Politics

Russ Feingold Touts Plan To Fight ISIS, Voted Against Terrorist Surveillance

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Juliegrace Brufke Capitol Hill Reporter
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Former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, who is currently running for his old seat, released a campaign ad touting his plan to defeat Islamic State. He cast multiple votes against defense funding and limiting access to surveillance tools as a senator.

In the 30-second TV spot, titled “Tough,” Feingold says the country needs to be strategic about how it handles the terrorist organization, but his record indicates he voted multiple times against legislation he initially voted for that expanded the national security director’s ability to go after lone wolf terrorists.

“My plan – cut off their oil arms supplies in cash, use special forces and targeted military strikes, better human intelligence, and here at home more resources to track down and break up terrorist cells,” he says. “And the U.S. has to pressure Middle Eastern nations to confront jihadist extremist that’s what it takes to combat terrorism and protect America.”

Feingold’s Republican challenger, Sen. Ron Johnson, recently slammed him in a speech at the Republican National Convention for being the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act in 2001 following the Sept. 11 attacks, alleging he didn’t do enough to help provide the military the resources it needs to conduct terrorist surveillance.

Feingold has stood by his decision in a recent fundraising letter, saying he voted against the Patriot Act for not providing enough oversight on the federal government.

Johnson attacked Feingold for his decision to vote down the National Defense Authorization Act, the bill that funds the military, 11 times.

Feingold, who said the country should step up targeted attacks, sponsored legislation to do away with the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the aircraft used in the first airstrikes against ISIS.

“Sen. Feingold is once again acting like a typical career politician, saying one thing and doing another – only this time he’s playing political games with our national security,” Johnson spokesman Brian Reisingeraid said. “Sen. Feingold voted repeatedly against our security and opposed the kind of strong defense it will take to keep local communities safe during his 18 years in Washington, and no amount of lip-service will cover up the fact that it’s simply too dangerous to give him a fourth term.”

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