    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [January 5, 1995]
    [Pages 19-20]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Agenda for the 104th Congress
    January 5, 1995

    Dear __________:
        We have an opportunity to make historic change in the way that
    Washington works and the government does the people's business.
        This week, the Congress has begun to take important and positive
    steps to change its operations for the better. Shrinking the number of
    committees, reducing staff, and other measures are valuable, and long
    overdue. The passage of legislation that would apply to Congress the
    laws that apply to the public is only fair, is simple common sense, and
    is also long overdue. I hope that this time, unlike the last session of
    Congress, the Senate follows the House's action. I congratulate you on
    these steps.
        But true congressional reform must reduce the power of lobbyists and
    special interests. The power of organized money in Washington hurts the
    middle class, bloats spending and the deficit, and blocks needed change.
    Today, some 90,000 people in Washington are associated with lobbying
    Congress on behalf of specific interests, which too often are able to
    manipulate the congressional process to insert spending projects or tax
    provisions in legislation that do not serve the larger public's
    interest. Lobby power coupled with the ever-escalating cost of
    campaigns, which has risen fourfold over the past two decades, gives
    wealthy interests and wealthy candidates disproportionate influence in
    decisionmaking.
        These are not partisan concerns; they are American concerns. I urge
    you, as you undertake the task of reforming Congress, to take on these
    real political reform issues.
        First, as you enact legislation to apply general laws to Congress,
    it is vital that professional lobbyists be barred from giving gifts,
    meals and entertainment to members of Congress--just as they are now
    barred from giving these benefits to executive branch officials.
        Second, Congress should also quickly enact legislation to bring
    professional lobbyists into the sunlight of public scrutiny. The current
    lobby disclosure statute is cumbersome and antiquated. Lobbyists should
    disclose who their cli-

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    ents are, what bills they seek to pass or block, and how much they are
    paid.
        Third, I am pleased that the Congress wants to pass a line item veto
    authority for the President, something that I have consistently
    supported before and during the 1992 campaign and since. The line item
    veto authority will help us cut unnecessary spending and reduce the
    budget deficit. It is a powerful tool for fighting special interests,
    who too often are able to win approval of wasteful projects through
    manipulation of the congressional process, and bury them in massive
    bills where they are protected from Presidential vetoes. It will
    increase the accountability of government. I want a strong version of
    the line item veto, one that enables the President to take direct steps
    to curb wasteful spending. This is clearly an area where both parties
    can come together in the national interest, and I look forward to
    working with the Congress to quickly enact this measure.
        Finally, we must clean up political campaigns, limit the cost of
    campaigning, reduce the role of special interests, and increase the role
    of ordinary citizens. Real campaign finance reform, too, should be an
    area of bipartisan cooperation. Requiring broadcasters to provide time
    to bona fide candidates would cut the cost of campaigning and ensure
    that voters hear all arguments, regardless of candidate wealth. Strong
    proposals for free TV time have been introduced in previous years by
    Senator Dole and by the new chair of the House Commerce Committee, Rep.
    Thomas Bliley; these proposals should be the basis of agreement on
    reform.
        I look forward to working with the Congress to achieve results that
    are bipartisan, bold, and give the government back to the people.
            Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives; Richard K. Armey, House majority leader; Richard A.
    Gephardt, House minority leader; Robert Dole, Senate majority leader;
    and Thomas A. Daschle, Senate minority leader.