FEINGOLD LOOKS AHEAD, ACROSS
THE AISLE IN THE NEW YEAR
Senator to Continue Longstanding Commitment
to Bipartisanship in 2008
December 28, 2007
Washington, D.C. – In 2008, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold will push
five bipartisan initiatives that address key issues: health care, education,
election reform, the environment, and the deficit. Advancing bipartisan
legislation is a top goal for 2008 for Feingold, who has introduced
legislation on health care reform, reform of the No Child Left Behind
education law, public financing of presidential elections, clean water
restoration, and fiscal responsibility – issues which all have
bipartisan support. While Feingold acknowledges that enacting these
bills will take time, a bipartisan approach to addressing these issues
is critically important.
"While the gridlock in Washington is frustrating for everyone,
there are examples of Democrats and Republicans working together to
address issues important to all Americans," Feingold said. "As
we begin a new year, it is imperative that members of both parties focus
on finding ways to work together. I worked for years with John McCain
and others from both parties on campaign finance reform but it paid
off when we made the most significant changes to our election system
in a generation. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues
across the aisle on issues like health care reform, education, the financing
of our presidential elections, defending our nation’s waters,
and curbing wasteful spending."
State-Based Health Care Reform
The State-based Health Care Reform Act, S.1169, introduced by Feingold
and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), would launch pilot programs in several
states to help them achieve health care coverage in the best way they
see fit. States could use single payer systems, expansion of current
programs, or adopt completely new approaches to cover the uninsured.
By helping states try different approaches, Congress can determine the
best way to ensure all Americans receive the health care they need.
"All Americans deserve access to good health care and it is long
past time for Congress to break the logjam preventing action on health
care reform. I will continue my push with Senator Lindsey Graham for
an American-style approach to health care reform that gives the states
the flexibility they need to develop plans to bring health care coverage
to all their residents," Feingold said.
Fixing No Child Left Behind
The President's No Child Left Behind (NCLB) education law has been
soundly criticized by members of both parties since it was signed into
law. Among the bipartisan criticisms is the use of high-stakes testing
mandates in the law and the undermining of local control of public schools.
In response to these criticisms, some states have passed or introduced
state laws or resolutions opposing key provisions of NCLB. After hearing
from teachers, administrators, and parents in Wisconsin about problems
with the law, Feingold joined with Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) to introduce
the Improving Student Testing Act, S. 2053, to reform NCLB's testing
mandates and encourage the use of multiple measures of assessment.
"People of all political stripes agree that the federal government's
one-size-fits-all education policy is the wrong approach," Feingold
said. "I want to work with my colleagues across the aisle to fix
NCLB so we can close the achievement gap in our schools and return control
to those who are in the classroom everyday working to improve our children's
education."
Presidential Public Financing
Along with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Representative Price (D-NC),
and Representative Shays (R-CT), Feingold introduced the Presidential
Funding Act of 2007, S.2412, which would implement a variety of reforms
to make the presidential funding system more practical and appealing
to candidates. These reforms include providing matching funds earlier
in the cycle, increasing the amount of public funding available to participating
candidates, eliminating state-by-state primary spending limits, and
significantly raising the total primary and general election spending
limits.
"The presidential public financing system is badly in need of
repair. That is why I am working on a bicameral, bipartisan bill to
update the system and make sure candidates aren’t overly dependent
on wealthy donors. Rather than scrap the system which has served us
so well for over a generation, we should work to fix it and restore
the public's faith in the fairness of presidential elections,"
Feingold said.
Clean Water Restoration
The Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007, S. 1870, would restore the
original protections of the nation’s waters by clarifying that
the Clean Water Act is principally intended to protect the nation’s
waters from pollution rather than just to sustain navigation on major
waterways. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives
by U.S. Representatives James Oberstar (D-MN) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI).
"Until we act, federal protections of our nation’s waters
remain threatened. Unfortunately, recent Supreme Court decisions have
undermined our ability to protect the nation’s rivers and wetlands—directly
affecting the safety and affordability of our drinking water, outdoor
recreational opportunities, habitats for wildlife, and fragile ecosystems
around the country. That is why I have introduced the Clean Water Restoration
Act of 2007 to restore the original intent of the Clean Water Act,"
Feingold said.
Curbing Wasteful Spending – The Line Item Veto
The Congressional Accountability and Line-item Veto Act, S. 1186, introduced
in the Senate by Feingold and in the House by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
would create a line-item veto to target wasteful earmarks, improve congressional
accountability, and deter lawmakers from inserting frivolous spending
into future bills. The bill avoids constitutional problems with previous
line item veto legislation by requiring both the House and Senate to
vote to approve a President’s decision to eliminate earmarks.
"Wasteful spending has sent our nation’s debt spiraling
out of control. One way to provide greater budget discipline is to find
more ways to cut unauthorized earmarks out of the budget process. I
am delighted to be working with my friend Paul Ryan to push our line-item
veto bill to target wasteful earmarks. Congress owes it to the taxpayers
to be a careful steward of their tax dollars," Feingold said.
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