[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5800-S5808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KOHL (for himself and Mr. Brownback):
  S. 919. A bill to establish the Independent Bipartisan Commission on 
Campaign Finance Reform to recommend reforms in the law relating to 
elections for Federal office; to the Committee on Rules and 
Administration.


  THE INDEPENDENT BIPARTISAN COMMISSION ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ACT

  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
address the serious problem within our campaign finance system. I have 
made similar remarks earlier this year, so I will not belabor the 
problems again.
  The American public is demanding that Congress reform our campaign 
finance system, and many doubt whether we are ready or even able to 
meet that demand. I am support S. 25, introduced by Senators McCain and 
Feingold. This bipartisan legislation is the best bill moving through 
the Congress to reform our campaign system. However, there are signs 
that Congress may not pass this legislation.
  Therefore, if, and only if S. 25 is not passed, I think the 105th 
Congress must put in place a process for reforming the campaign finance 
system. The legislation I introduce today for myself and Mr. Brownback 
of Kansas would establish an independent, bipartisan commission to 
reform our campaign finance laws. Earlier this year I introduced 
similar legislation, also as a fall-back measure if S. 25 is not 
passed.
  This measure, like the bill I introduced earlier this year, 
establishes a commission similar to the Base Closure and Realignment 
Commission. The Commission would have a limited time to make 
recommendations, Congress would be forced to vote up or down on their 
proposals, and would not have the power to amend the legislation.
  Mr. President, I sincerely hope that Congress does not have to turn 
over this matter to an independent commission. But, if we do not pass 
meaningful campaign finance reform this year, I believe it is the next 
best alternative. And, if we do create a campaign finance reform 
commission, it must be a real commission, with real powers, and not 
another advisory committee.
  Congress has created many panels in the past to make recommendations 
about reforming campaign finance laws. But, for reform to genuinely 
take place, we must empower the Commission with the ability to create a 
package of reforms that Congress cannot change. Like the successful 
Base Closure and Realignment Commission, Congress should have only the 
power to vote up or down on the recommendations.
  Mr. President, we should not allow another Congress to come and go 
without passing meaningful campaign finance reform. Let this be the 
year that Congress responds to cry from the grassroots and restore 
America's faith in our election system.

[[Page S5808]]

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I am proud today to be offering a 
bipartisan proposal for campaign finance reform with my distinguished 
colleague, the senior Senator from Wisconsin, Herb Kohl.
  Mr. President, those of us who have spent the balance of our 
congressional careers working to build public trust in the political 
system know of the difficulties in offering constructive alternatives. 
Any legislation which fundamentally alters the way public officials 
seek election is bound to attract their attention and intense 
scrutiny--as it should.
  Mr. President, Senator Kohl and I believe this proposal offers a 
hopeful avenue for progress. Recognizing that any reform effort must be 
bipartisan to succeed, the legislation we are offering establishes a 
fair and independent process to bring this issue to the floor of the 
Congress for consideration. Without prejudging any outcomes, this bill 
would help to break the logjam which threatens to prevent even 
meaningful consideration of alternatives for reform.
  Mr. President, Senator Kohl and I do not claim to have all the 
answers, but we believe that through this vehicle, we can take the next 
step in accomplishing substantial progress on this important matter.
                                 ______