[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E5]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MOVE SWIFTLY ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 3, 2001

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, as the 107th Congress convenes today to begin 
work on the nation's business, one of our first priorities must be 
reform of our campaign finance laws. In each of the past two 
Congresses, the House passed comprehensive legislation in this area by 
substantial bipartisan majorities. In this Congress, we can and must 
move swiftly to pass campaign finance legislation and assure that 
comprehensive reforms become the law of the land.
  Later this month, I will be joining with many of my colleagues in 
cosponsoring bipartisan legislation offered by Mr. Shays of Connecticut 
and Mr. Meehan of Massachusetts. The Shays-Meehan bill is genuine, 
meaningful reform to prohibit the use of so-called ``soft'' money that 
pollutes our campaign system with unregulated, unlimited and 
unconscionable sums of money from special interests. Both major parties 
have become addicted to this flood of money. By adopting the Shays-
Meehan bill, we all can just say ``No'' to soft money.
  Another bill that I am cosponsoring is more limited, but no less 
important. This is the ``Stand by Your Ad'' bill offered by our 
colleague David Price of North Carolina to require that advertisements 
put out by campaigns carry a clear and prominent statement identifying 
which candidate is responsible for the ad. This simple step toward 
accountability could do wonders for improving the tone of our 
campaigns. I commend Mr. Price for his work on this bill and I am proud 
to join him.

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