Russ Feingold: “I initiated the Calling of the Bankroll. It is a time when I come to the floor to chronicle the massive amount of PAC…”

“I initiated the Calling of the Bankroll. It is a time when I come to the floor to chronicle the massive amount of PAC and soft money pumped into the campaign finance system by donors looking to influence the work we do here on this floor. I called the bankroll many times last year--19 times, to be exact. And I included not just donations by business interests but from interests on both sides of these debates, including trial lawyers and gun control advocates. Last year when I began my Calling of the Bankroll effort, I did so because I thought it was time for someone in this body finally to talk about what we all think about and what the American people really are quite angry about; and that is, how money can influence what we do here and how we do it. I know that this is an uncomfortable topic, and I know full well that there are some who would prefer that I stop Calling the Bankroll--that there are those who wish that I would stop putting the spotlight on facts that reflect poorly on our system, and in turn on the Senate, and on both major political parties. I have to tell you, Mr. President, no one wishes I could stop Calling the Bankroll as much as I do. I wish wealthy interests with business before this body didn't have unlimited ability to give money to our political parties through the soft money loophole, but they do.”