[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM MISSES IMPORTANT TARGET

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                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member highly commends to his 
colleagues this editorial I submit from the November 1, 1999, Norfolk 
Daily News regarding campaign finance reform. The editorial rightly 
notes that campaign finance reform must address the use of union dues 
(regardless of the union member's wishes) for political contributions.

                  [From the Daily News, Nov. 1, 1999]

                     Reform Misses Important Target


  Campaign for new restrictions fails to put focus on major source of 
                                problems

       At the same time as the McCain-Feingold proposal aimed at 
     changing rules of campaign financing was being defeated in 
     the U.S. Senate, a major endorsement aimed at influencing the 
     2000 election results was taking place. Its unsurprising 
     results bear on the issue, inaccurately described as 
     ``reform,'' since that term implies beneficial change, not 
     cosmetic change.
       McCain-Feingold's aim was to reduce the ``soft money'' 
     contributions by which unlimited amounts may be given to 
     political parties--not individual candidates--for advancing 
     their views on major issues of the day. It is a contrast to 
     the $1,000 individual contribution limits, never adjusted for 
     inflation, which can be provided directly to candidates.
       Bearing on this issue is the way in which some 
     organizations, notably the AFL-CIO, can support their favored 
     candidates with endorsements, publicity and in-house 
     politicking with little regard for financing limitations.
       The recent AFL-CIO endorsement of Vice President Al Gore's 
     bid for the Democratic nomination was not unanimous, and it 
     lacked important initial support from two of the major 
     affiliates, the Teamsters Union and the United Auto Workers. 
     They are likely to check in later. But that endorsement 
     kicked into gear a $40 million union mobilization for the 
     primaries and the general election. It is ``soft money'' but 
     vital support--in part provided in violation of the rights of 
     that apparent minority of union members which may want Bill 
     Bradley as the nominee, or as an extreme example, members who 
     might even choose a Republican.
       The unions have every right to back whatever candidates 
     they choose. They do not have the right, however, to spend 
     mandatory dues money that was supposed to have been allocated 
     to collective bargaining and the more restricted cause of 
     improving the status of union workers.
       Being forced, through mandatory fees, to support candidates 
     and causes with which one disagrees is a violation of a 
     fundamental tenet of a free society. The U.S. Supreme Court 
     has addressed the issue and reached that conclusion. But it 
     is one of several glaring cases of disregard for the law that 
     the Clinton administration has ignored the principle. Without 
     enforcement of that rule, any ``reforms'' of the current 
     flawed campaign financing laws are worthless. Nothing wrong 
     with unions spending big bucks for politics as long as the 
     money is openly provided and comes from willing donors. 
     Nothing wrong, either, with like amounts coming from readily 
     identifiable business or other organizations operating under 
     the same terms.
       But let them use these resources openly to win friends and 
     influence elections, and understand that true reform depends 
     on voluntary contributions.

     

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