[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COSPONSORSHIP OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM LEGISLATION

                                 ______


                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I recently overcame a challenge in the 
Pennsylvania Democratic primary, where, we believe, my opponent was 
able to spend more campaign funds than my campaign spent. I came away 
from that campaign with the certain belief that we spend too much time 
concentrating on campaign fundraising and that there is too much money 
in the political process. We must reform the way we finance our 
political campaigns. I have signed the discharge petition to require 
the Republican majority to do what they do not want to do: bring 
campaign finance reform legislation to the floor.
  I come to the floor today to announce that I am cosponsoring two 
pieces of campaign finance reform legislation.
  First, I am cosponsoring the Meehan-Shays-Smith campaign finance 
reform bill. This bill would make fundamental changes in the way we 
fund our campaigns. The sponsors of the bill should be applauded for 
the contribution they have made in moving this debate forward.
  I am also cosponsoring Sam Farr's American Political Reform Act. 
While the two bills are similar in important respects, but there are 
aspects in the Farr bill that I prefer. First, it better recognizes the 
constitutional infirmity in banning political action committees by 
setting expenditure limits, restricting PAC contributions in the mix of 
total contributions and lowering the maximum contributions from 
individual PAC's. Second, it does not contain the in-State, in-district 
requirements, included in the Meehan-Shays-Smith bill. Those of us who 
seek to run in poor districts, especially challengers, would be sorely 
handicapped by this limitation. Moreover, it would put entities like 
Emily's List and the groups that come together to fight for the State 
of Israel out of business, for all practical purposes--these groups 
have genuine first amendment interests. Third, it correctly restricts 
bundling but carves out a responsible exception for PAC's that do not 
lobby.
  I hope that the Republican leadership will see the light and work 
with us to reform the political process.

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