The Vote

Sen. Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote to confirm Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general on Aug. 8, breaking a tight 50-49 Senate standoff. But the Louisiana Republican didn't stop there; he also aimed at President Donald Trump's vaccine plan.

Cassidy was the last holdout before Blanche's confirmation cleared the Senate, according to Politico. Two other Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, opposed the nomination, making Cassidy's vote crucial.

The day before the vote, Cassidy announced his support on the Senate floor. He later explained it wasn't an easy call. "Not a black or white decision," he said. He had raised concerns about Blanche's nomination but spoke with Louisiana prosecutors who gave positive reviews of Blanche's work at the Justice Department.

Vaccines and autism

Beyond the attorney general vote, Cassidy, a physician, has been outspoken on other issues affecting his state. He criticized Trump's push to split the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine into three separate shots. His concern: kids would need more injections to get the same protection.

Cassidy also made clear where he stands on a common misconception: vaccines do not cause autism.

Social Security's ticking clock

The Louisiana senator is also focused on Social Security's looming financial crisis. The 2026 Social Security trustees report shows the program will run short of money starting in 2032. At that point, incoming revenue would cover only about 78% of scheduled benefits unless Congress acts.

In July, Cassidy teamed up with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and six other lawmakers from both parties to introduce the bipartisan PROMISE Act. The goal: jump-start congressional action on Social Security's finances. The proposal would create a bipartisan process to develop legislation strengthening the program.

Lawmakers pointed to the 1983 Social Security reforms as a model; those changes bought the program roughly 50 years of additional solvency.

Disaster Relief for Louisiana

Back home, Cassidy has also pushed for federal disaster assistance for residents hit by Tropical Storm Arthur. FEMA made assistance available to eligible homeowners and renters in Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes following the June storm. Louisiana initially declared emergencies in those four parishes plus Lafourche and Pointe Coupee.

Cassidy's recent moves show his hand in several major debates before Congress: Justice Department leadership, public health, Social Security's finances and disaster relief for Louisiana communities.

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