[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 131 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DEBATE NEEDED IN HOUSE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  (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, this is the people's House. 
This is where the debate of our constituents is supposed to take place 
by those who have been elected by them.
  But we cannot have a debate, apparently, in the people's House on 
campaign finance reform, and yet it is campaign contributions and soft 
money contributions to campaigns that is distorting the decisions that 
are being made in this House. It is campaign contributions that allow a 
$50 billion tax break to be given to the tobacco companies in the 
middle of the night, with no vote, no discussion, and no debate.
  In the other body, in the U.S. Senate, they are starting the debate 
on campaign finance reform. But here, because of Speaker Gingrich, 
Majority Leader Armey, we are told we cannot debate that in the 
people's House.
  We need to have that debate. We need to free the people's House from 
the influence of soft money and special interest contributions that are 
corrupting the legislative process and are corrupting the democratic 
process in this country. No longer can we have the decisions being made 
based upon who gave you a contribution.

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