[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H5986-H5987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF THE BIPARTISAN CAMPAIGN INTEGRITY ACT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. Hutchinson] is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to rise in
support of the Bipartisan Campaign Integrity Act. I like that name,
because that is what we need to have in our campaign system these days
is simple integrity.
About 6 months ago, as my friend, the gentleman from Maine [Mr.
Allen] indicated, a group of Members, we called it the Bipartisan
Freshman Task Force, met together, six freshman Republicans, six
freshman Democrats, and we called it, I called it an experiment in
bipartisanship to see if we could really work together to accomplish
something, to accomplish the job people sent us here to do.
We worked together. We held hearings. We listened to each other. We
decided what we could agree upon. As the gentleman from Maine [Mr.
Allen] suggested, we set aside the extremes and said what could we do
for the American people that would improve our system. We focused
ourselves on one primary concern, and that was the huge problem of soft
money that runs in our system today.
I think the issue that faces the U.S. Congress this year, in 1997, is
can we, do we have the courage, to do something about the problem with
soft money. That is the overriding issue. I hope that the answer is a
resounding yes. I have been encouraged recently by what I have heard
from leaders from both sides of the aisle, from the public, and I
dearly hope we can do that this session of Congress.
Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
[[Page H5987]]
Mr. HUTCHINSON. I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas.
Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, one of the issues that has come up is why
are freshmen seeming to have such an early impact on this race. I am a
Democrat from Arkansas, a freshman, and the gentleman is a Republican
from Arkansas, and it seemed to me that the ugly races were ones for
open seats. Both the gentleman and I from Arkansas had different
political perspectives, but it was ugly because of the presence of soft
money.
I loved the line the gentleman from Maine [Mr. Allen] used, getting
rid of the biggest of the big money. These are not the $1,000 donations
we are talking about, but the $50,000 or $100,000 to the party that
have so distorted the system. I commend the gentleman and the gentleman
from Maine [Mr. Allen] for his work. It truly is a bipartisan effort. I
thank the gentleman for his effort.
Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I certainly
concur that this has been a good effort we put forth. The gentleman and
I had an opportunity in Arkansas when he was in the General Assembly,
we worked in separate parties on election reform in Arkansas, and I am
delighted we can set the example here in our Nation's Capital, and I
hope we can have the same success as well.
If Members look at this bill, and my friend, the gentleman from
Maine, described the elements of this bill, it focuses on soft money.
It bans soft money, and any serious reform has to start with that. But
it also increases disclosure.
I believe we need to provide information to the American public so
they will know who is spending what in a campaign, and that they can
find out that information in a timely fashion. That is what our bill
does this year. It does those two things.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, our bill, besides providing a ban on soft
money and increasing disclosure, I think it is unique because it is a
product of bipartisanship, and because it has come through in that
fashion I believe it has the best chance for success this year.
I believe that the timing is right, and that momentum is gathering
for campaign finance reform for a couple of reasons. First of all, the
Senate hearings have focused the American public's attention on the
problem of soft money. I hope that the American public who is listening
today, that they will write in, that they will encourage their
Congressmen to address this serious issue.
Second, I have been encouraged by the response of leaders from both
sides of the aisle, with a growing sense that we need to do something
about this. The gentleman from California, Mr. Bill Thomas, chairman of
the Committee on House Oversight that will have the hearings on
campaign finance has indicated a willingness to hold hearings. I
commend him for that. He is a critical part of this effort, and I hope
we can have those hearings this fall so we can move this legislation
forward.
Finally, we have had encouragement even from leaders like the
gentleman from Texas, Mr. Dick Armey, who has indicated that the
freshmen are going in the right direction, that he is anxious to hear
more details about this plan, and I was delighted to hear this.
Most importantly, the encouragement comes from the voters, from
letters from constituents who say their voice is being diminished by
the vastness, the millions of dollars in corporate and labor money that
flows to the parties. They say, where is our voice? Where is the voice
of the average voter, the voter out there who works day in and day out,
the contributor, the small contributor to a campaign?
I was delighted also that this last week we had encouragement from
very significant leaders from both parties. Former President George
Bush, former President Jimmy Carter, and former President Gerald Ford
all indicated support for campaign finance reform.
I like what former President George Bush said in his letter of June
19, 1997. He said, ``We must encourage the broadest possible
participation by individuals in financing elections. Whatever reform is
enacted should go the extra mile in demanding fullest possible
disclosure for all campaign contributions.
``I would favor getting rid of so-called `soft money' contributions
but this principle should be applied to all groups including Labor.''
Speaking from this side of the aisle, I certainly believe that the
soft money ban should include not only corporations but also labor. It
does that. It does that, because that is the ban that is needed. It is
equal and fair to all sides.
Mr. Speaker, I will enter the three letters from the former
Presidents into the Record.
The letters referred to are as follows.
July 10, 1997.
Hon. Nancy Kassebaum Baker,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Kassebaum: Our system in financing federal
election campaigns is in serious trouble. To remedy these
failings requires prompt action by the President and the
House and Senate. I strongly hope the Congress in cooperation
with the White House will enact Campaign Reform legislation
by the forthcoming elections in 1998.
Public officials and concerned citizens. Republicans and
Democrats alike, have already identified important areas of
agreement. These include (1) the need to end huge
uncontrolled ``soft money'' contributions to the national
parties and their campaign committees, and to bar
solicitation of ``soft money'' from all persons, parties and
organized labor by federal officeholders and candidates for
any political organizations; (2) the need to provide rapid
and comprehensive disclosure of contributions and
expenditures in support of, or opposition to, candidates for
federal office, and (3) the need to repair the system of
campaign finance law enforcement by assuring that it is
effective and independent of politics.
A significant bi-partisan effort across party lines can
achieve a legislative consensus in campaign reforms that will
help to restore the confidence of our citizens in their
federal government.
I commend you and former Vice President Mondale for your
leadership on behalf of campaign reform.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford.
____
July 17, 1997
Hon. Walter Mondale,
Minneapolis, MN.
To Vice President Walter Mondale: I am pleased to join
former Presidents Bush and Ford in expressing hope that this
Congress will enact meaningful campaign finance reform
legislation. For the future of our democracy, and as our
experience may be emulated by other nations, prompt and
fundamental repair of our system for financing federal
elections is required.
The most basic and immediate step should include an end to
``soft money,'' whether in the form of corporate or union
treasury contributions to federal campaign, or large and
unregulated contributions from individuals. The initial step
should also include measures that provide for complete and
immediate disclosures of political contributions and
expenses.
To accomplish these and other needed reforms and to lay the
basis for future ones, we also need to develop a strong
national consensus about the objectives of reform. It will
take more than just the action of this Congress, but
fundamental reform is essential to the task of repairing
public trust in government and in our leaders. We must take
significant steps to assure voters that public policy is
determined by the exercise of their franchise rather than a
broken and suspect campaign finance system.
Please extend to Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker my
appreciation for the work that she has undertaken with you to
advance the essential cause of bipartisan campaign finance
reform.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Carter.
____
June 19, 1997.
Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Kassenbaum, First let me commend you and the
former Vice President, Ambassador Mondale, for taking a
leadership role in trying to bring about campaign reform.
I hope the current Congress will enact Campaign Reform
legislation.
We must encourage the broadest possible participation by
individuals in financing elections. Whatever reform is
enacted should go the extra mile in demanding fullest
possible disclosure of all campaign contributions.
I would favor getting rid of so called ``soft money''
contributions but this principle should be applied to all
groups including Labor.
I congratulate you for working for better campaign finance
law enforcement.
With my respects to you and Vice President Mondale I am,
sincerely,
George Bush.
____________________