[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           BANNING SOFT MONEY

  (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, the freshman campaign finance bill takes 
the bold and important step of banning soft money. In the last election 
Democrats and Republicans combined to raise more than $260 million in 
soft money. That was a 206 percent increase from 1992. If we 
extrapolate, when we get to the year 2000 we will be spending $1 
billion in soft money.

                              {time}  1130

  We divide the House into two groups: Those who think there is not 
enough money in the pot to spend doing elections, and those who think 
there are far too many dollars to be spent. And the problem is not what 
is illegal, so much as what is legal that we accept. Let us bring 
credibility back to the Congress. Let us have real campaign finance 
reform, and let us not think that the public is going to accept the 
sham that went on last night.

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