Ron Johnson campaign spokesman Brian Reisinger issued the following statement after Ron Johnson won the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association debate Friday night:
“The choice in this election is clear — between a manufacturer with a proven track record of delivering for Wisconsin and a 34-year career politician with no message, no accomplishments, and who says one thing and does another. Ron was the clear winner in tonight’s debate as Wisconsinites were reminded of why they fired Senator Feingold six years ago — and saw just how hard Ron is working for them.”
On Obamacare, Senator Feingold Says One Thing and Does Another
Senator Feingold says one thing…
“If you like the plan you purchase, the health care reform bill does not force you to change it.” (Sen. Russ Feingold, Op-Ed, “Setting The Record Straight On Reform,” La Crosse Tribune, 4/4/10)
“Experts believe this reform effort will lower premiums in the non-group market by 14 to 20 percent for the same benefits.” (Sen. Russ Feingold, Remarks On The Senate Floor, Washington, D.C., 3/24/10) MIN 4:58:45
And does another…
In December 2013, PolitiFact Ruled “If You Like Your Health Care Plan, You Can Keep It” The “Lie Of The Year.” (Angie Drobnic Holan, “Lie Of The Year: ‘If You Like Your Health Care Plan, You Can Keep It,’ PolitiFact, 12/12/13)
Last year, Senator Feingold said people were exaggerating Obamacare’s effects. FEINGOLD: “They see that the healthcare bill was by no means as bad as some people pretended it was.” (UpFront with Mike Gousha, 7/13/15) MIN 2:29-2:34
In 2017, health insurance rates will increase by an average of 15.88 percent, with some customers seeing as much as a 30 percent increase.(Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance press release, 10/11/16)
On Debt and the Deficit, Senator Feingold Says One Thing and Does Another
Senator Feingold says one thing…
“That’s an excellent question that gets to the number one issue, the number one issue in the country, which is reducing the federal deficit.” (Wisconsin Town Hall Meeting, Madison, WI, 10/16/92) (MIN 13:58-15:24)
And does another…
Senator Feingold voted against a Balanced Budget Amendment four times. (1994 Roll Call Vote #48, 1995 Roll Call Vote #98, 1996 Roll Call Vote #158, 1997 Roll Call Vote #24)
The federal debt has increased by $14 trillion since Senator Feingold cast his votes against the Balanced Budget Amendment. (TreasuryDirect.gov, accessed 10/11/16)
Senator Feingold voted to increase the federal debt limit by more than $10 trillion. (Votes: H.R. 1430, Roll Call Vote #247, H.R. 3136, Roll Call Vote #209, Roll Call Vote #148,Roll Call Vote #202, Roll Call Vote #213, Roll Call Vote #213, Roll Call Vote #54, Roll Call Vote #354, Roll Call Vote #186, Roll Call Vote #213, Roll Call Vote #64, Roll Call Vote #397, Roll Call Vote #14)
On College Affordability, Senator Feingold Says One Thing and Does Another
Ron was instrumental in extending the Perkins Loan program. (Public Law 114-105, 114th Congress)
Ron also voted not just once but twice in favor of legislation to improve student loans by stabilizing and lowering interest rates. (2013 Roll Call Vote #142,2013 Roll Call Vote #185)
Meanwhile, Senator Feingold says one thing…
“A college education must be available to those students who study hard to get there, regardless of their economic status. That’s why I believe we must build a system that allows Wisconsin’s future students to graduate without debt from our world-class public institutions.” (Russ Feingold, Op-Ed, “College Students Should Be Able To Graduate Without Debt,” Madison.Com, 9/9/15)
And does another…
Since leaving office, Feingold has earned at least $450,000 from salaries and honoraria from colleges and universities. (Russ Feingold, 2012 Personal Financial Disclosure Form, Filed 7/11/13; Russ Feingold, 2013 Personal Financial Disclosure Form, Filed 5/28/14; Russ Feingold, 2014 Personal Financial Disclosure Form, Filed 4/17/15; Russ Feingold, 2015 Personal Financial Disclosure Form, Filed 5/29/15; Russ Feingold, 2015 Personal Financial Disclosure Form, Filed 5/15/16)
In 2015, Feingold was compensated $150,000 for teaching two courses at Stanford University for 19 classes, approximately $7,895 per class. (Russ Feingold, 2015 Personal Financial Disclosure Form, Filed 5/15/16)
In one-and-a-half lectures, Senator Feingold made more than the cost to send a Wisconsin student to UW-Madison for a year.
On National Security, Senator Feingold Says One Thing and Does Another
Ron has helped pass 10 bills into law focusing on threats to our national security.
- Laws focused on counter-terrorism, border security, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure passed through the Homeland Security Committee and signed into law.
Ron has used the Homeland Security committee to investigate the recent terrorist attacks in our country and across the globe, to get to the bottom of what happened.
Meanwhile, Senator Feingold says one thing…
“But, when you talk about lone wolf, I think the FBI here in this country, and the law enforcement, is going to need more resources.” (CBS Green Bay’s “Newsmaker,” 2/21/16) (MIN 2:52-4:41)
And does another…
First, Feingold voted against extending the Lone Wolf Provision of the PATRIOT Act at least three times. (Roll Call Vote #11, 2/2/06, Feingold Voted Nay; Roll Call Vote #29, 3/2/06, Feingold Voted Nay; Roll Call Vote #384, 12/19/09, Feingold Voted Nay)
After being questioned about his record, Senator Feingold praised lone wolf provisions. ANCHOR: “With recent attacks in Minnesota and New York your opponent’s campaign has criticized some votes you made in the Senate against extending what’s known as the ‘Lone Wolf’ provision in the PATRIOT Act. Why did you make those decisions?” FEINGOLD: “The ‘Lone Wolf’ provisions, and all of these provisions, have to do with making sure our people of our country are safe. We have to be sure that organizations like ISIS are actually destroyed. So, making this a political issue is not the way to go.” (FOX 11’s “Good Day Wisconsin,” 9/21/16) Min 1:30-1:52
Then four days later he downplayed the importance of lone wolf anti-terror measures. “This lone wolf provision, you know what? It’s never even been used in a terrorism investigation, according to all the reports I’ve seen. So this is a bogus claim.” (WKOW “Capitol City Sunday,” 9/26/16)
In November 2002, Senator Feingold was one of nine Senators to oppose the creation of the Department Of Homeland Security. (H.R. 5005, Roll Call Vote #249: Bill Passed 90-9, 11/19/02, Feingold Voted Nay; CQ Summary, Accessed 11/20/15)
On Social Security, Senator Feingold Says One Thing and Does Another
Ron is working to save Social Security by growing our economy and controlling spending.
Ron is protecting taxpayers by releasing reports that have brought accountability to the Social Security system.
Meanwhile, Senator Feingold says one thing…
“Social Security benefits should never be cut, they should be expanded.” (“Retirement Security,” russfeingold.com, accessed 10/13/16)
And does another…
Senator Feingold voted to raise taxes on Social Security benefits on 5.5 million retirees. “An estimated 5.5 million Social Security retirees would have to pay a higher tax as a result of the change, which is expected to raise $24.5 billion over the next five years.” (David Hess, “Income Tax Hike On Social Security Angers Older Americans,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/10/93)
In May 2006, Feingold Voted To Table An Amendment That Would Prevent Illegal Immigrants From Receiving Social Security. “Specter, R-Pa., motion to table (kill) the Ensign, R-Nev., amendment no. 3985 that would bar illegal immigrants currently in the country from claiming Social Security credits for work done in years before they are assigned a valid Social Security number.” (S. Amdt 3985 To S. 2611, Roll Call Vote #130: Motion To Table Agreed To 50-49, 5/18/06, Feingold Voted Yea; CQ Summary, Accessed 11/3/15)
Senator Feingold Has Consistently Voted Against America’s Armed Forces
Senator Feingold voted against at least eleven defense authorization bills. (Roll Call Vote #327, Roll Call Vote #201, Roll Call Vote #1, Roll Call Vote #275, Roll Call Vote #284, Roll Call Vote #293, Roll Call Vote #296, Roll Cal Vote #279, Roll Call Vote #5, Roll Call Vote #297, Roll Call Vote #380)
Ron’s Record on the Tomah VA and the Opioid Epidemic
Ron is leading the way to pass reforms to deal with this crisis affecting our communities, families, and even our veterans.
As soon as Ron became aware of the tragedies at Tomah in January of 2015, he took immediate and effective action.
- As chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Ron launched a thorough investigation to determine and publicly reveal how the problems at Tomah festered.
- Because of his leadership there is a new VA inspector general, and the Tomah VA leadership – including the chief of staff dubbed the “Candyman” – are gone.
- The original Tomah whistleblower, Ryan Honl, supports Ron Johnsonbecause he took action. Memos detailing Tomah problems weremarked “hand-delivered” to Sen. Feingold’s office.
- The VA union boss also told law enforcement she personally told Feingold’s office about Tomah in 2008.
