{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221003002/http://www.vitter.senate.gov/newsroom/press/gen-clark-agrees-to-debate-vitter-about-free-government-cell-phone-program-", "Gen. Clark Agrees to Debate Vitter About Free Government Cell Phone Program", "2013-10-08", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "LA", "David Vitter", "V000127", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Gen. Clark Agrees to Debate Vitter About Free Government Cell Phone Program \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tDuring a phone conversation today, Clark agreed to publically debate Vitter and provide a full written response to his questions\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, October 8, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) today had a phone conversation with Gen. Wesley Clark to follow up on a letter he sent him last week. Vitter again requested a debate with Clark over the merits of the free government cell phone program called Lifeline, and Clark agreed. Clark was in Louisiana last week promoting his support for the Lifeline program, and criticized Sen. Vitter for his efforts to end the fraud-ridden free cell phone part of Lifeline. Click here for the news report about Clark\u2019s visit, and Vitter\u2019s response.\n\u201cI look forward to a public discussion with Gen. Clark about Lifeline and my efforts to end the waste, fraud, and abuse surrounding the cell phone program,\u201d Vitter said. \u201cThis public debate will be a real opportunity to find out Clark\u2019s motives for promoting the fraud-ridden free cellphone welfare program.\u201d\nThe Federal Communications Commission, who administers Lifeline, recently announced major penalties against Lifeline companies totaling $14.4 million for the violation of companies' signing up the same persons multiple times.\nIn his October 2 letter, Vitter asked Clark, \u201cDo any companies who receive funds from the Lifeline program (classic corporate welfare kings) financially support the public affairs company who paid for your trip, you, your liberal political PAC, or any company in which you have a significant interest?\u201d\nDuring their phone conversation, Clark agreed to answer Vitter\u2019s questions and have a public debate. Details of the public debate will be released a later date.\nOn May 7, 2013, Vitter introduced legislation to end the welfare subsidy for mobile phone service in the Lifeline Program. Vitter also introduced this legislation as an amendment to the Senate budget resolution in March. The amendment failed 46-to-53. Click here to see the vote results.\nClick here to read Vitter\u2019s October 2 letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221003002/http://www.vitter.senate.gov/newsroom/press/gen-clark-agrees-to-debate-vitter-about-free-government-cell-phone-program-"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5985560603439808, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}