[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE CITIZENS' CHOICE ACT

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                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 1999

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, most Americans and Members of the House of 
Representatives agree that our campaign finance system must be 
reformed. During this Congress, I hope we will be able to build on last 
year's progress by passing legislation to give ordinary Americans a 
greater voice in campaigns for the U.S. House.
  Reforming our campaign finance system is one of the most difficult 
problems before Congress. In the past, sweeping comprehensive reform 
has yielded a multitude of unintended consequences. Our campaign system 
is complex, and it will not yield to easy solutions or quick fixes. 
That is why I am introducing legislation that takes a small but 
important step in the right direction--toward limiting campaign 
spending and leveling the playing field between challengers and 
incumbents.
  My bill, the Citizens' Choice Act, creates a voluntary system of 
publicly financed general elections to the U.S. House of 
Representatives. Under my bill, a House of Representatives General 
Election Trust Fund would be funded by a voluntary $5 check-off on 
income tax returns, and would consist of one account per political 
party in every congressional district. Candidates who accept money from 
this fund must agree to spend no more than $600,000 on their campaigns. 
The spending limit would be waived if a candidate's opponent refuses to 
participate in the public funding and raises at least $100,000. My bill 
also includes a blanket prohibition on all House general election 
candidates from loaning more than $50,000 to their own campaigns.
  My bill addresses the most common criticism of public financing 
proposals: taxpayers should not subsidize the campaigns of candidates 
they oppose. That is why I would allow people to choose which party 
would receive their tax dollars. This eliminates the problem, while 
creating greater opportunity for citizens to get involved in the 
electoral process.
  Mr. Speaker, some Members are too ready to believe that citizens 
strongly oppose public financing. I believe it is time for Congress to 
take another look at public financing of campaigns. Widespread 
frustration with our current system has grown to the point that 
Americans demand new solutions. People want fair campaigns, and I 
believe the American people will understand that an appropriate 
combination of public financing and spending limits is an effective way 
to govern our campaign system. I also believe citizens will welcome the 
opportunity to support our political system through my proposed check-
off.
  I urge my colleagues to look beyond any preconceived notions they may 
have about public financing of campaigns, and support legislation that 
gives citizens a choice in financing our electoral process.

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