    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [June 16, 1993]
    [Page 865]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Campaign Finance Reform Legislation
    June 16, 1993

        I congratulate the Senators from both parties who voted to break the
    filibuster of campaign finance reform. Today the Senate showed it has
    heard the American people's demand for change. I have long believed that
    we will not give the middle class the economic growth and health care
    reform it needs unless we also reform our political system. Today's vote
    is a breakthrough in the fight to give the Government back to the
    American people.
        The stage is now set for passage of campaign finance reform
    legislation that limits spending, curbs the special interests, and opens
    up the airwaves to greater competition. Make no mistake: This
    legislation, while it necessarily contains compromises, will change
    Washington for the better.
        This must be only the first step in our effort to ensure that
    Washington works for the national interest and not narrow interests. I
    urge the Senate to pass this legislation tomorrow. I urge the House to
    act quickly on its own campaign finance reform bill. And I urge the
    Congress to move forward on lobby disclosure legislation that brings the
    activities of lobbyists into the sunlight of public scrutiny.