Vitter’s Record on Civil Rights and Student Issues is a Joke

Baton Rouge, La – Sen. David Vitter has decided to speak at Southern University on Wednesday, which just happens to coincide with April Fools’ Day. Here are five things he should explain in his address that are no laughing matter:

  1. Blocking the Senate confirmation of Loretta Lynch for U.S. Attorney General
    Vitter announced his opposition to Lynch’s nomination well in advance of her testimony before his Senate Judiciary Committee. Lynch would be the first African-American woman to serve as Attorney General. Civil Rights leaders have sent Vitter a letter accusing him of using the nomination to score points in his gubernatorial campaign.
  1. Standingwith Rep. Steve Scalise in opposing a resolution apologizing for slavery as a Louisiana state representative
    Scalise and Vitter both served on a House Committee that considered the resolution, introduced by now-state Sen. Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb. Vitter stated at the time “[An] apology is an admission of guilt.”
  1. Opposing enforcement efforts of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)
    Since 2011, Vitter has taken issue with a section of the NVRA that requires state assistance agencies to provide voter registration forms. In fact, Vitter opposed the provision so much that he came out against then-civil rights attorney Tom Perez’s nomination for Secretary of Labor, just two hours after President Obama’s announcement.
  1. Voting againstincreasing financial aid for college costs, including Federal Pell Grants
    Vitter opposed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, which still provides for college cost savings today. It reauthorized and increased Pell Grants, cut student loan interest rates and expanded financial aid eligibility.
  1. Wanting to change our U.S. Constitution to stop U.S.-born citizenship and this racist and distorted campaign ad
    Vitter recently proposed an amendment to stop automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. This would do away with the 14th Amendment, historically adopted to recognize African-American rights to citizenship. Vitter is no stranger to racial fear mongering, as evidenced by his 2010 campaign ad.

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