[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6465]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 6465]]


       SIGN DISCHARGE PETITION TO DEBATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  (Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, 9 out of 10 Americans, 9 out of 10 
Americans support campaign finance reform. Today, I rise in support of 
meaningful campaign finance reform which our political system needs and 
our constituents demand.
  I salute the Blue Dogs for once again filing a discharge petition to 
try to overcome the resistance of the Republican leadership and force a 
reform bill onto the House floor.
  The simple fact is the cost of running for Federal office today is so 
great that candidates are forced to devote way too much of their time 
fund-raising rather than dealing with issues of importance to their 
constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, last year 196 Members signed a discharge petition that 
led to bringing the Shays-Meehan bipartisan campaign finance bill to 
the House floor. Without that petition process, the House Republican 
leadership would never have let that debate occur.
  Today, I urge all Members, from both sides, to join me in signing 
this petition so that a real debate can finally take place on this 
floor.

                          ____________________