Late For His Flight, Report Says Louisiana Senator Lost His Cool

The Transportation Security Administration is following up on a report of an incident that allegedly took place at Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) last week.

According to Roll Call, an unnamed witness reports that Senator David Vitter (R-LA) arrived at a United Airlines gate about 20 minutes before departure time. Finding the door to the jetway already closed, Vitter opened it, setting off a security alarm.

An airline employee then warned Vitter against proceeding, which prompted the Senator to become irate, asking the airline worker if he knew just who he was. After a heated exchange, the employee left to find a security guard.

Apparently reconsidering his predicament, Vitter left the scene before the worker returned with security personnel, Roll Call said.

CNN reports Vitter has refused to respond to reporters’ inquiries about the altercation, instead releasing a statement on Wednesday that portrayed himself in a more innocent light and described the reports as overblown.

"After being delayed on the Senate floor ensuring a vote on my anti-pay raise amendment and in a rush to make my flight home for town hall meetings the next day, I accidentally went through the wrong door at the gate," he said. "I did have a conversation with an airline employee, but it was certainly not like this silly gossip column made it out to be."

Speaking for the Senator, Joel DiGrado told CNN that Vitter had no further comments on the incident.

TSA spokesman Sterling Payne told CNN it is gathering information to determine if a formal investigation is needed.

FMI: www.tsa.dhs.gov, www.senate.gov