Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) has served the United States Senate since 1993 where he was responsible for the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act), the most influential piece of bi-partisan campaign finance reform legislation. A leading advocate for transparency of organized political lobbying, he is also an alumnus of the National Forensic League.

In this letter to all Public Forum debaters in the country, he applauds them for debating the topic of lobbying and discusses how debate and membership in the NFL has been part of his life in public service.

Read Senator Feingold’s Letter

Here are some additional resources provided for Public Forum debaters referencing the Senator’s work on lobbying:

Time to Put Curbs on Lobbying Star Tribune July 26, 2005

Feingold Introduces Lobbying and Ethics Reform Bill Legislation Improves Lobby Disclosure Requirements and Targets Privately Funded Trips and Lobbyist Gifts to Members and Staff

Lobbying reform easier said than done SFGate.com January 16, 2006

Lobbying against America CNN.com, August 12, 2005

More Disclosure Likely With Senate Changes to Lobbyist Disclosure Act Roll Call January 24, 2007