Congressman Bill Cassidy Has Consistently Voted to Hurt Louisiana’s Middle-Class Families

Sen. Mary Landrieu Shows Differences in Race Could Not Be Clearer

BATON ROUGE — Sen. Mary Landrieu yesterday displayed, once again, that the differences in the U.S. Senate race could not be clearer, after announcing she was able to secure more than $1 billion as part of the Senate bill that will fund the Department of Homeland Security next year. This is in direct contrast to Congressman Bill Cassidy, who has repeatedly supported budgets that cut funding for Louisiana’s students, seniors, businesses and middle-class families.

“Congressman Bill Cassidy has repeatedly used his time in Congress to support bills and budgets that make cuts to higher education and make it harder for Louisiana businesses and middle-class families to succeed,” said Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk. “Throughout her career in the Senate, Mary Landrieu has fought for Louisiana’s families and businesses, and still today she is working to make their lives better by bringing thousands of jobs to the state and securing hundreds of millions of dollars for Louisiana.”

In addition to the more than billion dollars coming to the state, Landrieu’s work will specifically help create thousands of jobs for Louisianians. Landrieu has also introduced a Passport to the Middle Class initiative, which would increase both college access and affordability for young Louisianians and their families. Meanwhile, the radical budgets Cassidy has voted for would make cuts to education, workforce development and Louisiana businesses.

“Congressman Cassidy doesn’t know which way is up when it comes to Louisiana voters,” said Handwerk. “He has repeatedly voted for radical budgets that increase the tax burden on the middle class, eliminate jobs and cut funding for our students. Louisianians simply can’t trust Congressman Cassidy.”

Background

6/24/14: Senator Landrieu Announced She Included $757 Million For Cyber Security Programs In the Senate Homeland Appropriations Bill. “The Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced that she has included $757 million for cybersecurity programs as part of the Senate bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2015. This significant level of funding will help grow Louisiana’s I-20 Tech Corridor, create cybersecurity jobs and help keep the nation safe from ever-increasing cyber threats. The funding also includes $15.8 million for cybersecurity education programs like the one the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) in Bossier City, La., which has been operating as an integral part in the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to develop a future skilled workforce.” [KNOE, 6/24/14]

6/24/14: Senator Landrieu Announced She Secured $100 Million For FEMA To Update Its Flood Maps As Part Of The Senate Homeland Appropiations Bill. “Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., pushed a spending bill through her Appropriations Subcommittee Tuesday that increases funding to update and correct flawed flood insurance maps and to build six more Coast Guard vessels under a contract with Bollinger Shipyards. The bill’s $100 million allotment to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for flood maps is $16 million more than proposed by President Barack Obama, and $5 million more than proposed in a House spending bill.  Flood insurance fees add another $121 million for flood insurance maps.” [Times-Picayune, 6/24/14]

6/24/14: Senator Landrieu Announced She Included $318 Million For Fast Response Cutters Constructed In Louisiana In The Senate Homeland Appropriations Bill. “The 2015 spending bill approved by Landrieu’s subcommittee includes $318 million for six Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), which are built at Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport. Landrieu said the funding would keep 3,000 people working at the shipyard. ‘We must replace the Coast Guard’s aging fleet for it to keep carrying out its vital role in protecting our nation,’ Landrieu said. ‘Today’s funding will provide the Coast Guard with these exceptional boats, allow the Coast Guard to carry out critical lifesaving, law enforcement and homeland security missions and support 3,000 jobs in Southeast Louisiana.’ The president had proposed two fast response cutters for the 2015 fiscal year, and the House homeland security bill funds four new ships. Landrieu said there are significant savings — about $5 million per ship — from maximizing the production line to six ships per year, rather than two. “ [Times-Picayune, 6/24/14]

Bill Cassidy Voted For The Ryan Budget For FY 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012. [H. Con. Res. 96, Vote #177, 4/10/14; H. Con. Res. 25, Vote #88, 3/21/13; H. Con. Res. 112, Vote #151, 3/29/12; H. Con. Res. 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11]

Bill Cassidy Voted For The Republican Study Committee Budget For FY 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012. [H. Con. Res. 96, Vote #175, 4/10/14; H.Con.Res.25, Vote #86, 3/20/13; H.Con.Res.112, Vote #149, 3/29/12; H.Con.Res.34, Vote #275, 4/15/11]

The FY 2015 Ryan Budget Raises Taxes On The Middle Class By $2,000, Giving Millionaires A Tax Cut Of Over $87,000 Each. The Ryan budget proposes to lower tax rates for high-income earners from 39.6% to 25%, which would require the middle-class to pay more in taxes in order for the budget to balance as proposed. A Tax Policy Center analysis of a similar proposal found that the tax reductions for high-income earners would cost $5.7 trillion, making it mathematically impossible “to enact Rep. Ryan’s tax policies in a deficit-neutral tax reform without including big tax increases for low- and middle-income taxpayers.” Taxpayers with income exceeding $1 million would receive an average net tax decrease of over $87,000, according to a White House analysis. In order to pay for these tax breaks, the Ryan budget would raise taxes on middle-class families with children by an average of at least $2,000.  [House Republican Budget Chairman’s Mark, 4/1/14; New York Times Editorial, 4/01/14; TPC, 3/15/13; TPC, 8/1/12; CTJ, 4/2/14; WH,4/1/14; WH, 4/8/14]

The FY 2015 Ryan Budget Supported By Bill Cassidy Would Hit Louisiana With A $1.1 Billion Middle Class Tax Hike, While Cutting Taxes For Millionaires By $579.8 Million. Instead of asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share, the Republican budget would drastically lower their top tax rate from 39.6% to 25%. Even if the Republican plan asked millionaires to give up all of their tax breaks, except for those Chairman Ryan has consistently made clear he would preserve, they would still receive an average net tax cut of $200,000 while middle-class families would see a tax hike. [DPCC Calculations Based on TPC, 8/1/12; CTJ, 4/2/14; IRS]

The FY 2015 Ryan Budget Supported By Bill Cassidy Could Result In The Loss Of 42,573 Jobs In Louisiana. The Republican budget would pull hundreds of billions of dollars out of the economy by slashing job-creating investments in things like infrastructure and scientific research, killing demand, depressing economic activity, and hurting job creation. The drag caused by these extreme cuts could cost 42,573 jobs in Louisiana in 2016. [DPCC Calculations based on EPI, 4/1/14]

The FY 2015 Ryan Budget Would Cut Pell Grants Funding For Louisiana Students By $43.2 Million. [White House, 4/9/14]

The FY 2015 RSC Budget Would Cut Pell Grants Funding For Louisiana Students By $79.2 Million. [DSCC, DPCC, and Third Way analysis, April 2014]

The FY 2015 Ryan Budget Would Cut Pell Grants Entirely For 9,030 Louisiana Students. [White House, 4/9/14]

The FY 2015 RSC Budget Would Cut Pell Grants Entirely For 16,555 Louisiana Students. [DSCC, DPCC, and Third Way analysis, April 2014]

The FY 2015 Ryan Budget Cuts To Title I Funding, Leaving It Unable To Support The Equivalent Of 130 Schools And 70,740 Disadvantaged Students In Louisiana, Potentially Resulting In 590 Fewer Teachers And Aides With Jobs. [White House, 4/9/14]

The FY 2015 Ryan Budget Would Lead To 360 Fewer Special Education Teachers, Aides, And Other Staff In Louisiana Supported By Federal Funding. [White House, 4/9/14]

The FY 2015 Ryan Budget Would Lead To 31,900 Fewer Louisianians Receiving Job Search Assistance And 13,500 Fewer Louisianians Receiving Training And Employment Services. [White House, 4/9/14]

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