[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     VOTE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM SHOULD BE SCHEDULED THIS MONTH

  (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, many of us this morning are 
demanding that Speaker Newt Gingrich schedule a vote on campaign 
finance reform this month. Rest assured that we will continue to make 
this demand until it is complied with.
  This is not an issue that either party can avoid. Massive unregulated 
contributions of the so-called soft money have corrupted both parties 
and have corrupted this institution. Yet it is the Republican Speaker 
of the House and the Republican Leader of the Senate who are today 
standing in the way of reform.
  Today, money in politics affects everything lawmakers do, even our 
health and safety. For example, the Meat Institute and the Grocery 
Manufacturers reportedly spent over $300,000 in the 1996 elections. And 
today they are in the Congress actively lobbying against new proposed 
meat inspection standards in the wake of the massive outbreak of E. 
coli.
  America should make it clear to those in charge of this House; they 
should tell Speaker Gingrich and tell those in charge of the Senate, 
Majority Leader Lott, that they want him to ban soft money; that they 
want the Congress back so their voices can be heard and they want it 
done this month.

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