Thanking Congress for its Support

With Congress having returned to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 2, Louisiana Sea Grant wants to thank our Louisiana Delegation for its support in delivering our Fiscal Year 2025 funding and for its work in Congress to maintain Sea Grant funding for Fiscal Year 2026.

“As a supporter of the National Sea Grant College Program, I’m honored to have helped maintain funding for this vital initiative in FY 2026,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02). “Here in Louisiana, where our way of life is deeply tied to the health of our coast, Sea Grant’s work is personal. Whether it’s restoring wetlands, supporting sustainable fisheries or preparing communities for hurricanes, the Louisiana Sea Grant program at LSU is delivering science-driven solutions that protect our environment, strengthen our economy and safeguard our future. This federal-university partnership is exactly the kind of smart, effective investment we need, where research meets real-world impact for our coastal families and industries. I trust that all remaining funding for the current fiscal year will be released,”

“We appreciate our senators and congressmen recognizing the value Louisiana Sea Grant brings to our state,” said Julie Lively, Louisiana Sea Grant executive director. “As our congressional delegation is working hard for us, Louisiana Sea Grant is working hard to support our coastal communities and seafood industry. In 2024, Louisiana Sea Grant provided a $103 million economic benefit to the state.”

Louisiana’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives includes Rep. Steve Scalise (LA-01), Rep. Carter (LA-02), Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03), Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04), Rep. Julia Letlow (LA-05) and Rep. Cleo Fields (LA-06). Louisiana’s delegation to the U.S. Senate is Sen. Bill Cassidy and Sen. John Kennedy. Rep. Letlow sits on the House Appropriations Committee and Sen. Kennedy sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Since its establishment in 1968, Louisiana Sea Grant (www.laseagrant.org) has worked to promote stewardship of the state’s coastal resources through a combination of research, education and outreach programs critical to the cultural, economic and environmental health of Louisiana’s coastal zone. Louisiana Sea Grant, based at LSU, is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 34 university-based programs in each of the U.S. coastal and Great Lakes states and Puerto Rico.