Russ Feingold: “Senator Howard Metzenbaum was a progressive visionary whose strong support for America's workers and consumers left a…”

“Senator Howard Metzenbaum was a progressive visionary whose strong support for America's workers and consumers left a lasting mark on our Nation. His determination to stand for a more just America in the Senate was an inspiration to me and everyone with whom he served. His influence and the example he set still resound strongly in the Senate chamber today. I deeply appreciate how much support and guidance Senator Metzenbaum gave to me when I came to the Senate in 1993. He had a wonderful way of bringing progressives in Congress together, and I will always be very grateful for that. He was a force to be reckoned with on the Senate floor--earning the nickname ``Senator No'' through ingenious tactics to stop legislation that threatening to hurt American workers and consumers. He was known for never backing down from a Senate floor fight, and his opposition spelled trouble for almost any bill. America's workers had no better friend and ally in Congress than Senator Metzenbaum, who sponsored the law requiring 60 days advance notice for a plant closing. Whenever Congress acts to help those American workers struggling in a difficult economy, we are building on Senator Metzenbaum's legacy. He also took on Washington's most powerful interests in an unrelenting push to stop the wasteful spending that destroys the public's trust in elected officials.”