[StBernard] E Update 01 20 11 Renewing Our Commitment to Democracy

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Fri Jan 21 03:58:57 EST 2011


e-update
1.20.11



Like all Americans, my wife Wendy and I were shocked and saddened by the
news of the recent shootings at Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' constituent meeting
in Tucson, Arizona. We continue to remember in prayer Rep. Giffords and the
rest of those injured as they recover, as well as the families of all who
were killed.



We cannot let this horrible assault on good people - and on our very
democracy - deter us from exercising our freedoms as Americans and standing
up for what we believe is best for our country. I consider it a privilege
each day to serve as your U.S. Senator in Washington, D.C., and to carry
your concerns with me to the halls of Congress. As the new Congress works
in the weeks and months ahead to address the many issues facing our nation,
rest assured that I will continue fighting for what's best for all of us in
Louisiana.

David Vitter

NEW SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Each year, I have the privilege of recommending outstanding young men and
women from Louisiana for admission to our United States Service Academies.
This year's nominees have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership
potential and a commitment to service that will be great assets to our
nation. I was pleased to select a distinguished and well-qualified group of
nominees from around the state, and I wish them all well as they continue in
the admissions process. If you or someone you know would like more
information about the academy nominations process, click here
<http://vitter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.Ac
ademyNominations> .

OPPOSING THE EPA'S HARMFUL NEW REGULATIONS

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced its intentions to
bypass Congress and the American people and impose regulations promoted by
far-left environmentalists. The proposed regulation on emissions - if
allowed to be enacted - could cripple Louisiana's economy. EPA's effort to
regulate carbon dioxide is particularly disturbing to Louisiana business
owners, workers and consumers. If the EPA is allowed to implement its stated
objective, this move could bring about significant job loss and increased
prices on gas and household utilities like your electric bill - something no
Louisiana family needs in these trying economic times.

In 2009, I was the first member of Congress to challenge the radical
environmentalists' attempt to regulate greenhouse gases by introducing a
bill declaring that carbon dioxide, methane from agriculture and livestock,
and water vapor are not air pollutants. Therefore, they should not be
regulated by the federal government. These regulations through cap-and-tax
could cause as much economic havoc in Louisiana as the ongoing de facto
moratorium has caused. I will remain at the forefront of this issue and
fight against any attempts by the administration to implement policies that
will harm Louisiana jobs.

COMMISSION REPORT FAILS TO ADDRESS MORATORIUM

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore
Drilling recently released its detailed report on the spill. The report is
credible and helpful in a number of ways, but I was sorely disappointed that
no mention was made of the Gulf still being virtually shut down nine months
after the fact. This ongoing "permitorium" is completely unnecessary and
counterproductive. Statements in the report suggesting that the horrible
misjudgments that led to this incident are systemic are overstated and
simply not supported by facts. You can view some of my additional comments
in reaction to the report here
<http://vitter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Multimedia.Video&Video
_id=75f37a0f-efef-cbfb-fa96-8b0b80bcf299&PageNum=1> .






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