David Vitter

David Bruce Vitter is the Junior Senator from Louisiana. He was formerly a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, first elected in 1999, representing the First Congressional District of Louisiana.

Iraq War
Vitter voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Senate ethics committee clears Vitter of ties to Abramoff scandal
The Louisiana Jena Band of Choctaws accused Vitter of being "in cahoots" with Jack Abramoff and his attempts to stymie the tribe's casino plans. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee found the allegations had no factual basis, with chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) saying "The committee has seen absolutely no evidence whatsoever that Senator Vitter's opposition to (the proposed casino) had to do with anything other than his long-standing opposition to gambling."

Hurricane Katrina
In the wake of 2005's Hurricane Katrina, while New Orleans' flood levels were still rising in all areas, Vitter made an inaccurate statement that received notable media attention.

"In the metropolitan area in general, in the huge majority of areas, it's not rising at all. It's the same or it may be lowering slightly. In some parts of New Orleans, because of the 17th Street breach, it may be rising and that seemed to be the case in parts of downtown.

"I don't want to alarm everybody that, you know, New Orleans is filling up like a bowl. That's just not happening," said Vitter on August 30. 

In later days, Vitter gave the federal government's emergency response an "F grade" during an interview on Fox News's Hannity & Colmes, but avoided criticising US President George W. Bush. 

DC Madam scandal
On July 9, 2007, Vitter released an apology after revealing that his telephone number appeared in the phone records of "Pamela Martin and Associates," a prostitution ring in the Washington, D.C. area organized by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, who faces federal racketeering charges on the matter. The phone records were released on the Internet that day after a judge lifted a restraining order which had prevented their publication. In the Senator's statement, he said that "this was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible." Vitter was the first member of Congress to be caught up in the scandal. During his senatorial campaign in 2006, Vitter was accused of having an affair with a prostitute in New Orleans, an accusation which he denied.

Revelations of brothel patronage in Louisiana
Following disclosure of Vitter's association with the "DC Madam scandal," a former New Orleans madam who operated a high-profile brothel there said that Vitter was a client at her establishment as well. Jeanette Maier, the brothel operator, argued that Vitter was being unfairly smeared for his indiscretions, and in spite of his actions he was nonetheless a "good man."

Possible resignation and replacement
Following revelations that Vitter had frequented brothels in both Washington, DC and New Orleans, Louisiana, top Louisiana Republicans discussed the possibility of asking Vitter to resign. The discussions suggested that if Vitter were asked to resign, the resignation would be part of a deal with Democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco, wherein she would appoint a Republican replacement for Vitter, most likely former Governor David Treen.

Vitter speaks out
On July 16, 2007, following a week of silence on the matter, Vitter denied having any relationship with prostitutes in New Orleans, but again confirmed having made calls to the DC Madam prostitution ring. His wife, Wendy, spoke with him, stating that she had forgiven her husband several years ago, upon finding out about the escort service. She pleaded for her family's privacy regarding the issue. The senator, who has focused on family-values in his campaigns, said he had been "trying to live up to the important values we believe" since admitting to his mistakes, vowing to resume his work in the Senate.

Watchdog group calls for ethics inquiry
On July 19, 2007, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Senate ethics committee to investigate whether Vitter's actions were considered "improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate," a violation of Senate rules. CREW Executive director Melanie Sloan wrote in the complaint, "Whether or not Sen. Vitter is ultimately adjudicated to have broken any criminal laws, the Senate may still discipline him for improper conduct as it has done for others in the past." Senate ethics committee rules allow outside groups to file ethics complaints against members.

New Orleans prostitute claims relations with Vitter; passes lie detector test
Vitter denied extramarital relations with New Orleans prostitute Wendy Cortez, but Cortez insisted that they did indeed have relations and passed a lie detector test. Cortez's claims were promoted by Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, who said more revelations would be forthcoming soon.

Ethics committee dismisses complaint
On May 8, 2008, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint filed against Vitter for his alleged involvement in the D.C. prostitution ring. The complaint, filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, argued that Vitter should be admonished for improper conduct. In a letter issued by the committee, its members wrote that Vitter had not been criminally charged nor had his conduct involved his public office. The committee therefore rejected the complaint without prejudice.

Background
He was born May 3, 1961 in New Orleans, was educated at Harvard University, Oxford University (and was a Rhodes Scholar), and Tulane University, and was a lawyer and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives before entering the House.

Congressional Career
As of January 2005, he occupies the Senate seat vacated by outgoing Senator John Breaux. While he is widely believed to be the first Republican Senator elected in Louisiana, that title goes to John S. Harris who took his office as a senator in 1868. However, Vitter is the first to be elected by the general populace of Louisiana, while Harris was chosen by the state legislature before the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution made that procedure obsolete.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
 * Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
 * Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
 * Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
 * Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety
 * Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
 * Senate Special Committee on Aging
 * Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
 * Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health
 * Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality
 * Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
 * Subcommittee on African Affairs
 * Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
 * Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
 * Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs Product Safety and Insurance
 * Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries and the Coast Guard
 * Subcommittee on Global Climate Change - Chair
 * Subcommittee on National Ocean Policy Study
 * Subcommittee on Trade Tourism and Economic Development
 * Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine
 * Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
 * Subcommittee on Clean Air Climate Change and Nuclear Safety
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries Wildlife and Water
 * Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Caucuses and Coalitions

 * Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus
 * I-49 Congressional Caucus
 * Republican Policy Committee

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Member, Coastal Conservation Association
 * Member, Ducks Unlimited
 * Former Member, Louisiana Bar Association
 * Member, National Rifle Association

More Background Data

 * See how you compare to David Vitter

Resources

 * Official website
 * Political Biography (Washington Post)

Articles

 * Josh Catone, "Senator Vitter admits number on 'DC Madam' phone records," The Raw Story, July 9, 2007. re Deborah Jeane Palfrey
 * "Sen. Vitter on D.C. madam list," Think Progress, July 9, 2007.
 * "Second madam comes forward to 'defend' GOP senator, saying he paid call girls $300/hour," The Raw Story, July 11, 2007.
 * "CREW releases 'Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch)'," Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, September 18, 2007.