Russ Feingold

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Senator Russ Feingold

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Russ Feingold (b.1956) is a Democratic Senator and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Feingold is the junior Senator from Wisconsin.

Early life and education

A native Wisconsinite, Senator Feingold graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with his Bachelor's degree in 1977. Feingold was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa at UW-Madison. Feingold later attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and graduated from Oxford in 1977. After moving back state-side, Feingold graduated from Harvard Law with his Juris Doctor degree in 1979[1].

Professional career

After graduating from Harvard Law, Feingold was a private practice attorney from 1979 to 1985. Feingold practiced law for two firms in the Madison area. Feingold was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1982. Feingold was later re-elected to the Wisconsin Senate in 1986 and 1990. Feingold served in the Wisconsin State Senate until his election to the US Senate in 1992[1].

Congressional career

Feingold was first elected in 1992 to the US Senate by defeating Republican incumbent Senator Robert Kasten. Feingold was re-elected to the US Senate in 1998 and in 2004. Feingold faces re-election in 2010[1].

Senate Judiciary Committee

Senator Feingold was first appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1995[2].

Senator Feingold is currently the Chairman on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution[3]. Senator Feingold also serves on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittees on Administrative Oversight and the Courts, Crime and Drugs, and Human Rights and the Law.

Feingold has participated in the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, and Associate Justices Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor.

Notable moments


Senator Feingold on the issue of Executive Branch czars.

Executive branch "czars"

Senator Feingold, along with fellow Senate Judiciary Committee member Tom Coburn, held a meeting on the legality of executive branch czars on October 6, 2009. The Senator held the hearing after criticism by the public over how executive branch advisers, also known as czars, can be appointed by the President of the United States without Senate confirmation[4].

Senator Feingold was very critical of the Obama Administration for not having a representative during the hearing to testify about the legality of executive branch czars. Senator Feingold was very concerned because of the high profile of some executive branch czars. He felt that the lack of congressional oversight over these positions raised questions about the role of advise and consent in nominating people who advise the President on key issues[4].

Feingold also mentioned that the White House could thwart congressional oversight if there are not checks and balances provided by the advise and consent process[4].

Sotomayor hearings


Senator Feingold questions Sonia Sotomayor

During the Sonia Sotomayor hearings, Senator Feingold questioned the then-federal appeals judge on a number of issues including an issue that is close to Senator Feingold: executive branch power.

Senator Feingold also asked Sotomayor about issues including FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) and televising the Supreme Court of the United States. When responding to the Senator's questions, Sotomayor described the Constitution of the United States as a timeless document[5].

The Senator asked how she would rule on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The Citizens United case was actually the first oral argument that Justice Sotomayor heard days after she was sworn in to the nation 's highest court. The case talks about the legality of the Bi-Partisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 also known as McCain-Feingold. Sotomayor would not respond to question due to ethics regulations that would prohibit members of the federal judiciary from speaking[6].

FISA


Senator Feingold questions Eric Holder

During Senator Feingold's tenure on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senator has been an outspoken advocate against warrantless wiretapping, even such wiretapping approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act[7].

It was common during the last three confirmation hearings that Senator Feingold participated in for Supreme Court justices, John Roberts, Samuel Alito, and Sonia Sotomayor, that he has asked at least a few questions on the issue of warrantless wiretapping[8].

This was also the standard during the confirmation hearings for current United States Attorney General] Eric Holder along with former Attorneys General Michael Mukasey and Alberto Gonzales[7].


External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Senator Russ Feingold" Official Biography
  2. ↑ "Senate Judiciary" List of previous members
  3. ↑ "Senate Judiciary Committee" List of Subcommittees
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "New York Times" Senators Take On Czar Wars, October 7, 2009
  5. ↑ "Los Angeles Times" Day 2 Sotomayor Hearing Transcripts, July 14, 2009
  6. ↑ "Los Angeles Times" Day 3 Sotomayor Hearing Transcripts, July 15, 2009
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Washington Independent" Feingold Asks Obama to Clarify Position on Warrantless Wiretapping, June 15, 2009
  8. ↑ "Los Angeles Times" Day 2 Sotomayor Hearing Transcripts, July 14, 2009
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