Some more bull shit from this doofus:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
As Congress begins to move forward on legislation to address the problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) is laying much of the blame for Congress' not doing more sooner at the feet of Senate Democrats.
"It’s been more than 177 days since the House passed bipartisan legislation that would authorize these VA clinics," said Cassidy in a statement. "Only after news broke that our veterans are dying because of inadequate healthcare did [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid and Senate Democrats take action."
Cassidy was referring to HR 3521, which authorized funding for 27 VA facilities.
Funding to build or expand 26 VA facilities is included in the Senate's new comprehensive bipartisan legislation, which is being spearheaded by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). That bill comes a week after VA Secretary Erik Shinseki resigned in response to reports that employees were covering up the inexcusably long delays that veterans faced in getting treatment at VA facilities around the country. - Huffington Post, 6/6/14
Now the truth:
http://www.msnbc.com/...
Actually, no. Cassidy, his party’s top choice in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race, has this backwards.
In reality, Harry Reid and Senate Democrats took action several months ago, when Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) helped put together a package of expanded VA health care access, tuition assistance, and job training, all of which enjoyed the support of the major veterans’ groups.
As we talked about last week, Senate Republicans, citing the deficit and extraneous concerns, not only opposed the bill, they wouldn’t even allow the Senate to vote on it.
What did Senate Republicans offer as an alternative to help veterans? Nothing. There was no GOP alternative to the Democratic proposal.
Fortunately, following recent VA revelations, Congress has expressed renewed interest in veterans’ issues, and last week, Sanders struck a deal with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on a bipartisan compromise.
But Cassidy’s complaints are based on fiction and there’s no reason he couldn’t have brushed up on the basics before launching this ridiculous criticism. Whether the confused congressman is prepared to admit it or not, it was “only after news broke” than senators from Cassidy’s own party were willing to take action – and whether the bipartisan plan can overcome a GOP filibuster is not yet clear. - MSNBC, 6/9/14
At this point, Cassidy is just trying to find whatever works for him in order to beat Senator Mary Landrieu (D. LA). Like he's still attacking Obamacare:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Rep. Bill Cassidy really doesn't like Obamacare. Also, he's a doctor.
That, in short, is the message of the first TV ad of the Republican's campaign for U.S. Senate in Louisiana. The congressman dons a white lab coat and scrubs for a 30-second commercial in which he lays out his opposition to the law from the perspective of a physician.
"Most in Congress who voted for Obamacare never read the bill," Cassidy says. "It affects your job, your pocketbook, your life. And they didn't read it. I read the bill. It was clear there would be canceled plans, expensive premiums, no guarantee you could keep your doctor. I voted no."
The Cassidy ad suggests two things about his strategy: One, his campaign thinks the health-care law, although it has recently been overshadowed by other issues in the national debate, will continue to resonate with voters. Two, his pitch is improved and less politicized if he makes it from the point of view of a doctor rather than a congressman. - Washington Post, 6/5/14
Interesting observation about Cassidy's ad:
http://thehayride.com/...
Cassidy, however, makes no mention in the ad of Landrieu voting for the healthcare overhaul and her most recent statements in which she said that she would vote for Obamacare again, calling it a “solid law.” - The Hayride, 6/9/14
I think this show's that Cassidy, like other GOP candidates, is having a hard time going after Obamacare even in a state like Louisiana. Medicaid expansion is popular in Louisiana and Landrieu has made it a big campaign issue. So maybe it's not the best strategy for Cassidy. Neither is lying about Veterans issues. But this is up were up against. If you want to get involved and donate to Landrieu's campaign, then can do so here:
http://www.marylandrieu.com/