[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRESS SHOULD TAKE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM OUT OF LIMBO

  (Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, our finance system, campaign 
finance system is riddled with loopholes. Large corporate contributions 
are routinely spent on Federal elections despite legislation which is 
intended to limit them.
  Mr. Speaker, the leverage these big corporate dollars have on the 
political process limits the ability of the average citizen to make his 
or her voice heard in the political process.
  It is time for Congress to take campaign finance reform legislation 
out of limbo and pass substantive reform. With the introduction of a 
bill crafted by a bipartisan freshman task force, we have a good 
legislative vehicle to make this happen.

                              {time}  1030

  This legislation would take an evenhanded step toward reforming the 
system. It bans soft money contributions, requires full disclosure of 
independent expenditure campaigns, and tightens up candidate reporting 
guidelines.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in calling for an end to the 
stalemate on campaign finance reform. Let us bring this to the floor 
for debate and for a vote.

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