[StBernard] E-Update From Senator David Vitter

[Westley Annis]

IN THIS ISSUE

URGING PASSAGE OF OFFSHORE REVENUE SHARING AND WRDA THIS YEAR 
FUNDING LOUISIANA PRIORITIES IN THE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION BILL
TRAVELING AROUND LOUISIANA 

The U.S. Senate came back this week after spending the month of October in
recess.  There are only a few weeks left in the 109th Congress, but there is
still much to be done.  Two big Louisiana bills - offshore revenue sharing
and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) - will be brought up in the
next few weeks, and I am anxious to try to get them passed and signed into
law.  Both are extremely important for Louisiana, and I have been working
hard with the other members of the Louisiana congressional delegation to
make sure they are passed.

During October when the U.S. Senate was in recess, I took time to travel
around the state and visit with constituents.  I always look forward to my
time traveling around Louisiana and meeting folks from across the state.


Following you can read more about my work on revenue sharing, WRDA, funding
for Louisiana projects, traveling the state and other key issues for
Louisiana families. 

 David Vitter

P.S. - Please feel free to forward the newsletter to your friends, neighbors
and business associates, and encourage them to sign up for their own copy by
visiting my Web site at http://vitter.senate.gov/.  




Urging Passage of Offshore Revenue Sharing and WRDA This Year

The U.S. Senate resumed session this week, and I am still working to get an
offshore revenue sharing bill and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)
passed.  The revenue sharing bill would ensure that Louisiana gets its fair
share of offshore royalties from oil and gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
The funding from the activity in the Gulf would be used for Louisiana
projects, such as comprehensive hurricane protection, coastal restoration
and infrastructure protection for the future.

Passing the WRDA bill is almost as important as passing a revenue sharing
bill.  As a conferee on the U.S House-Senate conference committee I have
inserted crucial language on reforming the Corps of Engineers, closing MRGO,
building Morganza to the Gulf and other key projects for Louisiana.
Discussions are ongoing, and I am hopeful that this bill will be passed into
law by the end of the year.

To read more about revenue sharing and WRDA, please visit this link
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=deecbc75-3ae9-4a67-
88fd-58dbe5de2411> .
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=deecbc75-3ae9-4a67-
88fd-58dbe5de2411>  


Funding Louisiana Priorities in the Military Construction Bill

This week the U.S. Senate voted on and passed the Veterans
Administration-Military Construction Appropriations Bill.  The bill included
$6.307 million for the Belle Chasse Joint Reserve Base and $9.8 million for
Fort Polk.  I am glad my colleagues saw how important this funding is for
Louisiana and our military.

At the Reserve Base in Belle Chasse the funding will be used for a Military
Entrance Processing Center.  The Department of Defense will use this center
to process civilians entering the military.  At Fort Polk the funding will
be used to construct new headquarters for the Fourth Brigade/10th Mountain
Division.  A new facility is vital to support the brigade's mission
capabilities.  

The bill will now be sent to a House-Senate Conference Committee before
final passage.

To read more about the funding, please visit here
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=pressroom/presslist> .
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=pressroom/presslist>  




Traveling Around Louisiana

I spent much of October traveling around Louisiana visiting with
constituents.  I visited with folks in and around Pineville, Shreveport,
Monroe, Jennings, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.  

I always enjoy meeting Louisianians and hearing your thoughts and opinions
firsthand.  Some of the highlights of my visit included touring the
Feist-Weiller Cancer Center in Shreveport, touring the Army National Guard
Facility in Lafayette and speaking to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.  

In the coming months I will continue my town hall meetings, traveling to all
64 parishes over the next two years.  Please check my website to see when I
am going to be in your parish.