[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 52 (Monday, April 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3743-S3744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  Mr. REID. Madam President, when I came to the Senate about 11 years 
ago, one of the first things I did was come to the Senate floor and 
talk about the need for campaign finance reform. I thought it would 
come very quickly. I could not believe, with all the problems that 
occurred during that election cycle, including what happened in my 
election in the State of Nevada 11 years ago, we would not rush to 
reform the way we elect Senators and Members of the House of 
Representatives.
  The problems were replete, with the Federal Election Commission being 
really a toothless tiger. They had no money to enforce the rules and 
the laws that existed. Much to my chagrin and, frankly, much to my 
surprise, 11 years later we have done nothing, zero. In fact, things 
have even gotten worse. Why? Because the Supreme Court, among other 
things, declared that any money that goes to a State party cannot be 
regulated. So this last cycle, even though we had Federal law to the 
effect that there would be no corporate money in Federal elections 
since the early part of this century, the Supreme Court stood that on 
its head, and suddenly not only do we have the problems we have had 
with a myriad of people trying to skirt the law, now we have the fact 
that you can use corporate money in Federal elections.
  I think that is wrong. I think it is too bad that we have not done 
something. That is why I am here today to commend and applaud Senators 
Feingold and McCain for their courageous work on campaign finance 
reform. I am a cosponsor of that legislation. I do not agree with every 
jot and tittle, every line and verse within that legislation, but it is 
a step in the right direction, and I happily joined in cosponsoring 
that legislation. Why? Because it is going to do some things--it

[[Page S3744]]

is going to reform campaign financing significantly and importantly and 
in a good way. It will require greater disclosure of independent 
expenditures. I believe independent expenditures is a sore that is 
festering and is going to wind up tremendously damaging the body 
politic.
  Unnamed people, with money coming from unknown sources, are running 
campaign ads viciously attacking candidates. That is wrong. That is 
really un-American.
  The McCain-Feingold legislation will require the FEC to provide 
advance notice to complying candidates if they have been targeted by 
these independent expenditures or outside organizations.
  McCain-Feingold would restrict contributions from people not eligible 
to vote in Federal elections. It could ban incumbent use of franked 
mass mailings in the calendar year of an election.
  It would increase disclosure and accountability for those who engage 
in political advertising. And it would strengthen penalties for willful 
violations of Federal election law. We must do something to make people 
feel better about the elections.
  Elections are 18 months away. Negative ads are already starting 
around the country. That is wrong. People who say we need to hold more 
hearings to determine whether or not McCain-Feingold is a good law, I 
say let us look at what has happened over the past 10 years. Congress 
has produced almost 6,800 pages of hearings. There have been 3,361 
floor speeches. I guess because of this one, it is 3,362 floor 
speeches. There have been 1,060 pages of committee reports, 113 Senate 
votes on campaign finance reform, and one bipartisan Federal 
commission. Certainly this is enough. We have enough information to act 
responsibly.

  Over the next 2 years, Madam President, Congress will deal with 
changes to regulations and programs that affect virtually every 
American, from clean air and water to education programs, matters 
dealing with crime in the streets, juvenile crime, trying to improve 
our infrastructure, Medicare, Medicaid, problems dealing with our 
Nation's elderly. In order to address these concerns credibly, should 
we not first act to reform the way we are elected? I say yes. I hope 
that my colleagues join hands in rallying around the McCain-Feingold 
legislation. It is the best we have to bring debate to the Senate floor 
and to get something done. I have talked about it for 11 years. It has 
been a problem even longer than that.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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