Press Releases
IRS Grants Relief Tools to Flood Victims in Response to Cassidy's Request
The Internal Revenue Service announced today that it will grant the regulatory waiver US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD requested to allow those impacted by the flood early access to retirement funds. "This hardship waiver will be critical for helping Louisianans get back on their feet quickly," Dr. Cassidy said. "As so many of those affected in this area did not have flood insurance, every tool possible needs to be implemented to allow them access to much needed emergency funds." The hardship waive… Continue Reading
08.29.16
Cassidy Requests Increase in FEMA Cost-Share Structure
Today, Sen Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) met with Gov John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Congressional delegation to coordinate response efforts for this year's flooding. The Louisiana delegation are working together to secure recovery aid for the state of Louisiana. Sen Cassidy, and the Louisiana Congressional delegation, sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Craig Fugate requesting a 90 percent to 10 percent cost-share ratio between FEMA and the State of Loui… Continue Reading
08.29.16
Cassidy Comments Following Louisiana Delegation Discussion with Governor Edwards
Today, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) talked with Governor John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Congressional delegation to coordinate response efforts for this year's flooding and secure recovery aid for the state of Louisiana. "Our discussion with the governor was a continuation of our unity in our request for FEMA to increase the cost-share structure between the agency and the state to a 90 percent-10 percent ratio." said Dr. Cassidy. "We are fortunate that this delegation brings relatio… Continue Reading
08.24.16
Cassidy Calls for Action on Comite River Diversion Project
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD is asking for federal and state action on the Comite River Diversion Project, which could have prevented a significant amount of the damage that occurred last week from the unprecedented flooding. "The Comite River Diversion Project is a $200 million project that could have saved billions in damage this past week," said Dr. Cassidy. "I am urging the federal government to help us finish this project now rather than wait for the next big disaster to cost billions more … Continue Reading
08.23.16
Cassidy Comments on President's Visit to Louisiana
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD released the following video commenting on President Obama's visit to the flood-damaged region of Louisiana. "The president made a commitment of helping us through this," said Dr. Cassidy. "We want to see those dollars needed to restore this community and we want to see presidential leadership in making sure the Comite Diversion is built." Dr. Cassidy accompanied President Obama as he toured the flood damage in Zachary, LA along with Gov. John Bel Edwards, Sen. Da… Continue Reading
08.22.16
Cassidy Commends FEMA for Extending NFIP Payment Grace Period
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD, praised the FEMA decision today to extend the grace period for payment of National Flood Insurance Program renewal premiums renewal premiums for those living in the 20 federally declared parishes. "I thank FEMA for providing this grace period extension, which will help those affected by the flood as they begin to rebuild and recover from the devastating damage of this past week," said Dr. Cassidy. "It is important that everything possible be done to relieve the fi… Continue Reading
08.19.16
Cassidy Looks to Implement Relief Tools for Flood Victims
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD is requesting a regulatory waiver for those impacted by the flood, allowing them access to their retirement funds early, quickly and without penalty if needed to begin repairing the damage to their homes and property. Similar regulatory waivers were afforded individuals impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. This is a basic relief tool that is immediately needed during the recovery from the recent flooding in Louisiana. "This is a basic relief tool that is immed… Continue Reading
08.14.16
Louisiana Delegation Urge President to Expedite Emergency Declaration
BATON ROUGE- US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD joined US House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, US Senator David Vitter, US Representative Charles Boustany, US Representative John Fleming, US Representative Cedric Richmond, US Representative Ralph Abraham and US Representative Garret Graves to send a letter to President Barack Obama in support of Governor Edwards' request for a federal disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana due to the severe flooding throughout the state. Dr. Cas… Continue Reading
08.02.16
Cassidy, Peters MEGABYTE Act Becomes Law
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) and US Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) applauded the president's signing of the MEGABYTE Act into law: "Billions of taxpayer dollars could be saved because federal agencies are now required to keep track of what software they buy," said Dr. Cassidy. "I thank Sen. Peters and Rep. Cartwright for working with me to push this past the finish line." "Streamlining the management of the federal government's software license purchases can save taxpayer dollars, reduce… Continue Reading
07.29.16
MEDIA ADVISORY: Cassidy Events in Louisiana Next Week
BATON ROUGE -US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD will host nine Town Hall Meetings and address groups in North Louisiana, Pointe Coupee Parish and the New Orleans metro area next week. Details on events are below: WHAT: Host Town Hall Meeting in Concordia Parish WHEN: Monday, August 1, 2016 10:30 AM (CT) WHERE: RSVP: Vidalia City Hall Conference Room 200 Vernon Stevens Blvd. Vidalia, LA 71373 Please RSVP to Shawn Hanscom at Shawn_Hanscom@cas… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Cassidy Announces FEMA Plan to Advance Comite River Diversion Project
WASHINGTON- US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) today announced that FEMA will spend $300,000.00 to develop hydraulic models for the Amite Watershed, as part of the Comite River Diversion Project. This is money that the Amite River Basin Commission will not have to spend on the project. "The Comite River Diversion Project would protect thousands of homeowners and small businesses in the lower Comite River Basin," said Dr. Cassidy. "We have waited for years for this project to be finished. F… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Cassidy Applauds Cameron LNG Exportation Authorization
WASHINGTON- US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) released the following statement following the final approval of the Cameron LNG exportation authorization by the Department of Energy (DOE). "I applaud the Department of Energy's final approval of the Cameron LNG's exportation authorization to non-free trade agreement countries. This is great news for Southwest Louisiana and the American energy economy. This approval will bring billions of dollars of investment and good high-paying jobs to Louis… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Cassidy, Schatz, Rubio, Durbin, Nelson Introduce The Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act
WASHINGTON- US Senators Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced The Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act, S.3280. This legislation will create a permanent fund to allow quick and effective responses to future public health emergencies. "Future public health emergencies like Zika are inevitable. The pattern is well known, an outbreak of disease occurs, public panic grows, Congress scrambles and … Continue Reading
07.14.16
MEGABYTE Act to Become Law
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) applauded the passage of the Making Electronic Government Accountable By Yielding Tangible Efficiencies (MEGABYTE) Act in both chambers of Congress. The MEGABYTE Act will now be sent to the president's desk to be signed into law. Dr. Cassidy introduced the bill with Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) in the US Senate in December, 2015. The MEGABYTE Act advanced through the Senate on July 7, 2016. The House companion to Dr. Cassidy's bill (HR 4904), which just passed t… Continue Reading
07.12.16
ICYMI: Cassidy Speaks on Combatting Zika
Today, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) delivered remarks discussing the spread of Zika and what is being done to stop it. He also addressed his plan to manage future public health emergencies. Watch Dr. Cassidy's remarks here. You can download and share Dr. Cassidy's presentation here, or by scanning this QR code: ###… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Cassidy’s MEGABYTE Act Passes US Senate
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) applauded the passage of the Making Electronic Government Accountable By Yielding Tangible Efficiencies (MEGABYTE) Act in the US Senate. Similar legislation has already passed through the US House of Representatives. Dr. Cassidy is eager for Congress finalize this measure and send it to the President's desk. Watch Dr. Cassidy speak on the MEGABYTE Act and download the clip here. "Billions of taxpayer dollars could be saved if federal agencies kept track of … Continue Reading
07.08.16
Cassidy Initiative to Help Veterans Gain EMT Licenses is Moving Through Congress
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) applauded the inclusion of his plan to make it easier for veterans with military emergency medical technician (EMT) training to pursue careers as EMTs following their military service in the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) Conference Report. The CARA Conference Report passed the US House of Representatives today and will be voted on by the US Senate next week. Following the Senate's vote it will be sent to the president's desk to be signed int… Continue Reading
07.06.16
US House of Representatives Passes Mental Health Reform Bill—Cassidy and Murphy call on US Senate to Act
Today, the US House of Representatives passed comprehensive mental health reform legislation by a vote of 422 to 2. US Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), co-authors of the Mental Health Reform Act and members of the US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, called on the Senate to immediately vote on their comprehensive, bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act. "The House took an important step today to expand treatment and prevention programs for the 4… Continue Reading
06.29.16
Cassidy, Vitter and Boustany Comment on Groundbreaking of Permanent Lake Charles VA Clinic
US Senator Bill Cassidy, US Senator David Vitter and US Representative Charles Boustany, Jr. released the following statements on the groundbreaking of a new, permanent Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Members of Congress have been pushing for permanent clinics in Southwest Louisiana since 2009. "There are more than 23,000 veterans in Southwest Louisiana who have been waiting more than a decade for the Lake Charles V… Continue Reading
06.29.16
Cassidy Introduces Offshore Revenue Sharing Bill
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the American Energy and Conservation Act of 2016. This legislation will provide for more equitable revenue sharing for states involved in existing, new or future energy production from both onshore and offshore leasing areas. It also makes important investments in various conservation and … Continue Reading
