GOP senator gives up beer and ice cream for Lent

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) celebrated Mardi Gras on Tuesday in New Orleans, but on Wednesday he gave up beer and ice cream for Lent.

“Had a great Mardi Gras season with my family. We saw Babylon, Muses, Chaos, Hermes, d'Etat, Bacchus, Rex. Rex and Hermes were the best — impressive floats. We were on Napoleon Ave on Mardi Gras day,” he posted on his Facebook page. “Mardi gras” is French for “Fat Tuesday,” and New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration.

“For Lent, I’m giving up ice cream and beer,” Vitter continued. “Won’t be easy. But remember, Sundays are feast days and aren’t part of Lent.”

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) joined Vitter in noting the religious date, but did not specify what he would be giving up for Lent.

“Jane and I join fellow Christians around the world today observing Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season,” Portman tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

---