Sen. Bill Cassidy’s Legislative Record Sparks Debate in Republican Primary

Senator Bill Cassidy’s history of backing notable bills aimed at funding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs has become a key topic in the upcoming Louisiana Republican Senate primary for 2026. His challengers include Representative Julia Letlow and Treasury Secretary John Fleming, both aligned with Donald Trump.

Cassidy supported several significant pieces of legislation, such as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Safer Communities Act. Notably, these bills incorporated features that either created or funded programs identified as DEI initiatives, some of which were later eliminated by the Trump administration.

For instance, Cassidy voted for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021, which he later helped override Trump’s veto. This legislation established chief diversity officers in various branches of the military and initiated a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council within the Department of Defense.

He also played a significant role in negotiating the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, becoming one of its lead Republican sponsors. This package incorporated provisions focused on equity, including the Digital Equity Act, which allocated $2.75 billion in broadband funding based on race and identity criteria. Furthermore, it embraced the Biden administration’s Justice 40 initiative, directing that a portion of infrastructure benefits go to underprivileged communities.

The Biden administration later described the infrastructure bill as a chance to enhance equity across the nation. Cassidy’s involvement wasn’t limited to just voting; he actively influenced the creation of its equity-related components.

Additionally, Cassidy voted for the CHIPS and Science Act, which amounted to $280 billion and passed the Senate with a tally of 64-33. This act tasked the Government Accountability Office with cataloging federal research programs aimed at minority-serving institutions and required the National Science Foundation to appoint a chief diversity officer.

While the legislation itself set forth various diversity-focused guidelines, Cassidy later expressed his concerns about additional regulations imposed by the Biden Commerce Department on funding recipients, arguing these added unnecessary burdens.

He was also among the original negotiators of the Safer Communities Act, being one of only fifteen Senate Republicans to approve its final passage. This bill allocated substantial resources for crisis intervention, school safety, and community violence prevention, despite the Trump administration later classifying these efforts as DEI-related, which led to a reduction in funding.

Although Cassidy voted for these bills, he has distanced himself from Trump over the years. In February 2021, he voted to convict Trump during the Senate impeachment trial following the Capitol insurrection on January 6, stating, “I voted guilty because President Trump is guilty.”

Following that vote, Cassidy suggested he would not support Trump in the 2024 election, citing the Republican party’s losses during Trump’s presidency. He emphasized the significance of this loss, noting that Trump was the first Republican president to lose both the House and Senate along with the presidency in a single term. When asked if he would vote for Trump, he bluntly replied, “I won’t.”

In 2023, Cassidy reiterated his position, discussing Trump’s electability against Joe Biden. By August of that year, he went so far as to recommend that Trump withdraw from the race. When questioned about this, Cassidy expressed, “I think so.” He also hinted at being open to third-party alternatives, mentioning No Labels and his willingness to engage with them if approached.

Cassidy’s ongoing criticisms of Trump have ignited backlash within the Louisiana Republican community. A statewide poll from October 2025 indicated that John Fleming, an early Trump supporter and Louisiana Treasurer, held a slight lead over Cassidy in the primary, illustrating a growing divide.

In January, Trump publicly endorsed Rep. Letlow to challenge Cassidy, expressing strong support for her potential candidacy. Shortly after, Letlow began her campaign, promising to represent “unwaveringly conservative” values and ensure a better future for the next generation.