[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REPUBLICAN PARTISAN SELF-INTEREST PREVENTS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM FROM 
                          COMING TO THE FLOOR

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership continues to 
thwart Democratic efforts to bring campaign finance reform to the House 
floor for a vote. The Republican majority leader, the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Armey], told Congress Daily earlier this week that he 
doubted campaign finance reform would come to the floor this fall.
  I have to say, Mr. Speaker, that Americans are crying out for reform 
because they feel that too much money is spent in congressional 
elections. But what is incredible is that the Republican leadership 
wants more money spent in campaigns, and few, if any, restrictions on 
the contributions of wealthy individuals.
  Speaker Gingrich was recently quoted, and I see the chart here, 
saying ``Let any American citizen give any amount. Let everyone play. 
Let them buy all the ads they want. Let them send all the direct mail 
they want.''
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, the Republican partisan self-interest is 
preventing them from acting in the public interest.

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