[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 111 (Thursday, July 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H8383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORT THE FARR CAMPAIGN REFORM ALTERNATIVE

  (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARDIN. Madam Speaker, many of us on both sides of the aisle have 
been waiting very patiently for this day when campaign finance reform 
would be before the House. This is our one opportunity in this term of 
Congress, and I must say we are extremely disappointed.
  The rule that is being brought forward is very restrictive, will not 
allow for the bipartisan bill to be offered, and controls very much 
what we can consider on this floor. That is wrong.
  The underlying bill moves in the wrong direction. The Republican bill 
would have us spend more money and put no limits on what we can be 
spent in campaigns. It carries out the wishes of Speaker Gingrich when 
he stated that he thinks the problem with our campaign laws is that 
there is not enough money being spent.
  My constituents disagree. We should be reforming the system to put 
controls on how much money can be spent and to reward small 
contributors, and that is exactly what the bill offered by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Farr] will do. I urge my colleagues to 
support it.

  No wonder that all of the public interest groups oppose the 
Republican bill, from Common Cause to Public Citizen, the League of 
Women Voters, U.S. PIRG. They oppose the Republican bill. I urge my 
colleagues to vote against that bill and support the Farr alternative.

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