Printable Version Tell a friend

For Vitter, No ‘Luvfest’ For Our Troops

(Baton Rouge) Last night, Senator David Vitter voted against the Department of Defense Authorization Bill. The bill, which passed the Senate overwhelmingly, will provide a pay raise for U.S. military personnel, expanded health care benefits for returned soldiers and funding to continue the fight against Al Qaeda. The bill also authorizes upgrades in equipment, training and technology aimed at making U.S. troops safer and more effective in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Somewhere half way across the world, there’s a soldier from Louisiana wondering why David Vitter doesn’t think he deserves a raise and the right tools to keep our country safe,” said Louisiana Democratic Party spokesman Kevin Franck. “Unfortunately, that’s a question only David Vitter can answer.”

In 2005, Vitter opposed a bill to protect the salaries of members of the National Guard deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Later that year, he voted against providing armored vehicles to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

“For most Louisianans, giving our brave troops a pay raise and the support they need to keep our country safe is a no-brainer, but apparently David Vitter has other priorities,” Franck added.

The Department of Defense Authorization Bill directs all U.S. Defense spending for the upcoming year, including:

•  A 3.4% pay raise across the board for all military personnel.
• Improvements to the healthcare our soldiers receive once they return home.
• Increased funding for upgraded equipment, training, and technology to keep our troops safe and prepared that include, among other items, mine resistant military vehicles and all terrain Full funding for military readiness, making sure military equipment is sound.
• Authorization for enhanced capacity and funding for the U.S. military to continue to fight the war against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and to keep America safe from terrorism.
• Aggressive oversight of the Department of Defense to ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are best used to ensure America’s security.

###

Vitter Voted Twice Against Protecting Soldiers’ Salaries When Forced to Take Leave From Work For Iraq Deployment. In 2005, Vitter tried to kill a proposal to require that federal employees who take a leave without pay to serve as a member of the military or National Guard be reimbursed for the difference between their salary and thepay and allowances they receive while on duty. [Vote 91, 4/13/05] 

Vitter Twice Voted Against Funding for Armored Vehicles.  In October 2005, Vitter joined the majority of his Republican colleagues and voted against an amendment to the Defense Appropriations for $360.8 million to provide armored vehicles to American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. In April, Vitter voted against an amendment offered by Senator Kennedy which would provide an addition $213 million to ensure that Humvee production remained at its maximum level through the fiscal year.  [Vote 248, 10/5/05; Vote 108, 4/21/05]

Paid for by the Louisiana Democratic Party, 701 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.