On September 25, 2024, I attended the House Select Committee on Homeland Security with my CWA statement in hand, prepared to testify on Louisiana’s response to COVID-19. The government’s response to COVID threatened the security of our state, health, and economy. This was a clear attack on our civil liberties. CWA of Louisiana needed to weigh in on the subject.

During the Louisiana General Session in the spring of 2024, State Rep. Chuck Owen, (R-District 30) was able to pass resolution HB133, which provided for hearings with the House Select Committee on Homeland Security focusing on the Louisiana Department of Health and the state’s medical licensing board. The committee was assigned the undertaking of evaluating the state’s response and, in turn, offering policy changes that would be effective so that our public health, rights, and freedoms are never again compromised through unconstitutional overreach of the government due to COVID or something similar.

The agendas included testimony from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, the Louisiana Hospital Association, and the Louisiana Nursing Home Association.

I was unable to present CWA of Louisiana’s statement the day I attended the committee because the professionals—doctors, attorneys, and top employees of state agencies—were asked to testify, and the time it took for the legislators to ask their questions did not allow time for public testimony. I did, though, submit it for review. It was an honor to represent you on this issue. Read the CWA of Louisiana statement here.

Please pray that the committee will make recommendations based on the good of the people and our constitution as the committee continues to review all the information submitted.