My Letter to Congress: S.510 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act /HR 2751 
Contact Congress
This letter was sent by OpenCongress user
dallock
on
January 06, 2012
in opposition to
S.510 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.
Privacy setting:
PUBLIC
To:
-
Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] Vote on Passage of S.510: Aye -
Sen. Mary Landrieu [D, LA] Vote on Passage of S.510: Aye -
Rep. Steve Scalise [R, LA-1] Vote on Passage of S.510:
S.510 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act /HR 2751
I am writing as your constituent in the 1st Congressional district of Louisiana. I oppose S.510 - FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, and am tracking it using OpenCongress.org, the free public resource website for government transparency and accountability.
It's appalling to see this in America. I realize that congress's approval rating is at historic lows, meaning you are likely untruthful, disloyal, corrupt and value-less, thus making you unreliable in my appeal to you. However, I must try for love of country, but mostly, sadly, selfish reasons--personal well-being.
My parents had a garden. A glorious one in northern Minnesota, where I spent my early childhood. I was raised on the enthusiasm of fresh vegetables and the anticipation of perfect tomatoes.
It's ludicrous I must ask you to not protect me, in your eyes, and vote no against this bill your next opportunity.
Respectfully,
David Locker
It's appalling to see this in America. I realize that congress's approval rating is at historic lows, meaning you are likely untruthful, disloyal, corrupt and value-less, thus making you unreliable in my appeal to you. However, I must try for love of country, but mostly, sadly, selfish reasons--personal well-being.
My parents had a garden. A glorious one in northern Minnesota, where I spent my early childhood. I was raised on the enthusiasm of fresh vegetables and the anticipation of perfect tomatoes.
It's ludicrous I must ask you to not protect me, in your eyes, and vote no against this bill your next opportunity.
Respectfully,
David Locker
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. Mary Landrieu [D, LA] on January 12, 2012.
Responding to your e-mail
January 12, 2012, 2012
Mr. David Locker
40819 Ranch Rd
Slidell, LA 70461-2607
Dear Mr. Locker:
Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to S. 510,
the “FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.” I appreciate
hearing from you on this important matter.
the “FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.” I appreciate
hearing from you on this important matter.
This legislation addresses a number of issues surrounding food
safety, including contaminated food recall procedures, establishing a
national trace-back system, food-importer regulations, food facility
registration and hazard prevention. Also included in this bill is
language that I secured to protect the Gulf Coast oyster industry. My
amendment requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
conduct public health and cost assessments before issuing any new
regulations affecting the processing and consumption of raw oysters.
safety, including contaminated food recall procedures, establishing a
national trace-back system, food-importer regulations, food facility
registration and hazard prevention. Also included in this bill is
language that I secured to protect the Gulf Coast oyster industry. My
amendment requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
conduct public health and cost assessments before issuing any new
regulations affecting the processing and consumption of raw oysters.
In November of 2009, the FDA proposed a ban on all raw oysters from
the Gulf of Mexico unless they underwent extensive post-harvesting
processing that would have been cost-prohibitive for many oystermen in
Louisiana. The Louisiana Delegation, along with the Gulf Coast
oyster industry, successfully urged the FDA to change its position and
put off any new regulation pending further economic analysis. This
amendment ensures that the FDA’s overreaching approach is
abandoned for good and helps put us on a sustainable path forward to
protecting the small number of at-risk consumers, while making sure
our oyster industry remains vibrant well into the future.
the Gulf of Mexico unless they underwent extensive post-harvesting
processing that would have been cost-prohibitive for many oystermen in
Louisiana. The Louisiana Delegation, along with the Gulf Coast
oyster industry, successfully urged the FDA to change its position and
put off any new regulation pending further economic analysis. This
amendment ensures that the FDA’s overreaching approach is
abandoned for good and helps put us on a sustainable path forward to
protecting the small number of at-risk consumers, while making sure
our oyster industry remains vibrant well into the future.
In addition, although not ultimately adopted by the Senate, another
amendment I put forth would have required that the FDA inspect 20
percent of seafood imports by 2015. Currently, the FDA inspects
less than two percent. The proposal also would have created a
“three strikes and you’re out” mechanism for bad
actors who offer tainted seafood to the U.S market. My amendment would
have also required that an importer of food be registered with the
FDA. Once registered, that importer will receive a unique
facility identifier. This will help close the loophole of
companies who get away without paying countervailing duties owed to
the U.S. Millions of dollars are owed to the U.S. from
importers who disappear after importing shrimp, which undercuts our
domestic production. Additionally, my amendment would have banned any
country from exporting food into the U.S. if the country is
listed as using child labor to produce food by the Department of
Labor. Currently, this would include countries such as
Bangladesh, Cambodia and Thailand – countries known for sending
seafood products tainted with chloramphenicol and other harmful
substances.
amendment I put forth would have required that the FDA inspect 20
percent of seafood imports by 2015. Currently, the FDA inspects
less than two percent. The proposal also would have created a
“three strikes and you’re out” mechanism for bad
actors who offer tainted seafood to the U.S market. My amendment would
have also required that an importer of food be registered with the
FDA. Once registered, that importer will receive a unique
facility identifier. This will help close the loophole of
companies who get away without paying countervailing duties owed to
the U.S. Millions of dollars are owed to the U.S. from
importers who disappear after importing shrimp, which undercuts our
domestic production. Additionally, my amendment would have banned any
country from exporting food into the U.S. if the country is
listed as using child labor to produce food by the Department of
Labor. Currently, this would include countries such as
Bangladesh, Cambodia and Thailand – countries known for sending
seafood products tainted with chloramphenicol and other harmful
substances.
I have been pushing for years to get the FDA to actively pursue
more stringent inspections of imported seafood, and I will continue to
press for a solution to these issues. It is crucial that we work to
improve both the safety of our seafood and the economic viability of
our domestic producers.
more stringent inspections of imported seafood, and I will continue to
press for a solution to these issues. It is crucial that we work to
improve both the safety of our seafood and the economic viability of
our domestic producers.
Again, I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter and
trust you will continue to contact me on matters of mutual concern.
Please visit my website at http://www.landrieu.senate.gov for
additional information on my legislative priorities.
trust you will continue to contact me on matters of mutual concern.
Please visit my website at http://www.landrieu.senate.gov for
additional information on my legislative priorities.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
Mary L. Landrieu
United States Senator
P.S. I am excited to announce that my office is launching new
e-newsletters to keep you updated on what I am working on here in
Washington, D.C. If you would like to receive the e-newsletter, please
go to http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail. Please include your
zip code and interest areas so I can stay in touch about issues you
care about most.
e-newsletters to keep you updated on what I am working on here in
Washington, D.C. If you would like to receive the e-newsletter, please
go to http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail. Please include your
zip code and interest areas so I can stay in touch about issues you
care about most.
MLL:PGS
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on February 07, 2012.
A Bipartisan Jobs Plan That Will Actually Work
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
It seems like everyone in Washington these days is talking about saving
the economy and creating jobs. And some must think talking about it
will create jobs, because they spend more time talking than working.
But just last week, I helped lead a group of 44 senators in introducing
a bipartisan bill
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dPressRoom.Press
Releases%26amp%3bContentRecord_id%3d2f499f63-cf89-a38b-6f8b-91f781ea6607
> that would actually do something about it by approving the Keystone
XL pipeline.
Last month, President Obama rejected a permit for the pipeline, which
would be built from Alberta, Canada, to the Gulf Coast, transporting an
additional 830,000 barrels of oil per day to U.S. refineries.
The bill I've authored with my colleagues John Hoeven, of North Dakota,
and Richard Lugar, of Indiana, would make it clear that Congress has
the authority to push the Keystone XL pipeline forward.
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3d34af60d3-d709-3cc6-5442-12d8ef016538%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1>
Click here
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3d34af60d3-d709-3cc6-5442-12d8ef016538%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1> to watch my recent interview on Fox & Friends about our
Keystone XL bill.
Our bill to approve the pipeline would create up to 20,000 jobs, make
us less dependent on oil imported from hostile countries, and give a
much-needed boost to our economy.
This project has been delayed for three years thanks to typical
Washington politics - the same gridlock we're all tired of. This is our
chance to finally do something about it.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up for E-updates
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ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
www.vitter.senate.gov
ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on March 06, 2012.
Doing More with Less to End Corps Backlogs
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
Backlogs and red tape have plagued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
especially since Hurricanes Katina and Rita, and I want to start
implementing necessary reforms that will cut through the red tape and
speed up critical flood control and navigation projects.
Last week we secured a significant victory in our fight to reform the
Corps by getting bipartisan sponsorship of my bill
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dPressRoom.Press
Releases%26amp%3bContentRecord_id%3dc9c55f15-bf52-cf38-8300-1eff50b79858
> that would begin to reform the Corps' delivery of projects by
delegating more project management responsibility to state and local
governments. The Times Picayune wrote over the weekend that my bill was
a "reasonable approach," and a "sensible step." (Click here
ww.nola.com%2fopinions%2findex.ssf%2f2012%2f03%2fnew_tack_on_army_corps_
of_engi.html> to read their full editorial)
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3dcb5d0485-d88d-57ca-368d-083fd86e45b4%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1>
Click here
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3dcb5d0485-d88d-57ca-368d-083fd86e45b4%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1> to watch a clip of my remarks about reforming the Corps.
This isn't an entirely new concept, either. We already do this for
federal highway projects, letting states take the lead to allow
projects to be completed more quickly and cheaply.
I'm also working to get the Government Accountability Office to conduct
a full audit of the Corps' funding and contracting practices from the
past several years. The GAO agreed to my request and we'll be meeting
later this month. By opening up the Corps' books and reforming the way
they do projects, we can save a lot of taxpayer money and ensure that
crucial flood protection projects are actually finished on time.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up for E-updates
itter.senate.gov%2f%3fmodule%3dcontact%2feupdate> and receive regular
email updates from me on the issues important to Louisiana families.
** To unsubscribe please visit my web site
itter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Unsubscr
ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
www.vitter.senate.gov
ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on March 13, 2012.
Common Sense Solutions to Stop Rising Gas Prices
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
The price at the gasoline pump is on the rise again, and liberal
Washington's first reaction is predictably stale and political: tap
into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This is clearly driven by
election year politics, leading us down a path fraught with dangers.
Click here to read an op-ed
ww.chron.com%2fdefault%2farticle%2fObama-s-energy-policy-threatens-U-S-s
ecurity-3393020.php> I wrote about how opening the SPR for political
reasons is not in our nation's best interest.
The biggest irony in the debate over opening the reserve is that we
have an abundance of domestic energy resources right here in Louisiana
and the United States. In fact, we're the single most energy-rich
country in the world, bar none. The problem is that we're also the only
country in the world that puts more than 90 percent of its energy
resources completely off-limits.
Last week we had a couple of great opportunities to expand domestic
energy production and jobs by utilizing our vast energy resources and
securing more resources from Canada versus the Middle East, but
unfortunately Democrats in the Senate blocked them both. One was my
legislation to open up the majority of the Outer Continental Shelf for
leasing and the other was a piece of legislation I co-authored that
would fully permit the Keystone XL Pipeline. I also introduced
legislation several weeks ago to block the president from tapping into
the SPR unless his administration first issues full permits for the
entire Keystone XL pipeline.
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3dcb5d0485-d88d-57ca-368d-083fd86e45b4%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1>
Click here
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3dcb5d0485-d88d-57ca-368d-083fd86e45b4%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1> to watch a clip of an interview I did with Fox News on the
Keystone XL pipeline.
If we don't pass my bill, President Obama will likely tap into the SPR
and do nothing else to alleviate the price of gas. That's not just
extremely superficial, short-term policy - a purely political attempt
to manipulate the price at the pump right before the election - it's
dangerous because it draws down the reserve, making us more vulnerable
when we really need it in a true crisis.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up for E-updates
itter.senate.gov%2f%3fmodule%3dcontact%2feupdate> and receive regular
email updates from me on the issues important to Louisiana families.
** To unsubscribe please visit my web site
itter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Unsubscr
ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
www.vitter.senate.gov
ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on March 23, 2012.
Obamacare: Two Years Too Many
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
Some things in life get better as time goes by. But today, on the
two-year anniversary of Obamacare, we can safely say that President
Obama's health care law is not one of those things.
In fact, the ugly truth is that Obamacare has gotten worse and worse
with each passing week. You may recall that when the president and his
liberal allies in Congress were forcing the bill through over the
objections of the American people, they made the odd claim that
creating a massive new entitlement would actually save us money.
Well, I and many others at the time said that was ludicrous, and we
were right. Once you add in all the implementation costs, which seem to
be growing every day, the law will spend $2.6 trillion over the first
decade alone - something we certainly can't afford with a national debt
that's already at $15 trillion and counting.
And it hits families in Louisiana and across the country just as hard.
Even though President Obama promised to lower premiums by $2,500 per
family, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that premiums will
actually increase by $2,100. Since the President took office, premiums
for employer-sponsored coverage have already risen by over $2,200 per
family.
I've had several town halls and telephone town halls across Louisiana
over the last two years, and I've yet to hear from a Louisianian whose
health insurance has gotten less expensive since Obamacare was signed
into law. They tell me exactly the opposite - they're paying much more.
To make things worse, a recent study found that up to 35 million
Americans could lose their employer-sponsored health care under
Obamacare, and Louisiana seniors are projected to be the hardest hit
Medicare beneficiaries in the country because of the bill's Medicare
Advantage cuts. Our state also stands to be on the hook for an
additional $7 billion thanks to the bill's unfunded Medicaid mandate.
Beyond all the practical reasons that Obamacare is a disaster, there's
a matter of principle. The law further expands an already oversized
government, creating over 159 new boards, offices, and panels to
concentrate even more control over health care decision-making into
Washington bureaucracy. The Obama administration has already cranked
out over 12,000 pages of new regulations related to Obamacare. And the
individual mandate, which would require every American to purchase
health insurance or else pay a fine to the government, is plainly
unconstitutional.
That's why I introduced a bill at the beginning of this Congressional
session to fully repeal Obamacare, and it's why I'm hopeful that as the
Supreme Court takes up Obamacare, they will decide once and for all
that it violates the Constitution.
Rest assured that this fight is not over, because with each passing
day, it's more and more obvious that Obamacare must be repealed. And
rest assured that I'll continue leading that fight.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up for E-updates
itter.senate.gov%2f%3fmodule%3dcontact%2feupdate> and receive regular
email updates from me on the issues important to Louisiana families.
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itter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Unsubscr
ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
www.vitter.senate.gov
ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on April 03, 2012.
Join me at my Flood Protection Forum in New Orleans
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
Please join me at my Flood Protection Forum in New Orleans at 10:00
a.m. on Wednesday, April 4. We'll be discussing the issues most
important to you, especially improving the flood protection system in
Southeast Louisiana and holding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
accountable.
Town Hall Meeting / Flood Protection Forum
with U.S. Senator David Vitter
Flood Protection Forum
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
UNO Homer Hitt Alumni Center
2nd Floor
2000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans
Panelists: Tom Holden, Corps of Engineers; Bob Turner, Flood Authority
East; Giuseppe R Miserendino, Flood Authority West; Garret Graves,
Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority
Last week I met with representatives of the Government Accountability
Office to fine tune my request to have them conduct an audit of the
Corps' practices from 2004 -2011. I asked for the audit
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dPressRoom.Press
Releases%26amp%3bContentRecord_id%3d1465E834-D210-D259-28F1-31E9585DADCA
> in December 2011.
I also recently introduced a bipartisan bill
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dPressRoom.Press
Releases%26amp%3bContentRecord_id%3dC9C55F15-BF52-CF38-8300-1EFF50B79858
> to reform the Corps by creating a pilot program aimed at eliminating
red tape and expediting backlogged Corps projects by delegating more
project management responsibility to state and local governments.
Click here to read my recent op-ed in the New Orleans Times-Picayune
ww.nola.com%2fopinions%2findex.ssf%2f2011%2f12%2fdont_let_the_corps_go_b
ack_to.html> where I outlined my plan for reforming the Corps'
business as usual - a vicious cycle of bureaucracy, delay and cost
overruns.
I have made keeping in touch with Louisiana residents my top priority
and I've found that town hall meetings are one of the best ways to
learn about the top issues affecting Louisianians. As I serve in the
U.S. Senate, I will continue to fulfill my pledge to hold town hall
meetings in all 64 parishes every Congress. This Congress I've already
hosted more than 40.
I'm excited to hear the issues and concerns on the minds of the people
in Southeast Louisiana. I hope you'll be able to join us, and I look
forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up for E-updates
itter.senate.gov%2f%3fmodule%3dcontact%2feupdate> and receive regular
email updates from me on the issues important to Louisiana families.
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itter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Unsubscr
ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
www.vitter.senate.gov
ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on April 20, 2012.
Reflecting on the Two Year Anniversary of the BP Oil Spill
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
As you may know, today marks the two-year anniversary of the BP oil
spill along the Gulf Coast. Tragically, eleven men lost their lives
that day, and it's important to remember them and their families in our
prayers on this somber anniversary. Across south Louisiana and the Gulf
Coast, we've felt the effects of the disaster, which resulted not only
in a terrible loss of life, but in widespread economic devastation and
environmental damage. (Click here
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3dc658b926-0008-fc46-8ae2-2f01d14e1a53%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1> to watch my remarks on the Senate Floor in remembrance of the
anniversary.)
The good news is that I don't think anyone would have predicted that
the Gulf would have rebounded to where it is today. That goes for our
tourism industry, which is thriving, and of course our Gulf seafood,
which is as safe and delicious as ever.
While we reflect on the events of two years ago, I'm continuing to work
in Louisiana and in Washington to help our state recover. I am
especially focused on two specific areas: getting the fines paid by BP
to go towards restoring the damaged Gulf Coast, and getting the
offshore energy permitting back to pre BP levels.
In Louisiana we're all too familiar with the economic damage caused
from the moratorium put in place by the Obama administration following
the oil spill. Permitting is up since then, but it is still not at the
level we need it to be. (Click here
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dPressRoom.Artic
les%26amp%3bContentRecord_id%3d78c24e08-0ac1-6646-ad28-b9ab5a0dae33%26am
p%3bRegion_id%3d%26amp%3bIssue_id%3d> to read an op-ed I wrote about
energy claims made by President Obama.)
As the Gulf Coast has shown us, America can rebound and turn the tide.
We're recovering from the oil spill and we can take control of our
energy destiny, too. That's because we are the single most energy-rich
country in the world - bar none. All we need is a government that lets
us produce it.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Sign
up> for regular email updates from me on the issues important to
Louisiana families.
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itter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Unsubscr
ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
www.vitter.senate.gov
ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on May 01, 2012.
Extending Flood Insurance, a Safety Net for Louisianians
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
Louisianians are all too familiar with the potential damage that
flooding can cause. Probably more than any other state, Louisiana
homeowners count on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for
peace of mind, and more importantly, a safety net. Unfortunately, the
flood insurance program has been barely hobbling along with a band-aid
approach being extended for short periods of time.
This approach isn't good enough, which is why I'm continuing the fight
to get a long-term extension put in place. Last year I got the NFIP
extended
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dPressRoom.Press
Releases%26amp%3bContentRecord_id%3df0870687-aec4-c9c5-8903-c7c4591a7a78
> through May 31, 2012, but that date is rapidly approaching. Last
week I started calling
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dPressRoom.Press
Releases%26amp%3bContentRecord_id%3df0870687-aec4-c9c5-8903-c7c4591a7a78
> on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring up our bipartisan bill
to extend the program for five years as soon as possible.
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3df0254e9d-d50e-44e3-fcd3-a0aac5436637%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1>
Click here
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3df0254e9d-d50e-44e3-fcd3-a0aac5436637%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1> to watch a recent speech I made on the Senate floor.
The NFIP was last fully reauthorized in 2004 and has since been
sustained by thirteen short-term extensions. As a member of the U.S.
Senate Banking Committee and ranking member of the economic
subcommittee, I worked to get our bipartisan bill passed out of
committee last year. Now it's up to Senator Reid to allow it to come up
for a vote.
In addition to extending the program, we are making some common-sense
reforms like much more reasonable phase-in times to reach actuarial
rates and a study of including additional lines of business in the
NFIP. This will help those in areas where the private market does not
provide coverage and it will improve the solvency of the NFIP.
To emphasize how important this program is for Louisianians, read a few
of these editorials from around the state:
* New Orleans Times Picayune: Pass long term extension to
National Flood Insurance Program
ww.nola.com%2fopinions%2findex.ssf%2f2012%2f04%2fpass_long_term_extensio
n_to_na.html>
* Monroe News Star, Alexandria Town Talk: States need flood
program
ww.thenewsstar.com%2fapps%2fpbcs.dll%2farticle%3fAID%3d2012204290332>
* Houma Courier, Thibodaux Daily Comet: Time for a long-term
solution
ww.dailycomet.com%2farticle%2f20120430%2fOPINION%2f120439988>
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up
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ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
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ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on May 11, 2012.
Pushing for RESTORE, RAMP Act in Final Highway Bill
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
After spending the last week traveling across Louisiana, I've been able
to hear from folks around the state who are worried about jobs, gas
prices, and Congress' seeming inability to get much done.
Now that I'm back in Washington, I have an opportunity to work on all
of these issues. I'm an original cosponsor of the Senate highway bill,
and now that both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed
versions the bill, it heads to a legislative conference committee. The
role of the conference committee is to settle the legislative
differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. And
fortunately, I've been named to the conference committee to finalize
it.
As the only member of the Louisiana delegation on the conference
committee, I will advocate for three priorities: RESTORE, RAMP, and the
Keystone XL pipeline. I am an original cosponsor of both the RESTORE
Act, which would ensure that at least 80% of the fines BP must pay
under the Clean Water Act would be set aside for Gulf Coast states
rather than just going into a general fund, and the RAMP Act, which
helps restore the revenue from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for
maintenance and dredging. I am also the ranking member of the
subcommittee that had jurisdiction over the bill and worked to pass it
through the Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously in
November 2011.
Both the RESTORE Act and the RAMP Act have been added to the Highway
Bill as amendments. As an original cosponsor, I'll place keeping both
the RESTORE and RAMP language in the bill as an absolute top priority.
The Senate bill we passed with broad bipartisan support, which included
RESTORE, should be the foundation for our final bill. Including
legislation to expedite the Keystone XL pipeline would ensure our House
colleagues support the bill, too.
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3d2e65691a-da90-05e7-9855-b801b09a9c9c%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1>
Click here
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dMultimedia.Vide
o%26amp%3bVideo_id%3d2e65691a-da90-05e7-9855-b801b09a9c9c%26amp%3bPageNu
m%3d1> to watch my remarks in a recent conference committee hearing.
Louisiana's coast and our ports play such an important role for our
national economy that I'll be pushing to get bipartisan consensus. Now
that versions of the Highway Bill passed in both the House and the
Senate, you can be assured that I will do my part to make sure RESTORE
and RAMP remain in the final version of the bill.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Sign
up> for regular email updates from me on the issues important to
Louisiana families.
** To unsubscribe please visit my web site
itter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Unsubscr
ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
www.vitter.senate.gov
ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
This letter was a reply from the office of Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] on May 25, 2012.
Honoring those who served
ww.vitter.senate.gov>
Dear Friend,
As many of us have vacation (and maybe even a little rest and
relaxation) on our minds this Memorial Day weekend, I ask that you take
a moment to reflect and honor the sacrifice of those who served to
protect and defend our freedoms.
Many brave men and women deserve our thanks and gratitude. I encourage
you to honor those no longer with us by visiting a monument or memorial
that honors the bravery of past Americans in wars and military actions
of great importance. Maybe consider taking a moment or two to learn a
little more about our military branches and their history. Of course,
however you chose to reflect and honor our fallen soldiers, the
blessings and freedom we all share because of their service is what's
most important.
I know that the Vitter family deeply appreciates all that has been done
to keep America safe, free and still the greatest nation in the world.
Thanks to our veterans - past and present - and to those brave men and
women currently defending our freedoms.
Sincerely,
David Vitter
Signature
David Vitter
United States Senator
P.S. Please visit my website to sign up
ww.vitter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Sign
up> for regular email updates from me on the issues important to
Louisiana families.
** To unsubscribe please visit my web site
itter.senate.gov%2fpublic%2findex.cfm%3fFuseAction%3dNewsletter.Unsubscr
ibe> . Please do not reply to this email.
For any other questions or concerns visit my Web site at:
www.vitter.senate.gov
ww.vitter.senate.gov> .
Note to Congressional staff & elected officials reading this: this letter was sent through Contact-Congress features on OpenCongress.org, a free public resource website, but in the future we seek to compel the U.S. Congress to adopt fully open technology for constituent communications. For more information how your office can better handle public feedback through an open API and open standards, contact us -- even today, there are significantly more efficient and responsive ways for our elected officials to receive email feedback than the status quo of individual webforms. For greater public accountability in government, we must make the process of writing one's members of Congress more accessible and empowering. Looking ahead, we will release more data from Contact-Congress letters and Congressional response rates back into the public commons. This will result in a new open data source on bills & issues people care about, as well as encourage best practices in constituent communications and make it possible to grade members of Congress on their responsiveness & citizen satisfaction.
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