Why It Matters

The Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance is lobbying to ensure critical assets like Fort Johnson’s Joint Readiness Training Center maintain strategic value amid Pentagon restructuring. The organization seeks to position Louisiana as a hub for expanding cyber defense capabilities—a rapidly growing Pentagon priority with substantial funding implications.

Without sustained advocacy during congressional deliberations on the FY26 defense budget and military construction appropriations, Louisiana risks losing installations to competing states. LAFA’s strategy leverages the Roosevelt Group’s deep defense expertise and five-person team with critical congressional experience to influence legislation shaping military force structure, cyber operations expansion, and construction funding.

By the Numbers

The Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance paid the Roosevelt Group $50,000 in the last quarter. LAFA has spent $2.65 million over 53 quarterly filings since 2013, exclusively retaining Roosevelt Group throughout its entire lobbying history.

LAFA’s five-person lobbying team includes three members with direct congressional experience. John M. Simmons served as Legislative Systems Director for Rep. Jim Walsh (R-NY). Jakob William Johnsen spent nearly a decade on Capitol Hill, including as assistant to Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) on House Appropriations. Benjamin James Schultz brings eight years of House staff experience, including defense policy work for a Louisiana congressman.

The Agenda

The Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance lobbies on three core defense issues: Army Force Structure, Cyber Forces development, and securing favorable provisions in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act and Military Construction appropriations.

The Alliance focuses on protecting Louisiana’s military installations, particularly Fort Johnson’s Joint Readiness Training Center and cyber operations at Barksdale Air Force Base. The Q4 2025 engagement targets congressional activity on defense budgets and emerging cyber defense legislation, including the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 and the SCAM Act, which establishes a cybercrime task force aligned with LAFA’s cyber expansion goals.

Broader Context

LAFA’s lobbying occurs amid significant military spending shifts creating opportunities and risks for Louisiana’s defense installations. The Army is undergoing fundamental reorganization that could affect Fort Johnson, while Pentagon cyber defense funding reaches $15.1 billion in FY26.

The budget environment is favorable. President Trump proposed raising military spending to $1.5 trillion in 2027, while the FY26 Military Construction budget provides $19.7 billion for defense infrastructure. Barksdale Air Force Base secured $116 million under the FY26 NDAA for weapons generation and child development facilities.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively deliberating defense priorities aligning with LAFA’s agenda. The House Armed Services Committee held military readiness hearings for FY26, examining Army force structure and modernization affecting Louisiana bases. The House Appropriations Subcommittee convened Member Day Hearings for FY26 appropriations.

The Louisiana delegation remains active. Senator Bill Cassidy secured FY26 NDAA provisions strengthening LSU Health Shreveport-Barksdale partnerships and announced $49.1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending. Rep. Clay Higgins’ House Armed Services Committee assignment positions him to directly oversee military construction affecting Louisiana bases.

Competitive Landscape

The Roosevelt Group maintains a diverse defense portfolio including competing regional alliances: Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance (Virginia), Southern Maryland Naval Alliance, and Utah Defense Alliance—all competing for military missions and construction funding.

Within Louisiana, LAFA coordinates with fellow Roosevelt Group clients Barksdale Forward Inc. and Bossier Parish. This creates a coordinated defense advocacy ecosystem where Roosevelt Group connects state alliances, local governments, and defense contractors like Google Cloud and IBM Corp.

The Bottom Line

The Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance maintains its twelve-year partnership with Roosevelt Group, paying $50,000 quarterly to protect Louisiana’s military installations. The organization focuses on Army force structure at Fort Johnson, expanding cyber defense capabilities, and securing FY26 funding through defense authorization and military construction appropriations.

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