Press Releases
Cassidy Announces Passage of his DESCEND Act, Legislation Heads to President Trump’s Desk
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Senate unanimously passed the House version of his Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices (DESCEND) Act to improve the health of reef fish populations in the Gulf of Mexico. The legislation now heads to President Trump's desk for his signature. "Fishing in the Gulf is something folks have enjoyed for decades. With passage of the DESCEND Act, Congress continues to take conservation-focused steps … Continue Reading
12.23.20
Cassidy Achieves Several Legislative Wins in COVID-19 Relief Package, Government-Funding Deal
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced several major legislative wins in the government funding agreement and COVID-19 relief package which Congress overwhelmingly passed on Monday. Cassidy voted in favor of the $900 billion coronavirus legislation and $1.4 trillion omnibus bill, which included a provision to end surprise medical billing that Senator Cassidy championed through Congress. The package now heads to President Trump's desk for his signature. "There is an urgent need i… Continue Reading
12.20.20
Senators Cassidy, Hassan Secure End to Surprise Medical Billing Legislation in Government Funding Package
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) issued the following statement after the House and Senate government funding agreement was announced, which will include provisions to end the practice of surprise medical billing: "For far too long, our constituents have done everything right at the doctor's office or hospital yet still found themselves stuck with surprise medical bills, sometimes to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. And frequently, they have to fight the… Continue Reading
12.15.20
Cassidy, Hassan, Colleagues Ask Senate Leadership to Include Surprise Medical Billing Fix in Year-End Spending Bill
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and 25 of their Senate colleagues sent a letter to Senate leadership today requesting that they include a four-committee, bipartisan agreement to end surprise medical billing in the year-end spending bill. The agreement holds patients harmless from surprise medical bills and provides a fair arbitration process to resolve disputes between health care providers and insurers. It does not undermine any existing state laws, nor does it… Continue Reading
12.14.20
Cassidy, Lawmakers Share Text of Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bills
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) shared the legislative text for the two bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief bills. The Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020 provides as much as $748 bill… Continue Reading
12.12.20
Cassidy, Hassan, Bennet Statement on Bipartisan Surprise Medical Billing Agreement
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) released the following statement on the bipartisan House and Senate agreement on a measure to end the practice of surprise medical bills: "We have heard from constituents time and time again who did everything right when going to the doctor's office or hospital but were left on the hook for surprise medical bills, sometimes to the tune of thousands of dollars. This is abhorrent and deeply unfair for families i… Continue Reading
12.08.20
Cassidy Announces $1.24 Million for Port of New Orleans to Purchase Lower Emission Trucks
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing $1.24 million in federal funds to the Port of New Orleans to replace various diesel-powered trucks with lower emission vehicles at port facilities in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. "It's vital that we strive to achieve clean emissions standards at our ports and other facilities to protect our environment, communities and crew workers from dangerous health conditions,"… Continue Reading
12.04.20
President Trump Signs Cassidy, Johnson Bill to Rename Post Office After Dr. C.O. Simpkins Sr. into Law
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) today announced President Trump has signed H.R. 5384, legislation to rename the Mansfield post office after civil rights leader and former Louisiana legislator Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Senior, into law. Raised in Shreveport, Dr. Simpkins was a fighter for voting rights for African American Louisianans and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King throughout the civil rights era. Dr. Simpkins was a founder of the United Chr… Continue Reading
12.04.20
Cassidy, Colleagues Request College Transparency Act Be Included in Year-End Spending Bill
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and eight of his Senate colleagues have signed a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to request that the College Transparency Act be included in the year-end omnibus spending bill. "As families are grappling with tougher financial decisions and budgets that are more strained than ever, and as policy makers are making difficult decisions about the future of our higher education system, we have no time to… Continue Reading
12.02.20
Cassidy Meets with Louisiana Native Thomas-Greenfield, Pick for UN Ambassador
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today met with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a Louisiana native and LSU graduate who is President-elect Joe Biden's pick for United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Thomas-Greenfield brings 35 years of diplomatic experience and public service to the position of U.S. Ambassador to the UN. Her experience includes working in refugee policy, African affairs, humanitarian issues and economic development. She was also the top State Department official in char… Continue Reading
12.01.20
Cassidy, Colleagues Announce Bipartisan Proposal for Emergency COVID Aid
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of lawmakers to announce the framework for a targeted, emergency COVID aid package to help struggling Americans. The members of the coalition crafted policy they believe can break the stalemate in Congress and pass both chambers. "This is a bipartisan, bicameral effort that creates a pathway forward to bring relief to those who need it most. Republicans and Democrats in both chambers got much of what we wanted, and … Continue Reading
11.28.20
Cassidy Issues Statement After Citgo Six Found Guilty on Corruption Charges
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today released the following statement regarding news that the Citgo Six, a group of Americans imprisoned in Venezuela, were found guilty on corruption charges by a Venezuelan judge. Lake Charles resident Tomeu Vadell is among those being held. "It is absolutely unacceptable that the Citgo Six were convicted on baseless corruption charges. Tomeu Vadell and the five other Americans should be released immediately so they can be reunited with their families,"… Continue Reading
11.20.20
Cassidy Announces $2.4 Million in CARES Act Funding to Louisiana Economic Development to Rejuvenate Business in Baton Rouge Area
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Department of Commerce is awarding $2.4 million in CARES Act funding to the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) to establish a technical assistance program for restoring and enhancing economic growth in Baton Rouge due to the impacts of COVID-19. "Louisiana was hit hard this year by the COVID-19 pandemic and a deluge of hurricanes that wrecked homes, businesses, schools and families," said Dr. Cassidy. "This investment re… Continue Reading
11.13.20
Cassidy Announces Nearly $12 Million for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Research, HIV Grants Program
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Department of Health and Human Services is awarding nearly $12 million in federal funds to the Louisiana Department of Health and Xavier University of Louisiana for HIV/AIDS care and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy research. "As companies make significant progress in the race to find a COVID-19 vaccine, it is critical that we educate the public on the benefits of receiving a vaccine once it becomes available so that overall public health is … Continue Reading
11.12.20
VIDEO: Cassidy Pays Tribute to Mangham, NOPD Officers Shot in Line of Duty
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday to pay tribute to Louisiana police officers who were recently shot in the line of duty. Mangham Police Officer Marshall Waters died on Nov. 5 after being shot while administering a traffic stop of a suspected stolen vehicle. In a separate incident, New Orleans Police Officer Trevor Abney was shot and seriously wounded while on patrol on Oct. 30. Officer Brooke Duncan received a graze wound during the incide… Continue Reading
10.30.20
Following Cassidy’s Letter and Conversation with Trump, President Approves 100% Federal Cost Share for Hurricane Laura Debris Removal
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced that President Trump has approved his request for a 100 percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. "Hurricane Laura inflicted widespread devastation upon Louisiana from Cameron Parish to Ouachita Parish," said Dr. Cassidy. "The combined effects of the coronavirus pandemic and Hurricanes Laura and Delta have exhausted many communit… Continue Reading
10.30.20
Cassidy Supports Constitutional Amendment Blocking Court Packing
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) has signed onto a bill offered by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) that proposes a constitutional amendment to prevent packing the Supreme Court. The proposed amendment reads: "The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine justices." "Nine justices are a balanced amount for the Supreme Court. Efforts to pack the court are nakedly political in nature and serve only to secure a permanent liberal majority. A constitutional amendment makes it c… Continue Reading
10.28.20
Cassidy Introduces Resolution Recognizing October 2020 as Dyslexia Awareness Month
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced a resolution recognizing October 2020 as Dyslexia Awareness Month. "Twenty percent of Americans are dyslexic, and it's vital to highlight this learning disability so that dyslexic individuals aren't left behind," said Dr. Cassidy. "Bringing awareness to dyslexia gives individuals the intervention they need so they can achieve their highest potential in life." Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Boozman (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME), Chr… Continue Reading
10.27.20
Cassidy, Colleagues Introduce MOM Act to Improve Health Care for Expectant Mothers
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Todd Young (R-IN) and Tom Carper (D-DE) today introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at improving health care for expectant mothers. The Connected Maternal Online Monitoring Services (MOM) Act requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to provide coverage recommendations for remote devices to check blood pressure, blood glucose and pulse rates. It also requires CMS to update state resources, such as state Medicaid telehea… Continue Reading
10.26.20
VIDEO: Cassidy Votes to Confirm Barrett to Supreme Court
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today voted to confirm Louisiana native Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Senate advanced her nomination, and she is expected to be sworn in at a ceremony at the White House. "Friends and relatives of Amy Coney Barrett in Metairie and across Louisiana are right to feel particularly proud at this moment. As a little girl who became a mature woman, she embraced the values of her faith, family and community and has risen to be a… Continue Reading