[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE REINTRODUCTION OF THE FAIRNESS IN POLITICAL ADVERTISING ACT

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                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, in this past election season, spending 
levels for Federal elections shattered all previous records, for an 
estimated total of $1.6 billion. Given the vast sums of money required 
to run for office, wealthy individuals have a significant advantage 
over ordinary citizen candidates. That is hardly representative 
government. The cost of running for political office in America has 
simply become too high, and I am determined that we find a better way.
  On election night, I vowed to redouble my efforts to clean up our 
out-of-control campaign finance system. Today I am reintroducing the 
Fairness in Political Advertising Act, which would both reduce the cost 
of elections and level the playing field by requiring broadcast 
stations to make free political advertising time available to 
candidates, as a condition of those stations renewing their licenses. 
And because so many voters have expressed dismay over negative 
advertising, my bill would also require that the programming consist of 
unedited segments in which the candidate speaks directly into the 
camera. In this way, candidates would be directly accountable for any 
statements made.
  My first responsibility in this Congress is to see that the people of 
New York's 28th Congressional District, as well as our Nation, 
experience fair and clean campaigns in the years to come. The Fairness 
in Political Advertising Act would go a long way toward reducing the 
influence of money on our elections. I urge Congress to enact it now.

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