FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 6, 2010
Feingold’s First Radio Ad Focuses on Wisconsin’s Tradition and Values
“Penny Pincher” Highlights Record of Fiscal Responsibility, Opposition to Wall Street Bailouts and Solutions to Reduce Washington Spending
For Immediate Release
July 06, 2010
Contact: Trevor Miller or Beth Pramme
414-727-5682
MILWAUKEE – Senator Russ Feingold’s campaign has launched its first radio ad of the 2010 campaign, titled “Penny Pincher.” The ad focuses on Wisconsin’s tradition of fiscal responsibility and Feingold’s strong, independent record of challenging both political parties on irresponsible and wasteful Washington spending. The new ad also highlights Feingold’s opposition to Wall Street bailouts passed by both Republican and Democratic presidents, and his fight to end automatic pay raises for members of Congress.
Feingold voted against deregulating big banks in the 1990s and against the Wall Street bailouts in 2008 and 2009. Feingold also stood up to his party by voting against the recent financial reform package that failed to reform Wall Street by allowing them to continue writing their own rules. Feingold cosponsored a number of key amendments to ensure that banks are no longer deemed “too big to fail” and that Depression-era Glass-Steagall banking reforms to create a firewall between Wall Street and Main Street are restored. Unfortunately, none of these measures were included in the final financial reform bill. In addition, his Control Spending Now Act would put an end to funding for the Wall Street bailout.
Feingold’s Votes Against Deregulating the Big Banks on Wall Street and "Too Big to Fail"
Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 - Senate Vote #298, 9/13/94
Gramm-Leach-Bliley - Senate Vote #105, 5/6/99
Feingold’s Votes Against the Wall Street Bailout (TARP)
Bush request for TARP - Senate Vote #212, 10/1/08
Obama request for TARP - Senate Vote #5, 1/15/09
Feingold’s Votes to End the Wall Street Bailout
Feingold’s vote for Vitter Amendment to FY2010 Budget Resolution to end - Senate Vote #134, 4/2/09
Feingold’s vote for Thune Amendment to end TARP - Senate Vote #2, 1/21/10
Feingold’s Control Spending Now Act provision would end TARP and use the money to reduce the deficit – saving taxpayers $392.9 billion over 10 years – and is part of his fight against deficit spending that is creating a burden for future generations to pay off.
Feingold’s Vote Against Toothless Financial Reform
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 – Senate Vote # 162, 5/20/10
Feingold’s Tough on Spending Record
Feingold’s Record on Fiscal Responsibility
Feingold has been a leading advocate for establishing pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules and has led the fight for earmark reform. Russ follows this rule himself as most of the bills he introduces are “offset” or paid for so as not to increase the size of the deficit.
Feingold has a long record of bringing Wisconsin’s tradition of fiscal discipline to Washington, taking on both parties, and being named numerous times to the non-partisan Concord Coalition's "Honor Roll" for his votes to cut the federal deficit.
Feingold’s Record on Earmark Reform
Feingold has partnered with hometown Congressman Paul Ryan to introduce the “Janesville Line-Item Veto” to allow the president to strip wasteful spending from legislation. Feingold also broke with his own party and voted against the 2009 Omnibus spending bill that contained 8,000 earmarks. In addition, Feingold voted for an amendment by Republican Senator John McCain to strip the bill of all earmarks and also voted for an amendment by Republican Senator Tom Coburn that would have prohibited no-bid earmarks.
Feingold’s Record on Ending Automatic Pay Raises for Members of Congress
In May, President Obama signed Senator Feingold’s bill banning automatic pay raises for members of Congress next year. Feingold has pressed for legislation to permanently eliminate the automatic pay increases for members of Congress.
Feingold has kept the promise he made to the people of Wisconsin when he first ran for the U.S. Senate in 1992 - that he would reject his automatic pay raises during each term in office. The promise was one of three that Feingold put on his garage door in 1992.
Conservative Praise for Russ’s Fight Against Wasteful Washington Spending
The conservative group Americans for Prosperity, the “nation’s premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity” and a major backer of the Tea Party movement, praises Feingold, saying “I applaud Senator Feingold for voting against the 2009 Omnibus Spending bill and truly respect his principled stand against wasteful earmarks.”
FreedomWorks, another conservative organization, called Feingold a “true fiscal conservative” and praised him for being the only Democratic vote against a 2005 pork-laden bill.
The conservative group Club for Growth rated Feingold the “top scoring Democrat” in its 2007 RePORK Card that scores members of Congress on their record of eliminating wasteful pork-barrel spending. In 2009, the Club for Growth also noted that Russ tied with or scored “better than thirty-nine Republican senators.”
What Others Are Saying About Feingold’s Record of Fiscal Responsibility
“If you are looking for serious budgeters, Sen. Russ Feingold ought to qualify.” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 15, 2004
“Feingold has distinguished himself nationally by working hard to impose fiscal controls.” – Wisconsin State Journal, March 22, 2006
“Feingold isn’t necessarily one to vote along party lines…he takes seriously his duty of being a responsible steward of your tax dollars.” –Monroe Times, November 9, 2007
“Congress should follow Feingold’s lead on upholding pay-as-you-go standards.” – Wisconsin State Journal, September 16, 2008
“When it comes to bucking the go-along-to-get-along culture of Congress, it takes characters like McCain and Feingold to put a thumb in the eye of the old-boys club.” – Beloit Daily News, January 8, 2009, on their legislation to ban unauthorized earmarks
“Some guys just won't let up in their fight against earmarks.” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 4, 2009
“Sen. Russ Feingold has a unique distinction: He is one of only five U.S. Senators who did not attach earmarks to the omnibus spending bill President Barack Obama signed.” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, March 13, 2009
“Feingold introduces aggressive deficit-reduction bill” – The Hill, October 20, 2009
“Feingold’s Control Spending Now Act seeks to overhaul the budget process, rein in spending on lawmakers’ pet projects and eliminate fiscal waste.” – Oshkosh Northwestern, October 21, 2009
“Sen. Russ Feingold deserves support in his efforts to bring the federal deficit under control.” – Oshkosh Northwestern, October 28, 2009
“Feingold shows that he is serious about cutting spending. We wish there were more in Congress who want to do the same.” – Sheboygan Press, November 3, 2009
“Feingold made deficit spending a focal point of the 1992 campaign that started his Senate career, and he continues to take matters of fiscal sustainably seriously.” – La Crosse Tribune, November 6, 2009
“Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold has put Congressional earmarks square in his deficit-reduction sights.” –Sheboygan Press, March 25, 2010
"Penny Pinchers" - Script: The 60-second spot will air statewide and can be heard at www.russfeingold.org/pennypincher
Hi, this is Russ Feingold. The people of Wisconsin want someone working hard for them, not the special interests in Washington. So that’s what I’ve done.
I listened to you, and opposed bailouts and bonuses for the big banks on Wall Street.
Now that hasn’t won me a lot of new friends in Washington, but neither does my fight to stop pay raises for Congress.
In Wisconsin, we don’t spend money we don’t have - we pinch our pennies. That’s how we do things here. And Washington needs to learn that lesson.
That’s why I will continue to be an independent voice who is tough on government spending and will stand up to both political parties.
My Control Spending Now plan will cut wasteful and worthless Washington spending and enact real reforms to rein in Congress.
Maybe I won’t make a lot of new friends, but at least you’ll have one fighting for you and future generations.
I’m Russ Feingold and I approve this message because we need to move forward, together.
Paid for by Feingold Senate Committee, Dan Hannula, Treasurer.
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Contact: press@russfeingold.org
414.763.4205
