[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E316]
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, March 5, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I read that there may be a vote on a 
pure soft money ban on the floor of the House of Representatives. While 
I strongly support a ban on soft money, it is not enough. Any campaign 
finance legislation that will make a difference must include increased 
disclosure rules on independent expenditures. The independent groups 
have come to dominate our campaigns, you just need to look at the race 
in California to succeed our colleague Walter Capps to see the effect 
outside interest groups have had on campaigns.
  Fortunately, there is a bill that achieves that goal. The Bipartisan 
Campaign Integrity Act of 1997, H.R. 2183, bans soft money and places 
simple disclosure requirements on expenditures by independent groups. 
This bill does not violate free speech and is a practical way to start 
to get the big money out of the political system. The six Democrats and 
six Republicans who worked on this bill have taken the poison pills out 
of this legislation and have crafted a bill that can be supported by 
both parties. Our legislation has the most bipartisan co-sponsors of 
any bill in the House.
  The time is now to pass a meaningful campaign finance reform bill. 
The Bipartisan Campaign Integrity Act of 1997 is the best bill 
available. The people of my district refuse to take ``no'' for an 
answer.

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