[CAPTURE PORTAL] 119TH CONGRESS
Legislative Integrity Monitor
Goblin House Intelligence
Congress → Officials → Clay Higgins

Clay Higgins

Republican · Representative, LA ·3

Clay Higgins is the Republican U.S. Representative (LA's 3rd congressional district). The platform has 10 voting records on file (2017-2025) and 53 verified facts on file covering this member's voting positions, financial disclosures, and stated platform commitments.

Score Components
67 ELEVATED
Connection Density 20%
73 → 15
Donor Influence 15%
9 → 1
Silence Risk 25%
69 → 17
Contradiction Risk 25%
98 → 25
Intelligence Volume 15%
72 → 11
Constituency Deviation 0%
88 → 0
Voting Misalignment 0%
0 → 0
% = weight in composite score · Raw component 0–100 × weight = weighted contribution (→) · Sum of contributions = overall score. Hover a row for details.
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Unemployment Rate: 5.2% (2026 estimate, vs. 3.5% national)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Cook Partisan Voting Index: R+22 (Cook PVI 2023) / R+58 (LegisLetter 2026)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Commute & Transportation: 81.8% drive alone; 0.3% use public transit; mean commute 24.4 minutes
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median Age: 37.8 years (vs. 38.5 nationally); largest age cohort: 30-39 at 13.8%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Racial/Ethnic Composition: White (Non-Hispanic) 65.2%, Black or African American 22.6%, Hispanic 5.6%, Two or More Races 3.4%, Asian 1.8%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 24.4% (vs. 33.7% nationally); 13.4% lack a high school diploma
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Homeownership Rate: 70.9% (vs. 65.5% nationally); median property value $201,600; median rent $1,004
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Poverty Rate: 13.1% (vs. 12.4% nationally)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median Household Income: $62,445 (vs. $78,538 national median); LA State: $57,852
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Population (2024): 770,787
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Louisiana Amendment 1 (2024) — Create a Trial Court Appointments Commission to nominate state Supreme Court candidates (2024) — passed, margin 61.2% Yes — 38.8% No
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Louisiana Amendment 2 (2023) — Allow local governments to waive water and sewer charges for customers affected by natural disasters (2023) — passed, margin 80.3% Yes — 19.7% No
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Louisiana Amendment 1 (2023) — Prohibit noncitizens from voting in state elections (2023) — passed, margin 72.5% Yes — 27.5% No
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 48-49 (Transportation and Warehousing — maritime commerce, port operations) (share 0)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 62 (Health Care and Social Assistance) (share 0)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 11 (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting — crop production, rice, sugarcane) (share 0)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 21 (Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction) (share 0)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Cargill Salt (St. Martin Parish) (500 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Westlake Chemical (Lake Charles) (1000 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Acadian Companies (ambulance and emergency services) (6000 employees)
secondary ✓ Verified
LaMonica McIver political_opposition McIver criticized Rep. Clay Higgins after a censure effort, stating he was 'seeking to punish me for doing what he and his caucus are too cowardly to do.'
Mike Johnson Fundraiser Headliner In October 2024, House Speaker Mike Johnson headlined a Lakewood fundraiser that helped raise over $500,000 for Higgins.
Steve Bannon Voted Against Holding in Contempt Higgins voted against holding Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress.
Donald Trump Voted Against Impeachment Higgins voted against impeaching Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection following the January 6th Capitol attack. He also voted against creating an…
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Voted to Expand Detention Authority Higgins voted yes on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) which requires DHS to detain undocumented immigrants charged with theft, burglary, or violent crimes. This…
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Voted to Mandate Detention Actions The Laken Riley Act, which Higgins supported, mandates DHS detention of specific categories of undocumented immigrants.
Jeffrey Epstein Voted Against Transparency Higgins was the sole member of the entire House (out of 428 voting) to vote against the Epstein File Transparency Act on 2025-11-18, resulting in a 427-1…
Bill Cassidy Split Vote on Infrastructure Higgins voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which was negotiated and supported by fellow Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy.
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC donor $5,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00797670/
Let'S Get To Work PAC donor $7,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00692327/
American Revival PAC donor $10,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00639229/
House Freedom Fund donor $5,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00552851/
Phillips 66 PAC donor $10,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (4 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00513549/
Eye Of The Tiger PAC donor $10,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00467431/
Huck PAC donor $5,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00448373/
Cheniere Energy Inc. PAC donor $10,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (5 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00430157/
Majority Committee PAC-Mc PAC donor $10,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00428052/
Louisiana Rice Political Action Committee Inc. donor $5,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00389916/
USA Rice Federation PAC donor $7,500 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00308478/
American Chemistry Council PAC donor $5,000 to Clay Higgins's principal committee in the 2024 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00252338/
BillVoteDateAlignment
PROOF Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Water Resources Development Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Ratepayer Protection Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood… Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
National Fraud Enforcement Division Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Retire through Ownership Act Nay 2026-09-16 unknown
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers… Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
GUARD Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Whistleblower Protection Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act Nay 2026-09-14 unknown
Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act Nay 2026-09-14 unknown
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act Yea 2026-09-03 unknown
Protecting Domestic Mining Act Yea 2026-09-02 unknown
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require… Yea 2026-09-02 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
In the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
AGOA Extension Act Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act Nay 2026-08-31 unknown
Last contradiction analysis: Never
statement_vs_disclosure 90/100
Platform: "Higgins voted against the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, calling it '9% roads and bridges and 91% socialist garbage' and 'a losing deal for Louisiana.' He said, 'I have done everything…
[ Show full platform position ]
Higgins voted against the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, calling it '9% roads and bridges and 91% socialist garbage' and 'a losing deal for Louisiana.' He said, 'I have done everything in my power to stop the oppressive socialist agenda.'
"
Vote: on "Just months before voting against the infrastructure bill, Higgins announced he had secured…"
Higgins called the infrastructure bill 'socialist garbage' and voted against it, but simultaneously sought and celebrated federal funding for I-10 and I-49 projects in his district — projects that depended on the very type of federal infrastructure spending he opposed.
statement_vs_disclosure 90/100
Platform: "Higgins denounced the Inflation Reduction Act as a 'monstrosity' and voted against it, calling it part of the Democrats' 'insane tax increase' agenda."
Vote: on "After the IRA passed, Higgins welcomed the arrival of a $1 billion solar manufacturing plant that…"
Higgins denounced the Inflation Reduction Act as a 'monstrosity' and voted against it, but later welcomed the $1 billion solar manufacturing plant it brought to Louisiana. The Guardian identified him among Republicans who 'welcome local benefits of climate law despite voting against it.'
statement_vs_disclosure 90/100
Platform: "After voting for the American Health Care Act to repeal the ACA, Higgins claimed the Republican plan would 'retain coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and allow parents to keep children on their insurance…
[ Show full platform position ]
After voting for the American Health Care Act to repeal the ACA, Higgins claimed the Republican plan would 'retain coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and allow parents to keep children on their insurance through age 26.'
"
Vote: on "The AHCA that Higgins supported permitted states to waive essential health benefits including…"
Higgins claimed the AHCA would protect pre-existing conditions, but the CBO and independent analyses confirmed it would have permitted states to waive those very protections. Constituents protested outside his Lafayette office with signs reading 'RIP: pre-existing conditions.'
platform_vs_vote 90/100
Platform: "Higgins has built his political brand on law enforcement and law-and-order rhetoric. His campaign logo features him in his police uniform."
Vote: on "Mother Jones investigation revealed Higgins maintained close associations with former cops accused…"
Higgins built his entire political brand on law enforcement, yet associated closely with former cops convicted of incest and investigated for sex trafficking. His field representative Jerod Prunty was arrested in a 2019 sex-trafficking sting involving Chinese women forced to work at massage parlors.
Last silence detection: Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:57:38 GMT (via scheduled run)
Silence on the full extent of his association with convicted sex offender Leon Boudreaux
1752d silent
Expected position: As a congressman who built his brand on law-and-order rhetoric, Higgins would be expected to address his continued association with Leon Boudreaux after Boudreaux's 2021 incest conviction. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: Higgins…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Expected position: As a congressman who built his brand on law-and-order rhetoric, Higgins would be expected to address his continued association with Leon Boudreaux after Boudreaux's 2021 incest conviction. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: Higgins has been a member of the motorcycle group Kindred Vets that Boudreaux founded. The two appear together in numerous photos posted to Higgins' Facebook pages in 2022 and 2023 — after Boudreaux's conviction. In 2022, Higgins posted a photo with his hand clasped with Boudreaux's. Higgins has never publicly addressed this association despite being a vocal proponent of law enforcement and being active on these issues. His spokesman provided statements to Mother Jones about Prunty but did not comment on Boudreaux. Primary URL: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/10/clay-higgins-incest-sex-trafficking-former-police-officer-friends/
Shift from in-person town halls to telephone town halls while in Washington
0d silent
Expected position: As a populist representative elected on a platform of direct accountability, Higgins would be expected to maintain in-person town halls across his district. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: In February 2025, Higgins held a…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Expected position: As a populist representative elected on a platform of direct accountability, Higgins would be expected to maintain in-person town halls across his district. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: In February 2025, Higgins held a telephone town hall from Washington, D.C., rather than an in-person event. KPLC noted that town halls are 'normally held in person.' While Higgins has held some in-person town halls (Lake Charles in August 2024, New Iberia in August 2024, Jennings in October 2024), he also used the telephone format while in D.C., limiting direct constituent interaction. He remained active on social media and in Congress during this period. Primary URL: https://www.kplctv.com/2025/02/26/rep-clay-higgins-host-telephone-town-hall/
other candidates' committees
Huck PAC (amounts: $5,000 (2024)) — interest area: other candidates' committees
colleagues' leadership pacs
Majority Committee PAC-Mc PAC, Eye Of The Tiger PAC, Let'S Get To Work PAC (amounts: $10,000 (2024), $5,000 (2026), $7,000 (2026)) — interest area: colleagues' leadership pacs
other / unclassified
American Revival PAC (amounts: $10,000 (2024)) — interest area: other / unclassified
party committees
House Freedom Fund (amounts: $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: party committees
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC Law & lobbying firms $5,000 (2024)
Let'S Get To Work PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $7,000 (2026)
American Revival PAC Other / unclassified $10,000 (2024)
House Freedom Fund Party committees $5,000 (2026)
Phillips 66 PAC Oil, gas & mining $5,000 (2026)
Eye Of The Tiger PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
Huck PAC Other candidates' committees $5,000 (2024)
Cheniere Energy Inc. PAC Oil, gas & mining $10,000 (2026)
Majority Committee PAC-Mc PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $10,000 (2024)
Louisiana Rice Political Action Committee Inc. Agriculture & food $5,000 (2026)
USA Rice Federation PAC Agriculture & food $5,000 (2026)
American Chemistry Council PAC Oil, gas & mining $5,000 (2024)
American Crystal Sugar Company PAC Agriculture & food $5,000 (2026)
Valero Energy Corporation PAC Oil, gas & mining $5,000 (2026)
American Sugar Cane League PAC Agriculture & food $10,000 (2026)
TopicPriorityAlignmentDeviation
Healthcare Access & Medicaid 82 10 72
Infrastructure & Broadband 74 15 68
Environment & Coastal Restoration 79 20 62
Education & Rural Schools 68 25 52
Social Security & Medicare 76 30 50
Jobs, Wages & Economic Opportunity 80 35 45
Disaster Recovery & Flood/Storm Resilience 88 55 33
Taxes & Government Spending 73 70 28
Crime, Policing & Public Safety 70 80 14
Immigration & Border Security 72 85 12
Energy & Petrochemical Industry 85 90 8
Gun Rights & Second Amendment 78 88 6
No platform commitments archived
No committee memberships recorded
Scoring Methodology

The Capture Risk Score is a composite 0–100 index measuring potential regulatory capture of elected officials. It is computed from seven weighted components:

ComponentWeightSignal
Contradiction Risk30%Stated positions contradicted by the record (recent findings boosted)
Donor Influence20%Distinct documented donors (FEC Schedule A PACs); inferred donors do not count
Connection Density20%Mapped relationships to lobbyists, contractors, interest groups; donor links excluded
Silence Risk15%Topics where donors have interests but the official is silent
Intelligence Volume15%Documented facts from verified sources
Constituency Deviation0%Shown, not weighted — a model estimate, not a record
Voting Misalignment0%Shown, not weighted — needs platform commitments almost nobody has; the roll-call record on /votes is the vote signal

Each component is the member's standing among all scored members of Congress, and the weighted sum is the overall score. Tiers are ranks: Critical is the top 5%, High the next 10%, Elevated the next 20%, Moderate the next 30%, and Low the rest.

Officials without at least 2 documented facts, 1 contradiction analysis, 1 voting record, or 1 constituency baseline are marked Insufficient Evidence and excluded from numeric ranking.

Contradiction findings from the last 180 days receive a recency boost. High-severity contradictions (score ≥ 70) receive additional weight.

Full methodology: /congress/methodology

[PUBLIC COST ESTIMATE]
Documented financial relationships span 0 money flow chains, while 3 elected officials hold documented connections.
$1.3BDonor Contributions
0Money Chains
0Traced Hops
Connected Officials
Calculation Methodology

Contract values are summed from documented money flow chains where this entity appears as a source or destination node. Amounts are drawn from USASpending.gov, FEC filings, SEC EDGAR, or LD-2 lobbying registrations.

Donor contributions aggregate documented amounts from the donor_interests table, sourced from FEC individual and PAC contribution filings.

Connected officials are elected officials in our database with a mapped relationship (lobbying, board membership, campaign contribution, etc.) to this entity.

Annualised flow represents the total documented dollar amount traced through money flow hops involving this entity. Where hop-level amounts are unavailable, the chain-level documented total is used as a conservative upper bound.

All figures are drawn from public filings. Estimates are conservative — undisclosed transactions, dark money, and vanish-point hops are excluded from totals. This is a minimum documented floor, not a ceiling.

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