Press Releases
Cassidy, Delegation Secure Relief for Louisiana Families
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD announced the inclusion of half a billion dollars in disaster relief funding for Louisiana in the version of the Continuing Resolution released today. Dr. Cassidy released the following statement: "This is a down payment that will bring peace of mind to families that were faced with potentially leaving their homes. I'm grateful to my fellow senators, the governor and the entire delegation for moving so swiftly - receiving relief this quickly is unprecedented and… Continue Reading
09.21.16
Cassidy Introduces Bill to Encourage Use of Natural Gas Vehicles
Today, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) introduced the Natural Gas Truck Parity Act of 2016, a bi-partisan and bi-cameral bill, in the US Senate. This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a partial exclusion for alternative fuel trucks from the excise tax imposed on heavy-duty trucks sold at retail. US Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH) also introduced companion legislation in the US House of Representatives. The tax code currently imposes a 12 percent Federal Excise Tax… Continue Reading
09.20.16
Cassidy, Vitter Introduce Bill to Provide Relief to Flood Victims
Today, US Senators Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) and David Vitter (R-LA) introduced S.3358 in the US Senate to waive the 10 percent penalty for early IRA withdrawals for those impacted by the August flooding. This bill will supplement the regulatory waivers to allow Louisianans impacted by the August flooding early access to retirement funds. "Whatever can be done to help your family rebuild, recover and prosper must be done," said Dr. Cassidy. "If your home is destroyed, if your living room is cover… Continue Reading
09.16.16
Senate Passes Bill to Honor Late Shreveport Judge Tom Stagg
Last April, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD and US Senator David Vitter introduced a bill in the US Senate to designate the Shreveport Federal Building and United States courthouse as the "Tom Stagg United States Court House." Last Night, the bill passed in the Senate and now moves to the US House of Representatives for consideration. The Honorable Thomas 'Tom' Eaton Stagg Jr. of Shreveport, who passed away last June, served in the United States Army during WWII. He rose to the rank of Captain, e… Continue Reading
09.15.16
Cassidy Applauds Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill, Reducing Future Flood Risk
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD applauded the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA) and the Louisiana initiatives included in the bill. WRDA authorizes many critical infrastructure, hurricane protection and flood control projects for Louisiana. "As we rebuild from the Louisiana floods, funding to prepare for future storms and to lower the risk for future flooding is important to every Louisiana family," Dr. Cassidy said. "This bill helps Louisiana prepare for future storm… Continue Reading
09.14.16
Cassidy, Delegation Meet with Governor Edwards to Discuss Flood Relief Funding Efforts
Today, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) met with Governor John Bel Edwards and the rest of the Louisiana Congressional delegation to further coordinate efforts to secure additional federal funds for flood relief efforts. "Just like the people in Louisiana are working together, so too are Louisiana's senators, representatives, and governor to do everything possible to bring federal help to those who were flooded," Dr. Cassidy said. Last week, Dr. Cassidy and Gov. Edwards met with Senators… Continue Reading
09.12.16
Cassidy Leads Congressional Effort on Request to Administration
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD, along with the entire Louisiana Congressional delegation, sent a letter to the president urging the administration to promptly submit a supplemental appropriations request to aid Louisiana families and businesses in flood recovery. The anomaly of two extraordinary floods occurring over a short period of time, in the same geographical region, has caused significant financial implications for the State of Louisiana and its citizens, making the combined flooding one of… Continue Reading
09.08.16
Cassidy, Edwards Meet with Senate Appropriators to Advocate for Flood Recovery Funds
Today, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) facilitated meetings with Governor John Bel Edwards and senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) who chair the Senate Committee on Appropriations. "I'm glad I could facilitate meetings between Gov. Edwards and fellow Senate appropriators in DC," Dr. Cassidy said. "Louisiana's entire federal and state delegations are working together to make sure we have the resources we need to recover, rebuild and prosper. We will also need the coope… Continue Reading
09.08.16
Cassidy Introduces Resolution Honoring Three Slain Law Enforcement Officers
Today, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) spoke on the floor to introduce a resolution honoring the memories of the three law enforcement officers who were killed in Baton Rouge, LA on July 17, 2016. Senators Ayotte (R-NH), Boozman (R-AR), Collins (R-ME), Cotton (R-AR), Hatch (R-UT), Inhofe (R-IA), Murkowski (R-AK), Sessions (R-AL), Shelby (R-AL), Sullivan (R-AK), Tillis (R-NC), Toomey (R-PA), Vitter (R-LA), Moran (R-KS), Johnson (R-WI), Fischer (R-NE), Daines (R-MT), Enzi (R-WY), Perdue (R-GA)… Continue Reading
09.07.16
ICYMI: Cassidy Speaks on Louisiana Flooding
Today, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) delivered remarks to bring attention to the recent flooding disaster in Louisiana and the $8.7 billion in damage it caused. He also addressed his coordination with the Louisiana Congressional delegation to secure recovery assistance for the state. The delegation is working to secure a 90-to-10 recovery cost-share ratio between FEMA and the state, as well as expedited authorization and funding to build the Comite River Diversion, among other mitigation p… Continue Reading
09.07.16
ICYMI: Cassidy Speaks on World’s Greatest Health Care Plan
US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD spoke on the floor today detailing the failures of Obamacare and the need for Dr. Cassidy's improved bill, the World's Greatest Health Care Plan. Watch Dr. Cassidy's remarks here. Find the full bill for the World's Greatest Health Care Plan here.… Continue Reading
09.07.16
Louisiana Receives $60 Million DOTD Grant to Repair and Expand Interstate-10
Today, the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) finalized the awarding of a $60 million grant to the State of Louisiana, to be used for the repair and expansion of I-10 in Lafayette, Louisiana. The project will replace pavement and add an additional lane on I-10 in Lafayette, between the I-10/I-49 interchange and the Atchafalaya Floodway Bridge. This project includes the approximately seven mile west segment and approximately three mile east segment of the corridor; DOTD will c… Continue Reading
09.06.16
Cassidy, Vitter Introduce Resolution Honoring Louisiana Flood Victims
US Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and David Vitter (R-LA) today introduced a Senate resolution honoring the memory and legacy of the thirteen citizens who died during the tragic flooding last month in Louisiana. Both senators are currently working to pass funding to help repair the significant damage the flooding caused and to increase the recovery cost-share between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of Louisiana. "We must remember and honor those who lost their lives … Continue Reading
09.02.16
Cassidy Meets with Capital Region Elected Officials, Flood Plain Managers, FEMA Officials
Yesterday, US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), along with flood plain managers, the president of Ascension Parish and local area mayors, met with FEMA and GOHSEP officials to clarify FEMA policies and understand how to better help South Louisiana recover from the floods. "Federal, state and local agencies must work together to help South Louisiana recover from these floods," said Dr. Cassidy. "It is important to make sure that the regulatory process, as it pertains to our recovery, is as clear… Continue Reading
08.30.16
Grassley, Vitter, Cassidy Seek Criminal, Immigration History of Bus Driver Following Fatal Louisiana Collision
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senators David Vitter and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana today are seeking background information on the driver of a bus that collided with emergency personnel who were responding to another incident on a Louisiana roadway, killing two individuals and injuring scores more. The driver, Denis Yasmir Amaya Rodriguez, is allegedly in the country illegally and had a history of driving without a license. He was driving a bus allegedly full of o… Continue Reading
08.30.16
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
