Russell B. Long

Russell Billiu Long (November 3, 1918 – May 9, 2003) was an American Democratic politician who was a U.S. senator from Louisiana from 1948 to 1987. He was the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee for fifteen years, from 1966 to 1981.^[1]

Long was the son of Louisiana Governor and U.S. Senator Huey Long and worked during the administrations of eight U.S. presidents: from Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan.

Russell Billiu Long was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on November 3, 1918.^[2] Originally named Huey Pierce Long III, his father arrived shortly after his birth and changed his name to Russell. He was named for Russell Billiu, his mother's favorite cousin.^[3]

Long received his bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University in 1939 and his law degree from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1942.^[2]

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Long looked over 100 percent of all federal revenue and 40 percent of all government spending, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, welfare and food assistance programs, foreign trade, and tariffs.

In 1980 he was voted the most effective chairman and most effective debater by his colleagues in a U.S. News & World Report survey.^[4] In a 1982 survey, Long was voted the most influential Democrat by his Senate colleagues.^[5] The Wall Street Journal once called him "the fourth branch of government" because of his role as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.^[6]

At the time of his retirement in 1987, Long had a 75 percent approval rating among Louisiana voters.^[7]

Long died at his home in Washington, D.C., of heart failure on May 9, 2003, at the age of 84.^[6]

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Cemetery Memorial by La-Cemeteries
• A debunking of the Russell Long scene in JFK
• Russell B. Long at Find a Grave
• Long Families of Corinth and Zion – Winn Parish, LA
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Long Law Firm