[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, as we return from the August break, this 
Congress has one last opportunity to change the current campaign 
finance system. We have missed earlier opportunities to have a vote on 
the floor of the House of Representatives for campaign reform. If we 
fail to act before the House recesses in October we will not see any 
reform of the current system in the 105th Congress. I urge the 
leadership of the House of Representatives to allow the Members of 
Congress an opportunity to vote on campaign finance reform legislation.
  It is obvious that the current system is broken and needs dramatic 
change. Too much money is being spent on campaigns. This has prohibited 
many qualified individuals from running for office, it has created 
disgust with the democratic process and it has resulted in some of the 
lowest voter turnout in years. It is our responsibility as elected 
officials to change the current system.
  As a freshman member who recently went through my first election I 
understand the problems in the system. I have been working with some of 
my freshman colleagues to draft and introduce the Bipartisan Campaign 
Integrity Act. This act would ban soft money and enact more stringent 
contribution disclosure requirements for candidates and independent 
groups. This act would take the biggest money out of elections and 
begin to restore some credibility to the system. The public is 
demanding that we enact some form of campaign finance reform. The 
Bipartisan Campaign Integrity Act was negotiated between Republicans 
and Democrats and is the proper piece of legislation to be considered.
  Over the next month and a half we will have plenty of opportunities 
to move a bill forward, through the committee of jurisdiction and to 
the floor of the House of Representatives. I will be following the 
committee and floor schedules closely in order to insure that time is 
available to consider campaign finance reform legislation before the 
end of this session. I strongly urge the leadership to take quick 
action to allow a vote on campaign finance reform. If we fail to act 
now, we will have missed our best opportunity to bring some respect 
back to this great institution and restore the public's trust in our 
democratic process. If we don't act now, next year will be too late.

                          ____________________