[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E452]
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

                        Tuesday, March 24, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, the New York Times continues to clearly spell 
out the problem facing those of us who support campaign finance reform. 
In an editorial in yesterday's paper the Times described the campaign 
finance reform bill which will be considered this week as ``. . . sham 
legislation dressed up to look like reform, with no chance for members 
to vote on the real thing.''
  Mr. Speaker, the hard work of many members of this House is being 
destroyed by the highly partisan legislation being offered by the 
majority. The bill being considered contains poison pills designed to 
insure the failure of campaign reform. There are better alternatives. 
If the majority would allow an open rule on the floor these 
alternatives could be considered. Failure to allow a free, open debate 
on campaign finance reform would be a terrible disservice to the public 
and to our democratic process.
  I open over the next several days the leadership of the House will 
reconsider their decision and allow an open rule on campaign finance 
reform. We need real campaign finance reform. The people of my district 
will not accept ``no'' for an answer.

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