Bill Cassidy

“People know that the Federal Government helps Americans purchase health insurance. We do that by making health insurance tax deductible. When you pay for your premiums, it is on what is called a pretax basis, but something is wrong. The lowest paid Americans in the employer-sponsored insurance market get the least amount of help from the Federal Government. Now, if you are poor, you get 100 percent of your health insurance paid for by Medicaid.”

“I rise today to speak to the nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General. Over the last several days, I have heard from lots of people sharing their views on this nomination, and most of the time it is clear Mr. Blanche has become a referendum on how people feel about President Trump. If you don't like the President, you don't like Mr. Blanche, and if you do like the President, you do. I have not approached it this way.”

“I have been told that I am a lousy politician but a good Senator. I consider that a compliment. What would happen if everyone in the Senate stopped being a good politician for a moment and strove to be a good Senator when it comes to addressing the issue associated with Social Security? Over 70 million Americans depend upon Social Security, and ultimately, all Americans will when they reach the age of retirement. Everyone in the Senate and most of the people in the country know that the Social Security System is going insolvent.”

“I just told my colleague from Illinois: It has been a ride. We have been trying to set up a process, a process whereby Congress would consider a solution--not prescribe a solution, consider a solution--for Social Security, a process that would have Members of the House and Members of the Senate come together fully open for input from stakeholders, from citizens, to have something to present among all the proposals that are out there--two proposals, three proposals--and whatever we put up would not be the final solution necessarily.”

“It is part of, as a doctor, I would say, a pro-patient--we would say pro-family--agenda that we wish to deliver for the American people. About a month and a half ago, President Trump had a signing ceremony for the HALT Fentanyl Act at the White House. That was my bill, so I was privileged to be there. Behind him were families holding the pictures of their children who had died from fentanyl overdose. Incredibly moving. I had a similar ceremony in Baton Rouge where, across Louisiana, people came and held a picture of their child who had died.”