Press Releases
Cassidy Announces $20.5 Million in Hurricane Relief
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced Louisiana will receive $20,492,687.93 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricanes Laura and Ida recovery. "Hurricanes Laura and Ida dealt a blow to communities across South Louisiana, but we are coming back," said Dr. Cassidy. "This funding supports our efforts to rebuild, recover and prosper." The City of Lake Charles, South Louisiana Electric, St. Bernard Parish School Board, and the Louisiana National Guard will a… Continue Reading
10.03.22
Cassidy Leads Senate Republicans in Demanding Administration End Its War on U.S. Oil & Gas
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) led a group of Republican senators demanding the Biden administration end its assault on domestic oil and gas production and continue to sell oil and gas leases on federal land and water. The push comes in response to the U.S. Department of Interior's draft proposal for the Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, in which the department hinted that it might cancel future lease sales for the next five years. "American families are struggling to… Continue Reading
10.01.22
Cassidy Announces Louisiana Resident, 6 other American Hostages Freed from Venezuelan Captivity
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the secured release of Lake Charles, LA resident Tomeu Vadell and six other American hostages held in Venezuela. Vadell was a member of a group of CITGO energy executives, known as the CITGO 6, that were lured to Caracas and taken hostage by the Nicholas Maduro Regime in November of 2017. One of the members was recently released last March. "After five years of work to free Tomeu Vadell and the rest of the CITGO 6, it is a blessing to say … Continue Reading
09.30.22
Cassidy, Padilla Lead Bipartisan Push to Ensure Federal Medicaid Funds Can Be Used in Crisis Stabilization Centers
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) today sent a bipartisan letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Books-LaSure urging the agency to clarify whether federal funds can be used to pay for crisis stabilization in programs with more than 16 beds. Last fall, Cassidy visited the Bridge Center for Hope in Baton Rouge to learn about the services they provide for those facing a mental health or substance use related crises. Earlier … Continue Reading
09.29.22
Cassidy on Senate Passage of over $842M in Ida Disaster Relief Included in Government Funding Bill
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) issued a statement after he voted in support of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government until December 16th, 2022 and provide Louisiana with $841.5 million for Hurricane Ida relief. It passed the U.S. Senate and now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives. "Families hit by Hurricane Ida have been rebuilding for over a year, but there is still a long way to go," said Dr. Cassidy. "This is welcome funding for communities in south Louisiana." … Continue Reading
09.29.22
Cassidy Introduces BREAK PUTIN Act to End Putin’s War, Cut off Oil Revenue
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Breaking Russia's Energy Addicted Kleptocracy and Punishing Uncivil Tyrant Invading Neighbor (BREAK PUTIN) Act to end Putin's war in Ukraine and establish a price cap for Russian oil. "An oil price cap must have the force to end Putin's war-that's what the BREAK PUTIN Act does," said Dr. Cassidy. "Biden's sanctions aren't working and its oil price cap won't diminish Putin's war machine. This legislation offers a better way forward, cutting o… Continue Reading
09.29.22
Cassidy Announces $6.9 Million in Disaster Relief
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will grant a total of $6,888,768.43 in relief for Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida. "Years of hurricanes have devastated Louisiana, but our families remain resilient, " said Dr. Cassidy. "This funding helps our state fully rebuild and be prepared for the next disaster." Claiborne Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Jefferson Parish will benefit from this grant. Grant Awarded Recip… Continue Reading
09.28.22
Cassidy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Improve Mental Health on College Campuses
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced The Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act, legislation to help improve college students' mental health and incentivize higher education institutions to develop and implement comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans. "Let's take what we learned from COVID and increase menta… Continue Reading
09.28.22
Cassidy, Peters Bipartisan Bill to Save Taxpayer Dollars by Improving How Federal Agencies Purchase Software Heads to Senate Floor
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Gary Peters' (D-MI) legislation to save taxpayer dollars by improving management of how the federal government purchases and uses software has advanced in the Senate as it passed through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The legislation builds on a law written by Cassidy to reduce duplicative software purchases called the MEGABYTE Act. Since being signed into law, this legislation has saved taxpayers more than $450 millio… Continue Reading
09.26.22
Cassidy, Peters Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Bureaucratic Waste, Save Taxpayer Dollars
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to save taxpayer dollars by improving management of how the federal government purchases and uses software. The legislation builds on a law written by Cassidy to reduce duplicative software purchases called the MEGABYTE Act. Since being signed into law, this legislation has saved taxpayers more than $450 million. "By requiring the federal government to keep track of its software licenses, we… Continue Reading
09.23.22
Cassidy, Daines, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Use of Traditional Ammo & Tackle
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), and 21 colleagues today introduced the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which stops federal agencies from banning the use of traditional ammo or tackle on public lands without approval from scientific institutions and state wildlife agencies. Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service passed a rule that bans the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal land. "Every Louisianan knows how important outdoor r… Continue Reading
09.23.22
Cassidy to VA Secretary: It Shouldn’t Take a FOIA Request From Congress to Get Information on VA Health Care Effectiveness for Veterans
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, grilled Biden administration VA Secretary Denis McDonough over the VA's lack of transparency regarding data on the efficiency of VA health care for veterans and their families. Further, Secretary McDonough had no answer regarding reports that since the introduction of the VA's Opioid Safety Initiative, suicide among veterans in rural areas increased by 75%. "My staff requested information regarding veter… Continue Reading
09.22.22
Cassidy, Finance Committee Republicans Urge IRS to Use Massive Funding Boost to Fix Numerous Existing Problems
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) today led a group of senators urging the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner to spend the massive $80 billion injection of mandatory funding recently granted to it under Democrats' latest reckless spending spree. The senators requested a detailed plan on how the IRS will fix existing problems while satisfying the critical need for improved customer service, transparency and accountability. "With an infusion of $80 bill… Continue Reading
09.22.22
Cassidy Announces $16.4 Million for Louisiana Airports
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Department of Transportation (DOT) will grant Louisiana a total of $16,424,603 to improve and modernize local airports in South Louisiana. Specifically, the Houma-Terrebonne Airport, Lafayette Regional Airport, and Thibodaux Municipal Airport will all benefit from this grant. The funding is a result of Cassidy's bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. "Quality airports are essential to any successful economy," said Dr. Cassid… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Cassidy Votes in Support of Next Generation Coolant Manufacturers
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. released a statement after voting in support of the ratification of the Kigali Amendment, a treaty that reduces American usage of hydrofluorocarbons commonly found in air-conditioners and refrigerators. This treaty supports Louisiana's leadership in the manufacturing transition towards next-generation coolants pioneered by the state's workforce and industry. "This treaty recognizes the leadership of Louisiana workers and the companies for which they work," said D… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Cassidy Announces $59.3 Million in Hurricane Relief
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will grant a total of $59,321,852.74 in relief for Hurricanes Katrina, Laura, and Ida. "Years of natural disasters has taken a toll on our coastal communities," said Dr. Cassidy. "This funding helps South Louisiana continue its recovery and prepare for the next storm." Louisiana Facility Planning and Control (FP&C), Allen Parish, the Calcasieu Parish School Board, the Louisiana Office of … Continue Reading
09.21.22
Cassidy, Murphy, Van Hollen Introduce Legislation to Improve Neurological Health Research
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today introduced legislation to reauthorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS) program, which collects data which collects privacy-protected data on neurological conditions to inform research and help advance better treatments and cures. Specifically, the legislation would reauthorize the NNCSS for another five years and incr… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Cassidy Announces $1.7 Million to Expand Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will grant Louisiana up to $1,660,827 to expand and improve Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville, LA. Specifically, the grant will fund 240 columbarium niches, a water treatment plant, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure on approximately 17 acres of land. This funding comes from the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP). "Louisianans have proudly fought and given their lives to d… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Cassidy, Marshall, Colleagues to FDA Commissioner: Quit Ignoring Baby Formula Applications
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), and 11 of their Senate Republican colleagues sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency's ongoing strategy to replenish the supply of baby formula across the country. "Despite the numerous flexibilities and resources provided by Congress and temporary import flexibilities outlined in your letter, the infant formula crisis persists nationwide… American families need permanent long-… Continue Reading
09.20.22
Cassidy Releases Statement on Decrease in Veteran Suicides
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released a statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the veteran suicide rate fell 9.7 percent from 2018 to 2020. "Veteran suicide is still too high, but we are making progress," said Dr. Cassidy. "There is still work to do so that one day we are speaking of veteran suicide in the past tense." In 2020, there were 6,146 veteran suicide deaths, down 343 deaths than in 2019. Background Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously passed Ca… Continue Reading