[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF CAMPAIGN SPENDING LIMIT LEGISLATION

                                 ______


                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 1996

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation which 
would bring a much needed reform to our current campaign finance 
system. Spending on campaigns has spiraled out of control in recent 
years. It has become common for candidates running for Congress to 
spend millions of dollars to win an election. In the 1976 election 
cycle, $115.5 million was spent. In the 1990 election cycle, $445 
million was spent--that's an increase of 360 percent. In 1994, the 
average House race cost more than $516,000. You will find few who don't 
believe that something must be done about this.
  My bill offers a solution. It would limit spending to $600,000 per 
House race. This legislation will become effective once spending limits 
are deemed constitutional. This could happen once a constitutional 
amendment is passed or the Supreme Court reinterprets Buckley versus 
Valeo. In conjunction with this bill, I will cosponsor a House joint 
resolution to amend the Constitution to allow spending limits.
  In some districts this new limit may not make much difference, but in 
others it will drastically limit the ability of wealthy individuals to 
``buy'' their seat while putting an end to the money chase. This is a 
desperately needed step in overhauling our current campaign finance 
system and helping restore the faith of the American people in their 
elected officials.
  Mr. Speaker, on several occasions I have joined my colleagues in 
their calls for comprehensive legislation to rework our present 
campaign financing system. I will continue to work hard to see that we 
adopt meaningful reform measures during this session. My bill is a step 
in that direction. I urge my colleagues to support my bill and by doing 
so send a strong message showing they support reform of the flawed 
system under which we currently operate.

                                H.R. --

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. LIMITATION ON EXPENDITURES IN HOUSE OF 
                   REPRESENTATIVES ELECTIONS.

       Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
     U.S.C. 441a) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(i) A candidate for the office of Representative in, or 
     Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress may not 
     make expenditures with respect to an election for such 
     office, which, in the aggregate, exceed $300,000.''.

     SEC. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendment made by section 1 shall apply with respect to 
     elections occurring after 1996.

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