Tuesday, Mar. 9
March 9, 2010
Sheriff’s ranges give public a new target
March 11, 2010A Louisiana congressman is quitting the House Budget Committee.
A spokeswoman for Democratic Congressman Charlie Melancon confirmed Thursday that he is stepping down from the panel.
Robin Winchell said Melancon is quitting the budget panel so that he can focus more of his efforts on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which deals with oil and gas industry issues important to Louisiana.
Melancon is currently running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican David Vitter.
Vitter, in a news release, accused Melancon of stepping down from the budget panel to avoid votes on spending measures supported by President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Winchell, in an e-mail, said that was not the case, adding, “Although he will not be a member of the Budget Committee, he will continue to work with the Blue Dog Coalition to advance fiscally responsible budgets.”
Asked if Melancon was pressured off the committee because he voted against health care legislation favored by his fellow Democrats, Winchell said he was not.
“He came to the decision entirely on his own,” she said.
