Sen. Bill Cassidy said his 2021 vote to convict President Trump on a House impeachment charge of inciting the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol may have ended his political career, but he has no regrets.
“I voted to uphold the Constitution,” the Louisiana Republican told reporters Monday, his first day back at the Capitol since losing his bid for reelection in the party primary on Saturday.
“That may have cost me my seat, but who cares?” he said. “I had the privilege of voting to uphold the Constitution. Isn’t that a great thing?”
Mr. Trump has attacked Mr. Cassidy on social media as “disloyal disaster” and made abundantly clear that he is still angry over the 2021 impeachment vote.
The president endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow for Mr. Cassidy’s Senate seat. She placed first in Saturday’s primary and is advancing to a June 27 runoff against state Treasurer John Fleming, who finished second.
Mr. Cassidy, who placed third, said he will not endorse in the runoff and that his state’s decision in the primary suggests he does not have a future in political office.
“I can live with that,” he said. “I am so grateful for the 12 years [in the Senate] … I may not like the outcome, but I respect democracy. And so right now that door just seems to be shut.”
The senator responded to questions about whether he would be more critical of Mr. Trump or vote against his agenda during his remaining time in Congress by saying he wants to be constructive, not destructive.
“I’m calling our country to be united, and pointing out that right now, unless we are building towards unity and rewarding unity, we will not solve our big problems,” Mr. Cassidy said.
“I think people want me to say negative things,” he added. “I’m saying positive things, positive things that may reflect upon the current circumstance, but it’s coming from my heart about making my country a better place, and that’s my goal.”
Mr. Cassidy spoke about the need for senators in both parties to unite around legislation that can get 60 votes and stand the test of time, rather than partisan bills and executive orders that can be undone with a change of political power in Washington.
He said he will finish his term working on legislation toward that end, including his long-running interest in preventing Social Security from becoming insolvent and addressing rising health care costs.
The senator also spoke to his desire for more unity in U.S. foreign policy.
“We need to have Western-leaning countries together, unified to address the Strait of Hormuz, to address China. Right now, that unity is totally falling apart,” Mr. Cassidy said.
“It can be really satisfying to lose your temper, to get your gut out, but if it destroys a relationship, then you’ve really lost,” he said in an apparent reference to Mr. Trump.
Mr. Cassidy said his advice to fellow Republicans is to stay loyal to the Constitution, the country and their constituents.
“If you put your loyalties in that, you’re going to feel, you’re going to truly feel good, no matter how you leave,” he said. “And I feel good. I feel great.”
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