[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H8158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TIME TO PASS THE SHAYS-MEEHAN BILL

  (Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of Shays-Meehan. 
This is one of the most important bills that this House will consider 
and I hope pass. The Nation is watching today. Individuals as well as 
the faith community, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and a 
host of others in my district and nationwide are committed to good, 
honest government, government where ordinary citizens could have a 
chance, through their participation in the political process, to have a 
voice and not be drowned out by the millions of dollars now available 
for only the rich.
  We have had laws since 1907 and 1947 that forbid soft money from 
flowing into campaigns. However, the loopholes have been great and we 
need to close them. The Shays-Meehan bill closes the loopholes by 
blocking the present flow of unlimited soft money and unregulated 
contributions to the political parties. Shays-Meehan, our bipartisan 
bill, also blocks last-minute campaign ads that masquerade as issue 
ads.
  The Nation is watching. Our constituents are watching. It is time to 
pass the Shays-Meehan bill.




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