Delivering Results for Washington Parish

In my time representing Louisiana in the House of Representatives, I’ve had the honor of serving on the House Appropriations Committee and delivering results for communities in Washington Parish.

This powerful committee is responsible for allocating your tax dollars on everything from national security to health care to local projects. When I first came to Washington, I knew I wanted to spend my time advocating for the needs of Louisiana’s rural communities.

I firmly believe that too many of your tax dollars come to Washington D.C., which is why I’ve fought to cut taxes for working families, seniors, and small businesses. I hear it from constituents across the 5th District more times than I can count. But once your tax dollars arrive in our nation’s Capital, I also feel an obligation to bring those dollars home to our communities to meet vital needs.

Let’s start in Bogalusa. This community relies on Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, the only full-service acute care hospital and birthing facility within a 45-minute radius. For thousands of families in Washington Parish, it’s the only option.

In talking with local residents and leaders, I discovered that our patients were often being airlifted only after crossing a gravel parking lot and a grass field to reach the helicopter. A lack of stable infrastructure and dependable lighting was making rescues after dark nearly impossible. In an emergency situation, those lost minutes can cost a life.

That’s why I secured $825,000 in Community Project Funding to build a helipad atop the hospital’s ambulance canopy. This project includes an elevator to move patients safely and quickly to the emergency department below. No more gravel lots or turning helicopters away after sundown, but rather more time to save lives of the ones we love.

Working with local leaders, I’ve also secured funding to improve local emergency response and public safety in Washington Parish. This includes $921,000 in federal funding to construct a new 911 emergency communications tower, and investments in new police cruisers for local law enforcement.

Bogalusa isn’t an isolated case. During my time on the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve secured nearly $200 million for Louisiana’s 5th District. We’ve secured funding for new water treatment plants, police cruisers, and improved highways. Local projects like these, identified not by Washington bureaucrats but by our own local leaders, inspire my work to fight for the 5th District in Washington.

It’s true that Washington often spends money with little regard for the taxpayers who fund our government. I believe taxpayers deserve better, which is why I’ve done my part to direct some of that funding toward bettering Louisiana.

Every appropriation I support is measured by one simple question: Will this make life better for the people of Louisiana’s 5th District? If the answer is yes, then it’s worth fighting for because that’s what responsible representation looks like.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.