Vitter: "I'm disappointed the Senate has chosen to ignore the majority"

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today issued the following statement regarding the vote on his resolution of disapproval against President Bush’s request to release additional funds under the Troubled Assets Relief Program on behalf of President-elect Obama’s incoming administration.

A provision within the bailout bill passed by Congress last fall provides Congress with 15 days to pass a resolution of disapproval to stop the release of additional funds. Vitter Tuesday introduced a disapproval resolution co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Bunning, DeMint, Inhofe, Sessions, Barrasso, Brownback, Enzi, Cornyn and Roberts, but the resolution was not approved by this evening’s vote of 42-52.

“We came close but fell short in this important fight in defense of the taxpayer. Considering the harsh criticism that has accompanied the management of the first half of the $700 billion released by the government, I’m disappointed the Senate has chosen to ignore the majority of the American people and has instead moved to release the rest of the TARP funds – especially with no real accountability for this money in place.

We have seen an unprecedented level of spending in the recent months and are digging our nation deeper into debt,” said Vitter.