Feingold Stands with Chrysler Workers in Kenosha

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.

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 joins Senator Kohl in asking Steven Rattner, adviser to Secretary Geithner and Obama administration’s Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, to consider using Section 136 auto retooling loans to help cover the costs of retooling the Kenosha Engine Plant.

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

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 writes to Treasury Secretary Geithner on behalf of auto retirees, emphasizing the need for all stakeholders to make concessions during the auto restructuring process, including bondholders.

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.