[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HOPING REPUBLICANS STAND FIRM FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  (Mr. FORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues this morning have raised 
very serious issues regarding the transfer of technology to China as 
well as Chinese donations. I would simply say the President as well as 
this administration is welcoming an investigation into whether or not 
any of these donations were improper and whether or not the transfer of 
this technology was improper.
  But I would say to my colleagues who were so indignant and filled 
with horror this morning that as we prepare to debate campaign finance, 
I hope that they bring the same degree of passion and the same degree 
of integrity and certainly, the same degree of energy to that 
discussion.
  We have an opportunity to ban soft money which, in many ways, would 
help us correct many of the ills and the pariahs that affect this great 
system, this great democracy of ours. Twenty States in this Nation have 
already done so.
  If Shays-Meehan comes to the floor, I would hope that my dear friend 
the majority whip, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), despite what 
Roll Call and all of the other newspapers in town have said, that he, 
in fact, will refrain.
  I hope that the leadership on the Republican side as well as those on 
the Democratic side will stand firm for reform, will stand firm against 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) and those in the Republican 
leadership who seem adamantly opposed to campaign finance.

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