[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3737-H3738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CAMPAIGN REFORM

  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, during the 104th Congress, we have made some 
very positive changes in how we do business around here. We have 
legislated more stringent lobbyist registration requirements, 
disclosure requirements of their activities. We have passed a new House 
rule that prohibits Members and staffs from accepting any gifts, 
including meals or event tickets, from lobbyists or any other 
individuals other than family and close friends.
  This is a good start, but it has not changed the persistent 
perception across our country that special interest groups have an edge 
over individual contributors when it comes to election time.

[[Page H3738]]

  Our next step is to change how we run our campaigns. I have 
introduced H.R. 3274 to do just that. My bill does limit PAC 
contributions, and it requires that contributions come from within the 
candidate's State and that 50 percent of contributions come from within 
the candidate's district. If we are here to represent the people from 
our district, then they are the ones that should help us get here. They 
are the Americans we work for and are accountable to.
  It is time for meaningful campaign reform. We can pass some. We 
should do it. It makes sense.

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