WWW: Senator Cassidy Backs The Blue

Baton Rouge, LA - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) has consistently backed the blue and stood with the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep Louisiana families safe. From supporting legislation to crack down on criminals who target police officers to backing efforts that give law enforcement stronger tools to combat violent crime and deadly fentanyl, Cassidy has built a record of supporting those who protect and serve. 

Senator Cassidy has delivered over $580 million to support Louisiana law enforcement, public safety, and crime prevention efforts.

“Louisiana’s men and women in blue deserve our full support,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We should do everything we can to protect law enforcement from violent criminals and targeted attacks. I’ll keep fighting for our law enforcement and give them the tools they need to protect Louisiana families.”

Some of the key ways Senator Cassidy has delivered for Louisiana’s men and women in blue:

Cracking Down on Illegal Criminals

• Supported the Laken Riley Act: Strong supporter of the Laken Riley Act to help law enforcement detain criminal illegal aliens who threaten public safety.

• Authored HALT Fentanyl Act: Strong supporter of the HALT Fentanyl Act to crack down on deadly fentanyl and give law enforcement stronger tools to combat trafficking in Louisiana communities. President Trump signed this into law in 2026.

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Law Enforcement 

• Worked tirelessly following the 2016 Louisiana flooding to secure reimbursements for law enforcement damages and lost revenue. 

• Secured $15 million in Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance (EFLEA) program funding in the 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill (Louisiana ultimately received $3.85 million). 

• Collaborated with FEMA to ensure sheriff’s offices received reimbursement for eligible expenditures. 

• Continued this support following Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Ida, and other natural disasters.

Support for Emergency Preparedness 

• Secured $375,000 in the FY 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations bill for a new Louisiana Sheriff’s Task Force Mobile Emergency Operations Center in Ascension Parish.

No Space for Anti-Police Violence 

• Denounced attacks on officers and property following the death of George Floyd, condemning groups like ANTIFA for promoting violence. 

• Anti-BLM Terrorist Ties: Called for Washington, D.C. to remove Black Lives Matter public artwork and accused the group of supporting terrorists. 

• Fund the Police: Forcefully opposed “defund the police” proposals and introduced legislation to block officials from withholding federal grants from local departments. 

• Jobs for Officers & First Responders: Pushed for funding in 2020 to protect local government jobs for officers and first responders. 

• Keeping Officers Safe: Introduced legislation in 2021 to expand self-defense rights for officers and crack down on criminals who target them. 

• Back the Blue Act: Introduced to increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers. Also, provides new tools for officers to protect themselves.

Protecting Retirement Benefits for Law Enforcement 

• Led efforts to pass the WEP-GPO legislation, ensuring officers receive the full retirement benefits they earned. 

Strengthening Qualified Immunity for Officers 

• Strong supporter of the Qualified Immunity Act of 2025 protecting law enforcement from frivolous lawsuits while maintaining accountability for rights violations. 

Honoring Law Enforcement Officers

• Sponsored the Senate resolution designating National Police Week, honoring fallen officers and reiterating support for law enforcement nationwide.

Expanding Homeownership Opportunities for First Responders 

• Co-introduced the HELPER Act, creating a mortgage program for law enforcement, first responders, and teachers to help them buy homes and aid recruitment and retention. 

Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Support 

• Strong advocate for robust Byrne JAG funding to support crime reduction initiatives, pretrial diversion, and behavioral health coordination. 

• Secured funding in the FY 2026 Senate CJS Appropriations bill for projects benefiting Louisiana law enforcement: 

• $1.25M – East Baton Rouge Crime Gun Intelligence Service Upgrades

• $794K – West Monroe Police Department Safety Equipment 

• $1.5M – City of Ruston Police Real Time Intelligence Crime Center 

• $1.395M – Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Advanced Forensic Center Equipment

• $250K – Tensas Parish Police Security Equipment Upgrades 

• $300K – Grant Parish Law Enforcement Security Upgrades 

Supporting Local Law Enforcement Near National Forests 

• Secured $86,000 in additional funds in the National Forestry Service budget to support cooperative law enforcement agreements for parishes adjacent to Kisatchie National Forest (Grant, Winn, Vernon). 

Cracking Down on Illegal Criminals

• Supported the Laken Riley Act: Strong supporter of the Laken Riley Act to help law enforcement detain criminal illegal aliens who threaten public safety.

• Authored HALT Fentanyl Act: Strong supporter of the HALT Fentanyl Act to crack down on deadly fentanyl and give law enforcement stronger tools to combat trafficking in Louisiana communities. President Trump signed this into law in 2026.

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