[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H5782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LONGSTANDING CAMPAIGN DEBTS REASON FOR MISTRUST OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

  (Mr. COBLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COBLE. Madam Speaker, it has recently been reported that a former 
Presidential candidate still has a campaign debt that was incurred in 
the 1980's, years ago.
  At the conclusion of my first campaign for a seat in the Congress, I 
was saddled with a campaign debt. I promptly borrowed money and paid 
those to whom my campaign was indebted. To have done less, Madam 
Speaker, would have been inexcusable and without defense. Responsible 
people simply do not casually ignore debts.
  Campaign reform is consistently discussed on Capitol Hill. Perhaps 
the time has come to direct attention to the propriety of paying off 
campaign debts rather than ignoring them.
  Frequently we ask incredulously why the American people do not trust 
Members of Congress. Longstanding campaign debts that remain unpaid and 
ignored is one glaring reason.

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