A New Iberia man's drive to recall U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is useless since there's no provision in state or federal laws or constitutions that allows it, says Secretary of State Jay Dardenne.

Ruben T. Leblanc, of 505 Wiltz St. Lot No. 4 in New Iberia, properly filed a recall petition with the Secretary of State's Office on Monday, but it was rejected Tuesday as being invalid because there's no legal way to recall a congressman or U.S. senator, Dardenne said.

The recall process stops there because Dardenne said he could not mail copies of an invalid petition to registrars of voters across the state to certify signatures. He discussed his decision with Leblanc this week and sent a letter citing his reasons and a copy of an attorney general's ruling on recalling federal officials.

Dardenne based his decision on a 2008 opinion issued by Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell when a Jefferson Parish man wanted to recall U.S. Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao.

Caldwell said research found that only the respective bodies of Congress can decide on the suitability of its members and remove them. The Louisiana Constitution provision on recalls applies only to state and local officials.

"10. If the recall passes, the public officer is recalled and removed from office and the office is declared vacant when the election returns are certified to the Secretary of State. The vacancy is then filled as usual. The recalled official cannot be appointed to fill the vacancy."