[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 37 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E500]
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

                         Friday, March 27, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today is a sad day for our democracy. This was 
the week that the House of Representatives was to debate and vote on 
campaign finance reform. Yet, here we are on Friday with the news from 
the leadership that a vote has been delayed. What is most upsetting is 
the reason for the delay, a majority of the House supports campaign 
reform.
  The leadership, out of fear of actually doing something, first tried 
to push a bill that contained so many poison pill provisions that it 
was destined to fail. Now that this strategy appears doomed, the 
leadership simply pulled the bill and refuses to even consider a vote. 
The will of the majority in the House has now been denied, just as a 
majority in the Senate was denied passage of a reform bill.
  The reason a majority of members support real reform is because they 
have heard from their constituents, just as I have, that the citizens 
are tired of the influence of big money in the political process and 
they want reform. If we fail to change the current system, we will 
continue to erode the confidence of the public in our democratic 
system.
  I hope that next week brings, at last, the chance for this body to 
make a difference in our campaign finance system. The people of my 
district want action now!

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