[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 116 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 1997

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today we bring to close the first week of our 
final legislative session this year. It has been a productive week, 
with the passage of several important appropriations bills. I have been 
pleased with the tone and demeanor of the bipartisan debate this week. 
Now is the perfect time to bring a bipartisan campaign finance reform 
bill to the floor for a vote. In the next several weeks we will have 
the time and opportunity to vote for campaign finance reform, if the 
leadership of this Congress is willing to let a bill come forward.
  There are those who have begun to follow through on their threats to 
shut down the House and delay the normal work that we must get done 
before the end of the year. We can avoid all of this if we are given 
the opportunity to vote on a reform bill. I have been an active member 
of the Bipartisan Freshman Campaign Finance Reform Task Force, I am an 
original cosponsor of the Shays-Meehan bill, these two bills offer 
members the opportunity to let their constituents know where they stand 
on this issue. There are over 70 campaign finance bills pending this 
Congress. Not a single campaign finance reform bill has been given a 
hearing in this Congress. Whether you support or oppose campaign 
finance reform every Member should be given the opportunity to vote on 
this issue, and we must do it before the end of the year.
  I hope that in the next several weeks the leadership of this House 
will give the Members an opportunity to vote on campaign finance 
reform. We will have the time to debate and vote on a bill and we have 
many bills that can be considered. Failure to act now will be a failure 
to serve the people we represent.

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