Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold On the Decision by Senators Obama and McCain to Support the Presidential Public Funding System March 2, 2007 “I commend Senators Obama and McCain for pledging that, if nominated, they will participate in the presidential public funding system in the 2008 general election, as long as their eventual opponent also participates. This is good news for the American people, who, thanks to this system, for over 30 years have chosen between two major party candidates competing on a level financial playing field in the general election. All candidates for President should take a similar pledge.” “I also urge all the presidential candidates to follow Sen. Obama’s lead in endorsing my bill to fix the matching funds system in the primaries. Several candidates have announced they will not participate in that system, which is clearly broken. My legislation will update and repair the system for the 2012 election. All candidates ought to support my bill, and reassure the American people that should they become President they will not use the advantages of incumbency to raise far more private money than any challenger could possibly raise.” On January 30th, Senator Feingold introduced the Presidential Funding Act of 2007. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Marty Meehan (D-MA), Chris Shays (R-CT), and David Price (D-NC). More information regarding Senator Feingold’s bill is available here.

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