New Orleans, Louisiana – Today, Bill Cassidy put his stamp of approval on a plan that would effectively lead to a government shutdown at the end of the month and result in disastrous consequences for Louisiana’s small-business owners, military families, students, seniors and homeowners. Groups and individuals across the political spectrum have slammed the plan, including Sen. John McCain, who called it “not rational,” and the Chamber of Commerce, which has urged lawmakers to oppose it.
Why then is Bill Cassidy voting to lead us toward a government shutdown? In order to defund the national health care law that is almost identical to the “Cassidycare” legislation he introduced in 2007, before the president even took office.
As has been widely reported, Bill Cassidy introduced legislation in 2007 nearly identical to the national health care law that passed in 2010. The legislation, which Cassidy’s opponent Rob Maness has described as “Cassidycare,” would have created a Louisiana health insurance exchange – just like the national health care law.
“Make no mistake, in order to defund health care legislation he tried to pass at the state level only six years ago, Bill Cassidy just voted for a government shutdown that will have disastrous consequences for Louisiana’s small-business owners, military families, seniors, students and homeowners,” said Campaign for Louisiana Communications Director Andrew Zucker. “Bill Cassidy’s stamp of approval on a government shutdown over funding for legislation Cassidy effectively introduced at the state level in 2007 is reckless and irresponsible, and clear proof to Louisiana families that Cassidy isn’t someone they can count on to fight for them.”
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