    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [June 17, 1993]
    [Page 877]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 877]]

    Statement on Senate Action on Campaign Finance Reform Legislation
    June 17, 1993

        Today's vote is a victory for the American people and a setback for
    the special interests. Government will only serve the middle class if
    Washington works for the national interest and not narrow interests. By
    breaking the filibuster and overwhelmingly passing campaign finance
    reform legislation, the Senate has answered the call for change. This
    legislation's sponsors and supporters deserve our gratitude.
        This bill will end the days when candidates could crush their
    opponents with unanswered spending by setting voluntary spending limits
    for candidates. It severely limits PAC's and bans contributions from
    lobbyists to the lawmakers they contact. It ends the abuses of the
    ``soft money'' system. I continue to believe that we should do more to
    open up the airwaves to candidates. But all in all, this legislation is
    comprehensive, real reform.
        The process of political reform should now move forward quickly. I
    urge the House of Representatives to enact the strongest possible
    legislation. Previous Presidents have blocked and even vetoed political
    reform. I look forward to signing it.