[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 1997

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, another day and still no campaign finance 
reform.
  This week saw another reason why we need to change the current 
system. The Republican National Committee spent $800,000 in the race to 
replace former Representative, Susan Molinari. This money came from 
unregulated soft money contributions to the national parties. In a race 
like the one in New York, this amount of money made a significant 
difference in the outcome of the election. We need to fix the system 
that allows any party to come into a race at the last minute and buy an 
election with unregulated soft money.
  If the House adopted a ban on soft money, like the one in the 
Bipartisan Freshman Campaign Reform bill, we would allow races to be 
decided by local candidates and their supporters, not by the parties or 
the special interests in Washington. That is how we will restore the 
public's faith in our electoral system and actually see voter 
participation increase, rather than the decline we have seen over the 
past several years.
  Mr. Speaker, the time is now to move forward on a vote on campaign 
finance reform. The people of my district refuse to take ``no'' for an 
answer.

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