[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 1649]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, Americans understand that, 
without campaign finance reform, attempts to restructure our healthcare 
system, create a prescription drug benefit, improve our communities, 
protect our environment will all be for naught. The big, important 
issues will remain trapped by the pressures of special interests and 
big-money politics.
  The fight for campaign finance reform will not go away. I personally 
pledge to continue to make campaign finance reform one of Congress's 
most urgent priorities. However, opponents of real reform continue to 
create a legislative logjam. Deadlines are set and ignored.
  June will mark the fifth anniversary of President Clinton and then 
House Speaker Newt Gingrich shaking hands before a group of senior 
citizens and pledging to create a bipartisan campaign finance reform 
commission. As we all know, nothing ever came of it.
  This last session, I was very encouraged when the Shays-Meehan bill 
passed the House by a large bipartisan vote. This important 
legislation, while not the ultimate solution, is a significant step 
forward. It would ban soft money contributions and deal with sham issue 
ads, which are so prevalent.
  Despite the House's action, Shays-Meehan has met its death in the 
Senate. The other body was unable to terminate debate on this crucial 
issue. We lost the opportunity to make a real change.
  I am fortunate to represent a very historic congressional district in 
northern New Mexico. During the winter recess, I traveled around my 
district and spoke to the people. In gathering after gathering, the 
issue of campaign finance reform kept coming up. I assured them that I 
would fight to put campaign finance reform on the front burner.
  Voters in my State are so concerned that they are pushing for a 
publicly financed State system, which will be voted on in November. 
This constitutional amendment has solid grassroots support.
  The State senator that introduced this constitutional amendment, Dede 
Feldman, and her colleagues in the State legislature should be 
applauded for having the courage to bring this issue to the forefront.
  I had the opportunity today to proudly march with Granny D, the 
campaign finance reform champion who arrived in our Nation's capital. 
The determination of this 90-year-old woman and her crusade for reform 
is truly inspiring. I want to thank Granny D for her courageous 
efforts.
  I honestly believe that, if our country's founders were here to 
witness today's campaigns, they would join us in this endeavor. Indeed, 
Alexander Hamilton wrote: ``It will not be alleged that an election law 
could have been framed and inserted in the Constitution which would 
have been applicable to every probable change in the situation of the 
country; and it will not therefore not be denied that a discretionary 
power over elections ought to exist somewhere.''
  We have got to reform this system and preserve our precious 
democracy.




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