed access to affordable housing. Failed mental health care. Failed substance abuse treatment. Failed economic opportunity. And, at times, a failure of compassion. “We should not criminalize the consequences of those failures. “HB 211 does not solve homelessness. It relocates it. It hides it. It pushes people from one block to the next, from one parish to another, from one jail cell to the next. That is not policy. That is avoidance. “You cannot arrest your way out of poverty. You cannot cite your way out of mental illness. You cannot fine someone into stability when they have nothing to begin with. “What this bill risks doing is deepening the very crisis it claims to address. A criminal record makes it harder to get a job. Harder to find housing. Harder to access services. In other words, harder to ever get back on your feet. “And let us not ignore the fiscal reality. It is far more expensive to process, detain, and cycle individuals through the criminal justice system than it is to invest in housing, treatment, and prevention. If we are serious about being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, this is the wrong direction. “But beyond dollars and data, there is a deeper question before us. Who are we? “Are we a state that turns its back on the most vulnerable, or one that leans in with solutions rooted in dignity and common sense? “Because the truth is, homelessness can happen to anyone. A lost job. A medical emergency. A family crisis. A veteran returning home without support. A young person aging out of foster care. These are not criminals. These are our neighbors. “If we truly want to address homelessness, then let us do the hard work. Invest in affordable housing. Expand mental health services. Strengthen workforce pathways. Support local partnerships that are already doing the work on the ground. “That is how you solve a problem. “Not by handcuffs. Not by citations. Not by pretending that punishment is a substitute for policy. “I urge this committee to reject House Bill 211. “Let us choose solutions over symbolism. Compassion over criminalization. And leadership over neglect.” ###