[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 11, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RESPONDING TO PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first let me salute all the 
many veterans that I have had the opportunity to see today who are 
expressing their views and pay tribute to them certainly for their 
service to their country. It is for that reason that I rise to talk 
about giving this House back to the people of this Nation.
  Even though we have heard so much talk about campaign finance reform, 
the real question will be whether we will be serious as a bipartisan 
body to address this issue. Although I will say to you that most 
Americans will say just do a good job, recognizing that each individual 
Congressperson that represents their district does the very best they 
can and is assessed by the people who vote them in, but they do want us 
to come to the understanding that people control this House and not 
money.
  At the same time I think it is important that those who want to 
express their interest by supporting candidates should have the 
opportunity. I am glad to support the Farr bill which is a bipartisan 
approach to real campaign reform. It sets limits. It allows us to 
access the telecommunication highways, if you will, to communicate to 
the public. And, yes, it allows PAC's that represent people to 
participate. Let us come together by July 4 and give real independence 
and vote for real campaign finance reform.
   Mr. Speaker, I come before the House this morning to urge my 
colleagues to respond to the President's call to enact comprehensive 
campaign finance reform by July 4 of this year. This House in which we 
are all privileged to serve, is the people's House. It belongs to all 
of the citizens of this Nation and these citizens are calling out to 
their congressional Representatives to restore their confidence in 
Congress' ability to act for the good of the Nation. During the 
congressional cycle of 1996 we saw unprecedented amounts of money spent 
on these elections, which only heightened public cynicism regarding how 
our democracy works.
  If comprehensive campaign finance reform is enacted by the July 4 
deadline set by the President, American citizens will truly be able to 
celebrate Independence Day. It will be independence from excessive 
fundraising by candidates running for political office. Independence 
from outside organizations having such a large and overwhelming impact 
on the electoral process simply because they have spent huge sums of 
money. Mr. Speaker, the people of the 18th District of Texas in which I 
am honored to represent want this House returned to the people. Let's 
have a real Independence Day this year. Let's not let partisan politics 
get in the way. Let's enact real comprehensive campaign finance reform 
and have a real Independence Day.

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