The Louisiana Freedom Caucus is a legislative caucus in the Louisiana State Legislature that promotes ultra-conservative policies that promotes limited governance and a traditional social agenda on issues such as crime, immigration, and public welfare. It is affiliated with the State Freedom Caucus Network. Its members all belong to the Republican Party.

History

In an effort to promote ultra-conservative policies in state legislatures, the Conservative Partnership Institute launched the State Freedom Caucus Network, which provides training and resources to state lawmakers who launch or join a Freedom Caucus in their state legislature.[1][2] Three Republican Louisiana state Representatives created the Louisiana chapter of the Freedom Caucus in April 2023, becoming the eleventh state to launch such a caucus.[1][3]

The caucus helped establish the Louisiana Freedom Caucus political action committee the same month, but has distanced itself from controversial voter outreach tactics the PAC used in the 2024 election, such as criticizing a gay Republican running for a state House seat.[4][5]

Political positions and involvement

The caucus claims to have authored 27 of the bills signed into law at the end of the 2024 legislative session, which saw a rightward tilt following the election of Republican governor Jeff Landry, replacing his Democratic predecessor Jon Bel Edwards.[6]

Hunting

The Caucus supported efforts to roll back bans on deer baiting, which were decried by hunters and Ted Nugent as harmful to rural businesses and the rights of individuals.[7]

Spending

In April 2024, now-Chairwoman, Rep. Beryl Amedee, sponsored a bill that would prohibit government-funded services from being marketed or labelled as "free". Amedee argued that reducing reliance on government services requires a "change [in] the vocabulary" to reflect the role of taxpayers.[8]

Vaccines

In March 2024, founding Caucus member Kathy Edmonston sponsored a bill that would have required schools to inform parents of their right to opt-out of vaccine requirements, in response to her perception that schools failed to inform parents of such an option during the COVID-19 pandemic.[9][10]

Membership

Caucus membership is not published, and is invitation only.[1] Members may disclose their membership, however.[1]

Current members

Former members

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Total representation may not be shown as some members are anonymous

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 O'Donoghue, Julie (2023-04-05). "Louisiana House conservatives form new Freedom Caucus • Louisiana Illuminator". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  2. ↑ Nitzberg, Alex (2025-08-20). "'There are 50 swamps': State Freedom Caucus Network helps conservatives fight the 'uniparty'". Fox News. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  3. ↑ Beimfohr, Jeff (2023-04-06). "Arklatex politics: Louisiana Freedom Caucus & Insulin". KTBS. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  4. 1 2 3 O'Donoghue, Julie (2024-01-24). "Louisiana elected officials helped fund PAC that sent anti-LGBTQ+ texts to voters • Louisiana Illuminator". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  5. 1 2 O'Donoghue, Julie (2023-10-22). "PAC's anti-LGBTQ+ text on Election Day causes 'number of problems' for Freedom Caucus • Louisiana Illuminator". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  6. ↑ Picket, Kerry (2024-06-10). "Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry pushes through conservative overhaul in first legislative session". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  7. ↑ Hilburn, Greg. "Ted Nugent backs Louisiana bill to lift 'zombie' deer baiting bans". The Times. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  8. ↑ O'Donoghue, Julie (2024-04-20). "Louisiana House votes to ban 'free' to describe government giveaways • Louisiana Illuminator". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  9. 1 2 "Rep. Kathy Edmonston announced candidacy for re-election in District 88". Gonzales Weekly Citizen. 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  10. ↑ Hilburn, Greg (2024-03-24). "Should Louisiana lawmakers protect businesses, students, employees from vaccine mandates?". The Times. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  11. ↑ STAFF (2024-01-19). "LA Freedom Caucus Announces Election of New Officers". The Times of Houma/Thibodaux. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  12. ↑ Service, The Drum News (2025-06-13). "Ahead of 'No Kings Day,' Freedom Caucus says citizens have a right to defend themselves on our roads". DrumBeatsLa. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Freedom_Caucus