Press Releases
Cassidy, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Ensure Seniors Can Safely Volunteer During Pandemic
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation that will help ensure seniors can continue to safely volunteer during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Seniors are uniquely vulnerable to infection during the pandemic and are also the single largest group of national service participants. The Senior Corps Distance Volunteering Act will allow seniors to safely connect remotely to volunteer and community engagement opportunities. "Seniors are willing an… Continue Reading
06.10.20
VIDEO: Cassidy: Great American Outdoors Act Spends Billions on Vacation Spots, Little on Coastal Resiliency
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, again urged his colleagues to allow an amendment to the Great American Outdoors Act so that coastal states can invest in coastal resiliency and flood protection. "My problem with the Great American Outdoors Act is that it spends billions on places where we vacation, but the authors of this bill will not allow us to spend millions to protect places where people live," Dr. Cassidy said. Cassidy is proposing an a… Continue Reading
06.09.20
Cassidy Urges Amending Great American Outdoors Act to Provide Equity for Coastal States
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and chairman of the Senate Energy Subcommittee, addressed the Senate today to urge his colleagues to amend the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to provide more funds available to Gulf and coastal states to address environmental issues such as land loss and coastal resiliency. Cassidy wants to include language he authored that amends the GAOA to remove the cap on Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) revenue sharing funds that Gulf states can receiv… Continue Reading
06.08.20
Cassidy Announces $778,000 for Port of New Orleans
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced today that the Port of New Orleans is receiving more than $778,000 in federal highway funds to improve the port. Port intends to build and install more storage area for cargo to be held before it is loaded onto ships. This will increase the use of barges and traffic at the port. "Now is the time to invest in infrastructure. Louisiana ports are the gateways to the world. This grant allows the Port of New Orleans to increase its storage ability so… Continue Reading
06.04.20
Cassidy Proposes Language to Give Equity to States for Coastal Resiliency Efforts
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and chairman of Senate Energy Subcommittee, today said he has prepared an amendment to the Great American Outdoors Act to increase the amount of offshore revenue Gulf Coast states receive to address coastal resiliency and restoration efforts. Cassidy's legislation removes the existing cap on the amount of money Gulf states receive from energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf. The funds generated go to support costal resiliency and restoration effo… Continue Reading
06.02.20
Cassidy, Cantwell, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Consumer Privacy, Promote Public Health for COVID-19 Exposure Notification Apps
As public health officials around the country continue to explore exposure notification technologies as a way to combat the spread of COVID-19, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), introduced bipartisan legislation Monday to protect consumer privacy and promote public health in the development of these tools. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will also cosponsor the legislation. The legislation makes participation in commercial online exposure notification systems vol… Continue Reading
05.31.20
Cassidy Statement on Trump Designating Antifa as Domestic Terrorists
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) issued the following statement today after President Trump designated Antifa as a domestic terror organization. "Looting, destroying personal property, and violence cannot be tolerated. Antifa seized upon a movement of legitimate grievances to promote violence and anarchy, working against justice for all. The President is right to recognize the destructive role of Antifa by designating them domestic terrorists," Dr. Cassidy said. In July 2019, Cassidy and… Continue Reading
05.28.20
Cassidy Announces $40.6 Million for Livingston Parish School System
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced $40.6 million in federal funding to help the Livingston Parish School System repair schools damaged by flooding in 2016. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding $40,563,209 for repairs to Denham Springs Elementary School, Southside Elementary School, Southside Junior High School and system wide school contents damaged by the flood. "Louisiana continues to recover from devastating flooding in 2016. These funds allow Livin… Continue Reading
05.28.20
Cassidy, Delegation Ask Trump to Continue Funding for Louisiana National Guard’s COVID-19 Response
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) led the Louisiana congressional delegation in sending a letter to President Trump on Wednesday asking that his administration continue to fund the Louisiana National Guard's (LANG) COVID-19 response. U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), U.S. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA01), and U.S. Reps. Ralph Abraham (R-LA05), Mike Johnson (R-LA04), Clay Higgins (LA03), Garret Graves (R-LA06) and Cedric Richmond (D-LA01) all signed onto the letter. The LANG has … Continue Reading
05.27.20
Cassidy, Scalise, Cuellar Introduce Bipartisan SPR Reform Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) Reform Act, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to lease up to 200 million barrels of unutilized storage space in the SPR. "As the world's largest oil and gas producer, the U.S. should continue to maximize its spare capacity at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve," said Dr. Cassidy. "Usin… Continue Reading
05.22.20
Cassidy, Colleagues Introduce Helping Gig Economy Workers Act
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D., Mike Braun (R-IN), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tim Scott (R-SC), and U.S. Rep. Caroline Miller (R-WV) introduce Thursday the Helping Gig Economy Workers Act, which will allow businesses to provide contractors with employee assistance without being penalized by mis-categorizing them as full-time employees. "Gig workers play a key role in our economy. Just like other workers, they should have access to COVID-19 relief, too, without sacrificing leg… Continue Reading
05.21.20
Cassidy, Senators Propose Eliminating FEMA Cost-Share for 2020 Disasters to Help States, Cities During Pandemic
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) today introduced legislation to eliminate the cost-share payments required of states and communities included in federal disaster declarations in 2020. The Local Community Emergency Relief Act of 2020 is the second Senate proposal offered this week to mitigate coronavirus-related financial burdens affecting states and cities. Not limited to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, the bi… Continue Reading
05.21.20
Cassidy, Colleagues Call for DOJ Investigation into Improper PPP Funding for Planned Parenthood
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined a coalition of 27 senators in sending a letter to Attorney General Bill Barr urging the Department of Justice to investigate whether dozens of Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country applied for and received loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) despite knowing they were ineligible to apply. U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve… Continue Reading
05.20.20
VIDEO: Cassidy Urges Senators to Support SMART Act
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. today spoke on the floor of the United States Senate to urge his colleagues to support his SMART Act, a bipartisan bill that will deliver much-needed resources to states and local governments suffering from severe budget deficits due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Cassidy was joined in the colloquy by Democratic lead sponsor Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and cosponsors Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Joe Manchin (D-WV). … Continue Reading
05.19.20
Cassidy Announces $20 Million for Louisiana Universities
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) is awarding $20 million to the Louisiana Board of Regents and five universities in the state for research into 3D printing. LSU, Louisiana Tech, Southern, Tulane and UL-Lafayette are participating in a research project called Louisiana Materials Design Alliance (LAMDA). The project studies how 3D printing can be better used in manufacturing by strengthening materials used in the printing and removi… Continue Reading
05.18.20
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