In explaining his vote for the legislation, Melançon said, "The people of south Louisiana sent me to Congress because I promised to listen to them and do what I thought was right, not what was most popular or what my party told me to do. This plan, while far from perfect, will create or save an estimated 50,000 jobs in Louisiana, invest over $538 million in infrastructure projects for our state, and lay a foundation for long-term growth for our country through innovation and education." Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 Melancon voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Employee Free Choice Act Although Melancon is listed as a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, his comments on the bill indicate a more ambivalent measure of support. He has stated, "I understand many of the concerns expressed by the business community. I am interested in bringing both sides together to work out their differences and develop a bipartisan solution that will address some of these concerns, while still protecting employees’ rights." Federal Marriage Amendment In July 2006, Rep. Melancon voted in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Matthew Shepard Act of 2009 On 29 April 2009, Rep. Melancon voted against the federal hate crimes expansion bill known as the Matthew Shepard Act. Political campaigns 2004 U.S. House campaign Melancon declared his candidacy for Congress after longtime incumbent Billy Tauzin announced his retirement. Although he was considered an underdog for much of the race, he entered a runoff due to an especially ugly intraparty battle between Republican candidates Billy Tauzin III and state Senator Craig Romero, the former candidate being the son of the incumbent. In the runoff campaign, Melançon repeatedly hammered away at Tauzin III's family ties. Melançon won a victory by 569 votes. Romero set his sights on challenging Melançon in 2006, and was defeated again. 2006 U.S. House campaign On November 7, 2006, Melancon defeated Romero 55% to 40% to win a second term in the U.S. House. 2008 U.S. House campaign He was re-elected without opposition in November 2008. Because of William J. Jefferson's defeat on December 6 after federal corruption indictments, Melancon became the sole Democrat representing Louisiana in the U.S. House. 2010 U.S. Senate campaign Melançon challenged incumbent Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter in 2010. In announcing his candidacy on August 27, 2009, he billed himself as "a proud centrist" and "a