Press Releases
Cassidy, Carper, Lankford, Tester Introduce First Ever Bipartisan Senate Bill to Protect Student Veterans by Closing the 90/10 Loophole
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Tom Carper (D-Del.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), introduced the Protect Veterans' Education and Training Spending (Protect VETS) Act of 2019 last week. The Protect VETS Act is the first bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate that would protect military and veteran students by closing the 90/10 loophole and require for-profit schools to secure at least 10 percent of their revenues from sources other than taxpayers. More than t… Continue Reading
11.14.19
Cassidy Rosen Bill Fixes Gap in Health Data Privacy Protections
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) today introduced legislation to prevent data mining of Americans' personal health data stored on wearable personal devices, such as smartwatches. The bill comes amid renewed concerns of Google's plans to buy Fitbit in light of recent reports that Google has partnered with Ascension to secretly harvest the nonanonymized private health data of millions of Americans. The actions of Google and Ascension raise questions about how Google … Continue Reading
11.14.19
Cassidy Introduces Trump's Pick for Energy Secretary at Confirmation Hearing
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and chairman of the Senate Energy Subcommittee, today introduced Louisiana native and President Trump's pick for Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette at his confirmation hearing. Brouillette, born in Assumption Parish, has served as the No. 2 person at the Department of Energy since 2017. He will take over for outgoing Energy Secretary Rick Perry, pending confirmation before the full Senate. "It is no surprise as a Louisiana native that he understands the imp… Continue Reading
11.07.19
Cassidy’s Offshore Revenue Bill Taken Up by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) today held a hearing on legislation by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) to increase Louisiana's share of revenues generated by offshore energy production. Coastal states receive only 37.5 percent of revenues from energy produced in federal waters under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). Cassidy's COASTAL Act raises that figure to 50 percent to bring it in line with the revenue percentage states receive from onshore prod… Continue Reading
11.07.19
Cassidy, Warren Introduce Legislation to Protect Student Veterans’ Housing Benefits During Natural Disasters
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today introduced legislation protect student veterans from losing their housing benefits in the event a natural disaster. Under current law, veterans' housing benefits could end if a natural disaster closes a school for longer than a month. The Strengthening Disaster Assistance for Student Veterans Act grants the Veterans Affairs secretary the authority to extend those benefits. "Student veterans have earned their benefits wit… Continue Reading
11.07.19
Cassidy Statement on FEMA Decision to Delay Risk Rating 2.0
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that it would delay implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 until October 2021. "This prevents potential increases in flood insurance premiums. It highlights the need for a long-term fix to make sure the National Flood Insurance Program is affordable for homeowners," said Dr. Cassidy. In a letter to the Senate Banking Committee, Cassidy warned that Risk Rating 2… Continue Reading
11.06.19
Cassidy Announces $32M for Projects in Baton Rouge, Ruston
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D (R-LA) today announced that Louisiana will benefit from over $32 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to improve transportation infrastructure in Baton Rouge and Ruston. Baton Rouge will receive a $15 million grant, and Ruston will receive a $17.2 million grant. Both were awarded through DOT's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. Baton Rouge will use the money to fund Louisiana's first bus rapi… Continue Reading
11.06.19
Cassidy to Join Trump at LSU-Alabama Game
When No. 1 LSU takes on No. 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, the Tigers will be playing in front of President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA). Cassidy will sit with President Trump during the "Game of the Century II" where he will pitch the president on the endless merits of cheering for the Purple and Gold. "President Trump is always with the best. He is going to the best game with the best team. He will also see Alabama play," said Dr. Cassidy. Cassidy, an avid LSU fan, is … Continue Reading
11.06.19
Trump Picks New Orleans Attorney for Tax Court Judge
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) is praising President Trump's appointment of Christian Weiler from New Orleans to the United States Tax Court. The Tax Court provides a national forum to quickly resolve disputes between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Only 19 judges from across the United States serve on the court. Weiler graduated with an Accounting degree from LSU and a Masters of Law in Taxation from Southern Methodist University. He obtained his law degree from Loyo… Continue Reading
11.06.19
Cassidy Cosponsors Legislation to Disrupt Funding of Criminal, Terrorist Organizations
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), is cosponsoring legislation to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations that use the illegal tobacco trade to fund their activities. The Combating the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products Act authorizes the executive branch to deny development and security assistance to countries that knowingly profit from the trade and to implement sanctions on the individuals responsible. "Cartels and terrorists are getting creative to fund their criminal activity, put… Continue Reading
10.31.19
Senate Approves Cassidy, Murphy Resolution Recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) today released statements following the enactment of their Senate resolution recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. "One in five Americans has dyslexia. Increasing dyslexia awareness assists our schools in identifying it earlier, which means getting resources to students in need sooner," said Dr. Cassidy. "Raising awareness about the needs of children with dyslexia is critical to making sure they get the attention and r… Continue Reading
10.30.19
Cassidy and Hassan Discuss Legislation to End Surprise Medical Bills at Bipartisan Policy Center
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today discussed their bipartisan efforts to end surprise medical bills at a panel discussion hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center. You can watch the full discussion here. During the conversation, the Senators took questions from Bipartisan Policy Center President Jason Grumet and members of the public about why legislation to end surprise medical bills is important to their constituents, the current prospects for the bill, … Continue Reading
10.30.19
Cassidy Votes Against Democratic Effort to Increase Insurance Premiums
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today voted against a Democrat-backed resolution that would have overturned a Trump policy that is helping lower health care premiums for American families. The Senate rejected the Democratic effort to repeal the use of 1332 reinsurance waivers using the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a legislative tool Congress can use to override rules crafted by the president. These waivers give states the flexibility to craft policies to reduce premium costs specific … Continue Reading
10.30.19
Cassidy, Murphy Applaud FDA Recommendations to Tackle Drug Shortages in Response to Their Request
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), both members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on Wednesday released the following statement after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued their report, "Drug Shortages: Root Causes and Potential Solutions." This report was issued in response to a request from Cassidy and Murphy for the FDA to examine the root causes of drug shortages and recommendations the government can take … Continue Reading
10.27.19
Cassidy on Death of al-Baghdadi
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement in response to the announcement by President Trump that U.S. special forces carried out a successful operation killing Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS. "Terrorists are on notice, U.S. Special Forces will find you, however long, however hard." Said Dr. Cassidy. ###… Continue Reading
10.25.19
Cassidy Announces $101M in Energy Revenue Sharing for Louisiana
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chairman of the Senate Energy Subcommittee, announced that Louisiana is receiving more than $101 million in revenue sharing from energy produced in the Gulf of Mexico during FY19. The funds are part of $11.69 billion in total revenue sharing funds that are being distributed to states that produce energy on federal, American Indian-owned lands and offshore areas. The total amount represents a 31 percent increase over last year and a 66 percent increase… Continue Reading
10.25.19
Cassidy, Casey Introduce 'End All Hazing Act'
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) have introduced a bill to provide parents and prospective students with better information about universities' histories of hazing in an effort to eliminate hazing nationwide. The "End All Hazing Act" would require colleges and universities to post on their websites incidents of hazing that took place on campus or within a student organization. Providing this information would improve transparency and assist students in making the bes… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Cassidy: Mark Zuckerberg Has Zero Credibility on Cryptocurrency
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) said today that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has "zero credibility" when it comes to his cryptocurrency venture. Facebook plans to establish its own cryptocurrency, known as Libra. Under the plan, Facebook will lead its development before ceding control to a Switzerland-based governing body. Facebook would keep Libra's digital wallet, known as Calibra. Zuckerberg spoke during a Congressional hearing today in an attempt to win back the trust of lawmake… Continue Reading
10.22.19
Cassidy, Grassley Op-Ed: A Bipartisan Way To Make Prescription Drugs Affordable
A Bipartisan Way to Make Prescription Drugs Affordable By U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. and Chuck Grassley Americans are concerned about the high price of drugs. The pharmaceutical industry has become a system rife with gaming. Profits are regularly prioritized over patients. Laws meant to encourage innovation, recoup private investment, and ensure patient access are too often manipulated to suppress competition and increase prices. These unscrupulous industry practices can take many forms,… Continue Reading
10.22.19
Cassidy, Murphy Resolution Recognizes October as Dyslexia Awareness Month
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) today introduced a resolution recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. "One in five children has dyslexia. Raising dyslexia awareness assists our schools in identifying it earlier, which means getting resources to children in need sooner," said Dr. Cassidy. "I hear from parents in Connecticut who tell me how they struggle to get their children with dyslexia the attention and special instruction they need," said Murphy. "We… Continue Reading
