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			{{Short description|American politician (born 1961)}}
	{{Infobox Senator | name=David Vitter
			{{distinguish|David Vetter}}
	|image = DVitterOfficial.jpg
			{{redirect|Senator Vitter|the South Dakota state senate member|Drue Vitter}}
	|imagesize=
			{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
	|jr/sr = Junior Senator
			{{Infobox officeholder
	|state = ]
			|name = David Vitter
	|term_start = January 3, 2005
			|image = DVitterOfficial.jpg
	|alongside = ]
			|caption = Official portrait, 2005
	|preceded = ]
			|jr/sr = United States Senator
	|succeeded =
	|state2 = Louisiana		|state = ]
			|term_start = January 3, 2005
	|district2 = ]
	|term2 = May 29, 1999 – January 3, 2005		|term_end = January 3, 2017
	|preceded2 = ]		|predecessor = ]
			|successor = ]
	|succeeded2 = ]
			|office1 = Chair of the ]
			|term_start1 = January 3, 2015
			|term_end1 = January 3, 2017
			|predecessor1 = ]
			|successor1 = ]
			|state2 = ]
			|district2 = {{ushr|LA|1|1st}}
			|term_start2 = May 29, 1999
			|term_end2 = January 3, 2005
			|predecessor2 = ]
			|successor2 = ]
	|state_house3 = Louisiana		|state_house3 = Louisiana
	|district3 = 81st		|district3 = 81st
	|term_start3 = 1992		|term_start3 = 1992
	|term_end3 = 1999		|term_end3 = 1999
	|preceded3 = ]		|predecessor3 = ]
	|succeeded3 = ]		|successor3 = Jennifer Sneed Heebe
			|birth_name = David Bruce Vitter
	|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|5|3}}
			|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|5|3}}
	|birth_place = ], ]
			|birth_place = ], Louisiana, U.S.
	|death_date =		|death_date =
	|death_place =		|death_place =
	|restingplace =
	|restingplacecoordinates =
	|birthname =
	|nationality =
	|party = ]		|party = ]
			|spouse = {{marriage|]|1990}}
	|otherparty = <!--For additional political affiliations-->
	|spouse = Wendy Baldwin Vitter		|children = 4
			|relations = ] (brother)
	|partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married-->
			|education = ] (])<br />{{nowrap|] (])}}<br />] (])
	|relations =
	|children = Sophie Vitter<br />Lise Vitter<br />Airey Vitter<br />Jack Vitter
	|residence = ]
	|alma_mater = ] <small>(])</small><br>] <small>(])</small><br>] <small>(])</small>
	|occupation = Attorney
	|profession =
	|cabinet =
	|committees =
	|portfolio =
	|religion = ]
	|signature = David Vitter Signature.svg		|signature = David Vitter Signature.svg
			|module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Sen. David Vitter on the Fifth Anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.ogg|title=David Vitter's voice|type=speech|description=David Vitter highlights the fifth anniversary of the ]<br/>Recorded April 20, 2015}}
	|signature_alt=
	|website = <br />
	|footnotes =
	|blank1 =
	|data1 =
	|blank2 =
	|data2 =
	|blank3 =
	|data3 =
	|blank4 =
	|data4 =
	|blank5 =
	|data5 =
	<!--Military service-->
	|nickname =
	|allegiance =
	|branch =
	|serviceyears =
	|rank =
	|unit =
	|commands =
	|battles =
	|awards =
	|military_blank1 =
	|military_data1 =
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	|military_blank3 =
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	|military_blank4 =
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	|military_blank5 =
	|military_data5 =
	}}		}}
	'''David Vitter''' (born May 3, 1961) is the ] ] from ] and a member of the ]. Previously, he served in the ], representing the ] ]. He served as a member of the ] before entering the U.S. House.		'''David Bruce Vitter''' (born May 3, 1961) is an American politician who served as a ] from ] from 2005 to 2017. A member of the ], Vitter served in the ] from 1992 to 1999 and in the ] from 1999 to 2005.
			Vitter was first elected to the U.S. Senate in ]. He was the first ] to represent Louisiana in the Senate since the ], and the first ever Republican to be popularly elected. In 2007, Vitter admitted to and apologized for past involvement with prostitution as part of a Washington, D.C. ] which gained much notoriety<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Murray|first1=Shailagh|title=Senator's Number on 'Madam' Phone List|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/09/AR2007070902030.html|access-date=October 13, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 10, 2007}}</ref> and while not affecting his 2010 election, is believed to have played a part in his loss of the ]. In ], Vitter won a second Senate term by defeating ] ] ].
	In July 2007, Vitter was identified as a client of a ].<ref name="CNN071007">{{cite news|date=July 11, 2007
	|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/10/vitter.madam/index.html
			Vitter unsuccessfully ran for ] to succeed the ] ] in the ]. He lost the general election to Democrat ]. While conceding defeat to Edwards, Vitter announced that he would not seek reelection to his Senate seat in ] and would retire from office at the completion of his term. Following the conclusion of his second Senate term, Vitter became a lobbyist.
	|title=Hustler says it revealed senator's link to escort service
	|publisher=CNN
	|accessdate=2007-07-14}}</ref> He won a second Senate term in 2010, defeating a ] challenge from U.S. Representative ] of ], the seat of ]. In the Republican primary held on August 28, 2010, Vitter handily defeated former ] Justice ] of ], formerly from ].
	==Early life and education==		==Early life and education==
			]]]
	Vitter was born in ] to Audrey Malvina St. Raymond and Albert Leopold Vitter,<ref>, GeneaNet.com. Retrieved July 10, 2007.</ref> and graduated in 1979 from ].<ref>{{cite web
			David Bruce Vitter<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/elections/2004/candidates/294890/ | newspaper=The Washington Post| title=David Bruce Vitter (R)| year=2004 }}</ref> was born on May 3, 1961,<ref>{{CongLinks |congbio=v000127 |votesmart=4615 |fec=S4LA00057 |congress=david-vitter/1609}}</ref> in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the son of Audrey Malvina (née St. Raymond) and Albert Leopold Vitter. Vitter graduated in 1979 from ] in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web|year= 1998|url= http://www.delasallenola.com/content.cfm?id=148|title= De La Salle High School 1990–1999 Award Recipients|publisher= ]|access-date= November 6, 2009|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709011339/http://www.delasallenola.com/content.cfm?id=148|archive-date= July 9, 2011}}</ref> While a student at De La Salle, Vitter participated in the ] civic education program. He received a Bachelor of Arts from ] in 1983; a second B.A. from ] in 1985, as a ]; and a ] degree in 1988 from the ] in New Orleans. He was a practicing lawyer,<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/elections/2004/candidates/294890/|title= David Bruce Vitter (R)|newspaper= The Washington Post|access-date= March 19, 2009}}</ref><ref name="SLU042701" /> and ] at Tulane and ].<ref name="SLU042701">{{cite web|date= April 27, 2001|url= http://www2.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/vitter-sp01commencement.htm|title= U.S. Rep. David Vitter To Present SLU Commencement Address|publisher= ] ]|access-date= March 19, 2009|quote= While serving in the state legislature, Vitter was a business attorney as well as an adjunct law professor at Tulane and Loyola Universities.}}</ref>
	|year= 1998
	|url= http://www.delasallenola.com/content.cfm?id=148
	|title= De La Salle High School 1990-1999 Award Recipients
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 6, 2009
	}}</ref> He received an ] from ] in ], in 1983; a ] from ] in 1985, as a ]; and a ] from the ] in New Orleans in 1988. He was a ],<ref>{{cite news
	|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/elections/2004/candidates/294890/
	|title= David Bruce Vitter (R)
	|publisher= The Washington Post
	|accessdate= March 19, 2009
	}}</ref><ref name="SLU042701" /> and ] at Tulane and ].<ref name="SLU042701">{{cite web
	|date= April 27, 2001
	|url= http://www2.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/vitter-sp01commencement.htm
	|title= U.S. Rep. David Vitter To Present SLU Commencement Address
	|publisher= ] ]
	|accessdate= March 19, 2009
	|quote= While serving in the state legislature, Vitter was a business attorney as well as an adjunct law professor at Tulane and Loyola Universities.
	}}</ref>
	Vitter and his wife Wendy, a former prosecutor,<ref name="WP-07-10-07"/> have three daughters, Sophie, Lise, and Airey, and a son, Jack. Vitter's brother ] is an unimportant academic, a computer science professor and ] at the ].		Vitter and his wife ], a former prosecutor,<ref name="WP-07-10-07"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/national_politics/2018/01/wendy_vitter_federal_judge.html |title=Wendy Vitter, with one exception, might have what it takes to be federal judge|date=January 27, 2018 }}</ref> have four children. Vitter's brother ] is a computer scientist who has served as chancellor of the ] from January 2016 to January 2019.
	==Early political career==		==Early political career==
	===House of Representatives===		===Louisiana House of Representatives===
			Vitter was a member of the ] from 1992 to 1999.
	Vitter was a member of the ] from 1992 to 1999 before he entered the ]. He won a special election to ] in 1999, succeeding Republican Congressman ], who resigned after an adultery scandal. In the initial vote on May 1, 1999,<ref>Stuart Rothenberg, , ''CNN'', April 13, 1999</ref> former Congressman and Governor ] finished first with 36,719 votes (25 percent). Vitter's 31,741 votes (22 percent) were barely higher than nazi-uniform-wearing Jew-hating ] ], who finished third with 28,055 votes (19 percent). Monica L. Monica, a Republican ], had 16 percent; State Representative Bill Strain, a ], finished fifth with 11 percent; and ], a Republican lawyer and the owner of New Orleans's minor league baseball team, had 6 percent.<ref>Kevin Sack, , ''New York Times'', May 3, 1999</ref> In the special election runoff on May 29, Vitter defeated Treen, 61,661 votes (51 percent) to 59,849 (49 percent).<ref name="Almanac of American Politics-2005"/>
			Vitter has argued for ethics reform and ] since he was in the Louisiana Legislature in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 12, 2007|last=Crouere|first=Jeff|url=http://blog.nola.com/jeff_crouere/2007/07/the_rise_and_fall_of_david_vit.html|title=The Rise and Fall of David Vitter|newspaper=]|access-date=May 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506213646/http://blog.nola.com/jeff_crouere/2007/07/the_rise_and_fall_of_david_vit.html|archive-date=May 6, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a Louisiana state legislator, Vitter successfully pushed through a term limits amendment to the state constitution to oust the largely Democratic legislature.<ref name="NYT071408">{{cite news|date=April 29, 1999|last=Sack|first=Kevin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/29/us/louisiana-gop-facing-david-duke-again.html?pagewanted=2|title=Louisiana G.O.P. Facing David Duke, Again|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 14, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 11, 2007|last=Nossiter|first=Adam|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/us/11vitter.html?fta=y|title=A Senator's Moral High Ground Gets a Little Shaky|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 14, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=September 9, 2007|last=Hasten|first=Mike|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070909/NEWS01/709090347|title=Republicans set sights on control of La. House|newspaper=The Town Talk|access-date=July 14, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204221735/http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070909/NEWS01/709090347|archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="LC" /> The first election legislators affected by the reform ].<ref>{{cite news|date=October 30, 2007|last=Barrow|first=Bill|url=http://www.nola.com/elections/index.ssf/2007/09/term_limits_arent_gop_bonanza.html|title=Term limits aren't GOP bonanza|newspaper=]|access-date=July 14, 2008}}</ref> In order to leverage the term limits advantage in that election, Vitter formed a ] with the goal of winning a legislative Republican majority.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 5, 2007|last=Barrow|first=Bill|url=http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/47395/54420.html|title=Quest for La. House will look past Vitter|newspaper=]|access-date=July 14, 2008|quote=Vitter's effectiveness for raising the profile of Republican candidates in state legislative races has dissolved|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723112911/http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/47395/54420.html|archive-date=July 23, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=December 6, 2007|url=http://louisianaconservative.com/?p=361|title=The 2007 Elections – Effect of Term Limits (Part I)|publisher=LouisianaConservative.com|access-date=July 14, 2008|quote=The LCRM also suffered somewhat of a setback ... when stories arose regarding Senator Vitter's involvement with prostitutes....|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219110131/http://louisianaconservative.com/?p=361|archive-date=December 19, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> While the Republicans saw gains, the Democrats maintained majority control.<ref name="LC">{{cite web|date=December 6, 2007|url=http://louisianaconservative.com/?p=361|title=The 2007 Elections – Effect of Term Limits (Part I)|publisher=LouisianaConservative.com|access-date=July 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219110131/http://louisianaconservative.com/?p=361|archive-date=December 19, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
	In 2000 and 2002, Vitter won re-election with over 80 percent of the vote in what has become a safe Republican district.<ref name="Almanac of American Politics-2005">{{cite web
	|date=June 25, 2005
	|author=Jacoby, Mary
	|url=http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2006/people/la/las2.htm
	|title=Almanac of American Politics
	|accessdate=2007-12-07}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
			Vitter opposed gambling during his tenure in the Louisiana House.<ref>{{cite news |last=Applebome |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Applebome |date=June 12, 1994 |title=Legal Gambling Bedevils Louisiana |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/12/us/legal-gambling-bedevils-louisiana.html |access-date=April 21, 2008 |newspaper=The New York Times}} Louisiana has long experience with gambling as a political issue''';''' see, e.g., ].</ref>
	===2002 gubernatorial race===
	In 2002, Vitter was preparing to run for governor in 2003, with the incumbent, Republican ], prevented by ] from running again. But in June 2002, shortly before the '']'' ran a story about Vitter's alleged relationship with a ], Vitter dropped out of the governor's race,<ref>Christopher Tidmore, , ''Louisiana Weekly'', March 29, 2004</ref> saying he and his wife were dealing with marital problems.<ref>Schor, Elana and Sam Youngman, , ''The Hill'', July 11, 2007</ref>
			===United States House of Representatives===
			Vitter won a special election to ], succeeding Republican U.S. Representative ], who resigned after disclosure that he had committed ]. In the initial vote on May 1, 1999,<ref>Stuart Rothenberg, , ''CNN'', April 13, 1999</ref> former Congressman and Governor ] finished first with 36,719 votes (25 percent). Vitter was second, with 31,741 (22 percent), and ] ] finished third with 28,055 votes (19 percent). Monica L. Monica, a Republican ], had 16 percent; State Representative ], a ], finished fifth with 11 percent; and ], a Republican lawyer and the owner of New Orleans's minor league baseball team, garnered 6 percent.<ref>Kevin Sack, , ''The New York Times'', May 3, 1999</ref> In the runoff, Vitter defeated Treen 51–49 percent.<ref name="Almanac of American Politics-2005"/>
			In 2000 and 2002, Vitter was re-elected with more than 80 percent of the vote in what had become a safe Republican district.<ref name="Almanac of American Politics-2005">{{cite web|date=June 25, 2005|url=http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2006/people/la/las2.htm|title=Almanac of American Politics|access-date=December 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614023100/http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2006/people/la/las2.htm|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref>
			In 2001, Vitter co-authored legislation to restrict the number of physicians allowed to prescribe ], a drug used in medical abortions. The bill died in committee.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 7, 2001|url=http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=2709|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020301140327/http://www.kaisernetwork.org/Daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=2709|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 1, 2002|title=Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy|publisher=]|access-date=December 10, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h107-482|title=H.R. 482 : RU-486 Patient Health and Safety Protection Act|publisher=GovTrack|access-date=December 10, 2007}}</ref>
			In 2003, Vitter proposed to amend the ] to ban ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019003738/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.J.RES.56.IH: |date=October 19, 2015 }} May 21, 2003, Mrs. MUSGRAVE (for herself, Mr. HALL, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia, and Mr. VITTER)</ref> In 2004, he said, "This is a real outrage. The ] ] is redefining the most basic institution in human history...We need a U.S. Senator who will stand up for Louisiana values, not ]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vitter2004.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=20|title=Vitter Statement on Protecting the Sanctity of Marriage|publisher=Vitter2004.com|access-date=July 12, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715022708/http://www.vitter2004.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=20|archive-date=July 15, 2007}}</ref>
			===2003 gubernatorial election===
			In 2002, Vitter was preparing to run for governor in 2003, with the incumbent, Republican ], prevented by ] from running again. But in June 2002, shortly before the '']'' reported on a claim from Vincent Bruno, a campaign worker for Treen in 1999, about Vitter's alleged relationship with a prostitute, Vitter dropped out of the governor's race,<ref>Christopher Tidmore, , ''Louisiana Weekly'', March 29, 2004</ref> saying he and his wife were dealing with marital problems.
			Bruno said on a New Orleans–based radio show that he had been told by a prostitute that she had interactions with Vitter. However, Treen and his campaign decided to not publicize this information during the election.<ref>Bridges, Tyler, , ''The Advocate'', September 25, 2015</ref>
	==United States Senate==		==United States Senate==
	===2004 election===		===2004 election===
	{{main|United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2004}}		{{main|2004 United States Senate election in Louisiana}}
			In 2004, Vitter ran to replace Democrat ] in the U.S. Senate.
	In 2004, Vitter ran to replace Democrat ] in the U.S. Senate. Former state Senator ], a ] political consultant, directed Vitter's grassroots organization in the race, with assistance from Richey's longtime ally, former state Representative ] of Baton Rouge, himself a defeated U.S. Senate candidate in 1978, 1980, and 1996.
	During the campaign, Vitter was accused by a member of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee of having had a lengthy affair with a ] in New Orleans. Vitter responded that the allegation was "absolutely and completely untrue" and that it was "just crass Louisiana politics."<ref name="WP-07-10-07">Shailagh Murray, , ''Washington Post'', July 10, 2007</ref>		During the campaign, Vitter was accused by a member of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee of having had a lengthy affair with a prostitute in New Orleans. Vitter responded that the allegation was "absolutely and completely untrue" and that it was "just crass Louisiana politics."<ref name="WP-07-10-07">Shailagh Murray, , ''The Washington Post'', July 10, 2007</ref>
	On November 2, 2004, Vitter won the ], garnering a majority of the vote, while the rest of the vote was mostly split among the Democratic contenders.		On November 2, 2004, Vitter won the ], garnering a majority of the vote, while the rest of the vote was mostly split among the Democratic contenders.
	Vitter was the first Republican in Louisiana to be popularly elected as a U.S. Senator. The previous Republican Senator, ], was chosen by the state legislature in 1876, in accordance with the process used before the ] went into effect in 1914.<ref>{{cite web		Vitter was the first Republican in Louisiana to be popularly elected as a U.S. Senator. The previous Republican Senator, ], was chosen by the state legislature in 1876, in accordance with the process used before the ] went into effect in 1914.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 1, 2004|last=Rudin|first=Ken|author-link=Ken Rudin|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4136425|title=Final Call: Kerry Wins Narrow Electoral Margin; GOP Gains in House, Senate|publisher=]|access-date=April 30, 2008}}</ref>
	|date=2004-11-01
	|last=Rudin
	|first=Ken
	|authorlink=Ken Rudin
	|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4136425
	|title=Final Call: Kerry Wins Narrow Electoral Margin; GOP Gains in House, Senate
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-04-30
	}}</ref>
	State Representative ] of ] resigned early in 2005 to become Vitter's state director. Futrell remained in the position until 2008, when he was engaged in ] municipal/parish government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessreport.com/news/2009/feb/09/executive-orders-gvpt1/|title=Executive Orders: Mike Futrell|publisher=businessreport.com|accessdate=July 14, 2011}}</ref>
	===2010 election===		===2010 election===
	{{main|United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2010}}		{{main|2010 United States Senate election in Louisiana}}
	]		]
			Vitter began fundraising for his 2010 reelection run in December 2008.<ref>{{cite news|date= December 5, 2008|url= http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9460332|title= Scandal-plagued Vitter gets La. fundraising help|agency= Associated Press|access-date= December 5, 2008}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He raised $731,000 in the first quarter of 2009 and $2.5 million for his 2010 campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1240378230147980.xml&coll=1 |title=Vitter's re-election campaign stash swelling for 2010 |newspaper=NOLA.com |date=April 22, 2009 |access-date=August 29, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He had wide leads against potential Democratic opponents in aggregate general election polling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/election_2010_louisiana_senate |title=Election 2010: Louisiana Senate – Rasmussen Reports |publisher=Rasmussenreports.com |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref> He faced intraparty opposition from ] of ], a former associate justice of the ], in the August 28 Republican ] and defeated him.
	Vitter began fundraising for his 2010 reelection run in December 2008.<ref>{{cite news
	|date= December 5, 2008
	|url= http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9460332
	|title= Scandal-plagued Vitter gets La. fundraising help
	|agency= Associated Press
	|accessdate= December 5, 2008
	|quote=
	}}</ref> He raised $731,000 in the first quarter of 2009 and $2.5 million for his 2010 campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1240378230147980.xml&coll=1 |title=Vitter's re-election campaign stash swelling for 2010 |publisher=NOLA.com |date=2009-04-22 |accessdate=2010-08-29}}</ref> He had wide leads against potential Democratic opponents in aggregate general election polling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/election_2010_louisiana_senate |title=Election 2010: Louisiana Senate - Rasmussen Reports™ |publisher=Rasmussenreports.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/la/louisiana_senate_vitter_vs_melancon-1095.html |title=Election 2010 - Louisiana Senate - Vitter vs. Melancon |publisher=RealClearPolitics |date= |accessdate=2010-08-29}}</ref> He faced intraparty opposition from ] of ], a former associate justice of the ] in the August 28 Republican ] and defeated him. He then faced the ] ] ] of ] in the November 2 ]. An ], ] ] of ] in ], also ran.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20100710/NEWS01/7100335/Monroe-s-Traylor-to-challenge-Vitter|title=Monroe's Traylor to challenge Vitter|publisher='']'', July 10, 2010|accessdate=July 10, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> On Nov 4th, 2010, Vitter was re-elected as Louisiana Senator, defeating his Democratic rival, Melancon. According to international news reports, Vitter got 715,304 votes while Melancon got 476,423 votes. Vitter received about 57% of the total vote while Melancon got 38%. The independent candidate Wooton finished with only 8,167 votes, or 1 percent of the total cast.
			He faced the ] ] ] of ] in the November 2 general election. ] ] of ] in ], an ], also ran.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20100710/NEWS01/7100335/Monroe-s-Traylor-to-challenge-Vitter |title=Monroe's Traylor to challenge Vitter |publisher=], July 10, 2010 |access-date=July 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715192926/http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20100710/NEWS01/7100335/Monroe-s-Traylor-to-challenge-Vitter |archive-date=July 15, 2010 }}</ref> On November 4, 2010, Vitter was re-elected as Louisiana Senator, defeating his Democratic rival, Melancon. Vitter got 715,304 votes while Melancon got 476,423 votes. Vitter received about 57% of the total vote while Melancon got 38%. The Independent candidate Wooton finished with 8,167 votes, or 1 percent of the total cast.
	===Committee assignments===
	*''']'''
	**]
	**]
	**] (Ranking Member)
	*''']'''
	**] (Ranking Member)
	**]
	*''']'''
	**]
	**]
	**]
	**]
	**] (Ranking Member)
	**]
	*''']'''
	**] (Ranking Member)
	**]
	**]
	*''']'''
	===D.C. Madam scandal===		===Tenure===
			Vitter has identified himself as a ] throughout his political career. His legislative agenda includes positions ranging from ] to ] while legislating against gambling, ], civil unions, federal funding for abortion providers, increases in the ], the United Nations, and ] for America's ]. Vitter's stated positions include a ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation/issue&ID=99addac2-1509-4301-8567-baf556ac1a58|title=David Vitter Issues: Budget|publisher=David Vitter|access-date=April 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422160559/http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation%2Fissue&ID=99addac2-1509-4301-8567-baf556ac1a58|archive-date=April 22, 2008}}</ref> abolishing the federal and state ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation/issue&ID=99addac2-1509-4301-8567-baf556ac1a58|title=David Vitter Issues: Agriculture & Seafood|publisher=David Vitter|access-date=April 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422160559/http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation%2Fissue&ID=99addac2-1509-4301-8567-baf556ac1a58|archive-date=April 22, 2008}}</ref> increasing local police forces,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation/issue&ID=79348266-f09a-4494-a2eb-2bd397b9eab9|title=David Vitter Issues: Crime and Drugs|publisher=David Vitter|access-date=April 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422160549/http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation%2Fissue&ID=79348266-f09a-4494-a2eb-2bd397b9eab9|archive-date=April 22, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> and an assortment of health care, tax and national defense reforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation/issues|title=David Vitter Issues|publisher=David Vitter|access-date=April 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430235427/http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=Legislation%2FIssues|archive-date=April 30, 2008}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2020}}
			After conceding defeat to John Bel Edwards in the 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial election, Vitter announced that he would not seek reelection to his Senate seat in ] and would retire from office at the completion of his term.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/edwards-beats-vitter-louisiana-governor-216127|title=Edwards beats Vitter in Louisiana governor's race|date=November 21, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2015|work=Politico}}</ref>
	In early July 2007, Vitter's phone number was included in a published list of phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates, a company owned and run by ], also known as the "D.C. ]", convicted by the U.S. government for running a ] service. '']'' identified the phone number and contacted Vitter's office to ask about his connection to Palfrey.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=July 10, 2007
	|author=Rood, Justin
	|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/hustler-call-pr.html
	|title='Hustler' Call May Have Prompted Vitter Admission
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-07-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|date=2008-04-16
	|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/us/16escort.html?ref=us
	|title=Woman Convicted in Washington Escort Case
	|agency=Associated Press
	|accessdate=2008-04-21
	| work=The New York Times
	}}</ref> The following day, Vitter issued a written statement in which he took responsibility for his sin and asked for forgiveness.<ref>Douglass K. Daniel, , Associated Press, July 10, 2007</ref> On July 16, 2007, after a week of self-imposed seclusion, Vitter emerged and called a ]. Standing next to his wife, Vitter asked the public for forgiveness. Following Vitter's remarks, Wendy Vitter, his wife, spoke. Both refused to answer any questions.<ref>{{cite news
	|title=Scandal-linked senator breaks a week of silence
	|publisher=]
	|date=July 17, 2007
	|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/16/vitter/index.html
	|accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|title=Vitter comes out of seclusion, claims New Orleans prostitutes don't exist; some say otherwise
	|publisher=]
	|date=July 23, 2007
	|url=http://www.louisianaweekly.com/read/PDF/July_23_2007.pdf
	|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-24}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|last=Moran
	|first=Kate
	|last=Walsh
	|first=Bill
	|last=McCarthy
	|first=Brendan
	|coauthors=
	|title=Vitter re-emerges and asks again for forgiveness
	|publisher=]
	|date=July 16, 2007
	|url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/07/vitter_reemerges_and_again_ask.html
	|accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref>
			====Abortion====
	While the Louisiana state ] offered guarded support,<ref>{{cite web
			In October 2007, Vitter introduced an amendment<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00379|title=On the Amendment (Vitter Amdt. No.3330 )|publisher=]|access-date=November 17, 2007}}</ref> barring all federal public funds to health care providers and ] that provide services that include abortion. Federal law bars any funding to directly finance elective abortions in accordance with the Hyde amendment. Vitter argued that the funds are used for ] that benefit the abortion services. The amendment failed to pass.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 19, 2007|author=Alpert, Bruce|url=http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1192804244133220.xml&coll=1|title=Abortion plan is defeated in Senate|newspaper=]|access-date=October 19, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222152851/http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-2%2F1192804244133220.xml&coll=1|archive-date=February 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=October 28, 2007|author=Taylor, Andrew|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iSj9rQxYovv7EP4uGrPZ_dAqaoDgD8SBUTBG0|title=No Cut in Money for Abortion Providers|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 19, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024141408/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iSj9rQxYovv7EP4uGrPZ_dAqaoDgD8SBUTBG0|archive-date=October 24, 2007}}</ref> Following the rejection, Vitter and others urged
	|date=July 13, 2007
			the Senate to pass a similar bill introduced by Vitter in
	|author=Walsh, Bill
			January 2007. The bill failed to pass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-351|title=S. 351: Title X Family Planning Act|publisher=GovTrack|access-date=November 17, 2007}}</ref>
	|url=http://blog.nola.com/updates/2007/07/louisiana_republicans_offer_gu.html
	|title=Louisiana Republicans offer guarded support for Vitter
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref> national Republicans offered forgiveness.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=July 19, 2007
	|author=Radelat, Ana
	|url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007707180306
	|title=Vitter tries to move forward
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-07-22 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070928063132/http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007707180306 |archivedate = September 28, 2007}}</ref> '']'' predicted that the Republican Party would be in a "forgiving mood", pointing out if Vitter did step down, then ], ], a Democrat, would likely appoint a Democrat to take Vitter's place until a special election took place, thus increasing Democratic control over the Senate.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=July 17, 2007
	|author=Nichols, John
	|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/1212761
	|title=A "Family Values" Headache for Senate GOP
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-07-22}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 30, 2007
	|author=Lipman, Larry
	|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/nation/epaper/2007/09/30/m1a_FOLEYnew_0930.html
	|title=A year later, Foley fallout lingers
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-30}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 30, 2007
	|author=Blumner, Robyn
	|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/30/Opinion/Republicans_and_their.shtml
	|title=Republicans and their big Greenspan gap
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-30}}</ref>
			In January 2008, Vitter proposed an amendment to prohibit the funding of abortions with ] funds except in the case of rape, ], or when the life of the woman is at risk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s3896|title=S.Amdt. 3896: To modify a section relating to limitation on use of funds...|publisher=GovTrack.us|access-date=January 23, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830025429/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s3896|archive-date=August 30, 2008}}</ref> The amendment would have held future presidential administrations to an executive principle first crafted in 1982 by the ] White House.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 26, 2008|author=KALB News Channel 5|url=http://www.kalb.com/index.php/news/article/senate-passes-vitter-amendment-to-prohibit-federal-funding-of-abortions/4025/|title=Senate Passes Vitter Amendment to Prohibit Federal Funding of Abortions|publisher=KALB.com|access-date=February 27, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080314154452/http://www.kalb.com/index.php/news/article/senate-passes-vitter-amendment-to-prohibit-federal-funding-of-abortions/4025/ |archive-date = March 14, 2008}}</ref> Vitter's amendment passed the Senate but later was stalled in the House.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1200|title=S. 1200|access-date=April 29, 2009|author=110th Congress (2007)|date=April 24, 2007|work=Legislation|publisher=GovTrack.us|quote=Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008}}</ref>
	Vitter has not faced criminal charges due to the ].<ref>{{cite web|date=July 11, 2007|author=Alpert, Bruce|url=http://blog.nola.com/updates/2007/07/vitter_unlikely_to_face_crimin.html|title=Vitter unlikely to face criminal charges|publisher=]|accessdate=2007-07-11}}</ref> There were renewed calls for Vitter's resignation during a ] involving ] ] in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2011-06-09
	|url=http://www.thenation.com/blog/161321/if-weiner-resigns-david-vitter-should-go-too
	|title=If Weiner Resigns, David Vitter Should Go Too
	|accessdate=2011-06-16
	}}</ref>
			Later that year, Vitter co-sponsored the Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act which – along with other oversight regulations – required doctors performing abortions to have the authority granted by a nearby hospital to admit patients. The bill was never reported to committee.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 20, 2008|last=Alpert|first=Bruce|author2=Walsh, Bill|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1208669675248010.xml&coll=1|title=On The Hill: Bill tightens abortion penalties|newspaper=]|access-date=April 21, 2008}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=March 31, 2008|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2788|title=S. 2788 – 110th Congress (2008): Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 6, 2008}}</ref>
	==Political positions ==
	Vitter has identified himself as a ] throughout his political career. His legislative agenda includes positions ranging from ] to ] while legislating against gambling, ], federal funding for ] providers, increases in the ], the ], and ] for America's ]. Vitter's stated positions include a ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation/issue&ID=99addac2-1509-4301-8567-baf556ac1a58
	|title=David Vitter Issues: Budget|publisher=David Vitter|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref> abolishing the federal and state ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation/issue&ID=99addac2-1509-4301-8567-baf556ac1a58|title=David Vitter Issues: Agriculture & Seafood|publisher=David Vitter|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref> increasing local police forces,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation/issue&ID=79348266-f09a-4494-a2eb-2bd397b9eab9|title=David Vitter Issues: Crime and Drugs|publisher=David Vitter|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref> and an assortment of ], tax and national defense reforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=legislation/issues|title=David Vitter Issues|publisher=David Vitter|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref>
			====Abstinence education====
	Vitter has worked in the aftermath of ] to bring disaster relief to the region.
			Vitter advocated ], emphasizing abstinence over sex education that includes information about ], drawing criticism from ].<ref>{{cite web|date=June 25, 2007|author=Vitter, David|url=http://www.vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=76b86c7e-a51a-4d11-92e7-de11d999f313|title=Vitter Pushes for Reauthorization of Abstinence Education Program|publisher=David Vitter press release|access-date=July 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713232211/http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom%2FPressItem&ID=76b86c7e-a51a-4d11-92e7-de11d999f313|archive-date=July 13, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> He said, "Abstinence education is a public health strategy focused on risk avoidance that aims to help young people avoid exposure to harm...by teaching teenagers that saving sex until marriage and remaining faithful afterwards is the best choice for health and happiness."<ref>{{cite web|date=June 21, 2007|author1=Vitter, David|author2=Bunning, Jim|url=http://www.vitter.senate.gov/forms/abstinenceLetter.pdf|title=Letter to the chairman and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee|access-date=July 10, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627190123/http://www.vitter.senate.gov/forms/abstinenceLetter.pdf|archive-date=June 27, 2007}}</ref>
			====Automotive industry bailout====
	Vitter opposed President Barack Obama's health reform legislation; he voted against the ] in December 2009,<ref></ref> and he voted against the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |date= |accessdate=2010-08-29}}</ref>
			Vitter was one of 35 Senators to vote against the ] bill.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 12, 2008 |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-senate-rollvote-autosc0,0,1279040.story |title=How they voted: Senate roll vote on $14B auto bailout |agency=Associated Press |access-date=December 17, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The financial bailout package was for ], ], and ], but failed to pass on December 11, 2008. During the Senate debate Vitter referred to the approach of giving the automotive industry a financial package before they restructured as "ass-backwards".<ref>{{cite news|date= December 10, 2008|last= Puzzanghera|first= Jim |url= http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-121008-auto-bailout-webdec11,0,1744409.story|title= White House, Democrats reach accord on auto bailout|newspaper= Chicago Tribune|access-date= December 17, 2008}}</ref> He soon apologized for the phrasing of the comment, which did not appear in the '']''.<ref>{{cite news|date= December 17, 2008|last= Alpert|first= Bruce|url= http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1229292647222650.xml&coll=1|title= Vitter regrets salty language|newspaper= ]|access-date= December 17, 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090107080533/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-2%2F1229292647222650.xml&coll=1|archive-date= January 7, 2009}}</ref>
	===Fiscal===
	==== Louisiana Family Forum earmark ====
	{{wikinews|Senator David Vitter to earmark $100,000 for creationist group}}
	In September, 2007, Vitter ] $100,000 in federal money for a Christian group, the ],<ref name="T-P092207">{{cite web
	|date=September 22, 2007
	|author=Walsh, David
	|url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/09/vitter_earmarked_federal_money.html
	|title=Vitter earmarked federal money for creationist group
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-24}}</ref> known for challenging ] by means of "]" which promotes ].<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.lafamilyforum.org/explore.cfm/forumnotes/originsscience
	|title=Origins Science
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-11-10}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> According to Vitter, the earmark was "to develop a plan to promote better science education".<ref name="T-P092207" /> Though the Louisiana Family Forum is largely forbidden from political activity due to its tax-exempt status,<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=163395,00.html
	|title=Political Campaign Activity
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref> '']'' alleged the group had close ties with Vitter.<ref name="T-P092207" /> However, they have criticized Vitter for his support of ].<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.lafamilyforum.us/FFarchives/v9i11.htm
	|title=Vitter Sends Shockwaves
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-11-10}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
			====BP Horizon oil spill====
	On October 17, 2007, the ] organization ], along with several other groups asked the Senate to remove the earmark.<ref>{{cite web
			In response to the April 2010 ] at an offshore ] in the ] threatening the coast of Louisiana, Vitter introduced legislation along with ] of ] to increase the liability cap of an oil company from $75 million to its most recent annual profits (or $150 million if greater).<ref name="TDA052610">{{cite web|date=May 26, 2010 |last=Berry |first=Deborah Barfield |url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20100526/NEWS18/5260340 |title=Lawmakers weigh liability cap |publisher=] |access-date=May 27, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In the case of ], the owner of the oil lease, its liability would be $20 billion.<ref name="TBN052710">{{cite news|date= May 27, 2010|last= Orndorff|first= Mary|url= http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2010/05/us_sen_jeff_sessions_wants_to.html|title= U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions wants to raise BP's liability to $20 billion|newspaper= ]|access-date= May 27, 2010}}</ref> Vitter later introduced an amendment that would remove the cap entirely for this particular spill.<ref name="TDA052610" /> Competing Democratic proposals would have raised the liability to $10 billion regardless of profits or removed the cap altogether.<ref name="TDA052610" /> Sessions argued that large caps unrelated to company profits would harm smaller companies.<ref name="TBN052710" />
	|date=October 17, 2007
	|url=http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/1017-09.htm
	|title=Groups Ask Senate To Remove Earmark Promoting Creationism From Spending Bill
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=October 17, 2007
	|url=http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oId=24825
	|title=Earmark for Anti-Science Creationist Group Must Be Removed
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-10-17}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Vitter later withdrew it.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=October 19, 2007
	|author=Walsh, Bill
	|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1192776477212740.xml&coll=1
	|title=Vitter shifts $100,000 from religious group
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-11-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=October 18, 2007
	|url=http://ncse.com/news/2007/10/vitter-earmark-withdrawn-001311
	|title=Vitter earmark withdrawn
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref>
	====Children's health insurance program====		====Chemical safety====
			In May 2013, Vitter introduced the ], a bipartisan bill to reform the ], which would have regulated the introduction of new or already existing chemicals. The bill would have given additional authority to the ] to regulate chemicals and streamline the patchwork of state laws on chemicals under federal authority.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 11, 2013|url=http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=34fa2573-f043-8d8f-5329-962e227ccea7|title=Vitter: Support for Chemical Safety Improvement Act Grows}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theadvocate.com/home/7576429-125/vitter-takes-his-chemical-safety |title=Vitter takes his Chemical Safety bill to House committee hearing |publisher=The Advocate |access-date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306123418/http://theadvocate.com/home/7576429-125/vitter-takes-his-chemical-safety |archive-date=March 6, 2014 }}</ref>
	In September 2007, Vitter opposed an increase of $35 billion for the ] (SCHIP), the national program to provide health care for children from families who earn too much to qualify for ] but cannot afford private health insurance. He said he preferred that private health insurance provide the needed care and deemed the bill as "Hillarycare", a reference to the ] created by ] which proposed ].<ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 28, 2007
	|author=Walsh, Bill
	|url=http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1190962325232900.xml&coll=1
	|title=Senate OKs child health expansion
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref> The increase passed the Senate, 67 to 29, but was later ]ed by President ].<ref>{{cite news
	|date=October 6, 2007
	|author=Pear, Robert
	|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE7DE1130F935A35753C1A9619C8B63
	|title=A Battle Foreshadowing a Larger Health Care War
	|publisher=New York Times
	|accessdate=2007-10-24}}</ref> In February 2009 the SCHIP increase was finally enacted, despite Vitter's voting nay a third time.<ref>{{cite news
	|date= February 4, 2009
	|last= Pear
	|first= Robert
	|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/us/politics/05health.html?_r=1&ref=health
	|title= Obama Signs Children’s Health Insurance Bill
	|publisher= The New York Times
	|accessdate= April 29, 2009
	|quote=
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2
	|title=H.R. 2
	|accessdate=April 29, 2009
	|author=111th Congress (2009)
	|date=Jan 13, 2009
	|work=Legislation
	|publisher=GovTrack.us
	|quote=Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
	}}</ref>
	====Automotive industry bailout====		====Child protection====
			In April 2008, Vitter introduced an amendment to continue funding the ] which was excluded from the 2008/2009 budget. The federal program maintains a national ], provides resources for tracking down unregistered ]s and increases penalties for the ] of children. His amendment received bipartisan support.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 1, 2008|last=Alpert|first=Bruce|url=http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/library-146/1209619943213470.xml&coll=1|title=Vitter seeks funding for child-safety act|newspaper=]|access-date=May 1, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222151447/http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Flibrary-146%2F1209619943213470.xml&coll=1|archive-date=February 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=419f0956-0443-4291-8a55-90adcdf48483|title=Vitter Offers Amendment to Fund Adam Walsh Act|publisher=David Vitter|access-date=May 1, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430231225/http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom%2FPressItem&ID=419f0956-0443-4291-8a55-90adcdf48483|archive-date=April 30, 2008}}</ref>
	Vitter was one of 35 Senators to vote against the ] bill.<ref>{{cite news
	|date= December 12, 2008
	|url= http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-senate-rollvote-autosc0,0,1279040.story
	|title= How they voted: Senate roll vote on $14B auto bailout
	|agency= Associated Press
	|accessdate= December 17, 2008
	}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The financial bailout package was for ], ], and ], but failed to pass on December 11, 2008. During the Senate debate Vitter referred to the approach of giving the automotive industry a financial package before they restructured as "ass-backwards".<ref>{{cite news
	|date= December 10, 2008
	|last= Puzzanghera
	|first= Jim
	|url= http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-121008-auto-bailout-webdec11,0,1744409.story
	|title= White House, Democrats reach accord on auto bailout
	|publisher= Chicago Tribune
	|accessdate= December 17, 2008
	}}</ref> He soon apologized for the phrasing of the comment, which did not appear in the '']''.<ref>{{cite web
	|date= December 17, 2008
	|last= Alpert
	|first= Bruce
	|url= http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1229292647222650.xml&coll=1
	|title= Vitter regrets salty language
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= December 17, 2008
	}}</ref>
			====Children's health insurance program====
	===Social===
			In September 2007, Vitter opposed an increase of $35 billion for the ] (SCHIP), the national program to provide health care for children from families who earn too much to qualify for ] but cannot afford private health insurance. He said he preferred that private health insurance provide the needed care and deemed the bill as "Hillarycare", a reference to the ] created by ] which proposed ].<ref>{{cite news|date=September 28, 2007|author=Walsh, Bill|url=http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1190962325232900.xml&coll=1|title=Senate OKs child health expansion|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222153758/http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-2%2F1190962325232900.xml&coll=1|archive-date=February 22, 2012}}</ref>
	====Immigration====
	Vitter has been actively involved with legislation concerning ]. In June 2007, he led a group of conservative Senators in blocking ] that would have granted legal citizenship to 12 million illegal immigrants coupled with increased border enforcement. The bill's defeat won Vitter national attention as the bill was supported by President ], ], and ], among others. Vitter characterized the bill as ], which supporters denied. Bush accused the bill's opponents of ].<ref>{{cite web
	|date=June 22, 2007
	|url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/06/vitter_leads_opposition_to_imm.html
	|title=Vitter leads opposition to immigration bill
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=June 18, 2007
	|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21150
	|title=Are Rational Immigration Laws a ‘Job American Politicians Won’t Do’?
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|date=May 30, 2007
	|author=Rutenberg, Jim
	|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/washington/30immig.html
	|title=Bush Takes On Conservatives Over Immigration
	|publisher=New York Times
	|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref>
			====Ethics and term limits====
	In October 2007, Vitter introduced an amendment withholding ] funds from any ] which bans city employees and police officers from asking people about their immigration status in violation of the ]. Democratic Senator ], in opposition to the amendment, said these cities do not want to inquire about someone's status if they report a crime, are a victim of ] or get vaccinations for their children. The amendment was defeated.<ref>{{cite news
			Vitter refused to pledge to a voluntary term limit when running for the U.S. Congress in 1999. His opponent characterized this stance as hypocritical, and Vitter countered that unless it were universally applied, the loss of seniority would disadvantage his district.<ref name="NYT071408" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Aynesworth |first=Hugh |title=Morality is no issue in race for Livingston's seat; Term limit, Klansman dominate crowded campaign |pages=C4 |newspaper=] |date=April 18, 1999}}</ref> As a Senator, he has proposed term limit constitutional amendments for members of Congress three times.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 17, 2007|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sj110-2|title=S. J. Res. 2 – 110th Congress (2007): A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States...|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=July 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=January 17, 2007|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sj109-3|title=S. J. Res. 3 – 109th Congress (2005): A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States...|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=July 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2788|title=S. 2788|access-date=April 29, 2009|author=110th Congress (2008)|date=March 31, 2008|work=Legislation|publisher=GovTrack.us|quote=Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act}}</ref> Vitter eventually decided to retire from the Senate in 2016 after serving two terms.
	|date=October 16, 2007
	|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,302464,00.html
	|title=Plan to Crack Down on 'Sanctuary Cities' Killed in Senate
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-10-16}}</ref>
			In 2007, in response to lobbying scandals involving, among others, ] and ], Congress passed a ] to which Vitter proposed a package of five amendments.<ref name="WP091507">{{cite news|date=September 15, 2007|last=Babington|first=Charles|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/15/AR2007091500589.html|title=Bush Signs Lobby-Ethics Bill|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 9, 2008| newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=January 4, 2007|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=s110-1|title=S. 1 – 110th Congress (2007): Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 9, 2008}}</ref><ref name="amendments">{{cite web|date=January 4, 2007|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=amendments&bill=s110-1|title=Amendments to S. 1 – 110th Congress (2007): Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=January 4, 2008|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=98040c40-4d94-43cb-a56b-768a50da3bee|title=Vitter Introduces Extensive Ethics Reform Package|publisher=David Vitter|access-date=May 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501034445/http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom%2FPressItem&ID=98040c40-4d94-43cb-a56b-768a50da3bee|archive-date=May 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Senate approved three that limited which legislators' spouses could lobby the Senate,<ref>{{cite web|date=February 9, 2007|url=http://citizensforethics.org/node/19553|title=Proposed lobbying limits apply to only one senator|publisher=]|access-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711230202/http://www.citizensforethics.org/node/19553|archive-date=July 11, 2007}}</ref> created criminal penalties for legislators and ] officials who falsify financial reports,<ref>{{cite web|date=January 10, 2007|url=http://www.citizensforethics.org/node/20272|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071020003128/http://www.citizensforethics.org/node/20272|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2007|title=Senate cracks down on financial fraud|publisher=]|access-date=May 9, 2008}}</ref> and doubled the penalties for lobbyists who failed to comply with ].<ref>{{cite web|date=January 10, 2007|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s10|title=S.Amdt. 10: To increase the penalty for failure to comply with lobbying...|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830024822/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s10|archive-date=August 30, 2008}}</ref> The Senate rejected prohibiting legislators from paying their families with campaign funds with some saying it was unrelated to the current legislation and others that the payments were not a problem.<ref name="CREW011107">{{cite web|date=January 11, 2007|url=http://citizensforethics.org/node/20247|title=Campaigns Still A Family Affair|publisher=]|access-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071020003128/http://citizensforethics.org/node/20247|archive-date=October 20, 2007}}</ref><ref name="GT011007SR" /> Additionally, they ] his proposal to define ] as corporations and its members as ]s so that they are required to contribute to candidates through ]s instead of their tribal treasury.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 10, 2007|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s5|title=S.Amdt. 5: To modify the application of the Federal Election Campaign Act of...|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830024926/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s5|archive-date=August 30, 2008}}</ref> Senators objected saying that they are already subjected to campaign laws for ] and individuals and that the proposal was singling them out unfairly.<ref name="GT011007SR">{{cite web|date=January 10, 2007|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-s20070110-14&person=300065|title=Senate Record: Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830025020/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-s20070110-14&person=300065|archive-date=August 30, 2008}}</ref> The reform package became law in September 2007.<ref name="WP091507" />
	In November 2007, Vitter introduced a bill requiring banks to confirm that customers were not illegal immigrants before providing them with banking or credit cards. The bill never made it out of committee.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=November 26, 2007
	|author=Shields, Gerald
	|url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/11805796.html
	|title=Washington Watch for November 26, 2007
	|publisher=] and ]
	|accessdate=2007-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2393
	|title=S. 2393: A bill to close the loophole that allowed the 9/11 hijackers to obtain credit cards...
	|publisher=GovTrack.us
	|accessdate=2008-01-15}}</ref>
			In 2009, Vitter and Democratic former Senator ] announced an effort to end automatic pay raises for members of Congress.<ref>{{cite web|date= April 14, 2009|last= Feingold|first= Russ|author-link= Russ Feingold |author2=David Vitter|url= http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/04/14/__congress_does_not_deserve_any_special_treatment_48903.html|title= Congress Does Not Deserve Any Special Treatment|publisher= ]|access-date= November 4, 2009}}</ref>
	In March 2008, Vitter reintroduced the latter two proposals<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2008-03-05
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2713
	|title=S. 2713--110th Congress (2008): A bill to prohibit appropriated funds from being used in contravention of section...
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-06
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=2008-03-05
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2714
	|title=S. 2714: A bill to close the loophole that allowed the 9/11 hijackers to obtain credit cards...
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-06
	}}</ref> and cosponsored ten of eleven other bills<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2008-03-06
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-s20080306-6&bill=s110-2713
	|title=Measures Placed on the Calendar
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-06
	|quote=
	}}</ref> in a Republican package of tough immigration enforcement measures including jail time for ] crossing; ] for any immigrant (legal or illegal) for a single ]; declaration of ] (thereby terminating language assistance at voting booths and federal agencies)' additional construction of a ]; permission for local and state police to enforce immigration laws and penalties for states who issue drivers licenses to illegals. None of these proposals passed, partially because the Democratic-controlled Senate preferred a comprehensive approach which would include a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for the current population more akin to the package defeated by Vitter in 2007.<ref>{{cite news
	|date=2008-03-05
	|last=Gaouette
	|first=Nicole
	|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-immig5mar05,1,5849195.story
	|title=GOP senators to introduce toughest-yet immigration package
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-06
	}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
			====Franken Amendment====
	In April 2008, Vitter introduced a ] proposing a ] that a child born in the United States is not a citizen unless a parent is a citizen, lawful ], or ] serving in the military.<ref>{{cite web
			]
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h107-482
			In October 2009, the Senate passed Democratic Senator ]'s amendment to the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that would forbid federal contractors from forcing victims of ], ] and discrimination to submit to ] (where a third-party typically chosen by the contractor adjudicates) and thereby prohibiting them from going to court.<ref name="MP100609">{{cite web|date= October 6, 2009|last= Dizikes|first= Cynthia|url= http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/10/06/12247/senate_passes_franken_amendment_aimed_at_defense_contractors|title= Senate passes Franken amendment aimed at defense contractors|publisher= ]|access-date= November 3, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091010001712/http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/10/06/12247/senate_passes_franken_amendment_aimed_at_defense_contractors|archive-date= October 10, 2009|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date= October 1, 2009|url= http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:SP2588:|title= S.amdt.2588|publisher= ] ] database|access-date= November 3, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101208182258/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:SP2588:|archive-date= December 8, 2010|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date= October 1, 2009|pages= S10069–S10070|url= http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?position=all&page=S10069&dbname=2009_record|title= SA 2588|publisher= ]|access-date= November 3, 2009}}</ref> The impetus for the amendment came from the story of ] who alleged that she was drugged and ] by employees of ]/], a federal contractor.<ref name="MP100609" /><ref name="WP102509" /><ref name="DW110209" />
	|title=S.J.RES.31 : RA joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to United States citizenship.
	|publisher=GovTrack
	|accessdate=2008-04-09}}</ref> Currently the Constitution ] to ] regardless of the legal status of the parents.<ref>{{cite news
	|date=2007-03-10
	|last=Ho
	|first=James C.
	|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-ho10mar10,1,3646198.story?coll=la-news-comment
	|title=Can Congress repeal birthright citizenship?
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-05
	}}</ref> The bill never made it out of the Democratic-led committee.
			The amendment passed 68 to 30 with all opposition coming from Republicans including Vitter (all four female Republicans, six other Republicans and all present Democrats voted for passage).<ref name="MP100609" /><ref>{{cite web|date= October 6, 2009|url= http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2009-308|title= S.Amdt. 2588: To prohibit the use of funds for any Federal... to H.R. 3326: Department of Defense Appropriations... (Vote On Amendment)|publisher= ].us|access-date= November 3, 2009}}</ref> Vitter's ] opponent ] criticized Vitter for his vote saying, "David Vitter has refused to explain why he voted to allow taxpayer-funded companies to sweep rape charges under the rug. We can only guess what his reasons were."<ref name="DW110209">{{cite web|date= November 2, 2009|url= http://www.dailyworld.com/article/20091102/OPINION/911020310|title= A case to make anyone ashamed|publisher= ]|access-date= November 3, 2009}}{{dead link|date=March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date= October 26, 2009|last= Fabian|first= Jordan|url= https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/53233-melancon-hits-at-vitters-rape-amendment-vote/|title= Melancon hits at Vitter's rape amendment vote|newspaper= ]|access-date= November 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date= October 26, 2009|last= Moller|first= Jan|url= http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/10/melancon_enters_online_campaig.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130130074447/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/10/melancon_enters_online_campaig.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= January 30, 2013|title= Melancon enters online campaign fray|newspaper= ]|access-date= November 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date= October 2009|last= Melancon|first= Charlie|author-link= Charlie Melancon|url= http://action.charliemelancon.com/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=11202|title= Charlie Melancon for Senate|publisher= ] Campaign Committee, Inc.|access-date= November 3, 2009|archive-date= July 8, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110708135501/http://action.charliemelancon.com/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=11202|url-status= dead}}</ref> However, '']'' columnist ] argued that the 30 senators were being "unfairly smeared for doing the harder thing, maybe even for the right reasons."<ref name="WP102509">{{cite news|date= October 25, 2009|last= Parker|first= Kathleen|author-link= Kathleen Parker|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/23/AR2009102303191.html|title= The 'rape supporter' ploy|newspaper= The Washington Post|access-date= November 3, 2009}}</ref>
	====Abstinence education ====
	Vitter advocated ], emphasizing abstinence over sex education that includes information about ], drawing criticism from ].<ref>{{cite web
	|date=June 25, 2007
	|author=Vitter, David
	|url=http://www.vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=76b86c7e-a51a-4d11-92e7-de11d999f313
	|title=Vitter Pushes for Reauthorization of Abstinence Education Program
	|publisher=David Vitter press release
	|accessdate=2007-07-12}}</ref> He said, "Abstinence education is a public health strategy focused on risk avoidance that aims to help young people avoid exposure to harm...by teaching teenagers that saving sex until marriage and remaining faithful afterwards is the best choice for health and happiness."<ref>{{cite web
	|date=June 21, 2007
	|author=Vitter, David and Bunning, Jim
	|url=http://www.vitter.senate.gov/forms/abstinenceLetter.pdf
	|format=PDF|title=Letter to the chairman and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee
	|accessdate=2007-07-10}}</ref>
			Republican senators said they voted against it because it was unenforceable, a position also taken by the ] (DOD) and the ].<ref name="MP100609" /><ref name="WP102509" /><ref name="DW110209" /> However, the DOD and the White House stated they agreed with the intent of the legislation and suggested it would be better if it was broadened to prohibit the use of arbitration in cases of sexual assault for any business contract, not just federal contractors.<ref name="WP102509" /> Senators explained their vote against the legislation by saying it was a political attack on ] and that the Senate shouldn't regulate contracts.<ref name="WP102509" /> The latter argument is countered with many examples of similar restrictions on contractors such as discrimination, bonuses and health care.<ref name="MP100609" /><ref name="DW110209" /> Others felt it was unconstitutional and that arbitration is useful in resolving disputes, often faster, privately and cheaper.<ref name="MP100609" />
	====Same-sex marriage ====
	In 2003, Vitter proposed to amend the ] to ban ].<ref> May 21, 2003, Mrs. MUSGRAVE (for herself, Mr. HALL, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia, and Mr. VITTER)</ref> In 2004, he said, "This is a real outrage. The ] ] is redefining the most basic institution in human history...We need a U.S. Senator who will stand up for Louisiana values, not ]’s values."<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.vitter2004.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=20
	|title=Vitter Statement on Protecting the Sanctity of Marriage
	|publisher=Vitter2004.com
	|accessdate=2007-07-12}}</ref> In June 2006, he said "I don't believe there's any issue that's more important than this one ... I think this debate is very healthy, and it's winning a lot of hearts and minds. I think we're going to show real progress."<ref>, ''CNN'', June 7, 2006</ref> In 2006, he told '']'', “I’m a conservative who opposes radically redefining marriage, the most important social institution in human history.”<ref name="NYT071107">{{cite news
	|date=July 11, 2007
	|author=Norrister, Adam
	|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/us/11vitter.html
	|title=A Senator’s Moral High Ground Gets a Little Shaky
	|publisher=New York Times
	|accessdate=2007-07-10}}</ref>
			Later, a ] rape survivor confronted Vitter at a ] saying, " meant everything to me that I was able to put the person who attacked me behind bars ... How can you support a law that tells a rape victim that she does not have the right to defend herself?" Vitter replied, "The language in question did not say that in any way shape or form."<ref>{{cite news|date= November 4, 2009|last= Shields|first= Gerard|url= http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/69037217.html|title= Survivor of rape confronts Vitter|newspaper= ]|access-date= November 5, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date= November 4, 2009|last= Tilove|first= Jonathan|url= http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/11/sen_david_vitter_defends_vote.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130130043606/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/11/sen_david_vitter_defends_vote.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= January 30, 2013|title= When confronted by rape victim, Vitter defends vote against 'Franken amendment'|newspaper= ]|access-date= November 5, 2009}}</ref>
	In October 2005, at a ] Republican Executive Committee luncheon, Vitter compared gay marriage to hurricanes ] and ], which came through the same geographical areas. Vitter said "It's the crossroads where Katrina meets Rita. I always knew I was against same-sex unions."<ref>, gayapolis.com, ''News'', posted October 18, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2007.</ref>
	====School board prayers====
	In 2005 Vitter introduced a resolution supporting prayer at ] meetings in response to an earlier ] decision that the Louisiana's ] practice of opening meetings with Christian prayers was ]. The bill died in ].<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sr109-132
	|title=S. Res. 132 (109th): A resolution expressing support for prayer at school board meetings
	|publisher=GovTrack.us
	|accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref><ref name="advocate012007">{{cite news
	|date=January 20, 2007
	|author=Mitchell, David J.
	|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/theadvocate/access/1198586681.html?dids=1198586681:1198586681&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+20%2C+2007&author=DAVID+J.+MITCHELL&pub=Advocate&edition=&startpage=3&desc=Prayer+decision+appealed+***+Tangipahoa+parties+say+ruling+unclear
	|title=Tangipahoa parties say ruling unclear
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-01-16
	|archiveurl=http://indianalawblog.com/archives/2007/01/courts_motion_t.html
	|archivedate=2007-01-20
	}}</ref> Vitter later reintroduced the resolution in January 2007 after a ] of the ] concluded that ] prayers were unconstitutional but was undecided whether ] prayers were allowed. In July 2007, the full Fifth Circuit dismissed the case because of a lack of ]. The school board subsequently resumed prayer evocations but opened it to diverse community religions. Vitter's bill died in committee.<ref name="advocate012007" /><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=sr110-35
	|title=S. Res. 35: A resolution expressing support for prayer at school board meetings
	|publisher=GovTrack.us
	|accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|month=December | year=2006
	|url=http://www.nsba.org/site/doc_cosa.asp?TRACKID=&CID=468&DID=39876
	|title=
	Doe v. Tangipahoa Parish Sch. Bd., No. 05-30294 (5th Cir. Dec. 15, 2006)
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|date=August 22, 2007
	|author=Mitchell, David J.
	|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/theadvocate/access/1324471571.html?dids=1324471571:1324471571&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+22%2C+2007&author=DAVID+J.+MITCHELL&pub=Advocate&edition=&startpage=1&desc=Tangipahoa+board+OKs+prayer+policy
	|title=Tangipahoa board OKs prayer policy
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-01-16
	|archiveurl=http://melissarogers.typepad.com/melissa_rogers/2007/08/the-tangipahoa-.html
	|archivedate=2007-08-22}}</ref>
	====Gambling====		====Gambling====
			Vitter opposed a bid by the ] to build a casino in Louisiana, arguing that the build site was not historically part of their tribal lands. He lobbied the ] and included language in an appropriations bill to stop the casino. Although the Interior Department gave its approval, the casino has not yet been approved by the state.<ref>{{cite news |first=Schmidt |last=Susan |author-link=Susan Schmidt |title=Casino Bid Prompted High-Stakes Lobbying |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A01 |date=March 13, 2005 }}</ref> The Jena chief accused Vitter of ties with disgraced lobbyist ], who simultaneously lobbied against the casino. The chairman of the Senate committee investigating the lobbyist said, "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."<ref>{{cite news|date=July 28, 2005|last=Walsh|first=Bill|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-1/112253289179960.xml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20050907221410/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-1/112253289179960.xml|archive-date=September 7, 2005|title=McCain defends Vitter as tribe cries foul|newspaper=]|access-date=April 21, 2008}}</ref> In 2007 and 2008, Vitter introduced a bill to prohibit Indian casinos such as Jena's. Neither bill became law.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 14, 2008|url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/17646874.html|title=Our View: Tribal casinos win big bucks|publisher=] and ]|access-date=April 21, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=ff9b744f-cdc5-4b3a-bd56-03830a906218|title=Vitter Introduces Indian Gambling Reform Act|publisher=David Vitter|access-date=April 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501010613/http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom%2FPressItem&ID=ff9b744f-cdc5-4b3a-bd56-03830a906218|archive-date=May 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2676|title=S. 2676: A bill to make technical corrections to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and for other purposes|publisher=GovTrack|access-date=April 21, 2008}}</ref>
	Ever since his days in the Louisiana State Legislature, Vitter has been a longtime foe of gambling.<ref>{{cite news
	|date=1994-06-12
	|last=Applebome
	|first=Peter
	|authorlink=Peter Applebome
	|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E6DD113AF931A25755C0A962958260
	|title=Legal Gambling Bedevils Louisiana
	|publisher=The New York Times
	|accessdate=2008-04-21
	}} Louisiana has long experience with gambling as a political issue''';''' see, e.g., ].</ref> Beginning in 2002, Vitter opposed the bid by the ] to build a casino in Louisiana, arguing that the build site was not historically part of their tribal lands. He lobbied the ] and included language in an appropriations bill to stop the casino. Although the Interior Department gave its approval, the casino has not yet been approved by the state.<ref>{{cite news
	|first=Schmidt
	|last=Susan
	|authorlink=Susan Schmidt
	|title=Casino Bid Prompted High-Stakes Lobbying
	|publisher=The Washington Post
	|page=A01
	|date=2005-03-13
	}}</ref> The Jena chief accused Vitter of ties with disgraced lobbyist ], who simultaneously lobbied against the casino. The chairman of the Senate committee investigating the lobbyist said, "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."<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2005-07-28
	|last=Walsh
	|first=Bill
	|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-1/112253289179960.xml
	|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20050907221410/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-1/112253289179960.xml
	|archivedate=2005-09-07
	|title=McCain defends Vitter as tribe cries foul
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-04-21
	}}</ref> In 2007 and 2008, Vitter introduced a bill to prohibit Indian casinos such as Jena's. Neither bill became law.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2008-04-14
	|url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/17646874.html
	|title=Our View: Tribal casinos win big bucks
	|publisher=] and ]
	|accessdate=2008-04-21
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=ff9b744f-cdc5-4b3a-bd56-03830a906218
	|title=Vitter Introduces Indian Gambling Reform Act
	|publisher=David Vitter
	|accessdate=2008-04-21
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2676
	|title=S. 2676: A bill to make technical corrections to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and for other purposes
	|publisher=GovTrack
	|accessdate=2008-04-21
	}}</ref>
	====Abortion Rights====		====Gun rights====
			Rated "A" by the ],<ref>{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF Endorses David Vitter for U.S. Senate |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20100913/nra-pvf-endorses-david-vitter-for-us-senate |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812195847/https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20100913/nra-pvf-endorses-david-vitter-for-us-senate |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |language=en-us |date=September 13, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vitter has been a consistent defender of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/David_Vitter.htm#Gun_Control|title=David Vitter on the issues|publisher=On The Issues|access-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref> In April 2006, in response to firearm confiscations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Vitter was the Senate sponsor of the ], to prohibit federal funding for the confiscation of legally held firearms during a disaster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02599:@@@D&summ2=m&|title=S.AMDT.S.2599|publisher=] ] database|date=September 19, 2006|access-date=December 4, 2007|archive-date=October 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019003738/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02599:@@@D&summ2=m&|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later, Vitter included the provisions of the act in an amendment to an ] for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP4615:|title=S.AMDT.4615|publisher=] ] database|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019003738/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP4615:|archive-date=October 19, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The bill became law in September 2006, with the amendment modified to allow for the temporary surrender of a firearm as a condition for entering a rescue or evacuation vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR05441:@@@R|title=H.R.5441|publisher=] ] database|year=2006|access-date=December 4, 2007|archive-date=November 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112122045/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR05441:@@@R|url-status=dead}}</ref>
	Vitter has won strong praise from ] groups for his stance against ], while drawing criticism from ] groups.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=February 1, 2001
	|url=http://www.nrlc.org/RU486/safegardbill.html
	|title=Proposed Bill Would Reinstate Safeguards for Women Taking RU486
	|publisher=Randall K. O'Bannon, Ph.D.
	|accessdate=2007-12-11}}</ref> In 2001, he co-authored legislation to restrict the number of physicians allowed to prescribe ], a drug used in medical abortions. The bill died in committee.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=February 7, 2001
	|url=http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=2709
	|title=Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h107-482
	|title=H.R. 482 : RU-486 Patient Health and Safety Protection Act
	|publisher=GovTrack
	|accessdate=2007-12-10}}</ref>
			On April 17, 2013, Vitter voted against the Toomey-Manchin Gun Control Amendment. The amendment failed to reach the sixty senatorial votes necessary to overcome a Republican-led filibuster. The Toomey-Manchin Gun Control Amendment is a bipartisan deal on gun background checks. Under the proposal, federal background checks would be expanded to include gun shows and online sales. All such sales would be channeled through licensed firearm dealers who would be charged for keeping record of transactions. The proposal does not require background checks for private sales between individuals.<ref>, Associated Press via ''nola.com'', April 17, 2013.</ref>
	In October 2007, Vitter introduced an amendment<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00379
	|title=On the Amendment (Vitter Amdt. No.3330 )
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref> barring all federal public funds to health care providers and ] that provide services that include abortion. Federal law bars any funding to directly finance elective abortions in accordance with the Hyde amendment. Vitter argued that the funds are used for ] that benefit the abortion services. The amendment failed to pass.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=October 19, 2007
	|author=Alpert, Bruce
	|url=http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1192804244133220.xml&coll=1
	|title=Abortion plan is defeated in Senate
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|date=October 28, 2007
	|author=Taylor, Andrew
	|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iSj9rQxYovv7EP4uGrPZ_dAqaoDgD8SBUTBG0
	|title=No Cut in Money for Abortion Providers
	|agency=Associated Press
	|accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref> Following the rejection, Vitter and others urged
	the Senate to pass a similar bill introduced by Vitter in
	January 2007. The bill failed to pass.<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-351
	|title=S. 351: Title X Family Planning Act
	|publisher=GovTrack
	|accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=November 12, 2007
	|author=Ertelt, Steven
	|url=http://www.lifenews.com/nat3448.html
	|title=Senators Ask Democrats for Amendment Revoking Abortion Center Funding
	|publisher=LifeNews.com
	|accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref>
			In February 2008, Vitter – along with Senators ] and ] of ] – blocked the ] of ] as head of the ] (ATF) saying Sullivan supports "burdensome regulations" on gun owners and dealers and is "overly aggressive" enforcing gun laws. An editorial writer for '']'' wrote that Vitter's position was "unreasonable" because the guns Sullivan sought to control are those commonly used in crimes: those stolen or purchased on the black market.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 14, 2008|last=Saltzman|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/14/sullivan_atf_confirmation_blocked/|title=Sullivan ATF confirmation blocked|newspaper=The Boston Globe|access-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=February 16, 2008|url=https://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2008/02/16/held_up_by_gun_lobby_radicals/|title=Held up by gun-lobby radicals|newspaper=The Boston Globe|access-date=February 6, 2008}}</ref> On the other hand, gun rights advocates say that many gun dealers have lost their licenses for harmless bureaucratic errors.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 25, 2008|last=Schmitt|first=Richard B.|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-atf25feb25,1,4119857.story?ctrack=2&cset=true|title=ATF nominee in the crossfire|newspaper=]|access-date=February 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414022738/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-atf25feb25%2C1%2C4119857.story?ctrack=2&cset=true|archive-date=April 14, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sullivan stayed on as acting head of the ATF until January 2009 to make way for President ] to name his own nominee.<ref>{{cite web|date= January 20, 2009|url= http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/US_Attorney_Sullivan_resigns_041509|title= US Attorney Sullivan resigns|publisher= ]|access-date= April 29, 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
	In January 2008, Vitter proposed an amendment to prohibit the funding of abortions with ] funds except in the case of ], ], or when the life of the woman is at risk.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=January 17, 2008
	|author=Ertelt, Steven
	|url=http://www.lifenews.com/nat3629.html
	|title=Senator to Ensure Indian American Health Care Bill Doesn't Fund Abortions
	|publisher=LifeNews.com
	|accessdate=2008-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s3896
	|title=S.Amdt. 3896: To modify a section relating to limitation on use of funds...
	|publisher=GovTrack.us
	|accessdate=2008-01-23}}</ref> The amendment would have held future presidential administrations to an executive principle first crafted in 1982 by the ] White House.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=February 26, 2008
	|author=KALB News Channel 5
	|url=http://www.kalb.com/index.php/news/article/senate-passes-vitter-amendment-to-prohibit-federal-funding-of-abortions/4025/
	|title=Senate Passes Vitter Amendment to Prohibit Federal Funding of Abortions
	|publisher=KALB.com
	|accessdate=2008-02-27 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080314154452/http://www.kalb.com/index.php/news/article/senate-passes-vitter-amendment-to-prohibit-federal-funding-of-abortions/4025/ |archivedate = March 14, 2008}}</ref> Vitter's amendment passed the Senate but later was stalled in the House.<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1200
	|title=S. 1200
	|accessdate=April 29, 2009
	|author=110th Congress (2007)
	|date=Apr 24, 2007
	|work=Legislation
	|publisher=GovTrack.us
	|quote=Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008
	}}</ref>
			====Hurricane Katrina====
	Later that year, Vitter co-sponsored the Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act which — along with other oversight regulations — required doctors performing abortions to have the authority granted by a nearby hospital to admit patients. The bill was never reported to committee.<ref>{{cite web
			]]]
	|date=2008-04-20
			In the aftermath of ], Vitter and the rest of the Louisiana congressional delegation worked to bring aid to the Gulf Coast region to rebuild broken levees, schools and hospitals, restore coastal wetlands, and provide assistance for its many victims.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 5, 2005|last=Hernandez|first=Raymond|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/05/national/nationalspecial/05rebuild.html|title=Gulf Coast Lawmakers in Spotlight as Aid Requests Pour In|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2008}}</ref>
	|last=Alpert
	|first=Bruce
	|authorlink=
	|coauthors=Walsh, Bill
	|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1208669675248010.xml&coll=1
	|title=On The Hill: Bill tightens abortion penalties
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-04-21
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=2008-03-31
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2788
	|title=S. 2788--110th Congress (2008): Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act,
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-06
	}}</ref>
			In early September, Vitter said that he would give "the entire big government organized relief effort a failing grade, across the board." He said that state and local governments shared in the blame as well.<ref>, ''Associated Press'', September 11, 2005</ref> Vitter's actions during Hurricane Katrina are described in historian ]'s May 2006 book, ''The Great Deluge''.
	====Gun rights====
	Rated A by the ], Vitter has been a consistent champion of gun rights.<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/David_Vitter.htm#Gun_Control
	|title=David Vitter on the issues
	|publisher=On The Issues
	|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref> In April, 2006, in response to firearm confiscations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Vitter was the Senate sponsor of the ], to prohibit federal funding for the confiscation of legally held firearms during a disaster.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02599:@@@D&summ2=m&|title=S.AMDT.S.2599 |publisher=] ] database}}</ref> Later, Vitter included the provisions of the act in an amendment to an ] for the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP4615: |title=S.AMDT.4615|publisher=] ] database}}</ref> The bill became law in September 2006, with the amendment modified to allow for the temporary surrender of a firearm as a condition for entering a rescue or evacuation vehicle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR05441:@@@R|title=H.R.5441
	|publisher=] ] database}}</ref>
			In September 2007, Vitter announced that he got "a critical concession" from the White House that decreased Louisiana's obligations for hurricane recovery by $1 billion. However, the White House said that was false.<ref name="TP092907">{{cite news|date=September 29, 2007|author=Walsh, Bill|url=http://www.nola.com/elections/index.ssf/2007/09/louisiana_looks_like_a_state_o.html|title=Louisiana looks like a state of denial|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref>
	In February 2008, Vitter — along with Senators ] and ] — blocked the ] of ] as head of the ] (ATF) saying Sullivan supports "burdensome regulations" on gun owners and dealers and is "overly aggressive" enforcing gun laws. An editorial writer for '']'' wrote that Vitter's position was "unreasonable" because the guns Sullivan sought to control are those commonly used in crimes: those stolen or purchased on the black market.<ref>{{cite news
	|date=2008-02-14
	|last=Saltzman
	|first=Jonathan
	|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/14/sullivan_atf_confirmation_blocked/
	|title=Sullivan ATF confirmation blocked
	|publisher=The Boston Globe
	|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|date=2008-02-16
	|url=http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2008/02/16/held_up_by_gun_lobby_radicals/
	|title=Held up by gun-lobby radicals
	|publisher=The Boston Globe
	|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> On the other hand, gun rights advocates say that many gun dealers have lost their licenses for harmless bureaucratic errors.<ref>{{cite news
	|date=2008-02-25
	|last=Schmitt
	|first=Richard B.
	|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-atf25feb25,1,4119857.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
	|title=ATF nominee in the crossfire
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-02-25 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080414022738/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-atf25feb25,1,4119857.story?ctrack=2&cset=true |archivedate = April 14, 2008}}</ref> Sullivan stayed on as acting head of the ATF until January 2009 to make way for President ] to name his own nominee.<ref>{{cite web
	|date= January 20, 2009
	|url= http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/US_Attorney_Sullivan_resigns_041509
	|title= US Attorney Sullivan resigns
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= April 29, 2009
	}}</ref>
	====Child protection====		====Immigration====
			Vitter has been actively involved with legislation concerning ]. In June 2007, he led a group of conservative Senators in blocking the ], a piece of federal legislation that would have granted a pathway to legal residence to 12 million illegal immigrants coupled with increased border enforcement. The bill's defeat won Vitter national attention as the bill was supported by President ], ], and ], among others. Vitter characterized the bill as ], which supporters denied. Bush accused the bill's opponents of ].<ref>{{cite news|date=June 22, 2007|url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/06/vitter_leads_opposition_to_imm.html|title=Vitter leads opposition to immigration bill|newspaper=]|access-date=December 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824163940/http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/06/vitter_leads_opposition_to_imm.html|archive-date=August 24, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=June 18, 2007|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21150|title=Are Rational Immigration Laws a 'Job American Politicians Won't Do'?|newspaper=]|access-date=December 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115105213/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21150|archive-date=January 15, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=May 30, 2007|author=Rutenberg, Jim|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/washington/30immig.html|title=Bush Takes On Conservatives Over Immigration|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 7, 2007}}</ref>
	In April 2008, Vitter introduced an amendment to continue funding the ] which was excluded from the 2008/2009 budget. The federal program maintains a national ], provides resources for tracking down unregistered ]s and increases penalties for the ] of children. His amendment received bipartisan support.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2008-05-01
	|last=Alpert
	|first=Bruce
	|url=http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/library-146/1209619943213470.xml&coll=1
	|title=Vitter seeks funding for child-safety act
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-01
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=419f0956-0443-4291-8a55-90adcdf48483
	|title=Vitter Offers Amendment to Fund Adam Walsh Act
	|publisher=David Vitter
	|accessdate=2008-05-01
	}}</ref>
			In October 2007, Vitter introduced an amendment withholding ] funds from any ] which bans city employees and police officers from asking people about their immigration status in violation of the ]. Democratic Senator ], in opposition to the amendment, said these cities do not want to inquire about someone's status if they report a crime, are a victim of ] or get vaccinations for their children. The amendment was defeated.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 16, 2007|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/plan-to-crack-down-on-sanctuary-cities-killed-in-senate|title=Plan to Crack Down on 'Sanctuary Cities' Killed in Senate|publisher=]|access-date=October 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017175146/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,302464,00.html|archive-date=October 17, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>
	====Opposition to Franken amendment====
	In October 2009, the Senate passed Democratic Senator ] amendment to the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that would forbid federal contractors from forcing victims of ], ] and discrimination to submit to ] (where a third-party typically chosen by the contractor adjudicates) and thereby prohibiting them from going to court.<ref name="MP100609">{{cite web
	|date= October 6, 2009
	|last= Dizikes
	|first= Cynthia
	|url= http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/10/06/12247/senate_passes_franken_amendment_aimed_at_defense_contractors
	|title= Senate passes Franken amendment aimed at defense contractors
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	|quote=
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date= October 1, 2009
	|url= http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:SP2588:
	|title= S.amdt.2588
	|publisher= ] ] database
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date= October 1, 2009
	|pages= S10069-S10070
	|url= http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?position=all&page=S10069&dbname=2009_record
	|title= SA 2588
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	}}</ref> The impetus for the amendment came from the story of ] who alleged that she was drugged and ] by employees of ]/], a federal contractor.<ref name="MP100609" /><ref name="WP102509" /><ref name="DW110209" />
			In November 2007, Vitter introduced a bill requiring banks to verify that no customer was an illegal immigrant before issuing banking or credit cards. The bill never made it out of committee.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 26, 2007|author=Shields, Gerald|url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/11805796.html|title=Washington Watch for November 26, 2007|publisher=] and ]|access-date=November 26, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2393|title=S. 2393: A bill to close the loophole that allowed the 9/11 hijackers to obtain credit cards...|publisher=GovTrack.us|access-date=January 15, 2008}}</ref>
	The amendment passed 68 to 30 with all opposition coming from Republicans including Vitter (all four female Republicans, six other Republicans and all present Democrats voted for passage).<ref name="MP100609" /><ref>{{cite web
	|date= October 6, 2009
	|url= http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2009-308
	|title= S.Amdt. 2588: To prohibit the use of funds for any Federal... to H.R. 3326: Department of Defense Appropriations... (Vote On Amendment)
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	}}</ref> Vitter's ] opponent ] criticized Vitter for his vote saying, "David Vitter has refused to explain why he voted to allow taxpayer-funded companies to sweep rape charges under the rug. We can only guess what his reasons were."<ref name="DW110209">{{cite web
	|date= November 2, 2009
	|url= http://www.dailyworld.com/article/20091102/OPINION/911020310
	|title= A case to make anyone ashamed
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	}}{{dead link|date=March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date= October 26, 2009
	|last= Fabian
	|first= Jordan
	|url= http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/64757-melancon-hits-at-vitters-rape-amendment-vote
	|title= Melancon hits at Vitter's rape amendment vote
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date= October 26, 2009
	|last= Moller
	|first= Jan
	|url= http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/10/melancon_enters_online_campaig.html
	|title= Melancon enters online campaign fray
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|year= 2009
	|month= October
	|last= Melancon
	|first= Charlie
	|authorlink= Charlie Melancon
	|url= http://action.charliemelancon.com/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=11202
	|title= Charlie Melancon for Senate
	|publisher= ] Campaign Committee, Inc.
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	}}</ref> However, ] columnist ] argued that the 30 senators were being "unfairly smeared for doing the harder thing, maybe even for the right reasons."<ref name="WP102509">{{cite news
	|date= October 25, 2009
	|last= Parker
	|first= Kathleen
	|authorlink= Kathleen Parker
	|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/23/AR2009102303191.html
	|title= The 'rape supporter' ploy
	|publisher= The Washington Post
	|accessdate= November 3, 2009
	}}</ref>
			In March 2008, Vitter reintroduced the latter two proposals<ref>{{cite web|date=March 5, 2008|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2713|title=S. 2713 – 110th Congress (2008): A bill to prohibit appropriated funds from being used in contravention of section...|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=March 5, 2008|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2714|title=S. 2714: A bill to close the loophole that allowed the 9/11 hijackers to obtain credit cards...|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 6, 2008}}</ref> and cosponsored ten of eleven other bills<ref>{{cite web|date=March 6, 2008|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-s20080306-6&bill=s110-2713|title=Measures Placed on the Calendar|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)|access-date=May 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830025411/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-s20080306-6&bill=s110-2713|archive-date=August 30, 2008}}</ref> in a Republican package of tough immigration enforcement measures including jail time for ] crossing; ] for any immigrant (legal or illegal) for a single ]; declaration of ] (thereby terminating language assistance at voting booths and federal agencies); additional construction of a ]; permission for local and state police to enforce immigration laws and penalties for states who issue drivers licenses to illegals. None of these proposals passed, partially because the Democratic-controlled Senate preferred a comprehensive approach which would include a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for the current population more akin to the package defeated by Vitter in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 5, 2008 |last=Gaouette |first=Nicole |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-immig5mar05,1,5849195.story |title=GOP senators to introduce toughest-yet immigration package |newspaper=] |access-date=May 6, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
	Republican senators said they voted against it because it was unenforceable, a position also taken by the ] (DOD) and the ] White House.<ref name="MP100609" /><ref name="WP102509" /><ref name="DW110209" /> However, the DOD and the White House stated they agreed with the intent of the legislation and suggested it would be better if it was broadened to prohibit the use of arbitration in cases of sexual assault for any business contract, not just federal contractors.<ref name="WP102509" /> Senators explained their vote against the legislation by saying it was a political attack on Halliburton and that the Senate shouldn't regulate contracts.<ref name="WP102509" /> The latter argument is countered with many examples of similar restrictions on contractors such as discrimination, bonuses and health care.<ref name="MP100609" /><ref name="DW110209" /> Others felt it was unconstitutional and that arbitration is useful in resolving disputes, often faster, privately and cheaper.<ref name="MP100609" />
			In April 2008, Vitter introduced a ] proposing a ] that a child born in the United States is not a citizen unless a parent is a citizen, lawful ], or ] serving in the military.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h107-482|title=S.J.RES.31 : RA joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to United States citizenship.|publisher=GovTrack|access-date=April 9, 2008}}</ref> Currently the Constitution ] to ] regardless of the legal status of the parents.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 10, 2007|last=Ho|first=James C.|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-ho10mar10,1,3646198.story?coll=la-news-comment|title=Can Congress repeal birthright citizenship?|newspaper=]|access-date=May 5, 2008}}</ref> The bill never made it out of the Democratic-led committee.
	Later, a ] rape survivor confronted Vitter at a ] saying, " meant everything to me that I was able to put the person who attacked me behind bars ... How can you support a law that tells a rape victim that she does not have the right to defend herself?" Vitter replied, "The language in question did not say that in any way shape or form."<ref>{{cite web
	|date= November 4, 2009
	|last= Shields
	|first= Gerard
	|url= http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/69037217.html
	|title= Survivor of rape confronts Vitter
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 5, 2009
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date= November 4, 2009
	|last= Tilove
	|first= Jonathan
	|url= http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/11/sen_david_vitter_defends_vote.html
	|title= When confronted by rape victim, Vitter defends vote against 'Franken amendment'
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 5, 2009
	}}</ref>
	====Tea Parties====		==== Louisiana Family Forum earmark ====
			{{wikinews|Senator David Vitter to earmark $100,000 for creationist group}}
	In recognition of the ] opposing President ]'s policies, Vitter proposed Senate Resolution 98, which would designate April 15 in years both 2009 and 2010 as "National TEA Party Day". As of April 2009, the bill has no cosponsors and has been referred to the ] with no scheduled action.<ref>{{cite web
			In September 2007, Vitter ] $100,000 in federal money for a Christian group, the ],<ref name="T-P092207">{{cite news|date=September 22, 2007|author=Walsh, David|url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/09/vitter_earmarked_federal_money.html|title=Vitter earmarked federal money for creationist group|newspaper=]|access-date=September 24, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213150447/http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/09/vitter_earmarked_federal_money.html|archive-date=December 13, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> known for challenging ] by means of "]" which promotes ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lafamilyforum.org/explore.cfm/forumnotes/originsscience |title=Origins Science |publisher=] |access-date=November 10, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> According to Vitter, the earmark was "to develop a plan to promote better science education".<ref name="T-P092207" /> '']'' alleged the group had close ties with Vitter.<ref name="T-P092207" /> However, they have criticized Vitter for his support of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lafamilyforum.us/FFarchives/v9i11.htm |title=Vitter Sends Shockwaves |publisher=] |access-date=November 10, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sr111-98
	|title=S. Res. 98
	|accessdate=May 19, 2009
	|author=111th Congress (2009)
	|date=Apr 2, 2009
	|work=Legislation
	|publisher=GovTrack.us
	|quote=A resolution designating each of April 15, 2009, and April 15, 2010, as "National TEA Party Day"
	}}</ref>
			On October 17, 2007, the liberal organization ], along with several other groups asked the Senate to remove the earmark.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 17, 2007|url=http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/1017-09.htm|title=Groups Ask Senate To Remove Earmark Promoting Creationism From Spending Bill|publisher=]|access-date=October 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020062637/http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/1017-09.htm|archive-date=October 20, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=October 17, 2007 |url=http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oId=24825 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080828095118/http%3A//site.pfaw.org/site/PageServer?pagename%3Dhomepagenew |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |title=Earmark for Anti-Science Creationist Group Must Be Removed |publisher=] |access-date=October 17, 2007 }}</ref> Vitter later withdrew it.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 19, 2007|author=Walsh, Bill|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1192776477212740.xml&coll=1|title=Vitter shifts $100,000 from religious group|newspaper=]|access-date=November 2, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026171714/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-9%2F1192776477212740.xml&coll=1|archive-date=October 26, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=October 18, 2007|url=http://ncse.com/news/2007/10/vitter-earmark-withdrawn-001311|title=Vitter earmark withdrawn|publisher=]|access-date=November 18, 2009}}</ref>
	In September 2010, Vitter signed a candidate pledge from the North Central Louisiana TEA Party Patriots. It included a promise to "Conduct myself personally and professionally in a moral and socially appropriate manner."<ref>{{Cite web| last = Beutler| first = Brian| title = Vitter Pledge To Tea Party: 'I Will Conduct Myself...In A Morally And Socially Appropriate Manner'| publisher = '']''| date = September 16, 2010| url = http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/vitter-pledge-to-tea-party-i-will-conduct-myselfin-a-morally-and-socially-appropriate-manner.php|accessdate = 2010-09-24}}</ref>
	===Political actions===
	====United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea====
	In September 2007, during hearings of the ], Vitter expressed serious doubts about the ] treaty concerning issues of U.S. ]<ref name="WT">{{cite web
	|date=September 28, 2007
	|author=Sands, David R.
	|url=http://washingtontimes.com/article/20070928/FOREIGN/109280058/1003
	|title=White House pushes sea treaty
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-28}}</ref> echoing an array of conservative groups against the treaty<ref name="WT" /><ref>{{cite web
	|date=May 16, 2004
	|url=http://lugar.senate.gov/sfrc/opeds.html
	|title=Pass the sea treaty
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-28 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070926212224/http://lugar.senate.gov/sfrc/opeds.html |archivedate = September 26, 2007}}</ref> including ],<ref>{{cite web
	|month=August | year=2006
	|author=Ridenour, David A.
	|url=http://www.nationalcenter.org/NPA542LawoftheSeaTreaty.html
	|title=Ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty: A Not-So-Innocent Passage
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-28}}</ref> the ]<ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 25, 2007
	|author=Spring, Baker and Steven Groves and Brett D. Schaefer
	|url=http://www.heritage.org/Research/InternationalOrganizations/wm1638.cfm
	|title=The Top Five Reasons Why Conservatives Should Oppose the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea
	|publisher=the ]
	|accessdate=2007-09-28}}</ref> and the ].<ref>{{cite web
	|date=May 18, 2004
	|author=Gaffney Jr., Frank J.
	|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/gaffney/gaffney200403181156.asp
	|title=Don't Get LOST
	|publisher=] Online
	|accessdate=2007-09-28
	|authorlink=Frank Gaffney}}</ref> The treaty, which sets up countries' jurisdiction over their coasts and ocean including exploration and navigation rights,<ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 24, 2007
	|author=Scally, William
	|url=http://public.cq.com/docs/gs/greensheets110-000002591199.html
	|title=Law of Sea Treaty Revived With Senate Hearings
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-28}}</ref> is supported by the ] administration, a majority of the United States Senate, the ], the ] and ]<ref>{{cite web
	|date=June 6, 2007
	|author=Kraus, Don
	|url=http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4286
	|title=Time to Ratify the Law of the Sea
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-28}}</ref> as do a coalition of business and environmental groups.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 27, 2007
	|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpsea275391172sep27,0,1614204.story
	|title=Editorial: U.S. should join Law of the Sea alliance
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-28}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The committee approved the treaty 17-4, with Vitter voting no.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=November 1, 2007
	|author=Dinan, Stephen
	|url=http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071101/NATION/111010044/1001
	|title=Senate panel OKs sea treaty, but fight looms
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-11-02}}</ref>
	====Military====		====Military====
			In May 2008, Vitter voted with the majority, despite the opposition of Bush and other Republicans, for the passage of the ] to expand educational benefits for veterans similar to the level provided for returning ] veterans in the ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Lerman|first=David|url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-webbgi.m22,0,5797943.story|title=Senate approves Jim Webb's new GI Bill|publisher=]|access-date=May 22, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=May 22, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Congress-Iraq-Funding.html|title=Senate Passes Iraq War Funding Bill|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 22, 2008| work=The New York Times}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=May 22, 2008|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00137|title=Vote Summary|publisher=]|access-date=May 22, 2008}}</ref>
	In May 2001, Vitter authored an amendment to the ], a reauthorization of the ], which required all secondary schools receiving federal funding to permit US military recruitment on school grounds and to provide the name, home phone number and address of every student enrolled to military recruiters, unless the student (or the student's parent) specifically opts out.<ref>{{cite news
	|date=June 17, 2005
	|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159915,00.html
	|title=Parents Blast Military Recruiters at Schools
	|agency=Associated Press
	|accessdate=2007-12-03
	| work=Fox News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=April 23, 2003
	|author=Cavanagh, Sean
	|url=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2003/04/23/32recruit.h22.html
	|title=Military Recruiters Meet Pockets of Resistance
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.dod.mil/prhome/docs/no_child_act.pdf
	|format=PDF|title=Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Section on Military recruitment (PDF - English)
	|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> In February 2007, Democratic Representative ] proposed the Student Privacy Protection Act of 2007 to change ] from requiring high schools to provide ] with students' personal information unless they explicitly ] to requiring the student's explicit consent first.<ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR01346:@@@L&summ2=m&
	|title=H.R.1346
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=March 6, 2007
	|author=Honda, Mike
	|url=http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2007/03/military-recruiters-have-access-to-our.html
	|title=Military recruiters have access to our children's personal information
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> According to the '']'', Vitter stands behind the current provision. He stated, if changed, families who supported military recruiting may miss out if required to opt-in.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=July 9, 2007
	|author=Zeller, Shawn
	|url=http://public.cq.com/docs/cqw/weeklyreport110-000002546488.html
	|title=Revisiting the No-Child Recruitment Plan
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref>
			====Network neutrality====
	In May 2008, Vitter voted with the majority, despite Bush's and other conservative Republican's opposition, for the passage of the ] which expanded educational benefits for veterans similar to the level provided for returning ] veterans in the ].<ref>{{cite web
			Vitter was one of six senate Republicans to propose an amendment to a bill which would stop the ] (FCC) from enforcing ] which they allege is a violation of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/50766-amendment-would-block-fcc-regulation-of-net-neutrality/ |title=Amendment would block FCC regulation of net neutrality |first=Tony |last=Romm |date=September 22, 2009|access-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref>
	|date=
	|year=
			==== New Orleans public housing ====
	|month=
			In September 2007, '']'' reported that Vitter and the ] opposed a provision of The Gulf Coast Housing Recovery bill which required that every public housing apartment torn down be replaced with another form of low-income housing on a one-for-one basis. The administration testified that there was not sufficient demand for public housing units, a position contested by several senators. Vitter stated it would recreate "housing projects exactly as they were", isolated and riddled with crime. However, ], the Louisiana Democratic Senator, said the intent was to make certain there were affordable places for working-class people who returned. The bill requires that demolished housing projects be replaced with mixed income communities which local housing advocates say is different from the massive public housing developments that Vitter is referring to. However, the bill does not include a ban on large-scale projects.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 26, 2007|author=Walsh, Bill|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1190786785155740.xml&coll=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017202201/http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-2%2F1190786785155740.xml&coll=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2007|title=Feds oppose full replacement of N.O. public housing units|newspaper=]|access-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref><ref name="NOCB120307">{{cite web|date=December 3, 2007|author=Webster, Richard A.|url=http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=24990|title=Razing a ruckus|publisher=New Orleans City Business|access-date=December 3, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071211162750/http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=24990 |archive-date = December 11, 2007}}</ref> The ] is planning on replacing 4,000 low-income units with mixed-income projects providing a smaller inventory of low-income units.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 3, 2007|author=Saluny, Susan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/us/nationalspecial/03renters.html?pagewanted=1|title=New Orleans Hurt by Acute Rental Shortage|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 3, 2007}}</ref> In December 2007, Vitter prevented the bill from leaving the committee.<ref name="NOCB120307" />
	|last=Lerman
	|first=David
	|url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-webbgi.m22,0,5797943.story
	|title=Senate approves Jim Webb's new GI Bill
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-22
	|quote=
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|date=2008-05-22
	|url=http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Congress-Iraq-Funding.html
	|title=Senate Passes Iraq War Funding Bill
	|agency=Associated Press
	|accessdate=2008-05-22
	|quote=
	| work=The New York Times
	}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=2008-05-22
	|url=http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00137
	|title=Vote Summary
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-22
	}}</ref>
	====Obama nominations====		====Obama nominations====
	Vitter and ] were the only two Senators that voted against ] ] for the position of ] under the new ], on January 21, 2009.<ref>{{cite news		Vitter and ] were the only two Senators that voted against ]'s ] for the position of ] under the new ], on January 21, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|date= January 21, 2009|url= https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-21-clintonconfirmation_N.htm|title= Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of State|agency= Associated Press|access-date= April 29, 2009|work= USA Today|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090505174449/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-21-clintonconfirmation_N.htm|archive-date= May 5, 2009}}</ref>
	|date= January 21, 2009
	|url= http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-21-clintonconfirmation_N.htm
	|title= Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of State
	|agency= Associated Press
	|accessdate= April 29, 2009
	| work=USA Today
	}}</ref>
	Vitter blocked President Obama's nominee for the new ] (FEMA) administrator until he received a written commitment on flood control issues from the nominee and FEMA. '']'', along with some Republican Senators, criticized Vitter for what it characterized as political posturing, given that the hurricane season was quickly approaching. He lifted his hold on May 12, 2009.<ref>{{cite news		He blocked President Obama's nominee for the new ] (FEMA) administrator until he received a written commitment on flood control issues from the nominee and FEMA. '']'', along with some Republican Senators, criticized Vitter for what it characterized as political posturing, given that the hurricane season was quickly approaching. He lifted his hold on May 12, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|date= May 9, 2009|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/opinion/10sun4.html?_r=1&ref=opinion|title= Doin' a Heck of a Job, Senator|newspaper= The New York Times|access-date= May 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date= May 13, 2009 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/us/politics/13brfs-SENATORTOSTO_BRF.html|title= Senator to Stop Blocking Choice to Head FEMA |agency= Associated Press|access-date= May 14, 2009| work=The New York Times}}</ref>
	|date= May 9, 2009
	|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/opinion/10sun4.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
	|title= Doin’ a Heck of a Job, Senator
	|publisher= The New York Times
	|accessdate= May 14, 2009
	|quote=
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|date= May 13, 2009
	|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/us/politics/13brfs-SENATORTOSTO_BRF.html
	|title= Senator to Stop Blocking Choice to Head FEMA
	|agency= Associated Press
	|accessdate= May 14, 2009
	|quote=
	| work=The New York Times
	}}</ref>
	====Network neutrality====		====Affordable Care Act====
			Vitter opposed President Barack Obama's health reform legislation; he voted against the ] in December 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396|title=U.S. Senate: Roll Call Vote|date=January 27, 2015|work=senate.gov}}</ref> and he voted against the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home &gt; Votes &gt; Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref>
	Vitter was one of six senate Republicans to propose an amendment to a bill which would stop the ] (FCC) from enforcing ] which they allege is a violation of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/59757-amendment-would-block-fcc-regulation-of-net-neutrality |title=Amendment would block FCC regulation of net neutrality |first=Tony |last=Romm |date=22 September 2009|accessdate=2009-09-22}}</ref>
	===Ethics and term limits===		====Same-sex marriage====
			Vitter opposes both same-sex marriage and civil unions. In June 2006, he said "I don't believe there's any issue that's more important than this one ... I think this debate is very healthy, and it's winning a lot of hearts and minds. I think we're going to show real progress."<ref>, ''CNN'', June 7, 2006</ref> In 2006, he told '']'', "I'm a conservative who opposes radically redefining marriage, the most important social institution in human history."<ref name="NYT071107">{{cite news|date=July 11, 2007|author=Norrister, Adam|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/us/11vitter.html|title=A Senator's Moral High Ground Gets a Little Shaky|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 10, 2007}}</ref>
	Vitter has argued for ethics reform and ] since he was in the Louisiana Legislature in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-07-12
	|last=Crouere
	|first=Jeff
	|url=http://blog.nola.com/jeff_crouere/2007/07/the_rise_and_fall_of_david_vit.html
	|title=The Rise and Fall of David Vitter
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-08
	}}</ref> As a Louisiana state legislator, Vitter successfully pushed through a term limits amendment to the state constitution to oust the largely Democratic legislature.<ref name="NYT071408">{{cite news
	|date=1999-04-29
	|last=Sack
	|first=Kevin
	|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9504EFDE133DF93AA15757C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2
	|title=Louisiana G.O.P. Facing David Duke, Again
	|publisher=The New York Times
	|accessdate=2008-07-14
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
	|date=2007-07-11
	|last=Nossiter
	|first=Adam
	|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/us/11vitter.html?fta=y
	|title=A Senator’s Moral High Ground Gets a Little Shaky
	|publisher=The New York Times
	|accessdate=2008-07-14
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-09-09
	|last=Hasten
	|first=Mike
	|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070909/NEWS01/709090347
	|title=Republicans set sights on control of La. House
	|publisher=The Town Talk
	|accessdate=2008-07-14
	|quote=
	}}</ref><ref name="LC" /> The first election legislators were affected by the reform ].<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-10-30
	|last=Barrow
	|first=Bill
	|url=http://www.nola.com/elections/index.ssf/2007/09/term_limits_arent_gop_bonanza.html
	|title=Term limits aren't GOP bonanza
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-07-14
	}}</ref> In order to leverage the term limits advantage in that election, Vitter formed a ] with the goal of winning a legislative Republican majority.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-08-05
	|last=Barrow
	|first=Bill
	|url=http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/47395/54420.html
	|title=Quest for La. House will look past Vitter
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-07-14
	|quote=Vitter's effectiveness for raising the profile of Republican candidates in state legislative races has dissolved
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-12-06
	|url=http://louisianaconservative.com/?p=361
	|title=The 2007 Elections - Effect of Term Limits (Part I)
	|publisher=LousianaConservative.com
	|accessdate=2008-07-14
	|quote=The LCRM also suffered somewhat of a setback ... when stories arose regarding Senator Vitter’s involvement with prostitutes....
	}}</ref> While the Republicans saw gains, the Democrats maintained majority control.<ref name="LC">{{cite web
	|date=2007-12-06
	|url=http://louisianaconservative.com/?p=361
	|title=The 2007 Elections - Effect of Term Limits (Part I)
	|publisher=LousianaConservative.com
	|accessdate=2008-07-14
	}}</ref>
			In October 2005, at a ] Republican Executive Committee luncheon, Vitter compared gay marriage to hurricanes ] and ], which came through the same geographical areas. Vitter said "It's the crossroads where Katrina meets Rita. I always knew I was against same-sex unions."<ref>{{usurped|1=}}, gayapolis.com, ''News'', posted October 18, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2007.</ref>
	In spite of his state legislative efforts, Vitter refused to pledge to a voluntary term limit when running for the U.S. Congress in 1999, which his opponent characterized as hypocritical. Vitter countered that unless it was universally applied, the loss of seniority would disadvantage his district.<ref name="NYT071408" /><ref>{{cite news
	|last=Aynesworth
	|first=Hugh
	|title=Morality is no issue in race for Livingston's seat; Term limit, Klansman dominate crowded campaign
	|pages=C4
	|publisher=]
	|date=April 18, 1999
	}}</ref> As a Senator, he has proposed term limit constitutional amendments for members of Congress three times.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-17
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sj110-2
	|title=S. J. Res. 2--110th Congress (2007): A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States...
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-07-15
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-17
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sj109-3
	|title=S. J. Res. 3--109th Congress (2005): A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States...
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-07-15
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2788
	|title=S. 2788
	|accessdate=April 29, 2009
	|author=110th Congress (2008)
	|date=Mar 31, 2008
	|work=Legislation
	|publisher=GovTrack.us
	|quote=Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act
	}}</ref>
			====School board prayer====
	In 2007, in response to lobbying scandals involving, among others, ] and ], Congress passed a ] to which Vitter proposed a package of five amendments.<ref name="WP091507">{{cite news
			In 2005 Vitter introduced a resolution supporting prayer at ] meetings in response to an earlier ] decision that the Louisiana's ] practice of opening meetings with Christian prayers was ]. The bill died in ] after receiving little support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sr109-132|title=S. Res. 132 (109th): A resolution expressing support for prayer at school board meetings|publisher=GovTrack.us|access-date=January 16, 2008}}</ref><ref name="advocate012007">{{cite news|date=January 20, 2007|author=Mitchell, David J.|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/theadvocate/access/1198586681.html?dids=1198586681:1198586681&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+20%2C+2007&author=DAVID+J.+MITCHELL&pub=Advocate&edition=&startpage=3&desc=Prayer+decision+appealed+***+Tangipahoa+parties+say+ruling+unclear|title=Tangipahoa parties say ruling unclear|newspaper=]|access-date=January 16, 2008}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103222038/http://indianalawblog.com/archives/2007/01/courts_motion_t.html |date=January 3, 2008 }}</ref> Vitter later reintroduced the resolution in January 2007 after a ] of the ] concluded that Christian prayers were unconstitutional but was undecided whether ] prayers were allowed. In July 2007, the full Fifth Circuit dismissed the case because of a lack of ]. The school board subsequently resumed prayer evocations but opened it to diverse community religions. Vitter's bill died in committee.<ref name="advocate012007" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=sr110-35|title=S. Res. 35: A resolution expressing support for prayer at school board meetings|publisher=GovTrack.us|access-date=January 16, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=December 2006|url=http://www.nsba.org/site/doc_cosa.asp?TRACKID=&CID=468&DID=39876|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101191204/http://www.nsba.org/site/doc_cosa.asp?TRACKID=&CID=468&DID=39876|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 1, 2011|title=Doe v. Tangipahoa Parish Sch. Bd., No. 05-30294 (5th Cir. Dec. 15, 2006)|publisher=]|access-date=January 16, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=August 22, 2007|author=Mitchell, David J.|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/theadvocate/access/1324471571.html?dids=1324471571:1324471571&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+22%2C+2007&author=DAVID+J.+MITCHELL&pub=Advocate&edition=&startpage=1&desc=Tangipahoa+board+OKs+prayer+policy|title=Tangipahoa board OKs prayer policy|newspaper=]|access-date=January 16, 2008}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref>
	|date=2007-09-15
	|last=Babington
	|first=Charles
	|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/15/AR2007091500589.html
	|title=Bush Signs Lobby-Ethics Bill
	|agency=Associated Press
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	| work=The Washington Post
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-04
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=s110-1
	|title=S. 1--110th Congress (2007): Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	}}</ref><ref name="amendments">{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-04
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=amendments&bill=s110-1
	|title=Amendments to S. 1--110th Congress (2007): Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=2008-01-04
	|url=http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=98040c40-4d94-43cb-a56b-768a50da3bee
	|title=Vitter Introduces Extensive Ethics Reform Package
	|publisher=David Vitter
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	}}</ref> The Senate approved three that limited which legislators' spouses could lobby the Senate,<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-02-09
	|url=http://citizensforethics.org/node/19553
	|title=Proposed lobbying limits apply to only one senator
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	}}</ref> created criminal penalties for legislators and ] officials who falsify financial reports,<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-10
	|url=http://www.citizensforethics.org/node/20272
	|title=Senate cracks down on financial fraud
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	|quote=
	}}</ref> and doubled the penalties for lobbyists who failed to comply with ].<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-10
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s10
	|title=S.Amdt. 10: To increase the penalty for failure to comply with lobbying...
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	}}</ref> The Senate rejected prohibiting legislators from paying their families with campaign funds with some saying it was unrelated to the current legislation and others that the payments were not a problem.<ref name="CREW011107">{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-11
	|url=http://citizensforethics.org/node/20247
	|title=Campaigns Still A Family Affair
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	}}</ref><ref name="GT011007SR" /> Additionally, they ] his proposal to define ] as ] and its members as ] so that they are required to contribute to candidates through ] instead of their tribal treasury.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-10
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s5
	|title=S.Amdt. 5: To modify the application of the Federal Election Campaign Act of...
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	}}</ref> Senators objected saying that they are already subjected to campaign laws for ] and individuals and that the proposal was singling them out unfairly.<ref name="GT011007SR">{{cite web
	|date=2007-01-10
	|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-s20070110-14&person=300065
	|title=Senate Record: Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007
	|publisher=GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
	|accessdate=2008-05-09
	}}</ref> The reform package became law in September 2007.<ref name="WP091507" />
			====Tea Party movement====
	In 2009, Vitter and former Democratic Senator ] announced an effort to end automatic pay raises for members of Congress.<ref>{{cite web
			In recognition of the ] opposing President ]'s policies, Vitter proposed Senate Resolution 98, which would designate April 15 in years both 2009 and 2010 as "National TEA Party Day". As of April 2009, the bill has no cosponsors and has been referred to the ] with no scheduled action.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sr111-98|title=S. Res. 98|access-date=May 19, 2009|author=111th Congress (2009)|date=April 2, 2009|work=Legislation|publisher=GovTrack.us|quote=A resolution designating each of April 15, 2009, and April 15, 2010, as "National TEA Party Day"}}</ref>
	|date= April 14, 2009
	|last= Feingold
	|first= Russ
	|authorlink= Russ Feingold
	|coauthors= David Vitter
	|url= http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/04/14/__congress_does_not_deserve_any_special_treatment_48903.html
	|title= Congress Does Not Deserve Any Special Treatment
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= November 4, 2009
	}}</ref>
			In September 2010, Vitter signed a candidate pledge from the North Central Louisiana TEA Party Patriots. It included a promise to "Conduct myself personally and professionally in a moral and socially appropriate manner."<ref>{{Cite web| last = Beutler| first = Brian| title = Vitter Pledge To Tea Party: 'I Will Conduct Myself...In A Morally And Socially Appropriate Manner'| publisher = ]| date = September 16, 2010| url = http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/vitter-pledge-to-tea-party-i-will-conduct-myselfin-a-morally-and-socially-appropriate-manner.php|access-date = September 24, 2010}}</ref>
	===Gulf Coast===
	====Hurricane Katrina====
			====United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea====
	In the aftermath of ], Vitter and the rest of the Louisiana congressional delegation worked to bring aid to the Gulf Coast region to rebuild broken levees, schools and hospitals, restore coastal wetlands, and provide assistance for its many victims.<ref>{{cite news
			In September 2007, during hearings of the ], Vitter expressed serious doubts about the ] treaty concerning issues of U.S. ]<ref name="WT">{{cite news|date=September 28, 2007|author=Sands, David R.|url=http://washingtontimes.com/article/20070928/FOREIGN/109280058/1003|title=White House pushes sea treaty|newspaper=]|access-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> echoing an array of conservative groups against the treaty<ref name="WT" /><ref>{{cite web|date=May 16, 2004|url=http://lugar.senate.gov/sfrc/opeds.html|title=Pass the sea treaty|publisher=]|access-date=September 28, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212224/http://lugar.senate.gov/sfrc/opeds.html |archive-date = September 26, 2007}}</ref> including the ],<ref>{{cite web|date=August 2006|author=Ridenour, David A.|url=http://www.nationalcenter.org/NPA542LawoftheSeaTreaty.html|title=Ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty: A Not-So-Innocent Passage|publisher=]|access-date=September 28, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223935/http://www.nationalcenter.org/NPA542LawoftheSeaTreaty.html|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite web|date=September 25, 2007|author=Spring, Baker and Steven Groves and Brett D. Schaefer|url=http://www.heritage.org/Research/InternationalOrganizations/wm1638.cfm|title=The Top Five Reasons Why Conservatives Should Oppose the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea|publisher=]|access-date=September 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015215023/http://www.heritage.org/Research/InternationalOrganizations/wm1638.cfm|archive-date=October 15, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the ].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=May 18, 2004|author1=Gaffney Jr. |author2=Frank J. |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/gaffney/gaffney200403181156.asp|title=Don't Get LOST|magazine=] Online|access-date=September 28, 2007|author-link=Frank Gaffney}}</ref> The treaty, which sets up countries' jurisdiction over their coasts and ocean including exploration and navigation rights,<ref>{{cite web|date=September 24, 2007|author=Scally, William|url=http://public.cq.com/docs/gs/greensheets110-000002591199.html|title=Law of Sea Treaty Revived With Senate Hearings|publisher=]|access-date=September 28, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013195905/http://public.cq.com/docs/gs/greensheets110-000002591199.html|archive-date=October 13, 2007}}</ref> was supported by the ] administration, a majority of the United States Senate, the ], the ] and ]<ref>{{cite web|date=June 6, 2007|author=Kraus, Don|url=http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4286|title=Time to Ratify the Law of the Sea|publisher=]|access-date=September 28, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926221151/http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4286|archive-date=September 26, 2007}}</ref> as do a coalition of business and environmental groups.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 27, 2007 |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpsea275391172sep27,0,1614204.story |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070703224103/http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpsea275391172sep27,0,1614204.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2007 |title=Editorial: U.S. should join Law of the Sea alliance |newspaper=] |access-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> The committee approved the treaty 17–4, with Vitter voting no.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 1, 2007|author=Dinan, Stephen|url=http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071101/NATION/111010044/1001|title=Senate panel OKs sea treaty, but fight looms|newspaper=]|access-date=November 2, 2007}}</ref>
	|date=2005-10-05
	|last=Hernandez
	|first=Raymond
	|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/05/national/nationalspecial/05rebuild.html
	|title=Gulf Coast Lawmakers in Spotlight as Aid Requests Pour In
	|publisher=The New York Times
	|accessdate=2008-04-21
	}}</ref>
			==== Water Resources and Development Act ====
	In early September, Vitter said that he would give "the entire big government organized relief effort a failing grade, across the board." He said that state and local governments shared in the blame as well.<ref>, ''Associated Press'', September 11, 2005</ref> Vitter's actions during Hurricane Katrina are described in historian ]'s May 2006 book, ''The Great Deluge''.
			Vitter helped write the Water Resources and Development Act for flood-control, hurricane-protection and coastal-restoration projects including $3.6 billion for Louisiana. He called it the "single most important" legislation for assisting Louisiana with its recovery from hurricane Katrina. President ] vetoed the act, objecting to its cost.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 27, 2007|url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/10059676.html|title=Our Views: State needs flood projects|publisher=] and ]|access-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=September 27, 2007 |url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/OPINION01/709270329/1014/OPINION |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070716173537/http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/OPINION01/709270329/1014/OPINION |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2007 |title=Federal water bill critical to state |newspaper=The Daily Advertiser |access-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=November 2, 2007 |author=Alpert, Bruce |url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/11/bush_vetoes_massive_water_bill.html |title=Bush vetoes massive water resources bill |newspaper=] |access-date=November 2, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Congress overrode his veto, enacting the bill.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 8, 2007|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Congress-Veto.html?hp|title=Senate Overrides Bush Veto on Water Bill|agency=Associated Press|access-date=November 8, 2007| work=The New York Times}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>
			===Committee assignments===
	In September 2007, Vitter announced that he got "a critical concession" from the White House that decreased Louisiana's obligations for hurricane recovery by $1 billion. However, the White House said that was false.<ref name="TP092907">{{cite web
			* ''']'''
	|date=September 29, 2007
			** ]
	|author=Walsh, Bill
			** ]
	|url=http://www.nola.com/elections/index.ssf/2007/09/louisiana_looks_like_a_state_o.html
			** ]
	|title=Louisiana looks like a state of denial
			* ''']'''
	|publisher=]
			** ]
	|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref>
			** ]
			** ] (Chairman)
			* ''']'''
			** ]
			** ]
			** ]
			** ]
			* ''']''' (Chairman)
			==2007 prostitution scandal==
	==== Federal Water Bill ====
			In early July 2007, Vitter's phone number was included in a published list of phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates, a company owned and run by ], also known as the "D.C. ]", who was convicted by the U.S. government for running a prostitution service. '']'' identified the phone number and contacted Vitter's office to ask about his connection to Palfrey.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 10, 2007|author=Rood, Justin|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/hustler-call-pr.html|title='Hustler' Call May Have Prompted Vitter Admission|work=]|access-date=July 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712144207/http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/hustler-call-pr.html|archive-date=July 12, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=April 16, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/us/16escort.html?ref=us|title=Woman Convicted in Washington Escort Case|agency=Associated Press|access-date=April 21, 2008| work=The New York Times}}</ref> The following day, Vitter issued a written statement in which he took responsibility for his "sin" and asked for forgiveness.<ref>Douglass K. Daniel, {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713100913/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070710/ap_on_go_co/vitter_dc_madam |date=July 13, 2007 }}, Associated Press, July 10, 2007</ref> On July 16, 2007, after a week of self-imposed seclusion, Vitter emerged and called a ]. As his wife stood next to him, Vitter asked the public for forgiveness. Following Vitter's remarks, his wife Wendy Vitter spoke, but both refused to answer any questions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scandal-linked senator breaks a week of silence|publisher=]|date=July 17, 2007 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/16/vitter/index.html|access-date=August 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Vitter comes out of seclusion, claims New Orleans prostitutes don't exist; some say otherwise |newspaper=] |date=July 23, 2007 |url=http://www.louisianaweekly.com/read/PDF/July_23_2007.pdf |access-date=August 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515104436/http://www.louisianaweekly.com/read/PDF/July_23_2007.pdf |archive-date=May 15, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Moran|first1=Kate|last2=Walsh|first2=Bill|last3=McCarthy|first3=Brendan|title=Vitter re-emerges and asks again for forgiveness|publisher=]|date=July 16, 2007|url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/07/vitter_reemerges_and_again_ask.html|access-date=August 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007051318/http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/07/vitter_reemerges_and_again_ask.html|archive-date=October 7, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2004, Vitter had denied allegations that he had patronized prostitutes.<ref name="WP-07-10-07" />
	Vitter helped write the Water Resources and Development Act for flood-control, hurricane-protection and coastal-restoration projects including $3.6 billion for Louisiana. He called it the "single most important" legislation for assisting Louisiana with its recovery from hurricane Katrina. President ] vetoed the act, objecting to its cost.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 27, 2007
	|url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/10059676.html
	|title=Our Views: State needs flood projects
	|publisher=] and ]
	|accessdate=2007-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 27, 2007
	|url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/OPINION01/709270329/1014/OPINION
	|title=Federal water bill critical to state
	|publisher=The Daily Advertiser
	|accessdate=2007-09-27}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	|date=November 2, 2007
	|author=Alpert, Bruce
	|url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/11/bush_vetoes_massive_water_bill.html
	|title=Bush vetoes massive water resources bill
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-11-02}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Congress overrode his veto, enacting the bill.<ref>{{cite news
	|date=November 8, 2007
	|url=http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Congress-Veto.html?hp
	|title=Senate Overrides Bush Veto on Water Bill
	|agency=Associated Press
	|accessdate=2007-11-08
	| work=The New York Times}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>
			While the Louisiana state ] offered guarded support,<ref>{{cite news|date=July 13, 2007|author=Walsh, Bill|url=http://blog.nola.com/updates/2007/07/louisiana_republicans_offer_gu.html|title=Louisiana Republicans offer guarded support for Vitter|newspaper=]|access-date=July 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716151609/http://blog.nola.com/updates/2007/07/louisiana_republicans_offer_gu.html|archive-date=July 16, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> national Republicans offered forgiveness.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 19, 2007|author=Radelat, Ana|url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007707180306|title=Vitter tries to move forward|publisher=]|access-date=July 22, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063132/http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007707180306 |archive-date = September 28, 2007}}</ref> '']'' predicted that the Republican Party would be in a "forgiving mood", because if he were to resign, ] ], a Democrat, would likely appoint a Democrat to take Vitter's place until a special election could be held, thus increasing Democratic control over the US Senate.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=July 17, 2007 |author=Nichols, John |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/1212761 |title=A "Family Values" Headache for Senate GOP |magazine=] |access-date=July 22, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=September 30, 2007 |author=Lipman, Larry |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/nation/epaper/2007/09/30/m1a_FOLEYnew_0930.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070618125114/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/nation/epaper/2007/09/30/m1a_FOLEYnew_0930.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 18, 2007 |title=A year later, Foley fallout lingers |newspaper=] |access-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=September 30, 2007|author=Blumner, Robyn|author-link=Robyn Blumner|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/30/Opinion/Republicans_and_their.shtml|title=Republicans and their big Greenspan gap|newspaper=]|access-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref>
	==== New Orleans public housing ====
	In September 2007, '']'' reported that Vitter and the ] opposed a provision of The Gulf Coast Housing Recovery bill which required that every ] apartment torn down be replaced with another form of low-income housing on a one-for-one basis. The administration testified that there was not sufficient demand for public housing units, a position contested by several senators. Vitter stated it would recreate "housing projects exactly as they were", isolated and riddled with crime. However, ], the Louisiana Democratic Senator, said the intent was to make certain there were affordable places for ] people who returned. The bill requires that demolished housing projects be replaced with mixed income communities which local housing advocates say is different from the massive public housing developments that Vitter is referring to. However, the bill does not include a ban on large-scale projects.<ref>{{cite web
	|date=September 26, 2007
	|author=Walsh, Bill
	|url=http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1190786785155740.xml&coll=1
	|title=Feds oppose full replacement of N.O. public housing units
	|publisher=]
	|accessdate=2007-09-27}}</ref><ref name="NOCB120307">{{cite web
	|date=December 3, 2007
	|author=Webster, Richard A.
	|url=http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=24990
	|title=Razing a ruckus
	|publisher=New Orleans City Business
	|accessdate=2007-12-03 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071211162750/http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=24990 |archivedate = December 11, 2007}}</ref> The ] is planning on replacing 4,000 low-income units with mixed-income projects providing a smaller inventory of low-income units.<ref>{{cite news
	|date=December 3, 2007
	|author=Saluny, Susan
	|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/us/nationalspecial/03renters.html?pagewanted=1
	|title=New Orleans Hurt by Acute Rental Shortage
	|publisher=New York Times
	|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> In December 2007, Vitter prevented the bill from leaving the committee.<ref name="NOCB120307" />
			On September 8, 2015, reporter Derek Myers was fired from ] after asking Vitter, who was running for governor, about allegations that the senator had frequented prostitutes.<ref></ref> After Myers's question, Myers said an unnamed coworker overheard a conversation about the Vitter campaign's ad spending at the station, possibly with a threat from the campaign to pull the ads.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124220109/http://gawker.com/reporter-claims-he-was-fired-for-asking-louisiana-senat-1729686956 |date=November 24, 2015 }}, Gawker</ref> Democrat John Bel Edwards released an ad about the prostitution scandal two weeks before the run-off election and won by more than 12%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_e4dd2ddd-518a-5a8e-85f6-a13717f8c0c5.html|title='You're crazy if you believe that': John Bel Edwards takes remarkable journey to improbable landslide in governor's race|last=Bridges|first=Tyler|date=December 15, 2015|work=The Advocate|access-date=November 19, 2017}}</ref>
	====Deepwater Horizon oil spill====
	In response to the April 2010 ] at an offshore ] in the ] threatening the coast of Louisiana, Vitter introduced legislation along with ] of ] to increase the liability cap of an oil company from $75 million to its most recent annual profits (or $150 million if greater).<ref name="TDA052610">{{cite web
	|date= May 26, 2010
	|last= Berry
	|first= Deborah Barfield
	|url= http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20100526/NEWS18/5260340
	|title= Lawmakers weigh liability cap
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= May 27, 2010
	}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> In the case of ], the owner of the oil lease, its liability would be $20 billion.<ref name="TBN052710">{{cite web
	|date= May 27, 2010
	|last= Orndorff
	|first= Mary
	|url= http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2010/05/us_sen_jeff_sessions_wants_to.html
	|title= U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions wants to raise BP's liability to $20 billion
	|publisher= ]
	|accessdate= May 27, 2010}}</ref> Vitter later introduced an amendment that would remove the cap entirely for this particular spill.<ref name="TDA052610" /> Competing Democratic proposals would have raised the liability to $10 billion regardless of profits or removed the cap altogether.<ref name="TDA052610" /> Sessions argued that large caps unrelated to company profits would harm smaller companies.<ref name="TBN052710" />
			==2015 gubernatorial election==
	==Other political matters==
			{{main|2015 Louisiana gubernatorial election}}
			Vitter announced on January 21, 2014, that he would run for governor of Louisiana in the 2015 election.<ref name="atr.rollcall.com">{{cite web|url=http://atr.rollcall.com/david-vitter-announces-run-for-governor/|title=David Vitter Announces Run for Governor|date=January 21, 2014|access-date=January 21, 2014|work=Roll Call|archive-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122045915/http://atr.rollcall.com/david-vitter-announces-run-for-governor/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Then-Governor ] was ineligible to seek re-election due to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/louisiana_governor_democrat.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123025956/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/louisiana_governor_democrat.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 23, 2015|title=John Bel Edwards beats David Vitter to become Louisiana's next governor|date=November 21, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2015|work=NOLA}}</ref> Vitter was the first sitting or ex-U.S. Senator to launch a gubernatorial bid in Louisiana since 1904, when Democrat ] was elected.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://editions.lib.umn.edu/smartpolitics/2014/01/24/david-vitter-launches-historic/ |title= David Vitter Launches Historic Gubernatorial Bid in Louisiana |work=Smart Politics |first=Eric |last=Ostermeier |date= January 24, 2014}}</ref> Vitter's major opponents were Republicans ], Louisiana Public Service Commissioner and former lieutenant governor,<ref name=bel_gambit/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/10/scott_angelle_to_run_for_gover.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141002182429/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/10/scott_angelle_to_run_for_gover.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 2, 2014|title=Scott Angelle to run for governor in 2015|date=October 2, 2014|access-date=October 2, 2014|work=]|first=Cole|last=Avery}}</ref> and ], the current lieutenant governor;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/lt_gov_jay_dardenne_intends_to.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325000652/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/lt_gov_jay_dardenne_intends_to.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 25, 2013|title=Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne 'intends' to run for governor in 2015|date=March 20, 2013|access-date=May 13, 2013|work=]|first=Jeff|last=Adelson}}</ref> and Democrat ], Minority Leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives.<ref name=bel_gambit>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/saved-by-the-bel/Content?oid=2193333|title=Saved by the Bel?|date=May 6, 2013|access-date=May 13, 2013|work=]|first=Jeremy|last=Alford|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203133739/http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/saved-by-the-bel/Content?oid=2193333|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/02/john_bel_edwards_announces_he.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223022323/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/02/john_bel_edwards_announces_he.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 23, 2013|title=John Bel Edwards announces he is running for governor in 2015|first=Jeff|last=Adelson|work=The New Orleans Times-Picayune|date=February 10, 2013|access-date=February 21, 2013}}</ref>
			In the ], Edwards defeated Vitter by 56% to 44%.<ref name="noladotcom">{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/louisiana_election_results_201.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123153232/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/louisiana_election_results_201.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 23, 2015|title=Louisiana election results 2015: Live updates|work=NOLA.com|date=June 14, 2023 }}</ref>
	Vitter became involved in the ] District 22 ] held in January 2011, a vacancy created by the resignation of ], who accepted an appointment in the Jindal administration in Baton Rouge. Vitter endorsed and made telephone calls on behalf of a Democrat-turned-Republican state representative, ] of ] in ]. However, Champagne was soundly defeated by another Democrat-turned-Republican state lawmaker, ], a banker and pharmacist from ].<ref>"David Vitter robocalling for Simone Champagne", www.theind.com/news, January 17, 200</ref>
			==Other political involvement==
			In 2016, Vitter succeeded after a five-year battle in passing through the Senate landmark legislation to reform the country's chemical safety laws. Vitter called the legislation a "big accomplishment. This is an area of federal law that everybody, every stakeholder, every group, whether it's some far-left environmental group or industry, said needed to be updated. The trick was getting agreement on doing that." Democratic colleague ] of ], a frequent critic of Vitter, said that if the bill is enacted with President Obama's signature "it's quite an accomplishment for him and for Congress to pass historic legislation."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2016/06/12/retirement-nears-vitter-relishes-win-chemical-bill/85711138/|title=As retirement nears, Vitter relishes win on chemical bill|publisher=The Alexandria Town Talk|date=June 12, 2016|author=Deborah Barfield Berry|access-date=June 14, 2016}}</ref>
			==Post-Senate career==
			After his Senate term ended, Vitter joined the Washington, D.C. ] firm, ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/David-Vitter-joins-Washington-based-lobbying-firm-10904635.php|title=David Vitter joins Washington-based lobbying firm|date=February 2, 2017|newspaper=]|location=], Texas|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226214242/http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/David-Vitter-joins-Washington-based-lobbying-firm-10904635.php|archive-date=February 26, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of October 2019, Vitter had lobbied for sanctioned Chinese surveillance company ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/10/29/what-lobbyists-remarks-behind-closed-doors-tell-you-about-chinese-money-washington/|title=What a lobbyist's remarks behind closed doors tell you about Chinese money in Washington|last=Allen-Ebrahimian|first=Bethany|date=October 29, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 30, 2019}}</ref> as well as for the Libyan ] and the Zimbabwean ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ipvm.com/reports/vitter-hikvision |title=Senator Vitter Becomes "Proud Member Of The Hikvision Team", Calls Out "Anti-China" Rubio |last=Honovich |first=John |date=October 29, 2019 |website=IPVM |access-date=July 12, 2021}}</ref> He also lobbied for the sanctioned Russian bank ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Casey |first1=Tolan |last2=Devine |first2=Curt |title=US lobbying firms rush to cut ties with Russian businesses hit with sanctions |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/26/politics/lobbying-firms-russian-businesses-sanctions-invs/index.html |access-date=April 22, 2022 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>
	==Electoral history==		==Electoral history==
	'''2010 Louisiana United States Senatorial Election'''		''']'''
			{| class=wikitable
	{|
			! colspan = 6 | Blanket primary
			|-
			! colspan=2 | Party
			! Candidate
			! Votes
			! %
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ''']'''
			| ''']'''
			| align=center | '''444,517'''
			| align=center | '''39.89%'''
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ''']'''
			| '''David Vitter'''
			| align=center | '''256,300'''
			| align=center | '''23.00%'''
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center | 214,982
			| align=center | 19.29%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center | 166,656
			| align=center | 14.96%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Cary Deaton
			| align=center | 11,763
			| align=center | 1.06%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| S. L. Simpson
			| align=center | 7,420
			| align=center | 0.67%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
			| ]
			| Beryl Billiot
			| align=center | 5,694
			| align=center | 0.51%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Other}}
			| ]
			| Jeremy Odom
			| align=center | 4,756
			| align=center | 0.43%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Other}}
			| ]
			| Eric Paul Orgeron
			| align=center | 2,248
			| align=center | 0.20%
			|-
			! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total
			! align=center | 1,114,336
			! align=center | 100%
			|-
			! colspan = 6 | Runoff
			|-
			! colspan=2 | Party
			! Candidate
			! Votes
			! %
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ''']'''
			| ''']'''
			| align=center | '''646,924'''
			| align=center | '''56.1%'''
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
	|'''David Vitter (R) 57%'''
			| ]
			| David Vitter
			| align=center | 505,940
			| align=center | 43.9%
	|-		|-
			! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total
	|] (D) 38%
			! align=center | 1,152,864
			! align=center | 100%
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
	|] (L) 1%
			| colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| ] '''gain''' from ]
	|}		|}
	'''2004 Louisiana United States Senatorial Election'''		''']'''
			{| class=wikitable
	{|
			! colspan=2 | Party
			! Candidate
			! Votes
			! %
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
	|'''David Vitter (R) 51%'''
			| ''']'''
			| '''David Vitter (])'''
			| align=center | '''715,304'''
			| align=center | '''56.56%'''
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
	|] (D) 29%
			| ]
			| Charlie Melancon
			| align=center | 476,423
			| align=center | 37.67%
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
	|] (D) 15%
			| ]
			| Randall Hayes
			| align=center | 13,952
			| align=center | 1.10%
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
	|Arthur Morrell (D) 3%
			| ]
			| Michael Brown
			| align=center | 9,970
			| align=center | 0.79%
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Other}}
	|Richard Fontanesi (I) 1%
			| ]
			| Mike Spears
			| align=center | 9,188
			| align=center | 0.73%
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Other}}
	|R.A. Galan (I) 1%
			| ]
			| Ernest Wooton
			| align=center | 8,164
			| align=center | 0.65%
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
	|Sam Melton (D) 1%
			| ]
			| Skip Galan
			| align=center | 7,471
			| align=center | 0.59%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Reform Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| William McShan
			| align=center | 5,879
			| align=center | 0.46%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Other}}
			| ]
			| Bob Lang
			| align=center | 5,732
			| align=center | 0.45%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
			| ]
			| Milton Gordon
			| align=center | 4,806
			| align=center | 0.38%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Other}}
			| ]
			| Tommy LaFargue
			| align=center | 4,042
			| align=center | 0.32%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
			| ]
			| Sam Melton
			| align=center | 3,779
			| align=center | 0.30%
			|-
			! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total
			! align=center | 1,264,710
			! align=center | 100%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| ] '''hold'''
			|}
			''']'''
			{| class=wikitable
			! colspan=2 | Party
			! Candidate
			! Votes
			! %
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ''']'''
			| '''David Vitter'''
			| align=center | '''943,014'''
			| align=center | '''51.03%'''
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Chris John
			| align=center | 542,150
			| align=center | 29.34%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center | 275,821
			| align=center | 14.92%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Arthur A. Morrell
			| align=center | 47,222
			| align=center | 2.56%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Other}}
			| ]
			| Richard M. Fontanesi
			| align=center | 15,097
			| align=center | 0.82%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Other}}
			| ]
			| R. A. "Skip" Galan
			| align=center | 12,463
			| align=center | 0.67%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Sam Houston Melton, Jr.
			| align=center | 12,289
			| align=center | 0.66%
			|-
			! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total
			! align=center | 1,848,056
			! align=center | 100%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| ] '''gain''' from ]
	|}		|}
	'''1999 Louisiana 1st District United States Congressional Election'''		'''1999 Louisiana 1st District United States Congressional Election'''
			{| class=wikitable
	{|
			! colspan = 6 | Blanket primary
	|-		|-
			! colspan=2 | Party
	|'''David Vitter (R) 51%'''
			! Candidate
			! Votes
			! %
	|-		|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
	|] (R) 49%
			| ''']'''
			| ''']'''
			| align=center | '''36,719'''
			| align=center | '''25.06%'''
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ''']'''
			| '''David Vitter'''
			| align=center | '''31,741'''
			| align=center | '''21.67%'''
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center | 28,059
			| align=center | 19.15%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Monica Monica
			| align=center | 22,928
			| align=center | 15.65%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Bill Strain
			| align=center | 16,446
			| align=center | 11.23%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center | 9,295
			| align=center | 6.34%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Darryl P. Ward
			| align=center | 720
			| align=center | 0.49%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Patrick E. Landry
			| align=center | 344
			| align=center | 0.23%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| S. J. LoCoco
			| align=center | 246
			| align=center | 0.17%
			|-
			! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total
			! align=center | 146,498
			! align=center | 100%
			|-
			! colspan = 6 | Runoff
			|-
			! colspan=2 | Party
			! Candidate
			! Votes
			! %
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ''']'''
			| '''David Vitter'''
			| align=center | '''61,661'''
			| align=center | '''50.75%'''
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center | 59,849
			| align=center | 49.25%
			|-
			! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total
			! align=center | 121,510
			! align=center | 100%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| ] '''hold'''
	|}		|}
			'''1995 Louisiana 81st District State House of Representatives Election'''
			{| class="wikitable"
			! colspan=2 | Party
			! Candidate
			! %
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ''']'''
			| '''David Vitter (])'''
			| align=center | '''100%'''
			|-
			! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total
			! align=center | 100%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| ] '''hold'''
			|}
			'''1991 Louisiana 81st District State House of Representatives Election'''
			{| class="wikitable"
			! colspan=2 | Party
			! Candidate
			! %
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ''']'''
			| '''David Vitter'''
			| align=center | '''68%'''
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Mike Reynolds
			| align=center | 24%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| ]
			| Mercedes Hernandez
			| align=center | 8%
			|-
			! colspan=3; style="text-align:right;"| Total
			! align=center | 100%
			|-
			| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
			| colspan=6; style="text-align:left;"| ] '''hold'''
			|}
			==See also==
			*]
	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==
	{{Reflist|2}}		{{Reflist|30em}}
	==External links==		==External links==
			* official U.S. Senate website {{small|(Archived)}}
	{{Commons category}}		{{Commons category}}
			{{sister project links}}
	{{sisterlinks}}
			* {{CongLinks | congbio=v000127 | votesmart=4615 | fec=S4LA00057 | congress=david-vitter/1609 }}
	* ''official U.S. Senate site''
			*
	* ''official campaign site''
			* {{C-SPAN|60672}}
	*{{CongLinks | congbio = v000127 | votesmart = 4615 | washpo = David_Vitter | govtrack = 400418 | opencong = 400418_David_Vitter | cspan = 60672 | ontheissues = Senate/David_Vitter.htm | surge = 227882 | legistorm = 97/Sen_David_Vitter.html | fec = S4LA00057 | opensecrets = N00009659 | followthemoney = | rose = 503 | nyt = v/david_vitter | findagrave = }}
	* Vitter family website maintained by David Vitter's brother ]		* Vitter family website maintained by brother ]
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	{{s-prec|usa}}		{{s-prec|usa}}
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			{{USCongRep/LA/109}}
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			{{USCongRep/LA/110}}
	|SHORT DESCRIPTION=] from ]
			{{USCongRep/LA/111}}
	|DATE OF BIRTH=May 3, 1961
			{{USCongRep/LA/112}}
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			{{USCongRep/LA/113}}
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Latest revision as of 09:14, 29 December 2024

American politician (born 1961) Not to be confused with David Vetter. "Senator Vitter" redirects here. For the South Dakota state senate member, see Drue Vitter.

David Vitter
Official portrait, 2005
United States Senator from Louisiana
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2017
Preceded by	John Breaux
Succeeded by	John Kennedy
Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Maria Cantwell
Succeeded by	Jim Risch
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st district
In office May 29, 1999 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	Bob Livingston
Succeeded by	Bobby Jindal
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 81st district
In office 1992–1999
Preceded by	David Duke
Succeeded by	Jennifer Sneed Heebe
Personal details
Born	David Bruce Vitter (1961-05-03) May 3, 1961 (age 63) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Wendy Baldwin ​(m. 1990)​
Relations	Jeffrey Vitter (brother)
Children	4
Education	Harvard University (BA) Magdalen College, Oxford (BA) Tulane University (JD)
Signature
David Vitter's voice David Vitter highlights the fifth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Recorded April 20, 2015

David Bruce Vitter (born May 3, 1961) is an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Louisiana from 2005 to 2017. A member of the Republican Party, Vitter served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992 to 1999 and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999 to 2005.

Vitter was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. He was the first Republican to represent Louisiana in the Senate since the Reconstruction Era, and the first ever Republican to be popularly elected. In 2007, Vitter admitted to and apologized for past involvement with prostitution as part of a Washington, D.C. escort service which gained much notoriety and while not affecting his 2010 election, is believed to have played a part in his loss of the 2015 gubernatorial election. In 2010, Vitter won a second Senate term by defeating Democratic U.S. Representative Charlie Melançon.

Vitter unsuccessfully ran for governor to succeed the term-limited Bobby Jindal in the 2015 gubernatorial election. He lost the general election to Democrat John Bel Edwards. While conceding defeat to Edwards, Vitter announced that he would not seek reelection to his Senate seat in 2016 and would retire from office at the completion of his term. Following the conclusion of his second Senate term, Vitter became a lobbyist.

Early life and education

David Bruce Vitter was born on May 3, 1961, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the son of Audrey Malvina (née St. Raymond) and Albert Leopold Vitter. Vitter graduated in 1979 from De La Salle High School in New Orleans. While a student at De La Salle, Vitter participated in the Close Up Washington civic education program. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1983; a second B.A. from Magdalen College, Oxford in 1985, as a Rhodes Scholar; and a Juris Doctor degree in 1988 from the Tulane University Law School in New Orleans. He was a practicing lawyer, and adjunct law professor at Tulane and Loyola University New Orleans.

Vitter and his wife Wendy, a former prosecutor, have four children. Vitter's brother Jeffrey is a computer scientist who has served as chancellor of the University of Mississippi from January 2016 to January 2019.

Early political career

Louisiana House of Representatives

Vitter was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992 to 1999.

Vitter has argued for ethics reform and term limits since he was in the Louisiana Legislature in the early 1990s. As a Louisiana state legislator, Vitter successfully pushed through a term limits amendment to the state constitution to oust the largely Democratic legislature. The first election legislators affected by the reform occurred in 2007. In order to leverage the term limits advantage in that election, Vitter formed a Political Action Committee with the goal of winning a legislative Republican majority. While the Republicans saw gains, the Democrats maintained majority control.

Vitter opposed gambling during his tenure in the Louisiana House.

United States House of Representatives

Vitter won a special election to Louisiana's 1st congressional district in 1999, succeeding Republican U.S. Representative Bob Livingston, who resigned after disclosure that he had committed adultery. In the initial vote on May 1, 1999, former Congressman and Governor David C. Treen finished first with 36,719 votes (25 percent). Vitter was second, with 31,741 (22 percent), and white nationalist David Duke finished third with 28,055 votes (19 percent). Monica L. Monica, a Republican ophthalmologist, had 16 percent; State Representative Bill Strain, a conservative Democrat, finished fifth with 11 percent; and Rob Couhig, a Republican lawyer and the owner of New Orleans's minor league baseball team, garnered 6 percent. In the runoff, Vitter defeated Treen 51–49 percent.

In 2000 and 2002, Vitter was re-elected with more than 80 percent of the vote in what had become a safe Republican district.

In 2001, Vitter co-authored legislation to restrict the number of physicians allowed to prescribe RU-486, a drug used in medical abortions. The bill died in committee.

In 2003, Vitter proposed to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. In 2004, he said, "This is a real outrage. The Hollywood left is redefining the most basic institution in human history...We need a U.S. Senator who will stand up for Louisiana values, not Massachusetts values."

2003 gubernatorial election

In 2002, Vitter was preparing to run for governor in 2003, with the incumbent, Republican Mike Foster, prevented by term limits from running again. But in June 2002, shortly before the Louisiana Weekly reported on a claim from Vincent Bruno, a campaign worker for Treen in 1999, about Vitter's alleged relationship with a prostitute, Vitter dropped out of the governor's race, saying he and his wife were dealing with marital problems.

Bruno said on a New Orleans–based radio show that he had been told by a prostitute that she had interactions with Vitter. However, Treen and his campaign decided to not publicize this information during the election.

United States Senate

2004 election

Main article: 2004 United States Senate election in Louisiana

In 2004, Vitter ran to replace Democrat John Breaux in the U.S. Senate.

During the campaign, Vitter was accused by a member of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee of having had a lengthy affair with a prostitute in New Orleans. Vitter responded that the allegation was "absolutely and completely untrue" and that it was "just crass Louisiana politics."

On November 2, 2004, Vitter won the jungle primary, garnering a majority of the vote, while the rest of the vote was mostly split among the Democratic contenders.

Vitter was the first Republican in Louisiana to be popularly elected as a U.S. Senator. The previous Republican Senator, William Pitt Kellogg, was chosen by the state legislature in 1876, in accordance with the process used before the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution went into effect in 1914.

2010 election

Main article: 2010 United States Senate election in Louisiana

Vitter began fundraising for his 2010 reelection run in December 2008. He raised $731,000 in the first quarter of 2009 and $2.5 million for his 2010 campaign. He had wide leads against potential Democratic opponents in aggregate general election polling. He faced intraparty opposition from Chet D. Traylor of Monroe, a former associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, in the August 28 Republican primary election and defeated him.

He faced the Democratic U.S. Representative Charlie Melançon of Napoleonville in the November 2 general election. State Representative Ernest Wooton of Belle Chasse in Plaquemines Parish, an Independent, also ran. On November 4, 2010, Vitter was re-elected as Louisiana Senator, defeating his Democratic rival, Melancon. Vitter got 715,304 votes while Melancon got 476,423 votes. Vitter received about 57% of the total vote while Melancon got 38%. The Independent candidate Wooton finished with 8,167 votes, or 1 percent of the total cast.

Tenure

Vitter has identified himself as a political conservative throughout his political career. His legislative agenda includes positions ranging from anti-abortion to pro-gun rights while legislating against gambling, same-sex marriage, civil unions, federal funding for abortion providers, increases in the State Children's Health Insurance Program, the United Nations, and amnesty for America's illegal immigrants. Vitter's stated positions include a balanced budget constitutional amendment, abolishing the federal and state estate tax, increasing local police forces, and an assortment of health care, tax and national defense reforms.

After conceding defeat to John Bel Edwards in the 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial election, Vitter announced that he would not seek reelection to his Senate seat in 2016 and would retire from office at the completion of his term.

Abortion

In October 2007, Vitter introduced an amendment barring all federal public funds to health care providers and Planned Parenthood that provide services that include abortion. Federal law bars any funding to directly finance elective abortions in accordance with the Hyde amendment. Vitter argued that the funds are used for overhead costs that benefit the abortion services. The amendment failed to pass. Following the rejection, Vitter and others urged the Senate to pass a similar bill introduced by Vitter in January 2007. The bill failed to pass.

In January 2008, Vitter proposed an amendment to prohibit the funding of abortions with Indian Health Service funds except in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the woman is at risk. The amendment would have held future presidential administrations to an executive principle first crafted in 1982 by the Ronald Reagan White House. Vitter's amendment passed the Senate but later was stalled in the House.

Later that year, Vitter co-sponsored the Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act which – along with other oversight regulations – required doctors performing abortions to have the authority granted by a nearby hospital to admit patients. The bill was never reported to committee.

Abstinence education

Vitter advocated abstinence-only sex education, emphasizing abstinence over sex education that includes information about birth control, drawing criticism from Planned Parenthood. He said, "Abstinence education is a public health strategy focused on risk avoidance that aims to help young people avoid exposure to harm...by teaching teenagers that saving sex until marriage and remaining faithful afterwards is the best choice for health and happiness."

Automotive industry bailout

Vitter was one of 35 Senators to vote against the Big 3 Bailout bill. The financial bailout package was for GM, Chrysler, and Ford, but failed to pass on December 11, 2008. During the Senate debate Vitter referred to the approach of giving the automotive industry a financial package before they restructured as "ass-backwards". He soon apologized for the phrasing of the comment, which did not appear in the Congressional Record.

BP Horizon oil spill

In response to the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill at an offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico threatening the coast of Louisiana, Vitter introduced legislation along with Jeff Sessions of Alabama to increase the liability cap of an oil company from $75 million to its most recent annual profits (or $150 million if greater). In the case of BP, the owner of the oil lease, its liability would be $20 billion. Vitter later introduced an amendment that would remove the cap entirely for this particular spill. Competing Democratic proposals would have raised the liability to $10 billion regardless of profits or removed the cap altogether. Sessions argued that large caps unrelated to company profits would harm smaller companies.

Chemical safety

In May 2013, Vitter introduced the Chemical Safety Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act, which would have regulated the introduction of new or already existing chemicals. The bill would have given additional authority to the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate chemicals and streamline the patchwork of state laws on chemicals under federal authority.

Child protection

In April 2008, Vitter introduced an amendment to continue funding the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act which was excluded from the 2008/2009 budget. The federal program maintains a national sex offender registry, provides resources for tracking down unregistered sex offenders and increases penalties for the sexual assault of children. His amendment received bipartisan support.

Children's health insurance program

In September 2007, Vitter opposed an increase of $35 billion for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the national program to provide health care for children from families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance. He said he preferred that private health insurance provide the needed care and deemed the bill as "Hillarycare", a reference to the 1993 Clinton health care plan created by Hillary Clinton which proposed universal health care.

Ethics and term limits

Vitter refused to pledge to a voluntary term limit when running for the U.S. Congress in 1999. His opponent characterized this stance as hypocritical, and Vitter countered that unless it were universally applied, the loss of seniority would disadvantage his district. As a Senator, he has proposed term limit constitutional amendments for members of Congress three times. Vitter eventually decided to retire from the Senate in 2016 after serving two terms.

In 2007, in response to lobbying scandals involving, among others, Jack Abramoff and Duke Cunningham, Congress passed a lobbying and ethics reform package to which Vitter proposed a package of five amendments. The Senate approved three that limited which legislators' spouses could lobby the Senate, created criminal penalties for legislators and executive branch officials who falsify financial reports, and doubled the penalties for lobbyists who failed to comply with disclosure requirements. The Senate rejected prohibiting legislators from paying their families with campaign funds with some saying it was unrelated to the current legislation and others that the payments were not a problem. Additionally, they tabled his proposal to define Indian tribes as corporations and its members as shareholders so that they are required to contribute to candidates through political action committees instead of their tribal treasury. Senators objected saying that they are already subjected to campaign laws for unincorporated entities and individuals and that the proposal was singling them out unfairly. The reform package became law in September 2007.

In 2009, Vitter and Democratic former Senator Russ Feingold announced an effort to end automatic pay raises for members of Congress.

Franken Amendment

In October 2009, the Senate passed Democratic Senator Al Franken's amendment to the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that would forbid federal contractors from forcing victims of sexual assault, battery and discrimination to submit to binding arbitration (where a third-party typically chosen by the contractor adjudicates) and thereby prohibiting them from going to court. The impetus for the amendment came from the story of Jamie Leigh Jones who alleged that she was drugged and gang-raped by employees of Halliburton/KBR, a federal contractor.

The amendment passed 68 to 30 with all opposition coming from Republicans including Vitter (all four female Republicans, six other Republicans and all present Democrats voted for passage). Vitter's 2010 Democratic Senatorial opponent Charlie Melancon criticized Vitter for his vote saying, "David Vitter has refused to explain why he voted to allow taxpayer-funded companies to sweep rape charges under the rug. We can only guess what his reasons were." However, The Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker argued that the 30 senators were being "unfairly smeared for doing the harder thing, maybe even for the right reasons."

Republican senators said they voted against it because it was unenforceable, a position also taken by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Obama administration. However, the DOD and the White House stated they agreed with the intent of the legislation and suggested it would be better if it was broadened to prohibit the use of arbitration in cases of sexual assault for any business contract, not just federal contractors. Senators explained their vote against the legislation by saying it was a political attack on Halliburton and that the Senate shouldn't regulate contracts. The latter argument is countered with many examples of similar restrictions on contractors such as discrimination, bonuses and health care. Others felt it was unconstitutional and that arbitration is useful in resolving disputes, often faster, privately and cheaper.

Later, a Baton Rouge rape survivor confronted Vitter at a town hall meeting saying, " meant everything to me that I was able to put the person who attacked me behind bars ... How can you support a law that tells a rape victim that she does not have the right to defend herself?" Vitter replied, "The language in question did not say that in any way shape or form."

Gambling

Vitter opposed a bid by the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians to build a casino in Louisiana, arguing that the build site was not historically part of their tribal lands. He lobbied the Interior Department and included language in an appropriations bill to stop the casino. Although the Interior Department gave its approval, the casino has not yet been approved by the state. The Jena chief accused Vitter of ties with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who simultaneously lobbied against the casino. The chairman of the Senate committee investigating the lobbyist said, "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." In 2007 and 2008, Vitter introduced a bill to prohibit Indian casinos such as Jena's. Neither bill became law.

Gun rights

Rated "A" by the NRA Political Victory Fund, Vitter has been a consistent defender of gun rights. In April 2006, in response to firearm confiscations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Vitter was the Senate sponsor of the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act, to prohibit federal funding for the confiscation of legally held firearms during a disaster. Later, Vitter included the provisions of the act in an amendment to an appropriation bill for the Department Of Homeland Security. The bill became law in September 2006, with the amendment modified to allow for the temporary surrender of a firearm as a condition for entering a rescue or evacuation vehicle.

On April 17, 2013, Vitter voted against the Toomey-Manchin Gun Control Amendment. The amendment failed to reach the sixty senatorial votes necessary to overcome a Republican-led filibuster. The Toomey-Manchin Gun Control Amendment is a bipartisan deal on gun background checks. Under the proposal, federal background checks would be expanded to include gun shows and online sales. All such sales would be channeled through licensed firearm dealers who would be charged for keeping record of transactions. The proposal does not require background checks for private sales between individuals.

In February 2008, Vitter – along with Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo of Idaho – blocked the confirmation of Michael J. Sullivan as head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) saying Sullivan supports "burdensome regulations" on gun owners and dealers and is "overly aggressive" enforcing gun laws. An editorial writer for The Boston Globe wrote that Vitter's position was "unreasonable" because the guns Sullivan sought to control are those commonly used in crimes: those stolen or purchased on the black market. On the other hand, gun rights advocates say that many gun dealers have lost their licenses for harmless bureaucratic errors. Sullivan stayed on as acting head of the ATF until January 2009 to make way for President Barack Obama to name his own nominee.

Hurricane Katrina

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Vitter and the rest of the Louisiana congressional delegation worked to bring aid to the Gulf Coast region to rebuild broken levees, schools and hospitals, restore coastal wetlands, and provide assistance for its many victims.

In early September, Vitter said that he would give "the entire big government organized relief effort a failing grade, across the board." He said that state and local governments shared in the blame as well. Vitter's actions during Hurricane Katrina are described in historian Douglas Brinkley's May 2006 book, The Great Deluge.

In September 2007, Vitter announced that he got "a critical concession" from the White House that decreased Louisiana's obligations for hurricane recovery by $1 billion. However, the White House said that was false.

Immigration

Vitter has been actively involved with legislation concerning illegal immigrants. In June 2007, he led a group of conservative Senators in blocking the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, a piece of federal legislation that would have granted a pathway to legal residence to 12 million illegal immigrants coupled with increased border enforcement. The bill's defeat won Vitter national attention as the bill was supported by President George W. Bush, John McCain, and Ted Kennedy, among others. Vitter characterized the bill as amnesty, which supporters denied. Bush accused the bill's opponents of fear mongering.

In October 2007, Vitter introduced an amendment withholding Community Oriented Policing Services funds from any sanctuary city which bans city employees and police officers from asking people about their immigration status in violation of the Illegal Immigration Act. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, in opposition to the amendment, said these cities do not want to inquire about someone's status if they report a crime, are a victim of domestic violence or get vaccinations for their children. The amendment was defeated.

In November 2007, Vitter introduced a bill requiring banks to verify that no customer was an illegal immigrant before issuing banking or credit cards. The bill never made it out of committee.

In March 2008, Vitter reintroduced the latter two proposals and cosponsored ten of eleven other bills in a Republican package of tough immigration enforcement measures including jail time for illegal border crossing; deportation for any immigrant (legal or illegal) for a single driving while intoxicated; declaration of English as the official language (thereby terminating language assistance at voting booths and federal agencies); additional construction of a border fence; permission for local and state police to enforce immigration laws and penalties for states who issue drivers licenses to illegals. None of these proposals passed, partially because the Democratic-controlled Senate preferred a comprehensive approach which would include a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for the current population more akin to the package defeated by Vitter in 2007.

In April 2008, Vitter introduced a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that a child born in the United States is not a citizen unless a parent is a citizen, lawful permanent resident, or alien serving in the military. Currently the Constitution grants citizenship to children born within the U.S. regardless of the legal status of the parents. The bill never made it out of the Democratic-led committee.

Louisiana Family Forum earmark

In September 2007, Vitter earmarked $100,000 in federal money for a Christian group, the Louisiana Family Forum, known for challenging evolution by means of "teaching the controversy" which promotes intelligent design. According to Vitter, the earmark was "to develop a plan to promote better science education". The Times-Picayune alleged the group had close ties with Vitter. However, they have criticized Vitter for his support of Rudy Giuliani.

On October 17, 2007, the liberal organization People For the American Way, along with several other groups asked the Senate to remove the earmark. Vitter later withdrew it.

Military

In May 2008, Vitter voted with the majority, despite the opposition of Bush and other Republicans, for the passage of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to expand educational benefits for veterans similar to the level provided for returning World War II veterans in the G.I. Bill.

Network neutrality

Vitter was one of six senate Republicans to propose an amendment to a bill which would stop the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from enforcing network neutrality which they allege is a violation of the First Amendment.

New Orleans public housing

In September 2007, The Times-Picayune reported that Vitter and the Bush administration opposed a provision of The Gulf Coast Housing Recovery bill which required that every public housing apartment torn down be replaced with another form of low-income housing on a one-for-one basis. The administration testified that there was not sufficient demand for public housing units, a position contested by several senators. Vitter stated it would recreate "housing projects exactly as they were", isolated and riddled with crime. However, Mary Landrieu, the Louisiana Democratic Senator, said the intent was to make certain there were affordable places for working-class people who returned. The bill requires that demolished housing projects be replaced with mixed income communities which local housing advocates say is different from the massive public housing developments that Vitter is referring to. However, the bill does not include a ban on large-scale projects. The city housing authority is planning on replacing 4,000 low-income units with mixed-income projects providing a smaller inventory of low-income units. In December 2007, Vitter prevented the bill from leaving the committee.

Obama nominations

Vitter and Jim DeMint were the only two Senators that voted against Hillary Clinton's confirmation for the position of Secretary of State under the new Obama administration, on January 21, 2009.

He blocked President Obama's nominee for the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator until he received a written commitment on flood control issues from the nominee and FEMA. The New York Times, along with some Republican Senators, criticized Vitter for what it characterized as political posturing, given that the hurricane season was quickly approaching. He lifted his hold on May 12, 2009.

Affordable Care Act

Vitter opposed President Barack Obama's health reform legislation; he voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in December 2009, and he voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

Same-sex marriage

Vitter opposes both same-sex marriage and civil unions. In June 2006, he said "I don't believe there's any issue that's more important than this one ... I think this debate is very healthy, and it's winning a lot of hearts and minds. I think we're going to show real progress." In 2006, he told The Times-Picayune, "I'm a conservative who opposes radically redefining marriage, the most important social institution in human history."

In October 2005, at a Lafayette Parish Republican Executive Committee luncheon, Vitter compared gay marriage to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which came through the same geographical areas. Vitter said "It's the crossroads where Katrina meets Rita. I always knew I was against same-sex unions."

School board prayer

In 2005 Vitter introduced a resolution supporting prayer at school board meetings in response to an earlier district court decision that the Louisiana's Tangipahoa Parish practice of opening meetings with Christian prayers was unconstitutional. The bill died in committee after receiving little support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Vitter later reintroduced the resolution in January 2007 after a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court concluded that Christian prayers were unconstitutional but was undecided whether nonsectarian prayers were allowed. In July 2007, the full Fifth Circuit dismissed the case because of a lack of standing. The school board subsequently resumed prayer evocations but opened it to diverse community religions. Vitter's bill died in committee.

Tea Party movement

In recognition of the Tea Party protests opposing President Barack Obama's policies, Vitter proposed Senate Resolution 98, which would designate April 15 in years both 2009 and 2010 as "National TEA Party Day". As of April 2009, the bill has no cosponsors and has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary with no scheduled action.

In September 2010, Vitter signed a candidate pledge from the North Central Louisiana TEA Party Patriots. It included a promise to "Conduct myself personally and professionally in a moral and socially appropriate manner."

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

In September 2007, during hearings of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Vitter expressed serious doubts about the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea treaty concerning issues of U.S. sovereignty echoing an array of conservative groups against the treaty including the National Center for Public Policy Research, The Heritage Foundation and the Center for Security Policy. The treaty, which sets up countries' jurisdiction over their coasts and ocean including exploration and navigation rights, was supported by the Bush administration, a majority of the United States Senate, the Pentagon, the State Department and Navy as do a coalition of business and environmental groups. The committee approved the treaty 17–4, with Vitter voting no.

Water Resources and Development Act

Vitter helped write the Water Resources and Development Act for flood-control, hurricane-protection and coastal-restoration projects including $3.6 billion for Louisiana. He called it the "single most important" legislation for assisting Louisiana with its recovery from hurricane Katrina. President George W. Bush vetoed the act, objecting to its cost. Congress overrode his veto, enacting the bill.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
  • Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection
  • Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment
• Committee on Environment and Public Works
  • Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
  • Subcommittee on Oversight
  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure (Chairman)
• Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism
  • Subcommittee on Immigration and The National Interest
  • Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts
  • Subcommittee on the Constitution
• Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Chairman)

2007 prostitution scandal

In early July 2007, Vitter's phone number was included in a published list of phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates, a company owned and run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, also known as the "D.C. Madam", who was convicted by the U.S. government for running a prostitution service. Hustler identified the phone number and contacted Vitter's office to ask about his connection to Palfrey. The following day, Vitter issued a written statement in which he took responsibility for his "sin" and asked for forgiveness. On July 16, 2007, after a week of self-imposed seclusion, Vitter emerged and called a news conference. As his wife stood next to him, Vitter asked the public for forgiveness. Following Vitter's remarks, his wife Wendy Vitter spoke, but both refused to answer any questions. In 2004, Vitter had denied allegations that he had patronized prostitutes.

While the Louisiana state Republican Party offered guarded support, national Republicans offered forgiveness. The Nation predicted that the Republican Party would be in a "forgiving mood", because if he were to resign, Governor of Louisiana Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, would likely appoint a Democrat to take Vitter's place until a special election could be held, thus increasing Democratic control over the US Senate.

On September 8, 2015, reporter Derek Myers was fired from WVLA-TV after asking Vitter, who was running for governor, about allegations that the senator had frequented prostitutes. After Myers's question, Myers said an unnamed coworker overheard a conversation about the Vitter campaign's ad spending at the station, possibly with a threat from the campaign to pull the ads. Democrat John Bel Edwards released an ad about the prostitution scandal two weeks before the run-off election and won by more than 12%.

2015 gubernatorial election

Main article: 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial election

Vitter announced on January 21, 2014, that he would run for governor of Louisiana in the 2015 election. Then-Governor Bobby Jindal was ineligible to seek re-election due to term limits. Vitter was the first sitting or ex-U.S. Senator to launch a gubernatorial bid in Louisiana since 1904, when Democrat Newton Blanchard was elected. Vitter's major opponents were Republicans Scott Angelle, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner and former lieutenant governor, and Jay Dardenne, the current lieutenant governor; and Democrat John Bel Edwards, Minority Leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

In the November 21 runoff election, Edwards defeated Vitter by 56% to 44%.

Other political involvement

In 2016, Vitter succeeded after a five-year battle in passing through the Senate landmark legislation to reform the country's chemical safety laws. Vitter called the legislation a "big accomplishment. This is an area of federal law that everybody, every stakeholder, every group, whether it's some far-left environmental group or industry, said needed to be updated. The trick was getting agreement on doing that." Democratic colleague Richard Durbin of Illinois, a frequent critic of Vitter, said that if the bill is enacted with President Obama's signature "it's quite an accomplishment for him and for Congress to pass historic legislation."

Post-Senate career

After his Senate term ended, Vitter joined the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm, Mercury LLC. As of October 2019, Vitter had lobbied for sanctioned Chinese surveillance company Hikvision as well as for the Libyan Government of National Accord and the Zimbabwean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He also lobbied for the sanctioned Russian bank Sovcombank.

Electoral history

2015 Louisiana gubernatorial election

Blanket primary
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Bel Edwards	444,517	39.89%
	Republican	David Vitter	256,300	23.00%
	Republican	Scott Angelle	214,982	19.29%
	Republican	Jay Dardenne	166,656	14.96%
	Democratic	Cary Deaton	11,763	1.06%
	Democratic	S. L. Simpson	7,420	0.67%
	No party	Beryl Billiot	5,694	0.51%
	Other	Jeremy Odom	4,756	0.43%
	Other	Eric Paul Orgeron	2,248	0.20%
Total	1,114,336	100%
Runoff
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Bel Edwards	646,924	56.1%
	Republican	David Vitter	505,940	43.9%
Total	1,152,864	100%
	Democratic gain from Republican

2010 Louisiana United States Senatorial Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Vitter (inc.)	715,304	56.56%
	Democratic	Charlie Melancon	476,423	37.67%
	Libertarian	Randall Hayes	13,952	1.10%
	No party	Michael Brown	9,970	0.79%
	Other	Mike Spears	9,188	0.73%
	Other	Ernest Wooton	8,164	0.65%
	No party	Skip Galan	7,471	0.59%
	Reform	William McShan	5,879	0.46%
	Other	Bob Lang	5,732	0.45%
	No party	Milton Gordon	4,806	0.38%
	Other	Tommy LaFargue	4,042	0.32%
	No party	Sam Melton	3,779	0.30%
Total	1,264,710	100%
	Republican hold

2004 Louisiana United States Senatorial Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Vitter	943,014	51.03%
	Democratic	Chris John	542,150	29.34%
	Democratic	John Neely Kennedy	275,821	14.92%
	Democratic	Arthur A. Morrell	47,222	2.56%
	Other	Richard M. Fontanesi	15,097	0.82%
	Other	R. A. "Skip" Galan	12,463	0.67%
	Democratic	Sam Houston Melton, Jr.	12,289	0.66%
Total	1,848,056	100%
	Republican gain from Democratic

1999 Louisiana 1st District United States Congressional Election

Blanket primary
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David C. Treen	36,719	25.06%
	Republican	David Vitter	31,741	21.67%
	Republican	David Duke	28,059	19.15%
	Republican	Monica Monica	22,928	15.65%
	Democratic	Bill Strain	16,446	11.23%
	Republican	Rob Couhig	9,295	6.34%
	Democratic	Darryl P. Ward	720	0.49%
	Republican	Patrick E. Landry	344	0.23%
	Republican	S. J. LoCoco	246	0.17%
Total	146,498	100%
Runoff
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Vitter	61,661	50.75%
	Republican	David C. Treen	59,849	49.25%
Total	121,510	100%
	Republican hold

1995 Louisiana 81st District State House of Representatives Election

Party		Candidate	%
	Republican	David Vitter (inc.)	100%
Total	100%
	Republican hold

1991 Louisiana 81st District State House of Representatives Election

Party		Candidate	%
	Republican	David Vitter	68%
	Republican	Mike Reynolds	24%
	Republican	Mercedes Hernandez	8%
Total	100%
	Republican hold

See also

• List of federal political sex scandals in the United States

Footnotes

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   • Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
   • Profile at Vote Smart
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133. "Senate set to reject gay marriage ban: Backers see 'important debate'; critics blast effort to 'misdirect'", CNN, June 7, 2006
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135. "Louisiana Senator Compares Hurricanes to Gay Marriage", gayapolis.com, News, posted October 18, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
136. "S. Res. 132 (109th): A resolution expressing support for prayer at school board meetings". GovTrack.us. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
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External links

• United States Senator David Vitter official U.S. Senate website (Archived)

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Senator Vitter at BR Press Club
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Vitter.org Vitter family website maintained by brother Jeffrey Vitter

Louisiana House of Representatives
Preceded byDavid Duke	Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 81st district 1992–1999	Succeeded byJennifer Sneed Heebe
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded byBob Livingston	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st congressional district 1999–2005	Succeeded byBobby Jindal
Party political offices
Preceded byJim Donelon	Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Louisiana (Class 3) 2004, 2010	Succeeded byJohn Neely Kennedy
Preceded byBobby Jindal	Republican nominee for Governor of Louisiana 2015	Succeeded byEddie Rispone
U.S. Senate
Preceded byJohn Breaux	U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Louisiana 2005–2017 Served alongside: Mary Landrieu, Bill Cassidy	Succeeded byJohn Neely Kennedy
Preceded byJim Inhofe	Ranking Member of the Senate Environment Committee 2013–2015	Succeeded byBarbara Boxer
Preceded byMaria Cantwell	Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee 2015–2017	Succeeded byJim Risch
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byRob Portmanas Former US Senator	Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Senator	Succeeded byEvan Bayhas Former US Senator

v t e United States senators from Louisiana
Class 2	Destréhan Posey Brown Claiborne Johnson Bouligny Livingston Waggaman Nicholas Barrow Soulé Downs Benjamin Harris West Kellogg Gibson Caffery Foster Ransdell H. Long R. M. Long Ellender Edwards B. Johnston Landrieu Cassidy
Class 3	Magruder Fromentin Brown J. S. Johnston Porter Mouton Conrad Porter Johnson Soulé Slidell Kellogg Eustis Jonas Eustis White Blanchard McEnery Thornton R. Broussard Guion Gay E. Broussard Overton Feazel R. B. Long Breaux Vitter Kennedy

v t e Chairs of the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Select Committee (1950–1981)	Sparkman Thye Sparkman Smathers Bible Nelson
Full Committee (1981–)	Weicker Bumpers Bond Kerry Bond Kerry Snowe Kerry Landrieu Cantwell Vitter Risch Rubio Cardin Shaheen Ernst

v t e Members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana
1st district	E. Livingston White H. Johnson White Slidell La Sére St. Martin Dunbar Eustis Bouligny Sypher Lawrence Gibson Hunt St. Martin Wilkinson Meyer Estopinal O'Connor Fernández Hébert Tonry B. Livingston Vitter Jindal Scalise
2nd district	Gurley Thomas Ripley Chinn Dawson la Branche Thibodeaux Conrad Bullard J. A. Landry Hunt Taylor Mann Sheldon Ellis Hahn Wallace Lagan Coleman Lagan Davey Buck Davey Gilmore Dupré Spearing Maloney H. Boggs Maloney H. Boggs L. Boggs Jefferson Cao Richmond Carter
3rd district	Brent Overton Bullard Garland J. Moore Dawson Harmanson Penn Perkins Davidson Newsham Darrall Acklen Darrall Kellogg Gay Price Broussard Martin Montet Mouton Domengeaux Willis Caffery Treen Tauzin Melançon J. M. Landry Boustany Higgins
4th district	Bossier Morse J. Moore Jones Sandidge Landrum Vidal Newsham McCleery Boarman Smith Levy Elam Blanchard Ogden Breazeale Watkins Sandlin Brooks Waggonner Leach Roemer McCrery Fields McCrery Fleming M. Johnson
5th district	Blackburn Morey Spencer Leonard Young King Newton Boatner Baird Ransdell Elder Wilson Mills McKenzie Passman Huckaby McCrery Cooksey Alexander McAllister Abraham Letlow
6th district	Nash E. Robertson Lewis Irion E. Robertson S. Robertson Favrot Wickliffe Morgan Sanders Sr. Favrot Kemp Sanders Jr. Griffith Sanders Jr. Morrison Rarick H. Moore Baker Cazayoux Cassidy Graves Fields
7th district	Pujo Lazaro De Rouen Plauché Larcade Thompson Edwards Breaux Hayes John Boustany
8th district	Aswell Overton Dear Allen G. S. "Doc" Long McSween G. W. Long S. Long G. W. Long C. Long Holloway
At-large	Robertson Butler Johnston Sheridan
Territory	Clark Poydras

v t e Louisiana's delegation(s) to the 106th–114th United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)

106th Senate: ▌J. Breaux (D) ▌M. Landrieu (D) House: ▌B. Livingston (R) ▌B. Tauzin (R) ▌R. Baker (R) ▌J. McCrery (R) ▌W. Jefferson (D) ▌J. Cooksey (R) ▌C. John (D) ▌D. Vitter (R) 107th Senate: ▌J. Breaux (D) ▌M. Landrieu (D) House: ▌B. Tauzin (R) ▌R. Baker (R) ▌J. McCrery (R) ▌W. Jefferson (D) ▌J. Cooksey (R) ▌C. John (D) ▌D. Vitter (R) 108th Senate: ▌J. Breaux (D) ▌M. Landrieu (D) House: ▌B. Tauzin (R) ▌R. Baker (R) ▌J. McCrery (R) ▌W. Jefferson (D) ▌C. John (D) ▌D. Vitter (R) ▌R. Alexander (D) 109th Senate: ▌M. Landrieu (D) ▌D. Vitter (R) House: ▌R. Baker (R) ▌J. McCrery (R) ▌W. Jefferson (D) ▌R. Alexander (R) ▌C. Boustany (R) ▌B. Jindal (R) ▌C. Melançon (D) 110th Senate: ▌M. Landrieu (D) ▌D. Vitter (R) House: ▌R. Baker (R) ▌J. McCrery (R) ▌W. Jefferson (D) ▌R. Alexander (R) ▌C. Boustany (R) ▌B. Jindal (R) ▌C. Melançon (D) ▌D. Cazayoux (D) ▌S. Scalise (R) 111th Senate: ▌M. Landrieu (D) ▌D. Vitter (R) House: ▌R. Alexander (R) ▌C. Boustany (R) ▌C. Melançon (D) ▌S. Scalise (R) ▌J. Cao (R) ▌B. Cassidy (R) ▌J. Fleming (R) 112th Senate: ▌M. Landrieu (D) ▌D. Vitter (R) House: ▌R. Alexander (R) ▌C. Boustany (R) ▌S. Scalise (R) ▌B. Cassidy (R) ▌J. Fleming (R) ▌J. Landry (R) ▌C. Richmond (D) 113th Senate: ▌M. Landrieu (D) ▌D. Vitter (R) House: ▌R. Alexander (R) ▌C. Boustany (R) ▌S. Scalise (R) ▌B. Cassidy (R) ▌J. Fleming (R) ▌C. Richmond (D) ▌V. McAllister (R) 114th Senate: ▌D. Vitter (R) ▌B. Cassidy (R) House: ▌C. Boustany (R) ▌S. Scalise (R) ▌J. Fleming (R) ▌C. Richmond (D) ▌R. Abraham (R) ▌G. Graves (R)

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