[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GREGG (for himself, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Smith of New 
        Hampshire, and Mr. Johnson):
  S. 876. A bill to establish a nonpartisan commission on Federal 
election campaign practices and provide that the recommendations of the 
commission be given expedited consideration by Congress; to the 
Committee on Rules and Administration.


                      the claremont commission act

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I rise today to announce the introduction 
of the Claremont Commission Act, which I am introducing, along with 
Senators Bob Smith, Torricelli, and Johnson.
  We chose this day because it is the anniversary of the historic event 
that prompted the introduction of this legislation. Two years ago on 
this very day, a concerned citizen from Newport, NH, Mr. Frank 
McConnell, stood up at a town meeting in Claremont, NH, and asked an 
insightful and thought-provoking question of Speaker Gingrich and 
President Clinton: What are they going to do about reforming our 
campaign financing system? The two leaders, who were attending the 
meeting, promised to create a bipartisan commission to study campaign 
finance reform and then shook hands on the agreement. That handshake 
was a famous and short-lived moment of solidarity and bipartisanship. 
At this time, sadly, no such commission has been created.
  The bill that I introduce today is a renewed effort to keep the 
promise made on that famous day 2 years ago. The Claremont Commission 
Act was introduced in a bipartisan manner to create an objective 
commission to look at the issues surrounding the reform of our Nation's 
campaign finance system. This legislation directs the commission to 
take important goals into consideration when making recommendations to 
the Congress with regard to reform legislation. These goals include: 
limiting the influence of money in Federal elections; increasing voter 
participation, creating a more equitable electoral system for both 
challengers and incumbents; and removing the negative aspects of 
financing of Federal elections. I believe that these are important 
goals to consider when Congress moves to make actual changes to our 
campaign financing laws.
  The Claremont Commission Act specifically asks the commission to 
consider and respond to more than 14 questions regarding the most 
important issues surrounding the campaign finance reform debate. I am 
especially pleased that the issues of soft money contributions, 
independent expenditures, and the role of unions will be addressed. In 
particular, the role of unions and their use of mandatory union dues to 
make donations to political campaigns is of concern to me. The 
commission will address the serious issues surrounding how unions 
finance their political activities, as well as the considerable 
influence that these organizations wield over the outcome of elections. 
I am pleased that the creation of this commission can begin to address 
concerns, as well as other Members of Congress' questions regarding 
soft money contributions and independent expenditures.
  The political infighting that has occurred over the years regarding 
the financing of our Federal elections will not cease unless a middle 
ground can be established. I believe that the Claremont Commission Act, 
by establishing a mechanism for a dispassionate analysis by a group of 
experts, can provide that middle ground. Hopefully, this bill will 
allow us to address the concerns of all Americans who have a growing 
sense of cynicism over our ability to resolve important campaign 
financing problems.
  In closing, I urge my colleagues to take a serious look at this 
legislation and consider the merits of commissioning a bipartisan 
recommendation regarding campaign finance reform.
                                 ______