Louisiana lawmaker seeks Kennedy’s help in landing military base

By Misty Castile | The Center Square State Rep. Chuck Owen is asking U.S. Sen. John Kennedy to help bring a proposed military installation to central Louisiana as the Pentagon invites states to compete for a base designed to accommodate 15,000 to 25,000 troops. Owens asked a question from the audience during a question-and-answer session at a Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce event in Alexandria, according to KALB, pointing to federally controlled land at Fort Polk as a potential asset. Kennedy responded, “I will.” The proposal, called the “Next Great American Base,” asks states to offer land and support for a new installation. That creates a fiscal question for any Louisiana bid: What would state and local taxpayers be asked to contribute to secure the federal investment? Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced the initiative Sept. 30, inviting governors and state military leaders to make their cases for hosting the installation.

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