[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         H.R. 2566--THE BIPARTISAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM BILL

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 1, 1995

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be an original 
cosponsor of this bill and part of a true bipartisan effort to reform 
the way campaigns are financed. Such a complex issue can only be 
responsibly addressed in a bipartisan fashion. We, the Members of the 
104th Congress, have an opportunity to stop the erosion of public 
confidence in our democratic system.
  The skyrocketing cost of congressional campaigns, the influence of 
special interests through large contributions and political action 
committees [PAC's], and the advantage of incumbency in raising campaign 
funds in elections must be addressed. This bill addresses all three 
issues.
  This bill is strong reform. It places firm but reasonable limits on 
the amount of money candidates can spend on campaigns. In addition, it 
bans soft money and leadership PAC's and deals responsibly with 
independent expenditures. Furthermore, it encourages small, individual 
contributions.
  I am, however, opposed to one part of this proposed legislation. 
There should be parity in the restrictions imposed on large 
contributions and PAC contributions. Instead, this legislation bans PAC 
contributions but allows large contributions to finance up to 25 
percent of a candidate's campaign. In the spirit of bipartisanship, PAC 
contributions should be treated similarly to large contributions. 
Perhaps the most important message we could take to the American people 
is that we have a bipartisan bill. By treating large individual 
contributions differently from PAC contributions, we lose that message. 
I hope that as this legislation proceeds throughout the Congress, we 
will address this disparity. I am convinced that once this inequity is 
resolved, the bill will receive even stronger support.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to carefully review this 
legislation. I know that once they do, they will agree that this type 
of bipartisan effort is the only way to achieve real campaign finance 
reform.

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