[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 97 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H3965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MINNESOTANS WANT REAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  (Ms. McCoLLUM asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, Minnesotans want real campaign finance 
reform. They want it now. My State has led the Nation in how we run our 
elections. From our voters registering on election day to limiting our 
campaign spending, Minnesota campaigns have a reputation of being open, 
honest and competitive; and we consistently lead the Nation in voter 
turnout.
  One of the reasons why I ran for Congress was to work to help to 
restore the public's trust in our elected leaders. The Shays-Meehan 
bill is the first good step in cleaning up our campaign finance system. 
By eliminating soft money, Americans' confidence in our electoral 
system will be restored.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill helps to control the amount of money 
contributed in campaigns, but we need to go farther. We must take 
control of how much money is spent on elections. I will work to take 
the next step on campaign finance reform by limiting the hundreds of 
millions of dollars spent on our elections. However, we must begin now. 
We must begin today.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support Shays-Meehan and begin 
the process.

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