[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, last year, the Republican leadership tried to 
thwart action on campaign finance reform. This year they are trying it 
once again. Why? Because they know it will pass the House on a 
bipartisan vote, because they fear public pressure will grow in the 
Senate.
  The Republican leadership is saying again our private campaign money 
is our primary concern; the public interest be damned. Soft money is 
hardening the arteries of our democracy. So-called issue ads are 
snuffing out discourse on public issues.
  Truly, it is time to act. That is why I am now going over to sign the 
discharge petition, and so many of my colleagues have already done so.

                          ____________________