Press Releases
Cassidy, Cortez Masto Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Peer Counseling
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Promoting Effective and Empowering Recovery Services (PEERS) in Medicare Act of 2021 to expand access to peer support services for mental health and substance use disorders. The legislation would ensure that primary care physicians can bill peer support treatment to Medicare to make this service more accessible. "COVID has been tough on people's emotions. This legislation allows peer support to be added to… Continue Reading
06.24.21
Cassidy, Warren Call for Hearing on New Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Aduhelm
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Finance Committee Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth, called for a hearing to examine questions and challenges arising from the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recent approval of Biogen's Aduhelm, the first new drug approved to treat Alzheimer's disease in nearly two decades. "This is a historic, watershed moment in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, but a… Continue Reading
06.23.21
Cassidy, Colleagues Call on Haaland to Hold a Lease Sale, Answers on Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) led Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and John Kennedy (R-LA) in calling on the Biden administration to conduct lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico. In a letter sent to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, they also question the timing of future sales and status of the development of the 2022-2027 National Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program. "As we approach 100 days past the scheduled date of th… Continue Reading
06.23.21
What They Are Saying: Growing Support for Cassidy Bill to Strengthen Gulf Revenue Sharing Program
Last week, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act with nine colleaugues. The RISEE Act would both amend the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) and create a new dedicated stream of funding from future offshore wind development for coastal protection and resiliency. This will allow for more equitable resource sharing between states, the federal government and conservation programs. Here's what people are sayin… Continue Reading
06.22.21
Cassidy Statement on Democrats’ Partisan Election Takeover Bill
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement on the Democrats' partisan election takeover bill after the motion to proceed failed on the Senate Floor. "This bill's goal is not to improve election integrity but to improve the chances of a Democrat winning public office," said Dr. Cassidy. "This bill allows ballot harvesting, forces taxpayers to fund political campaigns, and bars common-sense voter I.D. laws. We should all support election security, this does not do tha… Continue Reading
06.22.21
Cassidy Announces $11.2 Million for Flood Mitigation in Jefferson Parish
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is granting $11,213,635.39 through four grants for flood mitigation in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. These grants will fund the elevation of 69 structures in flood prone areas. According to FEMA, elevating these structures will reduce future flood damage caused by natural disaster. "Making sure Louisiana is prepared for the next storm means taking steps to prevent future loss and damage," said D… Continue Reading
06.21.21
Cassidy Announces $7.9 Million for Minority Health Community Programs in Baton Rouge, New Orleans
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced $7.9 million in grants to improve minority health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Baton Rouge will receive $4 million and the City of New Orleans will receive $3.9 million to improve health literacy in minority communities and the local response to the pandemic. "We know this pandemic has disproportionately affected minority communities in Louisiana," said Dr. Cassidy. "This grant helps bridge that gap and gives Baton Roug… Continue Reading
06.21.21
Cassidy, Rosen Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Create National Cybersecurity Education Week
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating the June 21-25 as National Cybersecurity Education Week. The resolution also commits the U.S. Senate to raising awareness about cyber education and taking legislative actions to address cybersecurity education expansion and address the cybersecurity workforce shortage. "Recent cyberattacks pose a serious threat and show the need for stronger cybersecurity," said Dr. Cassidy. "With every… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Cassidy Announces $2.8 Million Grant to McNeese State to Create LNG Center of Excellence in Lake Charles
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.8 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to McNeese State University Foundation to construct a Center of Excellence to serve as a hub of resiliency for the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) industry. This center will better enable the region to respond to future economic disruptions, including pandemics and natural disasters. This EDA grant is expected to cre… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Cassidy, Whitehouse Introduce Bill to Strengthen Gulf Revenue Sharing Program
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act. The RISEE Act would both amend the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) and create a new dedicated stream of funding from future offshore wind development for coastal protection and resiliency. This will allow for more equitable resource sharing between states, the federal government and conservation programs. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Cassidy Calls for Disaster Supplemental, Relief for Louisiana Communities on Senate Floor
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today delivered another speech on the Senate floor calling for a disaster supplemental to aid Louisiana communities recovering from 2020 storms. Last year set a record for the most named storms, 30 in a season, with five making landfall in Louisiana, also a record. The strongest of which, Laura a category 4 hurricane, devastated Lake Charles, Louisiana and was followed by Hurricane Delta, a category 2 hurricane, just over a month later. Louisiana farmers we… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Cassidy Celebrates National Seersucker Day
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. hosted National Seersucker Day today alongside Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). Members of the U.S. Senate participating in this year's celebration include Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), an… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Cassidy, Wyden: Allow Americans with Disabilities to Work Without Worry
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) today introduced legislation to remove a Social Security work disincentive for Americans with disabilities. The Work Without Worry Act would allow Americans with disabilities to work to their full potential without causing them to lose out on higher Social Security benefits. "Government should encourage work. Americans with disabilities deserve the freedom to work, without, worry to secure their own financial future," said Dr. Cassidy… Continue Reading
06.16.21
Cassidy, 20 Senators Release Statement on Infrastructure
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and a group of 20 senators released the following joint statement on the bipartisan infrastructure package: "We support this bipartisan framework that provides an historic investment in our nation's core infrastructure needs without raising taxes. We look forward to working with our Republican and Democratic colleagues to develop legislation based on this framework to address America's critical infrastructure challenges." In addition to Cassidy, the group… Continue Reading
06.16.21
Cassidy, Bennet, Bacon, Larson Introduce Tax Relief for National Service Volunteers
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and John Larson (D-CT-01) today introduced the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act. Currently, thousands of Americans serve their country through national service opportunities. In exchange for their service, they can take the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to make higher education more affordable and accessible. Currently, these benefits are treated as taxable income, and none… Continue Reading
06.16.21
TOMORROW: Cassidy to Host National Seersucker Day
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and colleagues will take an official photo TOMORROW at 12:30 PM ET in celebration of National Seersucker Day. WHO: U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. and colleagues WHAT: Official National Seersucker Day Photograph WHEN: 12:30 PM ET June 17, 2021 WHERE: The Ohio Clock RSVP: Please RSVP to Molly Block molly_block@cassidy.senate.gov Cassidy invites Americans from all over ou… Continue Reading
06.16.21
Cassidy Announces $43 Million for Hurricane Laura Recovery
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is granting $42,788,180.98 for Southwest Louisiana to cover costs related to recovery from Hurricane Laura. "We are in the 2021 Hurricane Season, and we still have blue tarps on Southwest Louisiana roofs from last season-this is unacceptable," said Dr. Cassidy. "This is welcome recovery funding to assist getting our communities back to wholeness. My office is continuing to work to get a disaste… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Cassidy Statement on Judicial Action to Block Biden Administration from Pausing Oil and Gas Leasing, Calls for Offshore Lease Sale
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement in response to a ruling from Judge Terry Doughty of the U.S. District Court in Monroe which suspended the Biden administration's pause on oil and gas leasing. "This is fantastic news for workers in Louisiana whose livelihoods are being threatened by the administration's thoughtless energy policy," said Dr. Cassidy. "The president should not be able to take away tens of thousands of jobs to fulfill a campaign promise. We nee… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Cassidy, HELP Committee GOP Leaders Push for Hearings on Biden’s $6 Trillion Budget
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Susan Collins (R-ME), the three Ranking Members on all three Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittees, have sent letters to their respective subcommittee Chairs requesting appropriate hearings on the Biden Administration's proposed $6 trillion budget for fiscal year 2022. "Most authorizing committees hold budget hearings with their respective cabinet agencies so that the members of the authorizing committee… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Cassidy, Smith, Cardin, Thune Introduce Bill to Remove Barriers to Telemental Health Care
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the bipartisan Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2021 to remove barriers to telemental health services for Medicare beneficiaries. "Over the pandemic, we've seen an increased need for telehealth services whether it's for substance use disorders, physical ailments or mental health issues. Medicare patients deserve direct access to telemental health services and this bill removes bar… Continue Reading