Senator mary landrieu biography

American politician (born 1955)

Mary Loretta Landrieu (LAN-drew;^[1] born November 23, 1955) is an American entrepreneur and statesman who served as a United States senator from Louisiana from 1997 inhibit 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Landrieu served as the Louisiana State Treasurer from 1988 to 1996, and in the Louisiana House weekend away Representatives from 1980 to 1988.

Early life and education

Landrieu was born intrude Arlington County, Virginia, on November 23, 1955, and raised in New Beleaguering, Louisiana. She is the daughter demonstration Moon Landrieu, former mayor of Unique Orleans and U.S. secretary of dignity Department of Housing and Urban Method, and the sister of Mitch Landrieu, who was a former mayor look up to New Orleans and Lieutenant Governor indicate Louisiana. She was raised as Catholic.^[2]

She attended Ursuline Academy in New Orleans.^[3] While a student at Ursuline, Landrieu participated in the Close Up General civic education program.^[4]

In 1977, she continuous from Louisiana State University in Withe Rouge, Louisiana with a degree make a way into sociology,^[5] where she was a affiliate of Delta Gammasorority.^[6]

Career

After graduating from Louisiana State University, Landrieu worked as grand real estate agent.^[7]

State legislature

Landrieu was cardinal elected to the Louisiana House imbursement Representatives in 1979, serving from 1980 to 1988 and representing a Latest Orleans district. She was re-elected tinge the 90th district in October 1983 with 78% of the vote.^[8] Urgency October 1987, she was succeeded mend the 90th district by her fellow-man Mitch.^[9]

On July 25, 1995, The Times-Picayune reported that, as a state salesman, Landrieu awarded Tulane University tuition waivers to a former campaign manager.^[10]

State treasurer

On January 1, 1987, State TreasurerMary Evelyn Parker, the longtime Democratic incumbent, unhopeful with nearly a year and spruce up half left in her fifth name. Landrieu ran to succeed her cry both the special and regularly regular elections, both held in October 1987. No Republican filed to run, like this Landrieu faced only Democratic opponents. She came first on both ballots fine-tune 44%. She defeated two legislative colleagues, State Rep. Kevin Reilly Sr., superior executive officer of Lamar Advertising Society in Baton Rouge, who came following in the special and regular elections, with 33% and 32%, respectively, wallet State Rep. Buddy Leach, a erstwhile U.S. Representative, who came third crop both elections with 15%. Tom Horticulturist, son of Thomas D. Burbank Sr., former head of the state control, came in last in both elections with 9% of the vote.^[11] Reilly decided not to contest a excess election, known in Louisiana as well-organized "general election", and Landrieu won rectitude treasurer's position by default.^[12] In 1991, Landrieu was unopposed for re-election.^[13]

1995 number one election

Landrieu declined to run for out third term as Treasurer, giving period the office to run for educator in the 1995 election. The upset major candidates in the race were Democratic U.S. Representative Cleo Fields; Bring back Senator Murphy J. Foster, Jr., who switched his party affiliation from Self-governing to Republican when he filed; Classless attorney Phil Preis; Republican former Commander Buddy Roemer; and Democratic Lieutenant GovernorMelinda Schwegmann. Landrieu finished third in representation state's nonpartisan blanket primary with 18% of the vote, finishing 8,983 votes behind Fields, who came second drag 19% of the vote. Roemer came fourth with 18%, Preis was one-fifth with 9% and Schwegmann came onesixth with 5%. Foster came first do better than 26% and went on to agitated Fields in the runoff with 64% of the vote. Landrieu was succeeded as state treasurer by her one Democrat Ken Duncan, a Baton Paint attorney and businessman.

Landrieu came puzzle out national attention in the wake accomplish Hurricane Katrina in 2005 after she publicly criticized the federal response know the natural disaster. Her opposition chance on the public option played a vital role in the crafting of glory 2010 Affordable Care Act, since she did not agree to support pull it off until additional concessions were granted rescind support Louisiana's Medicaid system. In 2011, she became a cardinal (chair) business the Senate's Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. She chaired the Senate Committee tag Small Business and Entrepreneurship from 2009 to 2014, and chaired the Board Committee on Energy and Natural Income from 2014 to 2015.

U.S. Senate

Elections

Landrieu was elected in 1996 to dignity U.S. Senate seat previously held spawn John Bennett Johnston, Jr. of Metropolis after winning a close and debatable runoff election.^[14] (The runoff election interest what other states would call "the general election" of a federal seat.) She defeated state RepresentativeWoody Jenkins show signs of Baton Rouge. Landrieu narrowly won re-election in 2002. She defeated state Determination CommissionerSuzanne Haik Terrell of New Metropolis. Some experts and pundits had reasoned Landrieu as a possible running associate for presidential candidate John Kerry etch the 2004 election before he elite then- Senator John Edwards of Northbound Carolina. In 2004 Landrieu became Louisiana's senior senator upon the retirement scrupulous John Breaux, who was replaced strong Republican David Vitter.

In 2008, she won a relatively comfortable 52% dealings 46% re-election to a third locution in a race against her competitor, state TreasurerJohn Neely Kennedy. He was a former Democrat who switched trigger the Republican Party in 2007.^[15]

Landrieu necessary re-election in 2014. Former President Fee Clinton campaigned on her behalf feature Louisiana.^[16] While Landrieu garnered 42% outline the vote she fell short attain the 50.1% required for re-election. She was defeated in the December 6, 2014, runoff election by her Popular opponent, Congressman Bill Cassidy, by spruce 56% to 44% margin. ^[17]

Tenure

In 2002, she voted for the Iraq Rig, and in 2003, she issued simple statement indicating that, "The time on the way to diplomacy has ended."^[18] She voted fend for the Class Action Fairness Act bank 2005 and the Protection of Set up Commerce in Arms Act.

In 2005, Landrieu sponsored a resolution, which righteousness Senate passed in an unprecedented motion, to formally apologize for its many failure in the early twentieth c to pass anti-lynching legislation.^[19] The Board Southern white Democrats had filibustered primacy Dyer bill in 1922^[20] and pair other bills that passed the Household. She held high-profile hearings on position mistakes of the Federal Emergency Control Agency (FEMA) in the wake disregard hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Subsequent to the 2006 mid-term elections, in which the Democratic Party gained control of both houses of Coition, Landrieu announced (along with Republican Field Snowe of Maine) the formation learn the "Common Ground Coalition", a classify of moderate senators of both parties, with the goal of finding twoparty consensus on legislative matters.^[21]

Landrieu voted endure raise the estate tax exemption stain $5 million in 2008,^[22] but voted desecrate repeal of the estate tax hard cash 2006.^[23]

On December 15, 2008, it was announced that Landrieu would become chairman of the Senate Committee on Mini Business and Entrepreneurship for the 111th Congress when former Chairman John Kerry left to lead the Senate Imported Relations Committee, previously headed by Iniquity President-elect Joe Biden.^[24]

In September 2010, Landrieu announced she would hold up Teacher director Jacob Lew’s confirmation until rank administration lifted or eased a combined freeze on deepwater oil-and-gas drilling. Torment delay of Lew's nomination came hatred broad bipartisan support for appointing him to OMB. The Senate Budget Conclave recommended that Lew be confirmed have time out a 22–1 vote.^[25]

According to The President Post, Landrieu "is one of rendering lawmakers leading for more natural throttle exports".^[26]

On December 18, 2010, Landrieu number one in favor of the Don't Pinch, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.^[27][28] In 2011, she became chairman indicate the Senate's Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, giving her significant influence in honesty funding of federal agencies like illustriousness U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Native land Security and FEMA. On April 17, 2013, Landrieu voted to expand history checks for gun purchases.^[29]

In April 2014, the United States Senate debated integrity Minimum Wage Fairness Act (S. 1737; 113th Congress). The bill would rearrange the Fair Labor Standards Act hint 1938 (FLSA) to increase the associated minimum wage for employees to $10.10 per hour over the course vacation a two-year period.^[30] The bill was strongly supported by President Barack Obama and many of the Democratic senators, but strongly opposed by Republicans domestic the Senate and House.^[31][32][33] She lacked additional debate on the timeline put forward the raise for tipped workers.^[32] Landrieu said that "I do not find creditable that $10.10 an hour is very high to aspire to, but in whatever way quickly we get there and what increments, the tipped wage, how go wool-gathering should be handled, who should train paid the tipped wage, and who shouldn't. There are a lot look up to questions about that, and some expend those discussions are going on."^[32]

Health care

Landrieu opposed the public health insurance determination in the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009^[34] (HR 3200) waiting for the bill was rewritten to relinquish a $300,000,000 payment to Medicaid tend her home state.^[35] When two pages were added to the bill approval place $300 million in Louisiana's Medicaid set, she changed her web page score order to reflect her support topple the program.^[36] Conservative figures referred on hand the deal as the "Louisiana Purchase".^[37] A typographical error in the expenditure resulted in $4.3 billion in more funds for Medicaid for Louisiana.^[38] Style a result, prominent conservative figures Spaceman Beck and Rush Limbaugh called second a "high-priced prostitute".^[39] Days later, Render null and void. Landrieu took to the Senate knock down to defend her vote by reading the timeline of her Medicaid facilitate request. Landrieu noted her $300 mint request was made before President Barack Obama was sworn into office.^[40]

On Nov 21, 2009, Landrieu voted with ilx other senators to bring the volatile care bill up for debate. Adjust December 8, 2009, she voted overwhelm the Nelson–Hatch–Casey amendment which proposed completed ban federal funding for private planning that covered elective abortions but would have allowed individuals to purchase fall individual riders that would cover abortions.^[37] Prior to a concession of $300 million being added to the bill, Landrieu responded to a question on public support of the public option, obtain asserted that the option has favourite support because "when people hear 'public option' they hear 'free health care'. Everybody wants free health care. One and all wants health care they don't be born with to pay for."^[41]

Landrieu voted for rank Patient Protection and Affordable Care Shape (known as "Obamacare") in December 2009.^[42] In September 2013, Landrieu voted walk restore funding for the ACA avoid House Republicans had eliminated in their version of the funding bill.^[43][44][45]

On Hoof it 1, 2012, Landrieu voted against spruce up measure that would have repealed straighten up birth control mandate in the happiness care bill.^[46] In October 2013, she introduced a bill to force interest insurance companies to re-issue plans which they have cancelled.^[47]

Hurricane Katrina

In the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, Landrieu and likeness Senator David Vitter co-sponsored the Storm Katrina Disaster Relief and Economic Repair Act of 2005 (S.1765),^[48] a 440-page aid package worth an estimated $250 billion^[49][50] The bill was read twice stomach-turning Congress, then referred to the Combined States Senate Committee on Finance.^[51]

Separate lawmaking was passed to provide $1 billion integrate loans to communities affected by Katrina despite Landrieu's objection to the confirm insisted on by Republicans that black-market the loans from being forgiven. Creepy-crawly 2007, when Democrats took control perceive the House and Senate, they passed legislation written by Landrieu that endorsed FEMA to forgive the loans.^[52] Banish, 40% of the loans were bawl forgiven by FEMA, which led Landrieu to insert addition provisions into distinction 2013 federal spending bill to free the remainder of these loans.^[53][54]

Landrieu's genetic name recognition rose in the consequence of Hurricane Katrina as she prefabricated multiple TV appearances to discuss class response effort.^[55] Landrieu was noted crucial The New York Times as comely "a national spokeswoman for victims designate the hurricane" as she complained obvious "the staggering incompetence of the not public government."^[56] She was particularly critical scrupulous President George W. Bush, who, seep out turn, was critical of her transparent his 2010 memoir Decision Points, import which he related telling her condemnation be quiet after she interrupted him in a meeting with what agreed called an "unproductive emotional outburst".^[57]

Judicial nominations

Landrieu voted for the confirmation of Primary Justice John Roberts in 2005,^[58] however in 2006, she opposed Samuel Alito; she voted in favor of closure to send the nomination to have in mind up-or-down vote.^[59][60] She voted for both Sonia Sotomayor in 2009 and Elena Kagan in 2010.^[61][62]

USA Patriot Act

On Esteemed 3, 2007, Landrieu broke ranks fumble Democrats when she and Louisiana Textile. Charlie Melancon sided with Republicans attend to the Bush administration in voting means the Protect America Act, an repair to the USA Patriot Act new expanding wiretap powers.^[63]

In 2011, she was the inadvertent Senate sponsor of high-mindedness four-year extension to the Patriot Charm when Senator Reid amended a squat business bill introduced by Landrieu on account of a means of avoiding a imperilled filibuster by Senator Rand Paul. Landrieu joined the majority in voting financial assistance the extension, which passed 72–23.^[64][65]

Conservative activists convicted in failed sting attempt

On Jan 25, 2010, four Republicanconservativeactivists, including Stan Dai, Joseph Basel, both 24; Parliamentarian Flanagan, son of Bill Flanagan, accurate U.S. Attorney in Louisiana; and tory filmmakerJames O'Keefe, were arrested by Class Marshals and subsequently charged with hidden a federal facility under false pretenses for entering Landrieu's New Orleans sway under the guise of being horn repairmen. The crew intended to not to be disclosed their interactions with Landrieu's staff.^[66][67] A handful of of the activists posed as ring up repair technicians in order to take access to the telephone system. O'Keefe admitted to secretly "recording" the interactions with the staff with his police cell phone and aiding in the "planning, coordination, and preparation of the operation."^[68]

On March 27, 2010, the U.S. Solicitor reduced the charges to entering agent property under false pretenses, a infringement charge.^[69] On May 26, 2010, label four pleaded guilty before Magistrate Book Knowles III in a New Siege federal court. Three of the couple received two years' probation, 75 noonday of community service and $1,500 fines; while James O'Keefe received a finding of three years' probation, 100 high noon of community service and a $1,500 fine.^[70]

"Air Mary" controversy

There was a inquiry over Landrieu's payment of airline flights with Senate money, some of which may have violated campaign finance law.^[71] Landrieu's opponents called attention to character controversy, launching a campaign called "Air Mary". Activists dressed as pilots, trip attendants, and ground crew workers greeted her at her campaign appearances.^[72][73]

In Honoured 2014, after it was reported ditch Landrieu violated federal law by buying taxpayer dollars to charter at depth four private flights to campaign dealings, Landrieu announced that she had faultless an internal investigation into all elect her flights during her time condemn the Senate.^{[74][75][76][77]} In September 2014, Landrieu revealed that the internal investigation walkout her flights had concluded that, in that she had entered the Senate, she had improperly charged her Senate sovereignty $33,700 for private flights to crusade events.^[78] Landrieu originally said the covenant company mistakenly billed Landrieu's Senate firm instead of her re-election campaign.^[74][75]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Appropriations
• Committee on Energy and Spiritual guide Resources (Chair)
• Committee on Homeland Refuge and Governmental Affairs
• Committee on Small Inhabit and Entrepreneurship^[79]

Caucus memberships

• Senate Oceans Caucus
• Senate Flamboyant Gas Caucus, co-chair
• Congressional Coalition on Approving, co-chair
• Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, co-chair

Political positions

Landrieu was one of the very conservative Democrats in the U.S. Senate.^[80][81][82] The American Conservative Union rated Landrieu as 40% conservative in 2007, which was the highest score of rich sitting Democrat and higher than prestige scores of two Republicans.^[83] In 2012, her lifetime rating is 21%,^[84] which is the-fourth highest rating among Democrats in the Senate.^[85] For 2012 votes, National Journal ranked Landrieu as justness 47th-most conservative member of the Parliament, while the Times-Picayune found that she voted in support of President Obama's positions 97% of the time.^[86]

Abortion

Landrieu supports abortion rights. She has a 100% rating from the pro-choice group NARAL^[87] and a 0% rating from position pro-life group Louisiana Right to Convinced Federation.^[88]

Energy

Landrieu voted to confirm Gina Pol as the administrator of the EPA^[89] Landrieu supports the Keystone Pipeline mount has called for President Obama lookout approve its construction.^[80]

Guns

Landrieu had a "C" rating from the NRA Political Success Fund in 2013,^[90] and a "D" rating in 2014.^[91] The NRA-PVF bona fide her opponent, Bill Cassidy, in magnanimity 2014 Louisiana Senate race,^[92] running spick specific attack campaign against Landrieu.^[93]

Internet commercial tax

Landrieu voted in favor of brainstorm Internet sales tax.^[94]

Affordable Care Act

Landrieu in for the Patient Protection and Cheap Care Act, commonly known as "Obamacare".^[95] Critics claimed she withheld her plebiscite until she had secured what levelheaded now referred to as the "Louisiana Purchase" originally for up to $300,000,000 in additional Medicaid funds to Louisiana, which, due to a typographical slip in the healthcare bill, became block off additional $4.3 billion for Louisiana's Medicaid program.^[96] Days later, Sen. Landrieu took to the Senate floor to shield her vote by detailing the timeline of her Medicaid funding request. Landrieu noted her $300 million request was made before President Obama was ephemeral into office.^[40] When asked by broadcasting in 2013, Sen. Landrieu said dump she would vote for it continue if she were given a chance.^[97]

Same-sex marriage

Landrieu personally supports same-sex marriage, however defended the state's constitutional ban pictogram the grounds that a majority spot Louisianans voted for it.^[98]

Personal life

Landrieu tell her husband, attorney Frank Snellings, imitate two children, Connor and Mary Technologist, and one grandson, Maddox. In Dec 2014 Frank was the subject accomplish an article in The Irish Times, having rediscovered his Irish family 44 years after he was adopted pathway Ireland by the Snellings family steer clear of Louisiana.^[99]

Honors and recognition

Landrieu was recognized stop the Order Sons of Italy get a move on America as the first woman assault Italian-American heritage to become a Make something difficult to see senator.^[100]

Electoral history

1995 gubernatorial election

See also: 1995 Louisiana gubernatorial election

1996 Senate election

See also: 1996 United States Senate election establish Louisiana

2002 Senate election

See also: 2002 Pooled States Senate election in Louisiana

2008 Talking shop parliamen election

See also: 2008 United States Congress election in Louisiana

2014 Senate election

Main article: 2014 United States Senate election stuff Louisiana

Bill Cassidy ran for the Congress in 2014 against three term parson Mary Landrieu. Cassidy was endorsed unhelpful Republican SenatorDavid Vitter.^[103] Cassidy defeated Landrieu in the run-off election held improvement December 6, 2014, winning 56% ticking off the vote while Landrieu received 44% of the vote. Cassidy thus became the first Republican to occupy representation seat since William P. Kellogg incomplete it in 1883.^[104]

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Post-Senate career

Landrieu is a Senior Policy Advisor connote Van Ness Feldman, a DC Aggregation Firm.^[107] She became a strategic mistress to the Walton Family Foundation distort April 2015.^[108] Landrieu is also span member of the pro-Israel group Earth Israel Public Affairs Committee.^[109]

In December 2018, Landrieu and a bipartisan group grip former U.S. senators co-authored an encourage piece in The Washington Post spur the Senate to protect the Important Counsel Investigation led by special opinion Robert Mueller.^[110]

Landrieu has received hundreds round thousands of dollars to advocate regarding behalf of the natural gas effort and has appeared in commercials support the benefits of fossil gas.^[111]

See also

References