[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 105 (Thursday, July 30, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H6754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   WICKER AMENDMENT TO SHAYS-MEEHAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROPOSAL ALLOWS 
           STATES TO REQUIRE PROPER IDENTIFICATION FOR VOTERS

  (Mr. WICKER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WICKER. Madam Speaker, later today Members will be given the 
opportunity to support a commonsense reform amendment to the Shays-
Meehan campaign finance proposal. In far too many States and districts 
across this country, ineligible persons are voting. People are going to 
the polls without identification, and it turns out they are not 
eligible to vote.
  Despite the resources and technology available to our government, 
cases of voter fraud continue to be brought to our attention year after 
year. My amendment simply permits States to require a valid photo 
identification before receiving a ballot; nothing more, nothing less. 
This is not a mandate. It grants permission to the States in the true 
sense of Federalism.
  Madam Speaker, it is our duty as elected officials to preserve the 
integrity of the electoral process. Requiring proper ID is one step we 
can take to ensure valid elections.

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