The two Republicans could face off against each other in the 2012 congressional elections
Last week marked the first public battle between Reps. Jeff Landry of New Iberia and Charles Boustany of Lafayette -- two Republicans who could face off against each other in the 2012 congressional elections as a result of the state's loss of one of seven House seats in the 2010 census.
View full sizeReps. John Fleming, left, and Jeff Landry were photographed Oct. 12. Boustany last week criticized a provision Landry added to a Coast Guard bill that would require standby vessels within 3 nautical miles of active offshore oil and gas facilities. "It would create excessive regulations on energy producers and hinders the progress we have made in order to restart Gulf energy production," Boustany said.
Landry said he's just trying to protect rig workers. "My standby vessel provision applies the lessons of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy and guarantees our offshore workers will have a vessel nearby ready to act if another accident occurs," Landry said.
Bruce Alpert can be reached at balpert@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1406. Jonathan Tilove can be reached at jtilove@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1404.