Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has voted to pass a bill that will keep the government open until December 20, 2024. The legislation also includes an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and additional funding for disaster relief in response to Hurricane Francine.

“Nobody wants a shutdown. We must keep the National Flood Insurance Program going, put more money into FEMA’s disaster relief fund, continue to pay our troops, and give the Secret Service additional resources to protect President Trump. While I’m disappointed the SAVE Act was not included, this bill gives us the time to find a lasting solution without harming Americans,” said Dr. Cassidy.

Cassidy recently spoke on the Senate floor about reauthorizing and reforming NFIP, marking his sixth speech in a series aimed at addressing high flood insurance premiums. In January, he requested a U.S. Senate Banking Committee hearing on NFIP which highlighted its urgent need for reform and featured testimony from a Louisiana witness.

Additionally, Cassidy participated in a roundtable hosted by GNO, Inc., and the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance before introducing related legislation. Last year, he visited St. Bernard Parish to discuss flood insurance premiums with residents as part of his "Bill on the Hill" series.

Earlier this month, President Biden approved a disaster declaration following Hurricane Francine covering Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes.

In light of recent events involving former President Donald Trump’s safety after two assassination attempts, Cassidy along with seven other Senate Republicans have called for Trump to receive Secret Service protection equivalent to that of a sitting president.