[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 53 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 53

 Expressing the sense of Congress concerning the opportunity to reform 
                 financing of congressional campaigns.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 24, 1993

Mr. Gutierrez submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
           referred to the Committee on House Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress concerning the opportunity to reform 
                 financing of congressional campaigns.

Whereas a civic-minded spirit has taken hold across the country that advocates 
        substantive change in the conduct of our Government;
Whereas this enthusiasm, as evidenced by last November's election and by the 
        electorate's heightened attention to public policy issues, is 
        widespread;
Whereas our President has called on all Americans to be ``architects of the 
        future'' and ``agents of change''--a call which should be taken up first 
        and foremost by those who are the elected leaders of America;
Whereas the American people, representing every political affiliation as well as 
        those with no such affiliation, seek and deserve fuller participation in 
        the issues of the day;
Whereas the problems that confront our Nation--including budget concerns, the 
        health care system, gun- and drug-related crime--demand that lawmakers 
        spend more time listening to the concerns of our constituents;
Whereas urgent issues confront the entire community of our Nation, and should 
        therefore be viewed in an atmosphere undistorted by those who present a 
        limited perspective on these concerns;
Whereas officeholders have felt compelled to spend increasing amounts of time 
        and energy securing the funds they need to remain politically viable;
Whereas the cost of campaigning for election to the House and Senate has risen 
        to such levels that, if allowed to continue, could belie our own 
        arguments that Government and American families must become more frugal; 
        and
Whereas the House is designed to be a people's house, a status which would be 
        best achieved when its membership is made more accessible to and 
        reflective of citizen-legislators of all economic backgrounds: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) campaign finance reform corresponds to the current 
        national spirit,
            (2) we have a unique--but fleeting opportunity to 
        capitalize on this spirit of reform,
            (3) this issue should be taken up with full, speedy, and 
        serious consideration,
            (4) a meaningful campaign finance reform bill will provide 
        for voluntary spending limits, will limit contributions by 
        political action committees, and will encourage increased 
        debate among candidates,
            (5) an effective campaign finance reform bill will enable 
        the true work of Congress to proceed with more efficiency as 
        Members will be free to spend more time on the issues vital to 
        the public, and
            (6) a true campaign finance reform bill will reflect a 
        commitment to no special interest group but one--the American 
        people.

                                 <all>