His campaign finance hypocrisy came to light with a devastating report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The report highlighted how Feingold’s PAC was a scam pac used to pay himself and his former staffers and gave little to campaigns.
We couldn’t resist the opportunity to highlight some of Feingold’s old quotes on eliminating PACs…
FEINGOLD FLASHBACK:
In January 1995, Russ Feingold Introduced S. 46, The Senate Campaign Financing And Spending Reform Act – A Bill That Included A Ban On PAC Contributions. (S. 46, Introduced 1/4/95)
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Feingold’s Bill Said PACs “Have Undermined Public Confidence In The Senate”
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Feingold’s Bill Said PAC Contributions “Have Undermined Public Confidence In The Senate As An Institution.” (S. 46, Introduced 1/4/95)
- Feingold’s Bill: “Contributions By Political Action Committees To Individual Candidates Have Created The Perception That Candidates Are Beholden To Special Interests, And Leave Candidates Open To Charges Of Undue Influence.” (S. 46, Introduced 1/4/95)
In June 1996, Feingold Said His Goal Was “To Reduce The Flow Of Money In The Electoral Process That Has Become Dominated By Dollars And Cents Rather Than Issues And Ideas.” FEINGOLD: “Our goals are as follows. We try to reduce the flow of money in the electoral process that has become dominated by dollars and cents rather than issues and ideas. We try to end the perpetual money chase on Capitol Hill by somehow allowing current office holders to spend less time raising the requisite campaign funds and more time fulfilling their legislative duties and obligations.” (Sen. Russ Feingold, Congressional Record, 6/24/96, p. S6684)
Feingold Said “People Have Finally Realized That The No. 1 Issue That We Have To Deal With In This Country Is Getting The Big Money Out Of Policymaking That Goes On In Washington.” FEINGOLD: “Mr. President, why does the public sense we absolutely have to move on campaign finance reform at this point? I think it is because people have finally realized that the No. 1 issue that we have to deal with in this country is getting the big money out of policymaking that goes on in Washington.” (Sen. Russ Feingold, Congressional Record, 6/24/96, p. S6684)
BACKGROUND:
Feingold Used Money From PAC And 501(c)(4) To Pay Himself And His Former Senate Staff:
- Feingold Was Paid $77,000 By The Two Groups Over Three Years and the The Groups Were Used To Pay Other Feingold Staffers.. (Daniel Bice, “Russ Feingold’s PAC Funded Fees, Salaries For Former Staffers, Himself,” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 6/15/15)
- Only 5 Percent Of Contributions To The PAC Were Given To Other Candidates.(Daniel Bice, “Russ Feingold’s PAC Funded Fees, Salaries For Former Staffers, Himself,” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 6/15/15)
- Feingold’s Campaign Refused To Comment On Why So Much Of The PAC’s Expenditures Went To Staff Payments. (Daniel Bice, “Russ Feingold’s PAC Funded Fees, Salaries For Former Staffers, Himself,” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 6/15/15)