U.S. Sen. John Kennedy slammed Gov. John Bel Edwards' criminal justice overhaul, saying he doesn't believe the corrections department can properly administer the changes to protect public safety.
The Republican senator released a video and statement Tuesday from Washington, where the Democratic governor participated in an event championing the law changes.
Kennedy cited "numerous scandals" at the corrections department, including allegations of nepotism and theft. He called the agency "unfit to administer" legislation that includes early release of some inmates.
The legislation won bipartisan support, but has been controversial.
Supporters say the changes will lessen Louisiana's top-of-the-nation incarceration rate and pump more money into rehabilitation programs.
Edwards' office said Kennedy wanted to "score cheap political points by spouting wildly inaccurate and unrelated nonsense" about improvements to Louisiana's criminal justice system.