Feingold Talks National Security At Marquette Event

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold said former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden’s actions in 2013 were wrong.

Snowden is the federal whistleblower who revealed secret documents on the extent of U.S. surveillance. Feingold contends Snowden shouldn’t have done that to the U.S.

“What we learned in terms of the abuse of some aspects of our intelligence system is something we have to take seriously and reform,” he said, while speaking at a Marquette University forum on Tuesday. “But I am simply not going to endorse that approach to that kind of information.”

Feingold also defended his 2001 vote against the Patriot Act, a law that sponsors said has boosted national security.

Feingold said part of that law needs to be changed and that elected lawmakers need to be the checks and balances against government abuses.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who is a Republican and will likely face off against Feingold this fall, said the Patriot Act is a necessary tool for law enforcement.