[StBernard] E-Update From Senator David Vitter

[Westley Annis]

IN THIS ISSUE

PHOTO SPOTLIGHT
REMEMBERING RITA 
SERVING AS A WRDA CONFEREE 
FIGHTING TO ALLOW THE REIMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 
PROTECTING OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS 

We have worked on many important issues this week as the U.S. Senate
prepares to adjourn for a recess working period in the state.  One
particularly important issue right now is the Water Resources Development
Act (WRDA).  The U.S. Senate Majority Leader recently sent WRDA to
conference committee so that the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S.
Senate can come to an agreement on the legislation.  WRDA is vital to
Louisiana and will play an important role in critical hurricane recovery
issues, and I am honored to have been named a conferee on this committee.

Another important issue we addressed this week was the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.  The bill was passed by the House and
Senate and included two of my amendments.  One of these amendments allows
the reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada.  All Americans deserve
access to cheaper, quality prescription drugs, and my amendment gives access
to that.  The other amendment protects U.S. citizens' Second Amendment
rights during times of natural disasters.  

Many pressing issues are facing the U.S. Congress, and following you can
read my thoughts on a few of them.

 David Vitter

Remembering Rita

Last week marked the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Rita.  Rita was the
fourth-most-intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and caused an estimated
$9.4 billion in damage.  Rita was one of the most destructive hurricanes of
our time but has not received the attention her victims deserve.  That is
why I have been fighting against Rita amnesia and fighting for the hurricane
victims in Southwest Louisiana.   

Over the last year I have worked to expand relief packages, grants and tax
credits to aid those affected by Rita.  I fought to secure $1.6 billion for
students and schools in the region, as well as $12.1 billion in Community
Development Block Grants to spur economic improvement and to aid homeowners.
I promise to continue to fight tirelessly for the victims of Hurricane Rita
and to help them receive the aid they deserve.  

To read more about the one-year anniversary of Rita, please visit here
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/VittersView&ID=7b2b4018-7fe9-472
5-a66a-cc76926631d3> . 


Serving as a WRDA Conferee 

Last week U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist named me a conferee on the
House-Senate conference committee charged with producing a final agreement
on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).  The WRDA legislation is
essential to Louisiana because it contains Corps of Engineers projects
throughout the state, which are so important following Hurricanes Rita and
Katrina.

As a WRDA conferee I will be able to provide leadership on the issues that
are so important to Louisiana.  I will continue to press for the closure of
the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MR-GO), fundamental reform of the Corps
of Engineers and funding for Morganza to the Gulf.  I will also work to
ensure that a Water Resources Council is established to manage and oversee
the implementation of a state-wide plan for the Corps that will address
issues such as hurricane protection, ecosystem restoration and flood
protection.  

To hear more about the WRDA Conference Committee, please visit this link
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=a7ae0930-aa4e-455c-
b6b3-6b4ca5797b49> .




Fighting to Allow the Reimportation of Prescription Drugs

We scored a major victory this week in the fight to lower prescription drug
costs for folks all around the country and throughout Louisiana,
particularly our seniors.  My amendment to allow all Americans to buy safe,
cheaper prescription drugs from Canada was included in the final version of
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.  This is
something the pharmaceutical companies have fought against for years.  

I have been fighting for it for several years going back to my years in the
U.S. House of Representatives, and finally we made a breakthrough.  We have
further to go, but this is a huge step forward.  And I think it's a sign
that a full reimportation bill - to allow us to buy those safe, cheaper
prescription drugs from other countries through the mail and internet - is
on the way.  

To hear more about the amendment please visit this link
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=5ce075ed-62fd-4f7d-
bf28-772b6529b780> .



Protecting Our Second Amendment Rights

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill gave us another
major victory by including my amendment to protect U.S. citizens' Second
Amendment rights.  Hurricane Katrina showed us the importance of making sure
our Second Amendment rights are protected in times of a natural disaster,
and my amendment makes it illegal to confiscate legally-owned firearms from
law abiding U.S. citizens based purely on the declaration of a major
disaster or emergency.  

After Hurricane Katrina, at a time when local authorities were overwhelmed
and law and order had broken down, residents of New Orleans were forced to
forfeit their only means of protecting themselves.  This is not fair, and I
am very pleased that the final homeland security bill will prevent this in
the future and provide basic Second Amendment protections to each and every
law abiding citizen.

To read more about these Second Amendment protections, please visit this
link
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/VittersView&ID=8a61b793-bd25-440
2-85c5-c4267622eda6> .