Press Releases
Cassidy, Menendez Introduce Bipartisan SMART Fund to Help Frontline States, Communities in COVID-19 Fight
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today will formally introduce bipartisan legislation to deliver critical, federal resources to states and communities on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. The State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Act targets $500 billion in emergency funding to every state, county and community in the country, while prioritizing assistance to the areas with the greatest need. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Cindy Hy… Continue Reading
05.11.20
Cassidy Issues Statement After REC Report, Passage of Resolution Supporting SMART Act
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) issued the following statement after the Louisiana legislature's Revenue Estimating Committee found that Louisiana losses in revenue and employment is worse than those of Hurricane Katrina. "The REC's findings show losses greater than those of Hurricane Katrina. Even after the economy reopens, there's no way for Louisiana to regain this revenue. The report shows how important it is for Congress to pass my state and local funding bill so that state and loc… Continue Reading
05.07.20
Cassidy Announces $14.8 Million for Louisiana Fisheries
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced that Louisiana fisheries will receive $14.8 million in assistance to address economic losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated many important parts of Louisiana's economy, including fisheries. This is welcomed funding that will help our fisheries address their losses and make it through these very challenging times. More needs to be done, but this is a great start," said Dr. Cassidy. Cassidy has been the … Continue Reading
05.06.20
Cassidy, Colleagues Urge Support for Fishermen and Seafood Processors
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined a bipartisan group of 25 lawmakers in pushing to make sure urgently needed federal assistance is delivered to America's fishermen and seafood processors, who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. In their letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators request that upcoming coronavirus relief legislation include funding and provisions to support this critical industry. "Our seafood processo… Continue Reading
05.04.20
Cassidy, GOP Colleagues Send Letter to FBI, ATF on Firearms Background Check System during Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Republican colleagues sent a letter today to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Acting Director Regina Lombardo encouraging them to protect public safety while respecting the Second Amendment and federal law related to the three business day waiting period for firearm purchases and seeking information on how the federal firearms background check system is responding during t… Continue Reading
04.28.20
Cassidy: Belle Chasse Naval Station to Receive $36 million to Proceed with Deferred Military Projects
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) received word today that the Pentagon is funding two projects at the Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse. These projects had been put on hold after the Trump administration deferred some military construction funding to build the border wall. The base will receive $36 million to build a new alert apron and new alert facilities. The funds are expected to be released in November. "President Trump assured me that the deferral of these funds to the Belle Chas… Continue Reading
04.27.20
Cassidy, Manchin Lead Bipartisan Letter Calling for Financial Support for Main Street Trade Associations
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Joe Machin (D-WV) today led a bipartisan letter with 17 other senators asking that local trade and professional associations become eligible for assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in any future coronavirus stimulus bill. The letter to Senate leadership and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship requests support for 501(c)(6) associations, which are major drivers of Main Street economic development. These enti… Continue Reading
04.24.20
Cassidy, Bipartisan Colleagues Call for Relief for Rural Broadcasters, Local Newspapers During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and 73 other senators in a bipartisan letter calling for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Russell Vought to support radio and television broadcasters and local newspapers during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our radio and television broadcasters and rural newspapers provide local and national news, emergency alerts, educational programs, and more to all corners of the United States. In many rural areas, … Continue Reading
04.24.20
Cassidy Announces $1 Million for Grambling, Southern Universities
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced that two of Louisiana's historically black universities, Grambling State and Southern, will receive a combined $1 million from the National Park Service. Each university will receive about $500,000 The money will be used to preserve historic structures on Grambling and Southern's respective campuses. Grambling will use its funding to renovate the health center, part of GSU's Historic Village. Southern will put its money toward preserving th… Continue Reading
04.24.20
Cassidy’s Legislative Efforts to Combat the Coronavirus
As the United States continues to battle the coronavirus, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) has worked around the clock to help flatten the curve and assist in the economic recovery of the state of Louisiana in the face of an unprecedented public health crisis. Cassidy has worked on a number of policy initiatives since before the epidemic began to ensure the safety of all Americans and provide critical support to those suffering from the impacts of coronavirus - both physically and financi… Continue Reading
04.23.20
Cassidy, GOP Colleagues Urge Against Release of Violent Criminals
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) signed a letter with 27 of his Senate Republican colleagues in support of Attorney General William Barr's efforts to prioritize public safety as the Department of Justice seeks to address the consequences of the coronavirus in federal prisons. The senators wrote: "We understand that BOP is responding to address the impact of COVID-19 on correctional officers and inmates, and DOJ is using its authorities to allow for individualized releases at specific faci… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Cassidy, Murphy Release Bipartisan Principles to Support Students with Disabilities During COVID-19
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 Pension Committee, on Tuesday released bipartisan principles to support students with disabilities to ensure they receive full and equitable educational services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They included these principles in a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to ask for clear guidance to protect the needs of students with disabilities dur… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Cassidy Issues Statement After Senate Replenishes Coronavirus Relief Fund
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) issued the following statement after the Senate passed by unanimous consent a roughly $480 billion bill meant to replenish a vital coronavirus relief fund. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was designed under the CARES Act to provide funding resources to small businesses so that they can continue to pay employees and rent. The PPP ran out of money that is critical to keep the doors open for Louisiana businesses. After nearly a week of delays, Senate De… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Cassidy, Carper, Colleagues Call for CDC to Build Out Disease Framework to Track Coronavirus
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. and Tom Carper (D-DE) led a bipartisan letter with 16 total senators to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging the agency to build on its existing reportable disease framework to trace novel coronavirus infections to determine and log who has developed antibodies to novel coronavirus and track who may be immune. This is a bipartisan approach to safely reopening the economy. Coronavirus is… Continue Reading
04.19.20
Cassidy, Menendez Announce Bipartisan Breakthrough to Deliver Federal Resources to States, Communities on Frontline of COVID-19 Fight
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today announced a major bipartisan breakthrough to deliver critical, federal resources to the states and communities on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. Legislation, the senators will formally introduce when the Senate reconvenes, answers the bipartisan call for help from our nation's governors by creating a $500 billion fund to help states and local governments respond to the current public health and economic crisis, while… Continue Reading
04.16.20
Cassidy to Reintroduce Bill Strengthening Strategic Petroleum Reserve
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. and chairman of the Senate Energy Subcommittee, will reintroduce legislation to allow the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to save taxpayers money by leasing up to 200 million barrels of future unused storage capacity at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The added revenue will support SPR maintenance and its long-term operational readiness. "The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a critical national security asset. Leasing empty space allows producers a place t… Continue Reading
04.16.20
Trump Picks Cassidy for Task Force on Re-Opening Economy
President Donald Trump has selected U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) to serve on a task force to counsel the president on how to re-open the economy following the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Cassidy previously served on the Health task force for developing the CARES Act, the $2 trillion+ relief bill Congress passed last month. "Americans are ready to go back to work. We must ensure that this is done safely and in accordance with best-available public health information. I'm looking … Continue Reading
04.16.20
Cassidy Urges USDA to Assist Cotton Industry in Wake of Coronavirus
As the coronavirus continues to take an economic toll on agriculture producers, U.S. senators from both parties have come together to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with the cotton industry so that needed aid can be delivered in a timely manner. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) signed onto a letter from 21 senators to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue that noted that while all sectors of the agricultural economy have been impacted by this public health crisis, the U… Continue Reading
04.15.20
Cassidy Announces $83.8M for Louisiana Airports
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced today that Louisiana's major passenger airports will receive a combined $83.8 million through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program. The money will be used to address operational costs and other business expenses to cover losses due to the decline in revenues resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. "The coronavirus lockdown has taken a serious toll on Louisiana's airports because fewer people are traveling. Congress … Continue Reading
04.09.20
In Response to Saudi Aggression, Cassidy to Introduce Bill to Withdraw American Troops, Impose Oil Tariffs
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and chairman of the Senate Energy Subcommittee, intends to introduce legislation when Congress reconvenes that would impose tariffs on oil imports from Saudi Arabia and withdraw American troops from the country. The bill is in response to Saudi Arabia's manipulation of the oil market that is threatening American energy jobs. Saudi Arabia has slashed oil prices below the cost of production, which has made it impossible for American producers to compete. Sau… Continue Reading
