[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E526-E527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CAMPAIGN REFORM AND ELECTION INTEGRITY ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. JIM KOLBE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 1998

  Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, the American people must think this debate is 
quite disingenuous. They recognize that all our discussion about 
campaign reform is to take the debate away from the real problems--that 
some people broke the campaign laws. They took money from foreign 
interests; that is illegal under current law. They solicited money in 
government offices; that is illegal under current law. They sold access 
and privileges to high government officials; that is illegal under 
current law. Apparently, those people think if they talk ever more 
loudly about reforming the system, the American people will forget that 
they broke the laws we already have.
  But no matter what brings us to this debate today, I think this 
bill--and the other three bills which make narrower reforms--does make 
some needed reforms. And I don't apologize that I am voting for partial 
reform because we can't get agreement on everything. If I have a 
toothache and a backache, I don't mind fixing the toothache even if 
that doesn't cure the backache.
  Much has been said about illegal foreign money. Accepting money from 
foreign interests has always been illegal. But I agree with taking this 
further step to say that only those who are American citizens can give 
to the political candidates that only they can vote to elect. And if we 
are concerned that non citizens are voting, let's give our local 
election officials the ability to confirm that those who register are 
indeed citizens. Let the registrant check a box affirming that he or 
she is a citizen. That's neither discriminatory nor onerous.
  My campaign committee tells me the new reporting requirements will be 
more difficult to comply with, but I support them. One of my 
contentions all along has been that more disclosure is good for open 
honest campaigns. The very best campaign finance reform is that which 
focuses on letting more sunshine into the process.
  I strongly support the provision that requires unions or corporations 
to get permission from their employees before they use their workers' 
dues to support candidates. According to polling data, so do about 
three/fourths of the union members. Asking a union member for written 
permission to spend their hard earned dues dollars to support 
candidates cannot possibly be construed as denying workers their 
rights. They can agree with letting the union leadership make decisions 
about whom they support or they can keep it to spend as they wish. It 
gives them power over their own earnings; it does not deny them any 
right.
  The underlying reform bill allows middle class candidates to run for 
office against millionaires by removing party and individuals

[[Page E527]]

contribution limits so that parties can match a wealthy candidate's 
personal spending that goes beyond an individual contribution limit. No 
longer will the millionaire have a nearly insurmountable advantage.
  This bill increases individual contribution limits to $2000 for a 
candidate for federal office. It does not increase PAC contribution 
limits. It bans soft money for federal parties and also for state 
parties in those cases where they are joint federal and state 
elections.
  Certain reforms I support are not here; I favor a requirement that 
candidates must raise half of their campaign funds in their own state. 
I support lowering PAC contribution limits to match the amount an 
individual can give. But the fact these items are missing does not mean 
I can't support the good things that are here.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a good package of bills which makes some much 
needed reforms. I am pleased to support each of them.

                          ____________________