Promising to stall tax bill, La. senator gets concession

WASHINGTON - Known as one of the Senate's more moderate Democrats, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana used the power of the filibuster Sunday to wring from fellow senators a concession on legislation she was pushing to benefit military Reservists and Guardsmen.

"I'm not going anywhere," Landrieu exclaimed at one point, threatening to keep the Senate in all night - and possibly through late in the week - if she could not get a vote on the measure.

Hours before senators reached agreement on an arrangement by which Landrieu was to get that vote today, she stoically warned colleagues that she had made arrangements for her two small children and was ready to lead all-night filibusters to stop a vote on a bill offering $136-billion in tax breaks for manufacturers.

Landrieu was incensed that the final version of the bill did not include a tax credit to encourage employers to make up for the pay lost by members of the Reserve and National Guard who are called to active duty.

"I'm going to use all the parliamentary procedures available to me as a senator to fight for the 5,000 men and women in the state of Louisiana who are currently activated," she said.

"If I have to stay on the floor for next four days, I intend to do that."

But shortly before 9 p.m., Sunday, lawmakers said an agreement had been reached that would avert the marathon session.

The agreement, announced by Majority Leader Bill Frist, will allow the Senate to vote today on a bill that will provide the new tax breaks for businesses and other groups and $10.1-billion separately to buy out tobacco farmers' government quotas.

It will also allow votes on a bill helping hurricane victims and farmers suffering from drought, flood and other emergencies and a bill to fund the homeland security.

Landrieu wanted approval for a bill includes that includes the employer tax credit.

Landrieu, 48, notes proudly on her Senate Web page that she has been called "military Mary" because of her dedication to the military services and that she has strongly supported robust defense spending. Louisiana is the home of three major military installations and some of the nation's biggest shipbuilders.

While a party loyalist on most issues, Landrieu has not been shy about joining Republicans when it has come to reflecting the conservative leanings of her constituents.

She was elected to the Louisiana Legislature in 1979 at age 23, the youngest woman to hold that office.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright