Washington Watch for Monday, June 11, 2012

Washington briefs: Ceremony still irks Fleming 

U.S. Rep. John Fleming, R-Minden, continued to rail Friday against a same-sex commitment ceremony held privately last month at the Army’s Fort Polk training base near Leesville.

Appearing on CNN, Fleming argued the media attention was distracting from the base’s mission of developing “military readiness.”

The same-sex ceremony held weeks ago was not receiving media attention until Fleming denounced it Wednesday as the “liberal social experiment with our military.”

“We don’t need these kinds of distractions,” Fleming said of the ceremony during his CNN appearance.

He also referred to the commitment ceremony as a “protest ceremony” turning the military base into a “social test tube.”

“The point is a military base is not the place for that,” he said.

The commitment ceremony led by a military chaplain is not legally binding in any way in Louisiana because the state bans both same-sex marriages and civil unions.

Getting his game on

Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, touted Friday on Twitter that he has begun, “Practicing for the big game!”

The big game to which Richmond is referring is the 51st annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game on June 28 between Democrats and Republicans.

Richmond was the buzz of the Capitol last year as the freshman congressman made his mark with a dominating pitching and hitting performance in the 8-2 win for the Democrats.

Richmond’s pitches reportedly hit 80 mph.

A write up in Thursday’s edition of Roll Call noted, “The ‘Cedric Richmond Show’ was bringing the heat Wednesday morning in preparation” for the game.

Landry goes green (his way)

Rep. Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia, is continuing to attack President Barack Obama’s efforts to promote green energy projects.

Landry successfully attached an amendment onto a larger energy and water bill that passed the House on Wednesday that would cut off funding for a federal media campaign that touts green energy alternatives and the efforts to reduce the nation’s oil reliance.

“Our government should get out of the business of picking winners and losers,” Landry said in a note touting the amendment. “Moreover, the American people know far better than any government official what energy sources work best for their families.”

Landry’s note then went on to tout the nation’s oil and gas industries.

Landrieu works to aid rice

The Senate began work this past week on the reauthorization of the federal farm bill and Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., touted her involvement involving Louisiana rice growers.

In a prepared statement, Landrieu said she has been speaking with Louisiana rice growers about concerns that the bill does not include adequate federal support programs and disproportionately reduces federal support for rice, compared to other commodities.

“I strongly support the goal of reauthorizing the Farm Bill to support the continued success of agriculture in Louisiana and across the country,” Landrieu stated. “However, I share the concerns of Louisiana’s rice growers that the legislation in its current form does not provide the necessary safety net for rice, particularly compared to other commodities. As the Senate moves forward on this legislation, I will continue pushing to improve provisions that affect our rice growers, so that we pass a bill that is as strong as possible for all Louisiana farmers.”

Vitter staffers to visit

The staff of Sen. David Vitter, R-La., will host constituents at satellite offices on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in areas near Baton Rouge.

The satellite office schedule:

• Monday, 11 a.m. to noon, at the Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury meeting room in New Roads.
• Monday, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the East Feliciana Parish Police Jury office in Clinton.
• Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., at the Livingston Parish Government Building.
• Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the St. Francisville Town Hall for West Feliciana Parish constituents.
• Thursday, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., at the Courthouse Council Chamber in Plaquemine for Iberville Parish constituents.

Compiled by Jordan Blum, chief of The Advocate’s Washington bureau. His email address is [e-mail].