DC Current, presented by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, welcomed Congressman Troy Carter for a wide-ranging discussion on youth support, political division, and federal oversight. He opened with Mardi Gras talk but moved quickly into policy.
A New Bipartisan Youth Caucus
Carter launched the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus with Republican Representative Rob Bresnahan. The caucus focuses on teens and young adults ages 16 to 24 who face disconnection from school, work, and community. Carter said the goal is to give young people role models, support, and a clearer path to opportunity.
The caucus will bring members of Congress together to listen, not lecture. It creates space for young people to see government, education, and industry up close. Carter said this work helps build confidence and shows that success is within reach.
Breaking Down Political Silos
Carter noted that young people live in online echo chambers more than any generation before. He said bipartisanship doesn’t erase party pride. It teaches people to work across differences.
Republicans and Democrats will still disagree, he said, but they share a duty to keep the country safe, strong, and affordable. Carter stressed that disagreement should not turn into hostility, and that young people should learn that early.
A Field Hearing on ICE Practices
The conversation shifted to an ICE field hearing in New Orleans. City leaders opened the council chambers for federal lawmakers to hear testimony about alleged overreach by ICE officers. Carter said the hearing highlighted concerns about unlawful searches, excessive force, and a dramatic decline in training standards.
He and other members of Congress also toured an ICE intake facility to conduct oversight. Carter said federal agencies must enforce immigration laws without violating constitutional rights. He criticized actions taken under current national leadership and warned against treating civil immigration matters like criminal offenses.
Insurance Affordability Tour
Carter closed with the Insurance Affordability Tour, which focuses on rising property, casualty, and flood insurance costs. The tour brings federal and state leaders together to search for solutions as extreme weather grows more frequent. Carter said the goal is simple: help people keep their homes and help future buyers enter the market.