Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's visit to his home state last week focused "national attention" on the flooding there that claimed at least 13 lives and left thousands homeless, and drove President Obama to make his own visit this week.

"It doesn't take a cynic to suggest that it may have triggered some other visits, and that is the sort of second aspect to the federal response," Cassidy told lawmakers during Obama's Tuesday visit to Baton Rouge. The GOP senator said his state will need federal funds to help repair the damage done by the flood, and said of Trump, "that man can make it happen."

President Obama was criticized for not cutting his vacation short to survey the flood damage before Tuesday.