[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      END THE ABUSE OF PUSH POLLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, in recent years, many campaigns have used 
unsubstantiated allegations against an opponent in their polls. While 
these push polls may be sound politics to some, I believe that the use 
of negative, suggestive, and unfounded information in a poll fails to 
meet the democratic goal of persuading voters with truth and fairness.
  That's why I introduced the Push Poll Disclaimer Act today. This bill 
will discourage the practice of slandering a candidate in a Federal 
election under the guise of a legitimate poll. The Push Poll Disclaimer 
Act will require that any person or organization conducting a poll by 
telephone give the source of any information provided in the poll, or a 
statement that there is no source if this is the case. Further, my bill 
will require that the identity of the person or group sponsoring the 
poll, as well as the identity of the caller, be disclosed.
  Mr. Speaker, it is vital that we work together to reduce the negative 
impact push polls have on the Federal election process. I urge that the 
provisions in my bill be included in the larger campaign finance reform 
bill which is expected to be considered this Congress. I thank the 
Speaker, and look forward to working with him during the 105th Congress 
on this important issue.

                          ____________________