[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 1997

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, it has now been over 100 days since the July 4 
deadline that President Clinton set for consideration of campaign 
finance reform. We still have not been given the opportunity to debate 
any legislation that would change the current campaign finance system. 
Time is running short as we near the end of our legislative year, it is 
vital that we take action immediately on campaign finance reform.
  Today an effort by Democratic Members of the House to force a vote on 
campaign finance reform failed. This vote occurred during debate of 
legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Coast Guard, an important bill that 
deserves our consideration and support. Unfortunately, those in this 
House, Democrats and Republicans, who support reform have been forced 
to use parliamentary tricks and delaying tactics in an attempt to force 
a vote on legislation. Other parliamentary tricks are expected this 
week. It is sad that we have come to this point.
  Mr. Speaker, over 300 Members of the House of Representatives have 
signed on to some piece of legislation to reform the campaign finance 
system. By failing to even consider this issue on the House floor you 
are rejecting the will of a majority of the House. More troubling, Mr. 
Speaker, is the fact that you are rejecting the will of the people of 
this Nation who want the Congress to fix the broken campaign finance 
system. The time for action is now.

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