[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 172 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H11688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            LOBBYING REFORM

  (Mr. NEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I just want to stand today and agree with my 
colleague, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Chabot], who just told us about 
the importance of ending the subsidies that the American taxpayers pay 
for groups to lobby.
  It is a critical issue. We are talking about lobbying reform. 
Currently, we are talking about PAC reform. These are important issues 
that should be discussed, but we should not have a fear because a group 
says you are stifling my voice.
  Let us make it clear in this debate. This is an important issue. 
These are government dollars, taxpayers' dollars, that are going into 
these advocacy groups.
  In recent research, what was told us is that 70 percent of Americans 
want to see this changed. We have got to address this in the debate. 
This has to come before the Halls of Congress. We also have to make it 
clear that these groups should be advocates for their position. A lot 
of these groups I agree with. They would be free to advocate their 
position, but the taxpayers of this country should be free from paying 
for it.

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