Feingold Stands with Auto Workers in Wisconsin

June 26, 2009 – Following General Motors’ announcement that the Janesville plant was not selected to produce its new subcompact car, Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl and U.S. Representatives Paul Ryan and Tammy Baldwin expressed their disappointment in the decision and reiterated their commitment to helping the working people of Rock County.

June 18, 2009 – Senator Feingold spoke to President Obama about the Wisconsin auto industry, stressing the important role it has played in Wisconsin for generations and the impact losing the auto industry would have on Wisconsin's economy and employment situation.

June 18, 2009 – Senator Feingold joined Senator Kohl, Congressman Ryan, and Congresswoman Moore in a meeting with Chrysler's Deputy CEO Jim Press to discuss the future of Chrysler's engine plant in Kenosha.

June 10, 2009 – Senator Feingold, Senator Kohl, Congressman Ryan, and Congresswoman Baldwin meet with GM Executives Tim Lee and Troy Clarke and GM Government Affairs VP Ken Cole to discuss assigning new small car production to the Janesville plant.

June 8, 2009 – Senator Feingold, Senator Kohl, Congressman Ryan, and Congresswoman Baldwin ask Treasury Secretary Geithner and Director of the National Economic Council Lawrence Summers to give full and fair consideration to supporting a restructuring plan that includes a new product commitment at the Janesville GM plant.

June 5, 2009 - Senator Feingold, Senator Kohl, Congressman Ryan, and Congresswoman Baldwin ask Frederick Henderson, President and CEO of GM, to meet with them regarding the future of the Janesville GM plant.

June 1, 2009 – Feingold statement on GM filing for bankruptcy.

May 28, 2009 - Senator Feingold, Senator Kohl, Congressman Ryan, and Congresswoman Baldwin ask Frederick Henderson, President and CEO of GM, to give full and fair consideration to supporting a restructuring plan that includes a new product commitment at the Janesville GM plant.

May 12, 2009 – Feingold joins Rep. Paul Ryan in asking Secretary Geithner and National Economic Council Director Larry Summers to work with all interested parties to curtail the impact that any bankruptcy restructuring plan will have on manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin and the United States.

May 8, 2009 – Feingold calls Steve Rattner, adviser to Secretary Geithner and Obama administration’s Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, about the need to protect jobs at the Kenosha plant.

May 7, 2009 – Feingold speaks on Senate floor about the need to preserve auto jobs in Wisconsin and the U.S.

May 7, 2009 – Feingold forwards to Steve Rattner, adviser to Treasury Secretary Geithner and the Obama administration’s Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, the concerns of GM and Chrysler dealers that they could be eliminated.

May 1, 2009 – Feingold expresses concern over press reports of Chrysler closing its Kenosha plant.

April 27, 2009 – Feingold speaks with Treasury Secretary Geithner about the need to protect jobs at the Kenosha plant.

April 22, 2009 – Feingold thanks Treasury Secretary Geithner for having the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry meet with retirees of the domestic auto industry and asks Geithner to give full and fair consideration to the requests from representatives of the National Retiree Legislative Network.

April 20, 2009 – Feingold receives a response from Treasury Secretary Geithner to his April 9, 2009 letter. Geithner indicates that the Administration hopes restructuring plans will "retain as many Chrysler jobs as possible in Wisconsin and around the country."

April 9, 2009 – Feingold writes to the Obama Auto Task Force about the Kenosha plant and the need to prioritize American jobs in any restructuring plans. Joining Feingold is Senator Kohl and Representatives Paul Ryan and Gwen Moore.

March 30, 2009 – Feingold says automaker restructuring plans must put a priority on saving U.S. jobs.

March 13, 2009 – Chrysler responds to Feingold's February 10 letter, indicating that no final decision on Kenosha plant was outlined in the Feb. 17th Chrysler restructuring plan submitted to the government and that a production plan would be outlined in the next 30-45 days.

Feb. 10, 2009 – Feingold writes to Chrysler expressing support for the Kenosha workforce and urging Chrysler to preserve the jobs in Kenosha.

December 23, 2008 – Feingold recognizes nearly a century of work by the people of Janesville and reiterates he will continue to do all he can to help GM employees with this transition.

December 11, 2008 – Feingold remarks on the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act.

October 30, 2008 – Senator Feingold, Senator Kohl, Congressman Ryan, and Congresswoman Baldwin write to the Department of Labor in full support of the Janesville community’s efforts to obtain trade and transitional adjustment assistance for recently unemployed workers from the Janesville GM plant.

October 13, 2008 – Feingold says he will continue to work with Governor Doyle, the rest of the congressional delegation, and local leaders to support an incentive package and other efforts to help pave the way for a better future in Janesville.

October 10, 2008 – Feingold statement on GM's plan to cease production in Janesville

October 2, 2008 – Senator Feingold and Governor Doyle announce $3.8 million in National Emergency Grant funding from the Department of Labor to provide job training resources to dislocated workers at GM, Lear Corporation, Logistics Services, and United Industries in the Janesville/Beloit region.

September 18, 2008 – Feingold asks Senate Appropriations Committee leaders to include the highest fiscally responsible funding for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, which provides loans to automobile manufacturers in order to retool facilities for fuel efficient vehicles

September 12, 2008 - Senator Feingold, Senator Kohl, Congressman Ryan, and Congresswoman Baldwin express to GM CEO Rick Wagoner their strong support for the Janesville community, its dedicated workforce, and the state of Wisconsin as they present a package to GM for continuing operations at the Janesville GM plant.

September 12, 2008 – Feingold meets with GM CEO Rick Wagoner in Washington, D.C. to make clear what a tremendous asset the people of Janesville’s GM plant are to GM, and how important GM jobs are to the Janesville community.

July 28, 2008 – Feingold writes to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao in support of the National Emergency Grant application submitted by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development on behalf of workers losing their jobs in Janesville.

June 3, 2008 – Senator Feingold, Senator Kohl, and Congressman Ryan ask GM CEO Rick Wagoner to reconsider the decision to close the Janesville GM plant and request a meeting to discuss the possible retooling of the plant for different production lines.

June 3, 2008 – Feingold statement on the GM announcement affecting Janesville.

May 1, 2008 – Senator Feingold, Senator Kohl, and Congressman Ryan write GM CEO Rick Wagoner to ask about GM plans to ensure continued viability of the Janesville GM plant and to express their strong support for the continuation of operations at the Janesville GM plant.