Vitter Seeks Ethics Investigation of Reid, Boxer Over Prostitution Amendment

[n2doc]

Source: Rollcall

Updated 5:06 p.m. | Sen. David Vitter is pushing back against a legislative proposal that alludes to his prior connection to a prostitution scandal.

In a letter to the Senate Ethics Committee, the Louisiana Republican seeks an investigation of Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Ethics Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., contending that the offices of the two senators are running afoul of the rules with “attempted bribery.”

Politico reported that Senate Democrats have drafted an amendment to pending energy efficiency legislation that would keep lawmakers from getting employer contributions for their federal health benefits in the new health exchanges under Obamacare if there is “probable cause” that the lawmaker solicited prostitutes.

Vitter has admitted to a “serious sin” but did not fully admit to being a client of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, better known as the “D.C. Madam.” His phone number, however, did show up in the investigation of Palfrey. Because the alleged solicitation took place before Vitter arrived in the Senate, the Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against him back in 2008.

Read more: http://blogs.rollcall.com/wgdb/vitter-seeks-ethics-investigation-of-reid-boxer-over-prostitution-amendment/

[Kingofalldems]

1. Nice.

[warrant46]

9. To Vitter

To vitter

Named for Senator David Vitter from Louisiana. In July 2007, Senator Vitter was exposed as a client of the DC Madame. Later investigations showed that Vitter was also a client of the Canal Street Brothel in New Orleans. Further investigations revealed Vitter's sexual diaper fetish.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

2. Vitter just needs a hug

or Huggies, actually.

[Autumn]

3. Sounds like Vitter has a rash and it's making him grouchy

[QuestForSense]

4. He's like a big baby who needs changing.

[wandy]

5. Once again the Onion is hired to write the congressional record. nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

6. Seems pretty childish all around.

What is the legislative history of this amendment?

What does energy efficiency legislation have to do with employer contributions with federal health benefits?

And what does any of that have to do with prostitution?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. 'Twas a step toward corruption when the Senate & House allowed unrelated riders to legislation. nt

[appal_jack]

12. Do you happen to know when that began?

Do you happen to know when that began? I agree that allowing unrelated riders to legislation corrupts and obfuscates the law making process.



-app

[Bernardo de La Paz]

13. Apparently right from the beginning there were no restrictions on riders.

To counteract riders, 43 of the 50 U.S. states have provisions in their state constitutions allowing the use of line item vetos so that the executive can veto single objectionable items within a bill, without affecting the main purpose or effectiveness of the bill. In addition, the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 was passed to allow the President of the United States to veto single objectionable items within bills passed by Congress, but the Supreme Court struck down the act as unconstitutional in Clinton v. City of New York.

It could be corrected by Senate and House rules if they would be respected, but politicians find riders too useful.

It's one way they can slip pork and earmarks and vindictive crap into bills in the middle of the night.

[appal_jack]

18. Thanks. I'll need to re-read that Supreme Court decision.

Thanks. I'll need to re-read the Supreme Court decision of Clinton v.City of New York. I recall being unimpressed at the time, but that was long ago.

Of all the executive over-reach powers that have been arrogated to the Presidency during my lifetime, why was a seemingly sensible one like the line item veto the one to go down? Is it really too much to ask Congress to stick to one subject per bill?

Oh well, la lucha continua.

-app

[livingwagenow]

7. Someone has a poopy diaper.. knr nt

[gopiscrap]

10. Vitter? you mean Vitter? that diaper wearing, mommy please spank me asshole?

he's gotta a lot of moral ground to stand on!!!! NOT!!!!

[muntrv]

11. Cuz if anyone knows about prostitution, it's diaper Vitter.

[dsharp88]

14. Way to keep the story alive, Vitter! LOL

What a fool.

[WillyT]

15. Bwahahahahahahahahaha...

Thank you for that...

[OregonBlue]

16. Best laugh I've had all day!!! Thanks.

[47of74]

17. Awww, the Democrats are being soooooooo mean to poor Diaper Vitter.

[Jamastiene]

19. LOL

LOL!

ROFL!

[Doctor_J]

20. I agree

Let's keep this matter in view of everyone for as long as possible. Boxer and Reid should use the word "diaper" as often as possible.

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

21. Let's all send diapers to Vitter's D.C. office,

preferably used, full ones!

[DisgustipatedinCA]

22. If he doesn't want to talk about prostitutes, we need to respect that.

Lets talk about his diaper fetish instead.

[jmowreader]

23. I have a better amendment

It would keep lawmakers from getting employer contributions for their federal health benefits in the new health exchanges under Obamacare if they ever sponsored, co-sponsored or voted "aye" on any bill whose intent, in whole or in part, was to repeal or defund Obamacare.