[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 37 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ``SHAM'' CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM BILL PULLED FROM CONSIDERATION

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, the Republican leadership had planned to 
bring up its sham campaign finance reform legislation today, but we 
learned this morning that they had pulled the bill.
  Today's New York Times editorial describes the reasons for Speaker 
Gingrich's retreat. It says, ``In a brazen repudiation of his own 
promises, Newt Gingrich has yanked campaign finance reform from the 
House agenda. The Speaker's action yesterday came after a frantic but 
fruitless effort by his aides to round up the votes to block genuine 
reform legislation on the House floor. Mr. Gingrich's allies are now 
reportedly plotting to reschedule consideration of reform bills next 
month, but only under rules requiring a two-thirds vote for approval. 
These desperation tactics are an abuse of power reminiscent of conduct 
Mr. Gingrich himself deplored for years.''
  Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrich) tried to 
foist a sham bill on the Members of this House with an antiunion 
provision, unacceptable to the Democrats, tied to a procedural rule 
designed to prevent a vote on genuine reform. The Speaker's tactics 
clearly backfired, and I am glad that they did.




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