[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E641]]



                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, the announcement by the House leadership to 
allow an open and honest debate on campaign finance reform has been 
cheered by editorials and reform activists throughout the country. I, 
however, am withholding my enthusiasm. We have been given false 
promises before and I will not celebrate until we actually take part in 
a truly open debate on this issue on the House floor.
  I am not yet convinced that our goal of passing meaningful reform 
will happen given the history of the Republican leadership in the House 
and the Senate on this issue. In spite of the support of a majority of 
the members of the Senate, reform was defeated by procedural maneuvers. 
In the House a majority of the members have been advocating for a year 
and a half in support of campaign reform, yet we haven't gotten a vote. 
I hope that the leadership has finally seen that the public wants 
Congress to do something about big money in politics.
  Mr. Speaker I will continue my effort to keep this issue at the 
forefront until I am assured that an open honest debate will happen on 
campaign finance reform. The people of western Wisconsin will accept 
nothing less.

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