[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1045-H1046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Ford] is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in echoing really what some of my 
other colleagues have gotten up today to talk about on both sides of 
the aisle, calling for sweeping campaign finance reform.
  We live in the greatest representative democracy in the world, Mr. 
Speaker. But the massive amount of money that has found its way into 
our political system threatens to eclipse one of democracy's 
fundamental principles that everyone's vote counts the same.
  In the 1996 elections over $2 billion was spent in our political 
election system. More than $2 million of that was soft money. Some 
individuals contributed $2 million or more to one political party or 
another.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, elections are financed by a small minority of 
Americans. Less than one-half of 1 percent of the electorate gives 
contributions in excess of $200. Over the past 30 years less than 20 
percent of the electorate has contributed to elections.
  Americans feel alienated from our political process, and they are 
demanding that we take action. Everyone involved in this system must be 
a part of the solution, both Democrats and Republicans. We must limit 
PAC contributions, restrict the use of soft money and temper the 
influence of independent expenditures by outside advocacy groups. In 
addition, we must give the Federal Election Commission real teeth to 
investigate, report, and discipline candidates who break the rules.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, the public airwaves belong to the people. An 
exponential increase in the cost of television advertising is 
preventing candidates from communicating with voters. The rise of the 
digital age presents

[[Page H1046]]

us with the rare opportunity to strengthen our democracy. Broadcasters, 
who will receive free digital licenses from the Government, have a 
responsibility to fulfill their public interest standards by allowing 
reduced advertising television time for candidates who comply with the 
rules.
  Mr. Speaker, we must seize this moment and forge a bipartisan 
consensus to heed the American people's call to reform our campaign 
system.

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