Russ Feingold: “Just over a year ago, I shook hands with Speaker Gingrich and publicly affirmed my commitment to reforming the nation's…”

“Just over a year ago, I shook hands with Speaker Gingrich and publicly affirmed my commitment to reforming the nation's campaign finance laws. Now I call on Congress to send me legislation that will address the American public's desire for real change in our political process, and in so doing renew our democracy and strengthen our country. I support the legislation now being considered. In particular, I approve of several reforms such as placing limits on spending, curbing PAC and lobbyist influence, discounting the cost of broadcast time, and reforming the soft money system. Organized interests have too much power in the halls of government. Oftentimes, representatives from such interest groups operate without accountability and are granted special privileges that ordinary Americans don't even know exist. In addition, elections that represent an opportunity in which ordinary voters should have the loudest voice have become so expensive that these voices are sometimes drowned out by big money.”