[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E292]
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

                        Wednesday, March 4, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, The headline of an article in today's The Hill 
says it all: ``Soft Money Soars as Campaign Reform Falters.''
  As an unyielding supporter of campaign finance reform, I am sickened 
by what the article goes on to discuss, ``The soft money explosion is a 
result of campaign officials findings innovative ways to channel the 
supposedly non-federal money into congressional campaigns. Campaign 
officials are boasting of their fundraising prowess: But this has 
reformers fearing that the growing stream of soft money into Democratic 
and Republican congressional committees has turned into a mighty river 
that threatens to flood the political system's banks.''
  Soft money contributions are unlimited and the congressional campaign 
committees in 1997 set a soft money raising record of more than $30 
million. As campaign finance reform has once again died in the Senate, 
and gasps for life in the House of Representatives, the fundraising 
machine gets more and more out of control.
  Mr. Speaker, the problem is clear, there is too much money involved 
in the campaigns. The influence of money has created the appearance 
that special interests rule the democratic process. People no longer 
believe they have a voice in their government. I urge you to schedule a 
vote on campaign finance reform on the floor of the House of 
Representatives. We must act soon. The people of western Wisconsin have 
told me to continue the fight until you agree to allow a vote. The 
people refuse to take ``no'' for an answer.

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