[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

 Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, today I am cosponsoring 
legislation offered by Senators McCain and Feingold to reform our 
campaign finance laws. This legislation offers a sensible, bipartisan 
agreement on steps to change our campaign spending and fundraising laws 
in ways that I believe are long overdue.
  I am aware that there are deep disagreements within the Senate on 
this issue, and I know there are legitimate concerns about spending 
limits. However, I have long believed that money should not be the 
driving force in congressional campaigns.
  Mr. President, when I leave the Senate at the end of this term, 
Kansas will have an open Senate seat for the first time since 1978. 
Candidates considering this race already are being told that the 
campaign will cost $2 million or more. In comparison to other, larger 
States that may seem like a bargain, but the estimates alone impose a 
high price on our political process.
  The simple reality is that many good potential candidates, regardless 
of party affiliation, take themselves out of the running rather than 
face the grueling task of raising such huge sums of money. In effect, 
money has become the first primary election.
  Some may applaud that development as a way to screen out candidates 
who lack commitment or the ability to raise funds. I believe it too 
often merely screens out candidates who are unwilling to raise and 
spend large sums of money in order to be elected to public office. 
Money should not be an unwritten qualification for the Senate, but in 
fact it is an increasingly critical factor.
  The legislation offered by Senator McCain and Senator Feingold does 
not cure this problem in a perfect and permanent way. The voluntary 
spending limits set in the bill are just that--voluntary--and can be 
ignored by candidates who want to spend freely. The incentives for 
voluntary compliance--free broadcast time, reduced broadcast rates, and 
reduced mail cost--may be viewed as insufficient and ineffective.
  However, Mr. President, I believe this bill offers a workable and 
realistic framework for changes in the way we finance our campaigns. I 
know the primary sponsors are open to suggestions and ready to engage 
in good-faith talks on modifications or changes that might be 
necessary. However, they believe it is time to move forward with 
campaign finance reform. I agree with them, and I believe they have 
offered an excellent starting point for this effort. I applaud their 
work and ask that I be added as a cosponsor of S. 1219.

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