{"id":2602776,"date":"2026-05-14T14:43:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bill-cassidy-bets-on-anti-abortion-policy-to-save-reelection-bid\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T14:46:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:46:38","slug":"bill-cassidy-bets-on-anti-abortion-policy-to-save-reelection-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bill-cassidy-bets-on-anti-abortion-policy-to-save-reelection-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill Cassidy bets on anti-abortion policy to save reelection bid"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbill-cassidy-bets-on-anti-abortion-policy-to-save-reelection-bid%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2602776&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) says his opposition to the abortion pill mifepristone is aimed at solidifying support among Louisiana\u2019s pro-life base ahead of a competitive GOP primary runoff. Facing challenges from Rep. Julia Letlow and Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming on May 16, Cassidy argues his record-rather than rhetoric-will appeal to undecided conservatives.<\/p>\n<p>Cassidy, a former physician, has pressed the FDA through senate oversight efforts to restore in-person screening requirements for mifepristone, contending that the Biden governance\u2019s 2023 rule change enabled safer protections to be bypassed via telehealth. He has also highlighted concerns involving FDA approvals of a generic version of the drug and alleged improper or illicit imports.<\/p>\n<p>He points to Louisiana\u2019s lawsuit against the FDA over telehealth access to abortion pills and to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >cases involving alleged coerced abortions<\/a>, including testimony he sought from Louisiana Attorney General Liz murrill. Cassidy says his stance against coerced abortion resonates across pro-life and \u201cvulnerable mother\u201d concerns.<\/p>\n<p>The article also notes political headwinds for the incumbent: Cassidy was one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in 2021, and polling shows the president remains far more popular than Cassidy among GOP voters. Trump endorsed Letlow and criticized Cassidy as \u201cdisloyal,\u201d and both Murrill and Gov. Jeff Landry have endorsed Letlow as well. Cassidy counters that voter endorsement and support from major national pro-life groups-such as Susan B.Anthony Pro-Life America, which endorsed him on Jan. 7-will be decisive.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE \u2014 <\/strong>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-cassidy\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-cassidy\/\">Bill Cassidy<\/a> (R-LA) says he is hopeful that his leadership in Congress against the abortion pill mifepristone will secure his voting base ahead of his contentious primary for reelection. <\/p>\n<p>Cassidy, who was first elected to the Senate in 2014, is facing a tough GOP primary challenge on May 16 against <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4568569\/julia-letlow-trump-louisiana-senate-house-votes-campaign\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4568569\/julia-letlow-trump-louisiana-senate-house-votes-campaign\/\">Rep. Julia Letlow<\/a> and Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4568944\/vance-praises-susan-collins-independence-despite-frustration\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Vance praises Susan Collins\u2019s independence despite admitting frustration with her<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4568944\/vance-praises-susan-collinss-independence-despite-frustration\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Vance praises Susan Collins\u2019s independence despite admitting frustration with her<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4568614\/crockett-backs-christian-menefee-over-longtime-texas-rep-al-green\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jasmine Crockett backs Menefee over longtime Texas Democrat Al Green<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">In the lead-up to the election, Cassidy told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> in an exclusive interview that he believes his track record on abortion policy will be enough to sway on-the-fence conservatives in his favor.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cPeople in my state want somebody who\u2019s delivered,\u201d Cassidy said. \u201cWhen it comes to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-leaders-to-meet-with-trump-on-agenda\/\" title=\"GOP Leaders to Meet With Trump on Agenda\">pro-life issue<\/a>, I\u2019ve been far more active than my opponents, active, not just with lip service, but actually doing something to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cassidy, a doctor by training, has used his chairmanship of the Senate health committee to put pressure on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fda\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fda\/\">Food and Drug Administration<\/a> to reinstitute in-person screening requirements for mifepristone, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/major-abortion-groups-assemble-file-lawsuit-over-unthinkable-texas-law-allowing-americans-to-sue-abortion-clinics-doctors\/\" title=\"Major ... Groups Assemble, File Lawsuit Over \u2018Unthinkable\u2019 Texas Law Allowing Americans To Sue ... Clinics, Doctors\">anti-abortion advocates<\/a> say is an essential policy to protect women\u2019s health. <\/p>\n<p>In 2023, the Biden administration FDA removed long-standing rules requiring in-person screening from a physician prior to obtaining the abortion pill, enabling telehealth providers to mail mifepristone directly to patients.<\/p>\n<p>As chairman of the Senate health committee, Cassidy has been at the helm of multiple Senate-wide investigations letters sent to the FDA, including over the agency\u2019s decision to approve a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/3853180\/gop-abortion-pill-approval-fda-oversight\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/3853180\/gop-abortion-pill-approval-fda-oversight\/\">new generic version of mifepristone<\/a> last fall and whether the agency is taking proper precautions against <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4503462\/gop-senators-demand-action-fda-illegal-abortion-pill-sales\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4503462\/gop-senators-demand-action-fda-illegal-abortion-pill-sales\/\">illicit foreign imports<\/a> of abortion drugs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Being pro-life means protecting both women and unborn children. As a doctor, I know the risks chemical abortion drugs pose. <\/p>\n<p>As <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GOPHELP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@GOPHELP<\/a> Chair, I\u2019ll keep fighting to put women\u2019s safety and innocent lives ahead of the radical left\u2019s political agenda.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0ZLNhUcFJb\">https:\/\/t.co\/0ZLNhUcFJb<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6OAhP0zqDJ\">pic.twitter.com\/6OAhP0zqDJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@BillCassidy) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BillCassidy\/status\/2054215281166180659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Louisiana is at the center of a lawsuit against the FDA, arguing that telehealth access to abortion nullifies Louisiana law, entirely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/amber-thurman-died-from-the-abortion-pill-not-pro-life-laws\/\" title=\"Amber Thurman Died From The ... Pill, Not ... Laws\">prohibiting elective abortions<\/a> following the overturning of <em>Roe v. Wade<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>In January, Cassidy also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4414614\/louisiana-attorney-general-headline-senate-abortion-pill-hearing\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4414614\/louisiana-attorney-general-headline-senate-abortion-pill-hearing\/\">invited<\/a> Attorney General Liz Murrill to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4418708\/coerced-abortion-center-stage-senate-hearing-pills\/\">testify<\/a> about the multiple cases of coerced abortion in Louisiana that are part of the FDA lawsuit, as well as her difficulty in prosecuting a criminal case against a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\">New York<\/a> physician who prescribed abortion pills to the mother of a pregnant Louisiana minor who used them to coerce her daughter into an abortion.<\/p>\n<p>The state attorney general said the 16-year-old was 20 weeks pregnant when her mother forced her into an abortion, which is well beyond the 10-week gestational age limit set by the FDA for a safe medication abortion. <\/p>\n<p>There have been multiple other reported cases of coerced abortion between romantic partners, including in Texas and Ohio.<\/p>\n<p>Cassidy said he is strongly against any form of coerced abortion and believes that position \u201cappeals to both the person who is pro-life and a person who just wants to stick up for the mom who\u2019s otherwise vulnerable to pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are others who are on either side of the life issue who are going to say, \u2018My gosh, a woman should not be coerced into taking an abortion pill,\u2019\u201d Cassidy said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., greets supporters with his wife Laura Cassidy at a campaign stop at Drago\u2019s Restaurant Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Metairie, La. (AP Photo\/Gerald Herbert)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But Cassidy is one of the few remaining Senators who voted to remove President Donald Trump from office as part of impeachment proceedings in 2021 following the January 6 Capitol riot. <\/p>\n<p>Although the senator has repeatedly said he supports the president\u2019s agenda, on health policy and economic matters, his impeachment vote has proved to be a significant challenge for his third-term reelection campaign. <\/p>\n<p>An <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc27.com\/news\/us-world\/politics\/fleming-letlow-lead-cassidy-in-louisiana-senate-race-emerson-college-polling\/\">Emerson College poll<\/a> from April 30 found 28% of GOP primary voters supported Fleming, followed by 27% for Letlow and 21% for Cassidy. <\/p>\n<p>The Emerson poll also found that 83% of Louisiana Republicans have a favorable opinion of the president, compared to only 30% of GOP voters in the state having a favorable view of Cassidy.<\/p>\n<p>A different poll conducted around the same time by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NenoNicolosio\/status\/2051772955663724923?s=20\">Letlow-aligned agency BPDC<\/a> found Letlow\u2019s support hovering at 33%, followed by both Fleming and Cassidy each commanding approximately 21% of the vote. In a head-to-head runoff, Letlow led Cassidy by 22 percentage points. <\/p>\n<p>Trump endorsed Letlow in March and has subsequently called Cassidy a \u201cvery disloyal person\u201d in reference to Cassidy\u2019s role in not confirming the president\u2019s surgeon general nominee, Dr. Casey Means. <\/p>\n<p>Cassidy at the time responded to Trump\u2019s comment on disloyalty by telling reporters that he is \u201cloyal to the United States of America.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>The sitting senator, however, also failed to secure endorsements from fellow Republicans in the state, with both Murrill\u00a0and Gov. Jeff Landry backing Letlow.<\/p>\n<p>When asked about Landry and Murrill\u2019s decision to endorse Letlow, Cassidy said, \u201cThe only endorsement that matters, of course, is the endorsement of voters on voting day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But Cassidy said he believes the endorsement of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-b-anthony-pro-life-america\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3683\">Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America<\/a>, the largest national anti-abortion political action group, will help draw support from single-issue voters in Louisiana.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are a very <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/idaho-governor-signs-bill-banning-abortions-after-fetal-heartbeat-can-be-detected\/\" title=\"Idaho Governor Signs Bill Banning ...s After Fetal Heartbeat Can Be Detected\">pro-life state<\/a>, and there are single-issue voters in our state who are going to look at my endorsement by SBA and say, \u2018This is why I\u2019m going to vote for Bill Cassidy,\u2019\u201d the senator said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. Senate candidate Julia Letlow greets supporters at a campaign stop at Hammond Northshore Regional Airport in Hammond, La., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo\/Gerald Herbert)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>SBA officially endorsed Cassidy on Jan. 7, just shy of three weeks before Letlow declared her candidacy. <\/p>\n<p>Caitlin Connors, political director for SBA, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that her organization\u2019s endorsement for Cassidy was based on \u201cthe unique leadership profile that he has had while in service\u201d rather than as an indictment against Letlow or Fleming. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4567610\/bill-cassidy-fda-chief-drug-medical-device-experience\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4567610\/bill-cassidy-fda-chief-drug-medical-device-experience\/\">BILL CASSIDY SAYS NEW FDA CHIEF LACKS NEEDED DRUG AND MEDICAL DEVICE EXPERIENCE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis isn\u2019t an endorsement against anyone. It\u2019s an endorsement for Senator Cassidy and his leadership on the issue,\u201d Connors said. <\/p>\n<p>Early voting started on May 3. The primary runoff date is June 27. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EXCLUSIVE: Bill Cassidy says his mifepristone fight will help him with GOP primary voters ahead of May 16<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2666,"featured_media":2602777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26128045825578.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[79687,51812,35631,35343],"class_list":["post-2602776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-anti-abortion-policy","tag-bill-cassidy","tag-reelection-campaign","tag-u-s-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26128045825578.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2666"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2602776"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2602780,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602776\/revisions\/2602780"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2602777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2602776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2602776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2602776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}