For conservatives in Louisiana, Bill Cassidy has been a thorn in our side for years. He’s not just the weaker of our two U.S. Senators — he’s one of the most reliably disappointing Republicans in the Senate. And now, as the Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, he’s back at it again, pushing policies that align more with Big Pharma than with the working-class Louisianans who sent him to Washington.

Cassidy’s latest target? The 340B drug discount program — a lifeline for rural hospitals and low-income patients, especially in red states like Louisiana. Instead of protecting this crucial program, Cassidy is following the lead of Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee. Walz, who’s no conservative hero, has been pushing for “reforms” that would essentially gut 340B by turning it into a rebate system, effectively raising drug costs for rural hospitals. And now, Cassidy is parroting that same disastrous approach.

Big Pharma Money Talks — And Cassidy Is Listening

It’s no coincidence that as Cassidy moves to undercut 340B, Big Pharma is lining his campaign coffers. Just last quarter, he pocketed $16,500 from employees at PhRMA, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Bristol Myers-Squibb — the same four drugmakers leading the charge against 340B. For a man who claims to represent Louisiana, only about a third of his donations last quarter actually came from Louisiana voters. The rest? Out-of-state interests, including Big Pharma.

This isn’t the first time Cassidy has cozied up to the pharmaceutical giants. During the 2024 election cycle, Big Pharma ranked as his fourth-largest source of campaign donations. In 2022, they were fifth. The money keeps flowing, and Cassidy keeps pushing policies that benefit drug companies at the expense of his constituents.

Cassidy’s Record: Bad for Louisiana, Great for His Wallet

Cassidy’s support for 340B “reform” isn’t just bad policy — it’s a betrayal of the working-class voters he’s supposed to represent. If he succeeds in weakening 340B, rural hospitals in Louisiana — already struggling to stay afloat — will face even tougher odds. And when those hospitals close, guess who will be asked to pick up the tab? Taxpayers.

This is the same senator who backed Biden’s infrastructure bill, voted to indict during President Trump's impeachment trial, and opposed deploying Louisiana National Guard troops to the southern border. Cassidy isn’t just out of step with his party. He’s out of step with Louisiana.

Cassidy is up for re-election in 2026, and Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming has already launched a primary challenge. I also know of a couple other very conservative candidates also looking at running against Cassidy. 

Cassidy’s record makes it clear: He’s not fighting for us — he’s fighting for them. And Louisiana deserves better.