Russ Feingold

Biography
Russ Feingold is an independent voice for Wisconsin and the nation in the United States Senate - an effective legislator who works across party lines, and a respected leader in both domestic and foreign policy.

Agriculture
Wisconsin's agriculture industry plays a large and vital role in the growth and prosperity of the entire state. Wisconsin's status as "America's Dairyland," is central to our state's agriculture industry. Wisconsin's dairy farmers produce approximately 23 billion pounds of milk and 25 percent of the country's butter a year. But Wisconsin's farmers produce much more than milk -- they also are national leaders in the production of potatoes, ginseng, cranberries, various processing vegetables, and many organic foods.

Education
Education must be a top priority for our nation. To give our public schools the support they deserve, we must address problems such as a lack of adequate funding, understaffed schools, and increased federal mandates that rely too heavily on high-stakes standardized testing. Schools should be focused on providing solid academics and developing well-rounded students. I have long supported efforts to provide adequate funding for education programs, including Title I, professional development for teachers, special education/IDEA grants, and after-school programs to ensure that all our youth, regardless of background, have every opportunity to succeed in academics, athletics, and the arts.

Energy
From high gas prices to global warming to an over-dependence on oil, our country faces significant energy challenges. We need an energy policy that takes us in a new direction. I strongly support legislation to promote renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and encourage innovative approaches to our energy needs. These actions will bring down gas prices in the long run, reduce our dependence on oil, and improve our national security by making us less dependent on potentially unfriendly nations. The pursuit of new energy solutions will also stimulate significant job creation, providing new opportunities for rural communities and urban centers alike, while protecting the natural world for future generations.

Environment
Wisconsin is an extraordinarily beautiful state with a proud conservation history. I am honored to hold the Senate seat once held by Gaylord Nelson – the great Wisconsin environmentalist and founder of Earth Day. I try to carry that tradition forward through my service in the Senate, by working to protect the quality of our water and air, safeguard our public lands, care for wildlife, fight climate change, and preserve Wisconsin and America’s natural resources.

Health Care
Each year, I travel to all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties and hold an open, town hall-style meeting. In the 17 years I’ve held these listening sessions, health care has consistently been one of the top issues raised, particularly the skyrocketing cost and difficulty accessing health care. I have worked for years to get the U.S. Congress to address the need for health reform, and I am very pleased that it is finally doing so. Having listened to the concerns of families, businesses, health care professionals and others about why health care reform is so urgently needed, I have the following goals as Congress undertakes this vital and long-overdue debate.

National Security
The events of September 11, 2001, galvanized our country and our allies in a global fight against terrorism and those who would shelter, support, and finance the terrorist network that carried out these heinous acts.

Our first national security priority must be the fight against the terrorist networks that attacked our country on September 11. I am concerned that some of the Administration's actions have led the United States to shift critical military, intelligence, and other resources away from combating al Qaeda and related networks. I believe that our security interests would be better served by devoting these resources to tracking down and destroying the terrorist networks that attacked and continue to threaten this country.

Veterans
Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of our country, and in return for their courageous service it is our responsibility to make sure they receive the care and benefits they have more than earned.