[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 9 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ELECTION FUND FREE CHOICE AND SAVINGS ACT

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                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2002

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce 
legislation today that will strengthen our political parties and at the 
same time reduce our federal deficit.
  The bill I am introducing today, the Election Fund Free Choice and 
Savings Act of 2002, reduces the deficit by providing that 
contributions made to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund must be 
made with after-tax additions to the contributor's regular tax payment. 
This would provide for a truly voluntary contribution from the citizen 
rather than a reallocation of funds from the Treasury or from the 
Social Security Trust Fund.
  Additionally, the bill provides free choice by allowing taxpayers to 
choose to designate contributions to the Fund to a particular political 
party.
  For over 25 years, presidential elections have been financed largely 
through public funds which are raised through a voluntary tax checkoff. 
All Americans are familiar with the checkoff box for the Presidential 
Election Campaign Fund which first appeared on their tax forms in 1972. 
By checking the box, taxpayers allocate dollars from the Treasury to be 
distributed to federal candidates, nominees, and party nominating 
conventions. The taxpayer has no voice as to whom these funds go or 
where these funds will be spent.
  My proposal allows taxpayers who contribute to the Fund to have the 
option of designating a particular political party to receive their 
contribution. This free choice for American taxpayers would recognize 
the importance of America's political parties in our electoral system. 
It would strengthen the parties' ability to educate citizens, to 
register new voters and to promote voting in general. Furthermore, it 
would assure the taxpayer that their contribution is not going to an 
individual who holds political views in opposition to their own.
  Additionally, by requiring that contributions to the Fund be made 
with after-tax dollars, the federal deficit is reduced substantially. 
In 2000 the Fund disbursed over $200 million to candidates. In the 
future these funds would stay in the Treasury or the Social Security 
Trust Fund and help to pay down the national debt.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this important 
reform to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. It is a simple 
question of fairness and fiscal discipline that merits your support.

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