[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WHY WE NEED CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 1999

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, the faith of the American people in their 
elected government is slowly slipping away. The cause of this malaise 
is our defective, broken campaign finance system. The astronomical 
costs of Federal campaigns are having extremely detrimental effects on 
our democracy; qualified candidates are discouraged from running, and 
special interest dollars continues to drown out the voice of the 
average citizen. This outrage is evident to everyone, except, members 
of the leadership.
  The shortest route between our campaign finance system and reform is 
the opportunity to vote on the bi-partisan Campaign Finance Reform Act, 
otherwise known as the Shays-Meehan bill. We have garnered over 188 
signatures on our campaign finance discharge petition. We mean it when 
we say we want reform and we want it soon. If we can't get a scheduled 
vote from the Republican Leadership, we reform-minded Members will 
force a vote through this petition.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a truly modest proposal, but its impact could be 
nothing short of extraordinary. First, this legislation will finally 
ban ``soft money.'' With this past election cycle, we saw ``soft 
money'' contributions more than double since the last off-year 
election, totaling over $220 million.
  Second, this legislation also includes the Campaign Ad Fairness 
Provision, reigning in the unregulated ``issue campaigns'' to require 
them to play by the same finance laws as federal campaigns.
  Third, this legislation gives teeth to the FEC and provides greater, 
timelier public disclosure of individuals contributing to campaigns.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is not an infringement of free speech, but a 
restoration of the public trust. American people are tired of watching 
Congress sit back and do nothing as the amount spent in elections grows 
higher and higher, and trust in the system sinks lower and lower. We 
need to get big money out of the electoral process, and give power back 
to the people.
  I know that the people of the 1st congressional district of 
Washington want real, meaningful reform, and I urge you to support the 
Bi-partisan Campaign Finance Reform Act.

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