[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 45 (Friday, March 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SENATE'S FINEST HOUR

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, in my brief tenure in the Senate, I 
have never witnessed the Senate perform better or meet the expectations 
of the American people so unequivocally. The Senate is particularly 
indebted to the Senator from Kentucky, Mr. McConnell, , and the Senator 
from Connecticut, Mr. Dodd, for presiding over this debate and dealing 
with difficult moments. They have led the Senate to what is, in my 
experience, its finest hour.
  I will confess, when this debate began on McCain-Feingold, I had real 
reservations as to whether, indeed, an attempt at narrow reform could 
genuinely result in comprehensive campaign finance reform. This 
legislation has exceeded my expectations. The public may have expected 
simply an elimination of soft money, but many of us who have lived in 
this process know that the rise of soft money contributions was only 
one element in a much broader problem.
  This legislation is genuine comprehensive campaign finance reform. We 
have dealt with the need to control or eliminate soft money, but also 
reduce the cost of campaigns themselves, allowed a more realistic 
participation through hard money contributions, and dealt with the 
rising specter of eliminating the class of middle-class candidates in 
this country by opening this only to become the province of the very 
wealthy.
  The burden may soon go from this Congress to the Supreme Court. I 
only hope that the Supreme Court meets its responsibility to protect 
the first amendment, assuring that in our enthusiasm to deal with 
campaign finance abuses we have not trespassed upon other fundamental 
rights of the American people. I understand that is their 
responsibility. I know they will meet it.
  I hope they also balance that this Congress felt motivated to deal 
with the problem of public confidence, assuring the integrity of the 
process; that, indeed, the Court is mindful that we have attempted to 
meet that responsibility.
  I have never felt better about being a Member of this institution. I 
am proud of my colleagues. I believe we can feel good about this 
product. It is not partisan in nature. It does not deal with one part 
of this problem. It is broad. It is deep reform. It has been a good 
moment for the Senate.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, what is the business before the Senate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is in a period of morning business 
with Senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I may speak out 
of order without a limitation on time. I do not expect to speak at 
great length.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________