Feingold Works for Congressional Accountability, Judicial Integrity Senator Fights to End Automatic Congressional COLA, Stop Speaking Fee Proposal for Judges October 2, 2000 St, Croix Falls, WI – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today highlighted efforts to ensure that Congress and the federal judiciary adhere to the highest standards of openness and accountability. Feingold has introduced legislation that would end the practice of providing members of Congress with an automatic pay raise. He has also spoken out against reinstating the system of honoraria for federal judges. "The legislation I introduced to end the automatic cost-of-living-adjustment will make members of Congress answerable to the American people for every penny that we ask them to pay us," Feingold said. "I’ve pledged to accept a pay raise only when the people of Wisconsin give me one by reelecting me. I’m going to keep that pledge, and I’m going to do whatever I can to keep the pay raise process honest, open and accountable to the American people." Feingold also discussed a provision in the current bill to fund the federal courts, which would repeal an 11-year old ban on speaking fees, or "honoraria," for federal judges. If honoraria is reinstated, federal judges could accept $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000 from corporations and other wealthy interests for giving a speech, even though they are being paid by interests that may have cases pending in federal court. Congress voted to end the honoraria system in 1989 after a commission under President Bush unanimously concluded that federal judges, and Members of Congress, should be barred from accepting honoraria payments from outside groups. "The honoraria ban reflects the high standards the public demands for those who are privileged to sit on the federal bench," Feingold said. "If we revive the honoraria system, there are serious ethical questions we have to face. What if the federal judge who heard the Microsoft case had received tens of thousands of dollars in honoraria for speaking to Microsoft employees over the years? The potential conflicts of interest are obvious." Feingold's 62nd Listening Session of 2000, and 566th since he was first elected, was held at the St. Croix Falls City Hall beginning at 7:30 a.m. Feingold’s 63rd session of the year and 567th since he was first elected took place at the Prescott City Hall beginning at 10:15 a.m.

# # #