Russ Feingold: “I would like to thank the manager very much for bringing this amendment forward. It is something I have been working on…”

“I would like to thank the manager very much for bringing this amendment forward. It is something I have been working on with people from Wisconsin, including the Governor, who thought this would be very helpful. As the manager suggested, this would simply extend from 2 years, which is the current period suggested, to a date certain, June 1, 1997, the period of time during which States could opt out of interstate branching. The additional time is necessary to allow State legislatures the opportunity to enact State legislation which will provide the framework for the new system. Because a number of State legislatures will not be in session after July 31, it is important that these kinds of complex issues have some legislative time at the State level. This change is supported by the National Governors Association.”