Louisiana delegation reacts to president’s visit to flood damaged state

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) called for additional federal assistance on Tuesday after President Barack Obama toured flood damaged areas of Louisiana.

Cassidy accompanied the president on a tour of damaged areas surrounding Zachary, Louisiana.

“The president made a commitment of helping us through this,” Cassidy said. “We want to see those dollars needed to restore this community and we want to see presidential leadership in making sure the Comite Diversion is built.”

The Comite River Diversion Canal, which has been delayed for more than 30 years due to funding shortfalls and bureaucratic hurdles, could be built within two years if the project was fully funded, the Advocate reports.

It has been estimated that the Comite River Diversion Canal would have helped avoid approximately one-quarter of the catastrophic floods that struck the Baton Rouge region last week.

“Leadership requires a quick response to disaster, and it requires demonstrating empathy for those who are suffering,” Boustany said. “It’s a shame it took the president so long to come to Louisiana, but we are glad he is here. I hope the president’s visit will illustrate how devastating this flood has been, and the extent of assistance our state needs to get back on its feet.”