Peace is never easy. But it is always worth pursuing. In my view, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has impeded efforts toward peace and protecting innocent civilians, including from violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Congratulations to Vincent “Vinny” Barraza, head of Archives and Special Collections at Xavier University. The Society of American Archivists recently awarded Vinny the 2026 Sister M. Claude Lane, O.P., Memorial Award.

I am truly humbled to receive the James E. Clyburn Award for Leadership. Over the years, @repjamesclyburn.bsky.social has become more than a colleague to me - he’s been my mentor, my brother-in-arms, and my dear friend.

As a Black man from Louisiana, I know New Orleans is more than a city. It is the birthplace of American music and a cultural treasure. From Congo Square and Tremé to the Mardi Gras Indians and the sounds of jazz that changed the world, our heritage continues to inspire generations.

Mental health challenges affect everyone, but communities of color often face increased barriers to mental health care and have trouble finding professionals who can relate to them.

I was honored to tour LSU Health’s Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation (CALS) and Medical Education Building yesterday. Made possible through federal funding, CALS offers healthcare providers and students the opportunity to learn and train in a state-of-the-art virtual hospital setting.

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of James Rivers, legendary New Orleans Jazz musician and extraordinary artist, visionary, and family man whose legacy will be remembered by everyone who hears his music.

I’ve always said that Essence Fest is a party with a purpose. It was a wonderful weekend with abundant opportunities to have real conversations about the issues that impact our community. Essence has an essential purpose! @essencefest.bsky.social

At @essencefest.bsky.social, and all year round, Oxfam America is doing the work to advance economic justice for Black women. I was honored to join them for an evening of connection, joy, and celebrating the culture of our beautiful city. @oxfamamerica.bsky.social

I joined @revalsharpton.bsky.social and @kennyburns.bsky.social on the @essencefest.bsky.social stage this weekend. We talked #America250 - reflecting on our past, confronting the future, and how we can work together to make Louisiana, and our country, equal for all.

Resist. Build. Unite. That was the conversation at @essencefest.bsky.social with @cbcpac.bsky.social this weekend. I often talk about how the Congress, the Court, and the Community must come together to meet this moment as we face the biggest threat to our democracy in our lifetimes.

Having recently completed his annual ‘trifecta,’ goal of acting in a television show, a film, and a stage play all in the same year, Wendell Pierce joins "What Makes America Tick?” to speak about his roles…

Happy Independence Day! Today we celebrate the freedoms and equality so many fought and sacrificed their lives for. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, let’s recommit to our country, our community, and justice for all Americans.

Louisiana leads the nation in NFIP policies - with more per capita than almost any other state. Working families and coastal communities facing rising premiums shouldn’t be blindsided by insurance costs that can force them from their homes -

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Roger Cador. Coach Cador was a mentor, a leader, and a role model whose impact went far beyond the baseball field.

Good conversations. Classic cars. Great vibes. Join me at SUEDE, the Men's Lounge at Essence Fest, where we're celebrating culture, connection, and community all weekend long. On Saturday, July 4th, we’ll be taking a deep dive into America 250 at 1:35 PM.

It was a pleasure meeting with the leadership of the World Trade Center of New Orleans to discuss the TWICE Act passing through Homeland Security Committee.

Congratulations to Doris Voitier on her retirement from the St. Bernard Parish Public School System! For 55 years, Doris has served the Public School System - as a teacher, superintendent, and community leader.

As the legal cannabis industry grows, it’s important that we develop pathways to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to meaningfully participate.

This decision is a powerful affirmation that the administration’s efforts to rewrite the Constitution have failed, and that the principle of birthright citizenship is essential to our democracy.

Today, #SCOTUS rejected Trump’s unconstitutional assault on birthright citizenship. For over 150 years, the 14th Amendment has guaranteed that ALL persons born in the United States are American citizens.

Congratulations to Dr. Keith Ferdinand, a New Orleans doctor who was recently honored by the American Heart Association as the 2026 National Physician of the year. Dr. Ferdinand could be practicing medicine anywhere in the world …

On this day in 1969, we honor LGBTQ+ advocates who stood up against hate and injustice and threw the first bricks at Stonewall that launched the modern #Pride movement.

@nolahealthdept.bsky.social @man @lcmchealth @ubuntunola @helenamorenola.com

I was excited to welcome families from all over #LA02 to our 2nd Annual Family Fun Day this morning! Louisianians had an opportunity to participate in games, activities, and workshops with our community partners while also learning about gun violence prevention.

I’m proud to have introduced the Crawfish Reclassification for Agricultural Workforce (CRAW) Act to explicitly classify crawfish-processing work as “agricultural labor or services.”

On the anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, we celebrate the landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed marriage equality nationwide. Eleven years later, the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ Americans are still being threatened.

I’m excited to see her work displayed in the Cannon tunnel this year!

I was honored to welcome the 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winner and her family to DC this morning! Lauryn Landers’ winning piece, “Afro-futuristic Hairstyle” is an incredible piece that explores identity and culture using dynamic shapes and textures.

As a father, I think about the future my sons will inherit – and that includes making sure I’m here for it. That’s why I introduced the National Men’s Health Week Resolution, a bipartisan effort to raise awareness about men’s health issues and promote preventative care.