In the wake of Sen. David Vitter’s (R-LA) vote against the Franken Amendment — which seeks to guarantee access to the court system, rather than private arbitration, for military contractor employees who are sexually assaulted — Vitter’s Democratic opponent, Rep. Charlie Melancon, has released a statement strongly endorsing it.
Melancon has released a letter through his Congressional office, urging that the Franken Amendment be kept in the final conference report for the Defense Appropriations bill. He does not directly address Vitter’s opposition, as this was released through his Congressional office and not his campaign. However, he does have some strong language against those who oppose it.
Let this be a clear signal: Democrats fully intend to hang this vote around Vitter’s neck, as well as any other Republicans who opposed a measure designed to protect rape victims. Check out the key quote from Melancon’s letter, after the jump.
It is our responsibility to make sure this horrific event can never happen again. No American citizen should have to sign away his or her right to due process of law. And not a dime of taxpayer money should go to a company that would rather sweep an assault under the rug than allow our justice system to work.
…
There are members in both chambers who will argue that the Jones story is an isolated incident and that this is a measure to single out and punish one contractor. They will caution against including this provision in conference. I care not to speculate on their motives, nor do I have any interest in singling out one company over another. But if we fail to enact this measure, we will have failed to protect the rights and values we were sworn to uphold when we took our oath of office.
(Emphasis ours.)
