[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H6722-H6723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE FAMOUS AVOIDANCE GAME ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IS NO LONGER 
                               ACCEPTABLE

  (Mr. MILLER of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I believe there is no more 
important issue for this Congress to address in the waning hours than 
the need to reform our corrupt campaign finance laws.

[[Page H6723]]

  As my colleagues will recall, many of us have called upon Speaker 
Gingrich to schedule a vote this month on legislation to ban the large, 
unregulated financial contributions to political parties known as soft 
money. These contributions of $25,000, $100,000, and even $1 million 
from a single individual representing some particular special interest 
have helped to ruin our electoral and legislative process. Despite our 
repeated requests for a vote and despite the Speaker's own pledge of 
support, there has been no vote scheduled on a soft money ban or any 
other campaign finance reform.
  My colleagues and our Speaker should be aware that we are prepared to 
use all our means at our disposal to force a vote this month. No more 
business as usual, Mr. Speaker. The famous avoidance game on this issue 
is no longer acceptable. Our ability to honestly represent our 
constituents depends on our success and reforming the campaign finance 
laws.
  Already there is talk of adjourning the Congress as soon as possible 
to avoid addressing this issue. Mr. Speaker, that is unacceptable. We 
will not accept such a cowardice position and the protectionism of 
special interests.

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