U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, wants to stop  federal tax dollars from going to healthcare for illegal immigrants, and stop Louisiana from voting in favor of spending $90 million dollars, the estimated cost to go from open primaries to closed primary elections.

“Let’s keep our open system and spend our money wisely,” he said in a Wednesday press conference for Louisiana reporters. “I’m wondering if the state has enough money to match the federal dollars that are required to bring the federal dollars down. Now the Legislature is voting on spending $90 million more for elections, $90 million more instead of using that money for fighting crime or getting  roads and bridges, addressing flood risks, or building levies.”

He said the current closed system has not led to any disadvantage in Washington, D.C. He said he is a lead Republican on an important committee. Republican Mike Johnson of Benton is speaker of the House and Steve Scalise of Jefferson, is GOP House majority leader. Why change from a current system that is working? Cassidy asked.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said.

Cassidy said a closed primary would disenfranchise 800,000 independent voters, voters who are not registered as Democrats or Republicans.

“Donald Trump is attracting the vote of Black Americans, many of whom are not registered as Republicans. Do we say to them, “I am sorry, our country club is closed?”

Changing to a closed primary is an example of the people serving the political party rather than the political party serving the people, he said.

No medicaid for noncitizens

The Protect Medicaid Act, which Cassidy plans to introduce Thursday, January 18, would prevent federal funds from being used to administer state Medicaid benefits provided to noncitizens.

In New York, New Jersey and California, federal tax dollars, paid by American citizens in every state, are used to treat illegal immigrants.

“If a state opts to extend Medicaid benefits to undocumented residents, the bill mandates the state bears the full financial responsibility. without imposing any costs on taxpayers from other states,” Cassidy said.

As a doctor who did his residency in Los Angeles, he has treated immigrants from many places. He thinks states that want to do it, should be allowed to do so.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we are rich enough that we could take care of anybody that came to the U.S.,” he said. “The reality is that even the United States can’t do that. We have to recognize that.”

Protecting students against anti-Semitism

Cassidy also outlined legislation introduced last week to address antisemitism and other discrimination  on college campuses. The Protecting Students on Campus Act of  2024 empowers students to file civil rights complaints if they experience violence or harassment due to their heritage.

“We want the students to know and the colleges and universities to know that the law requires them to provide a learning environment free from violence,” he said. Colleges and universities will be providing promotional materials to tell students about these rights and how to file a complaint.”