FranPAC Favorite: Mary Landrieu

By BRIAN DIGGELMANN According to the International Franchise Association, FranPAC “creates an opportunity for IFA members to provide financial support to candidates for federal office, and a robust PAC means more contributions to candidates who understand franchising and who will promote a legislative and regulatory climate favorable to franchising.” Mary Landrieu - $5,000 Despite the increasingly-dire financial situation facing the country, Washington is more divided than ever. Many politicians campaign on a platform of working across the aisle, but few make it a reality when in office. Mary Landrieu, a Democratic senator from Louisiana, is trying to change that. As one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress, she regularly works with fellow politicians to come to bipartisan agreements on legislation. In fact, she was a founding member of the Common Ground Coalition, an organization comprised of both Democratic and Republican senators dedicated to working together to find solutions. Landrieu’s family is steeped in politics. Both her father and brother have served as the Mayor of New Orleans, as well as various other positions within the state and national governments. Landrieu herself was just 23 when she was elected to the Louisiana State legislator, where she served for eight years before becoming the Louisiana State Treasurer for another eight. Her career in Washington began in 1996 when she was elected as the junior senator from Louisiana. She quickly earned respect in the male-dominated world of politics and was even considered as a running mate for John Kerry in 2004. Today, Landrieu serves on a number of vital committees including Appropriations, Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, which she chairs. Key Votes Despite her status as a member of the Democratic Party, Landrieu has repeatedly voted in favor of tax cuts. She also initially opposed the public health insurance option in 2009, although she later changed her stance after $300 million in Medicaid funding for Louisiana was added to the bill. Overall, FranPAC gives Landrieu a 50 percent approval rating for voting with the IFA. For more information and details on what each of these amendments and resolutions, visit the IFA’s Federal Vote Scorecard website by clicking here.