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Citizens United Joins Vitter Push Against Health Benefits for Congress, Staff (Video)

(Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
(Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Sen. David Vitter took his campaign against federal employer-provided health benefits to a new level on Monday night.

The Louisiana Republican appeared on the Fox News program “Hannity” along with David Bossie of the conservative group Citizens United to launch a new advertising effort in favor of the Vitter amendment that includes a fundraising effort for Citizens United.

“We’re really excited about this, being able to take it to the American people so that they can rise up and say look, enough is enough. Congress, you can’t pass a law that by the way is so bad it can’t be rolled out in a competent way for anyone but themselves,” Bossie said. “That’s just plain wrong.”

Vitter said he’s still seeking to get a vote on the amendment that would overturn an Office of Personnel Management ruling allowing members of Congress and their staffs to keep the federal contribution to their health care as they transition onto the exchanges set up under Obamacare. Vitter and like-minded colleagues consider the continuation of the benefits an “exemption” from the health care law.

Host Sean Hannity had an exchange with Vitter in which the two discussed potential effects on Democratic incumbents from conservative states, including his home-state colleague Mary L. Landrieu.

“So far, she’s dug in her heels and is resisting it,” Vitter said. “Now, we need a vote on the Senate floor. I’m fighting for that. We don’t have it yet, but we’ll get one.”

To date, there’s been no agreement for a vote on the Vitter amendment, though as a contentious non-germane proposal, it would all but certainly require 60 votes for adoption.

Vitter and Bossie unveiled this ad on Hannity’s program:

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