[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RESTORING TRUST IN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, for most Americans, the November elections 
and their aftermath clearly demonstrate the need for campaign finance 
reform. Unprecedented amounts of soft money were spent, special 
interests seemed to have played a disproportionate role, and there 
seemed to be no way to police the system. And now, very day seems to 
bring a new allegation of improper fundraising activities. The 
cumulative effect of these problems and the recent allegations of 
fundraising impropriety undermines the people's faith in their 
government. In my view, the only way to begin to restore that faith is 
to take a hard look at the problems with our existing campaign finance 
system and develop sensible changes to address them.
  Today, I am introducing the Restoring Trust in Government Act. It 
makes some specific changes that I think address these concerns and 
that I believe are long overdue. The bill reduces special interest 
influence, curbs soft money, expands disclosure, eliminates undue 
incumbent advantages, and, in general, restores faith in our political 
system.
  To curb special interests, it bans the increasingly influential 
activities of Political Action Committees [PAC's]. It will also reduce 
the influence of outside groups by requiring House candidates to raise 
60 percent of funds in their own district, and Senate candidates to 
raise 60 percent of their funds from within their own State. It's an 
idea based on a simple premise--if you're going to represent the people 
of your area, you shouldn't take most of your money from outside 
special interest groups.
  The bill places significantly tighter restrictions on the use of so-
called soft money given to national political parties. It would also 
require increased disclosure of soft money donations. And, it would 
address recent concerns about improper use of Federal property for 
political fundraising by making the solicitation of soft money on 
Federal property a criminal offense. The bill also clearly prohibits 
political contributions by noncitizens to eliminate any trace of 
foreign influence on our elections.
  Finally, the bill levels the playing field by reducing built-in 
incumbent advantages and puts some teeth in the important enforcement 
responsibility of the Federal Election Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve a new campaign finance 
system that addresses the 1996 soft money abuses, curbs special 
interest influence, requires disclosure and given the FEC the authority 
they need to better police the system. This bill represents a 
comprehensive approach that addresses each of these problems. I urge my 
colleagues to join with me in making these commonsense changes to 
restore trust in our campaign finance system and in our government. 
Let's make real campaign finance reform a priority this year.

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