Cassidy Votes to Keep Government Open, Secures Over $1.3 Billion for Louisiana

Senator Cassidy announces funding for key infrastructure, healthcare, and defense projects across the state

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:15am

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) voted to keep the government open and announced he secured $1,323,770.00 for Louisiana in the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and National Security and Department of State appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026. The funding will support a range of projects across the state, including infrastructure improvements, healthcare facility upgrades, and defense-related initiatives.

Why it matters

This funding package represents a significant investment in Louisiana's infrastructure, healthcare, and national security capabilities. The projects supported by this funding will help improve transportation, enhance public safety, strengthen the state's medical resources, and support the state's role in national defense efforts.

The details

The funding secured by Senator Cassidy includes $8 million for the Westbank Rail Alignment Project in Jefferson Parish, $7.5 million for safety and roadway enhancements in Lafayette, $6.5 million for an Engineering Workforce Development Center at Nicholls State University, and $6 million for the Airline Highway Raising Project in Ascension Parish. In the healthcare sector, the funding includes $10 million for facilities and equipment at Centenary College's College of Health Sciences, $4 million for a new rural health clinic in Jackson Parish, and $4 million for medical equipment upgrades at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. On the defense side, the funding includes $500 million for four additional KC-130 logistics aircraft at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, $320 million for additional Ship-to-Shore Connectors, and $140 million for four additional Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) barge craft.

  • On January 30, 2026, the U.S. Senate passed the appropriations bills that included the funding for Louisiana.
  • If the U.S. House of Representatives does not pass these funding bills by midnight on January 30, 2026, it will result in a partial government shutdown.

The players

Bill Cassidy, M.D.

U.S. Senator from Louisiana, who voted to keep the government open and secured over $1.3 billion in funding for Louisiana.

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What they’re saying

“I voted to keep the government open, fund the military, and importantly to fund FEMA, which needed right now to help those affected by Winter Storm Fern.”

— Bill Cassidy, M.D., U.S. Senator

“A safer, stronger Louisiana starts with investments. This funding strengthens our national security, makes our communities safer, and improves roads and bridges across the state.”

— Bill Cassidy, M.D., U.S. Senator

What’s next

The appropriations bills now head to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. If the U.S. House of Representatives does not pass these funding bills by midnight on January 30, 2026, it will result in a partial government shutdown.

The takeaway

This funding package represents a significant investment in Louisiana's infrastructure, healthcare, and national security capabilities, with projects that will help improve transportation, enhance public safety, strengthen the state's medical resources, and support the state's role in national defense efforts. The bipartisan effort to keep the government open and secure this funding for Louisiana demonstrates the importance of collaborative policymaking to address the state's pressing needs.