[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE CITIZENS' CHOICE ACT

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                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker. It has been clear for many years that our 
campaign finance system must be reformed. Recent events have raised 
public awareness of this need, and I am glad that the issue is now near 
the top of our agenda.
  Reforming our campaign finance system is one of the most difficult 
problems before Congress. In the past, sweeping comprehensive reform 
has yielded a multitude of unintended consequences. Our campaign system 
is complex, and it will not yield to easy solutions or quick fixes. 
That is why I am introducing legislation that takes a small but 
important step in the right direction--toward limiting campaign 
spending and leveling the playing field between challengers and 
incumbents.
  My bill, the Citizens' Choice Act, creates a voluntary system of 
publicly financed general elections to the U.S. House of 
Representatives. Under my bill, a House of Representatives general 
election trust fund would be funded by a voluntary $5 check-off on 
income tax returns, and would consist of one account per political 
party in every congressional district. Candidates who accepted money 
from this fund must agree to spend no more than $600,000 on their 
campaigns. The spending limit would be waived if a candidate's opponent 
refuses to participate in the public funding and raises at least 
$100,000. My bill also includes a blanket prohibition on all House 
general election candidates from loaning more than $500,000 to their 
own campaigns.
  My bill addresses the most common criticism of public financing 
proposals: that taxpayers should not subsidize the campaigns of 
candidates they oppose. That is why I would allow people to choose 
which party would receive their tax dollars. This eliminates the 
problem, while creating greater opportunity for citizens to get 
involved in the electoral process.
  Mr. Speaker, some Members are too ready to believe that citizens 
strongly oppose public financing. I believe it is time for Congress to 
take another look at public financing of campaigns. Widespread 
frustration with our current system has grown to the point that 
Americans demand new solutions. People want fair campaigns, and I 
believe the American people will understand that an appropriate 
combination of public financing and spending limits is an effective way 
to govern our campaign system. I also feel that citizens will welcome 
the opportunity to support our political system through my proposed 
check-off.
  I urge my colleagues to look beyond any preconceived notions they may 
have about public financing of campaigns, and support legislation that 
gives citizens a choice in financing our electoral process.

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