Press Releases
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
04.09.20
Cassidy, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Letter to Medicare to Address Interest Rates for Health Care Providers on Coronavirus Frontlines
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led a letter today with a bipartisan group of 32 Senators, calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive or modify interest rates for health care providers who've sought financial assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic through Medicare's Accelerated and Advance Payments Program. This program has historically been used to expedite Medicare payments to subsets of Medicare participating providers during v… Continue Reading
04.08.20
Cassidy Speaks with DOI’s Bernhardt About Offshore Royalty Relief
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and chairman of the Senate Energy Subcommittee, yesterday (Tuesday) spoke with Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt about how to save oil and gas jobs through royalty relief for producers in the Gulf of Mexico. "Louisiana oil and gas jobs are at risk because Saudi Arabia and Russia are in a price war and because of a lockdown on our economy. I spoke with Sec. Bernhardt yesterday about preserving jobs and this industry. He promised to quickly process t… Continue Reading
04.08.20
Coronavirus Update: Cassidy Announces $30 Million for Louisiana Health Care Facilities
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding more than $30 million in federal funding to Louisiana health care facilities to fight the coronavirus epidemic. The funds will be dispersed to 34 health care facilities in 40 parishes across the state. The grant money is part of the CARES Act, a $2 trillion relief package signed into law by President Trump on March 27 that provides emergency assistance for American fami… Continue Reading
04.07.20
Cassidy Pushes for More Protective Equipment for First Responders
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy signed onto a letter to President Trump to advocate for more personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders. The shortage of PPE could expose first responders to COVID-19 and could hamper the ability of emergency personnel to serve on the front lines during this public health crisis. "[We] urge you to continue exploring every possible avenue to increase the supply of PPE to put more of this critical equipment into the hands of those who need it most, includin… Continue Reading
04.06.20
Cassidy Seeks Greater Coronavirus Protections for Seniors in High-Risk Settings
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) on Friday signed a bipartisan letter that encourages federal health officials to consider solutions to protect Medicare beneficiaries from high-risk settings and ensure safe access to care as the nation continues to work to combat COVID-19. The letter, sent Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma, seeks solutions in light of evidence that COVID-19 presents the most severe heal… Continue Reading
04.06.20
Cassidy Urges USDA to Protect Farmers, Ensure Continuity of Food Supply
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) signed onto a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue urging the Trump administration to ensure the continuity of our country's food supply and support rural areas during the coronavirus pandemic by providing needed relief to farmers. "Americans always depend on our nation's farmers to grow the food, fuel, and fiber that we all need, but that reliance becomes much more pronounced in times of crisis," the senators wrote. "To provide… Continue Reading
04.01.20
Cassidy: Trump Grants Full Funding for LA National Guard to Respond to Coronavirus
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced today that the federal government is completely funding the Louisiana National Guard's efforts to combat coronavirus. About 1,200 guardsmen are assisting with disaster response across Louisiana. They address different needs such as food preparation, assisting with testing, distributing supplies and preparing emergency shelters. Cassidy wrote to President Donald Trump last week requesting the cost-share adjustment along with other members of Loui… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Cassidy Votes in Favor of Coronavirus Stimulus Package
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined the majority of the Senate in passing the CARES Act - the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act - that provides $2 trillion in emergency assistance for American families and businesses. "The Coronavirus epidemic has damaged our physical and our economic health. This bill supports the economic health of individuals, families and employers. It also advances the fight to make us safe from the disease," said Dr. Cassidy. Cassidy secured se… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Full of Cassidy Legislative Priorities
Yesterday, Senate Republicans released their Phase III coronavirus response package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) served on the Health task force and was a leading voice for health care policy in the stimulus bill. "Congress and President Trump are committed to helping Americans through this difficult time. The CARES Act addresses economic and health-related needs. Passage will immediately benefit Americans' physical a… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Cassidy’s Bill to Help Veterans During Coronavirus Outbreak Headed to President Trump
Legislation originally cosponsored by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) that protects student veterans' housing allowance during the coronavirus outbreak is heading to President Trump's desk for his signature to make it law. Veterans using their GI Bill benefits to attend classes receive a base housing allowance to live on campus. Online students receive only 25 percent of those benefits. Coronavirus has forced many universities to shift to online classes, meaning that veterans receiving h… Continue Reading
03.18.20
Cassidy Issues Statement on Coronavirus Relief Bill
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement after the Senate passed by a 90-8 vote the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Cassidy voted for the bill, which provides for paid sick and family leave, free coronavirus testing, increased benefits for SNAP and Medicaid patients, and free testing. The Senate is preparing another bill to fill needs in other areas of the economy. Cassidy is on the working group that will craft health care policies for that package. Mor… Continue Reading
