[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E44]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                INTRODUCTION OF CLEAN SWEEP ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Clean Sweep 
Act of 1997'' which is intended to bring fiscal sanity back to our 
nation's campaign financing system. In 1994, congressional candidates 
spent close to $725 million to be elected to the U.S. Congress. This is 
nearly $610 million more than candidates spent in 1976 and 60 percent 
more than the 1990 congressional election. Corporation and union 
Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions made up 27 percent of 
this total in 1994.
  While the final tally for campaign spending in the most recent 
election cycle is not yet known, Common Cause, a campaign finance 
reform advocacy group, has estimated that the cost of the 1996 
presidential and congressional elections may reach nearly $2 billion. 
PAC contributions from corporations have been estimated at over $150 
million, while union PACs have been reported between $150 to $500 
million. We cannot allow special interest to buy influence in Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, the ``Clean Sweep Act'' requires that at least half of a 
candidate's contributors come from within the district; prohibits the 
acceptance of Political Action Committee (PAC) money; limits a 
candidate's personal contributions to his or her own campaign to 
$50,000 per election cycle; prohibits the use of soft money; provides 
free broadcasting for candidates who comply with a voluntary spending 
limit of $600,000; assesses monetary penalties for candidates who 
exceed spending limits; prohibits all individual foreign contributions; 
prohibits cash contributions in federal elections; prohibits 
unsolicited franking within 90 days of a primary or general election; 
and requires Congress to evaluate the effects of campaign finance 
reform within 3 months of the first full election cycle after enactment 
of this bill.
  The greatest deliberating body in the world belongs to the American 
people, not corporate or union bosses in Washington, D.C. It is our 
civic duty as elected officials, who are responsible to the American 
people, to send a clear message to special interest groups that we will 
not be bought. We must restore integrity and honesty to a system that 
has contributed to increased cynicism of government and historic low 
voter turnout.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand before you today to say that in my 
22 years of service in the United States House of Representatives, I 
have not taken a single penny of PAC money. The people of the 19th 
District of Pennsylvania have awarded me the opportunity to represent 
them for over two decades because I put their interests ahead of 
special interest. My standing here today is proof that big money is not 
a prerequisite to holding a seat in Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, reform of our campaign finance system is sorely needed. 
I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation which will reduce 
the cost of campaign financing and restore faith in the federal 
election process.

                          ____________________