Reid schedules vote after Obama’s speech to keep GOP lawmakers in DC–and it works

Sen. David Vitter, the Louisiana Republican who said he would skip President Obama's speech to go to a football kickoff party, won't be participating in the pigskin festivities after all.

Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a vote in the Senate immediately after the speech, a decision that is giving members who were thinking of playing hooky second thoughts. The vote is an important one, too: It will give lawmakers a chance to go on the record with their disapproval of the debt-ceiling hike passed in August, an opportunity no Republican wants to miss.

Vitter took to his Facebook page to complain about the scheduled floor vote.

"Typical Harry Reid," Vitter wrote. "He's now scheduled votes that should've been held this morning for right before and right AFTER the prez's speech. Pens in those who would have skipped speech, like me. So now I'll miss my own Saints game party at home. Always knew Harry was a Dirty Birds fan! Don't worry--only strengthens my Who Dat resolve. On to the Super Bowl!"

Obama will deliver his address at 7:00 p.m. EST with the vote in the Senate immediately following. The Saints-Packers game starts at 8:30.