Bill Cassidy
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" Cassidy is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party
.
in 1983. He specializes in the treatment of diseases of the liver, both in private practice and at the Earl K. Long Medical Center (LSUMC). He is married to the former Laura Layden, herself a physician, and they have three children: Will, Meg, and Kate. Cassidy is one of four sons of the late James F. Cassidy, a native of Cincinnati
, Ohio, and an insurance underwriter in Baton Rouge. His mother is Betty Cassidy of Baton Rouge, and his brothers are James F. Cassidy of Randolph
, Massachusetts, and David Cassidy and Steve Cassidy, both of Baton Rouge.
In 1998, Cassidy helped found the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic to provide uninsured residents of the greater Baton Rouge area with access to free health care. The Clinic provides low-income families free dental, medical, mental health and vision care through an innovative “virtual” approach that partners needy patients with doctors who provide care free of charge.
Cassidy has also developed public health programs such as the School-Based Hepatitis B Vaccination program, a public-private coalition that has vaccinated over 36,000 children.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Cassidy led a group of health care volunteers to convert an abandoned K-Mart building into an emergency health care facility, providing basic health care to victims of the natural disaster.
Cassidy is a member of The Chapel, a nondenominational church in Baton Rouge.
, appearing on numerous television and radio shows nationwide to lobby for its defeat. Citing his background as a physician in a state-run public hospital, Cassidy argued that the health overhaul advocated by President Barack Obama
would fail to lower costs and give too much decision-making authority to the federal government.
On January 19, 2011, Cassidy voted for H.R.2, which would completely repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
that was passed and signed into law by President Obama in 2010.
(CA) to introduce legislation that would amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that Members of Congress list their earmark requests on their Congressional websites. Previous earmark reform efforts had focused on disclosure of earmarks that were funded by Congress.
In May 2010, Cassidy and Speier again partnered on earmark reform legislation, the Earmark Transparency Act, which would strengthen their original proposal by ensuring that all earmark requests are posted in a single, searchable online database. The Earmark Transparency Act has been endorsed by Citizens Against Government Waste
and the Sunlight Foundation
.
William Daniel, a fellow Republican, and Libertarian
candidate S.B. Zaitoon. The election was held to replace Jay Dardenne
, who vacated the seat he had held since 1992 upon his election as Louisiana Secretary of State. Cassidy was officially sworn in on December 20, 2006.
On October 20, 2007, Cassidy was re-elected, this time to a full four year term in the Louisiana State Senate. Cassidy received 76 percent of the vote against Republican Troy "Rocco" Moreau (15 percent) and Libertarian Richard Fontanesi (9 percent).
On November 4, 2008 Cassidy was elected to serve Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating incumbent Democratic Congressman Don Cazayoux
. His victory was one of five seats that Republicans gained from the Democrats, two of those seats being in Louisiana (the other being Joseph Cao
in the 2nd). Cassidy's victory was one of the bright spots in an otherwise disastrous year for Republicans. He likely would not have won if not for the independent candidacy of State Representative Michael Jackson, also of Baton Rouge. Jackson won 36,133 votes—more than the 25,000-vote margin between Cassidy and Cazayoux. Indeed, the precinct tally suggested that Jackson siphoned off many African-American votes that would have otherwise gone to Cazayoux.
In the 2010 midterm elections, Cassidy defeated Democrat Merritt E. McDonald of Baton Rouge. Cassidy earned 66% of the vote to win his first re-election campaign, while Republicans nationwide gained 63 seats in the House of Representatives and assumed majority status after four years of Democratic control in the House.
General Election, November 2, 2010
United States House of Representatives, 6th District of Louisiana (2008)
General Election, November 4, 2008
Louisiana State Senate, District 16 (2007)
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 20, 2007
Louisiana State Senate, District 16 (2006)
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, December 9, 2006
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
Early life, education and career
Cassidy graduated from Louisiana State UniversityLouisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in 1983. He specializes in the treatment of diseases of the liver, both in private practice and at the Earl K. Long Medical Center (LSUMC). He is married to the former Laura Layden, herself a physician, and they have three children: Will, Meg, and Kate. Cassidy is one of four sons of the late James F. Cassidy, a native of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, Ohio, and an insurance underwriter in Baton Rouge. His mother is Betty Cassidy of Baton Rouge, and his brothers are James F. Cassidy of Randolph
Randolph, Massachusetts
The Town of Randolph is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 32,112. Randolph adopted a new charter effective January 2010 providing for a council-manager form of government instead of the traditional town meeting...
, Massachusetts, and David Cassidy and Steve Cassidy, both of Baton Rouge.
In 1998, Cassidy helped found the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic to provide uninsured residents of the greater Baton Rouge area with access to free health care. The Clinic provides low-income families free dental, medical, mental health and vision care through an innovative “virtual” approach that partners needy patients with doctors who provide care free of charge.
Cassidy has also developed public health programs such as the School-Based Hepatitis B Vaccination program, a public-private coalition that has vaccinated over 36,000 children.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Cassidy led a group of health care volunteers to convert an abandoned K-Mart building into an emergency health care facility, providing basic health care to victims of the natural disaster.
Cassidy is a member of The Chapel, a nondenominational church in Baton Rouge.
Committee assignments (112th Congress)
- Committee on Energy and CommerceUnited States House Committee on Energy and CommerceThe Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
- Subcommittee on Health
- Subcommittee on Environment and EconomyUnited States House Energy Subcommittee on Environment and EconomyThe Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Economy is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Prior to 2009, it was known as the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, and was part of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment from 2009 to 2011...
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade
Caucuses
- Congressional Biomass CaucusCongressional Biomass CaucusThe Congressional Biomass Caucus is a bipartisan caucus of the United States House of Representatives co-chaired by Representatives Charles Bass and Peter Welch . It was officially registered with the Committee on House Administration, the house committee responsible for regulating caucuses, on...
- Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish AmericansCongressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish AmericansThe "Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans" was established by US Congressmen Robert Wexler , Ed Whitfield and Kay Granger in March 2001....
- Gulf Coast Caucus
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Military Families Caucus
- Sportsmen's Caucus
- Tea Party CaucusTea Party CaucusThe Tea Party Caucus is a caucus of the United States House of Representatives and Senate launched and chaired by Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann on July 16, 2010. The caucus is dedicated to promoting what it considers fiscal responsibility, adherence to the movement's interpretation of...
Health care
Cassidy was a vocal opponent of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActPatient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
, appearing on numerous television and radio shows nationwide to lobby for its defeat. Citing his background as a physician in a state-run public hospital, Cassidy argued that the health overhaul advocated by President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
would fail to lower costs and give too much decision-making authority to the federal government.
On January 19, 2011, Cassidy voted for H.R.2, which would completely repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
that was passed and signed into law by President Obama in 2010.
Earmark reform
In May 2009, Cassidy partnered with Democratic Congresswoman Jackie SpeierJackie Speier
Karen Lorraine Jacqueline "Jackie" Speier is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2008. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes the northern two-thirds of San Mateo County and the southwest quarter of San Francisco.She is also a former member of the California State...
(CA) to introduce legislation that would amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that Members of Congress list their earmark requests on their Congressional websites. Previous earmark reform efforts had focused on disclosure of earmarks that were funded by Congress.
In May 2010, Cassidy and Speier again partnered on earmark reform legislation, the Earmark Transparency Act, which would strengthen their original proposal by ensuring that all earmark requests are posted in a single, searchable online database. The Earmark Transparency Act has been endorsed by Citizens Against Government Waste
Citizens Against Government Waste
Citizens Against Government Waste is a 501 non-profit organization in the United States. It functions as a think-tank, 'government watchdog', and advocacy group for fiscally conservative causes...
and the Sunlight Foundation
Sunlight Foundation
The Sunlight Foundation is a 501 educational organization founded in April 2006 with the goal of increasing transparency and accountability in the United States government....
.
Political campaigns
On December 9, 2006, Cassidy won a special election for the District 16 seat in the Louisiana Senate. In his first bid for public office, Cassidy defeated veteran State RepresentativeLouisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
William Daniel, a fellow Republican, and Libertarian
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
candidate S.B. Zaitoon. The election was held to replace Jay Dardenne
Jay Dardenne
John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne, Jr. , has been Louisiana's Republican lieutenant governor since November 22, 2010. He won a special election to the position held in conjunction with the regular November 2 general election. At the time, Dardenne was Louisiana secretary of state...
, who vacated the seat he had held since 1992 upon his election as Louisiana Secretary of State. Cassidy was officially sworn in on December 20, 2006.
On October 20, 2007, Cassidy was re-elected, this time to a full four year term in the Louisiana State Senate. Cassidy received 76 percent of the vote against Republican Troy "Rocco" Moreau (15 percent) and Libertarian Richard Fontanesi (9 percent).
On November 4, 2008 Cassidy was elected to serve Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating incumbent Democratic Congressman Don Cazayoux
Don Cazayoux
Donald J. 'Don' Cazayoux, Jr. is a former Democratic U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 6th congressional district. He is currently US Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana....
. His victory was one of five seats that Republicans gained from the Democrats, two of those seats being in Louisiana (the other being Joseph Cao
Joseph Cao
Anh "Joseph" Quang Cao is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. In April 2011, he announced he will be a candidate for Attorney General of Louisiana in 2011, however in September 2011 he pulled out of the race.He was the first...
in the 2nd). Cassidy's victory was one of the bright spots in an otherwise disastrous year for Republicans. He likely would not have won if not for the independent candidacy of State Representative Michael Jackson, also of Baton Rouge. Jackson won 36,133 votes—more than the 25,000-vote margin between Cassidy and Cazayoux. Indeed, the precinct tally suggested that Jackson siphoned off many African-American votes that would have otherwise gone to Cazayoux.
In the 2010 midterm elections, Cassidy defeated Democrat Merritt E. McDonald of Baton Rouge. Cassidy earned 66% of the vote to win his first re-election campaign, while Republicans nationwide gained 63 seats in the House of Representatives and assumed majority status after four years of Democratic control in the House.
Electoral history
United States House of Representatives, 6th District of Louisiana (2010)General Election, November 2, 2010
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| "Bill" Cassidy | Republican | 138,607 (66%) | Elected |
| Merritt E. McDonald, Sr. | Democratic | 72,577 (34%) | Defeated |
United States House of Representatives, 6th District of Louisiana (2008)
General Election, November 4, 2008
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| "Bill" Cassidy | Republican | 150,332 (48%) | Elected |
| "Don" Cazayoux | Democratic | 125,886 (40%) | Defeated |
| Michael Jackson | No Party | 36,198 (12%) | Defeated |
Louisiana State Senate, District 16 (2007)
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 20, 2007
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| "Bill" Cassidy | Republican | 33,463 (76%) | Elected |
| Troy "Rocco" Moreau | Republican | 6,781 (15%) | Defeated |
| Richard Fontanesi | Libertarian | 3,995 (9%) | Defeated |
Louisiana State Senate, District 16 (2006)
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, December 9, 2006
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| "Bill" Cassidy | Republican | 8,394 (58%) | Elected |
| William Daniel | Republican | 5,472 (38%) | Defeated |
| S.B.A. Zaitoon | Libertarian | 592 (4%) | Defeated |
External links
- Congressman Bill Cassidy official U.S. House site
- Bill Cassidy for Congress official campaign site
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...
- Shuler, Marsha Cassidy defeats Daniel in Senate race The Advocate, December 10, 2006