    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [February 5, 1998]
    [Page 183]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 183]]

    Letter to the Members of the Federal Election Commission on Campaign
    Finance Reform
    February 5, 1998

    To the Members of the Federal Election Commission:
        I strongly support action to end the soft money raised by both
    political parties. That is why last year I asked the Federal Election
    Commission to ban soft money, under its current legal authority. I am
    very pleased that your General Counsel has
    proposed a new rule prohibiting national parties from raising soft
    money. Banning soft money fundraising by national party committees will
    enable our election laws to catch up with the reality of the way
    elections are financed today, and along with new campaign finance reform
    legislation, will take significant strides toward restoring public
    confidence in the campaign finance process.
        Now I ask you to step up to your responsibility and act, within your
    legal authority, to end the soft money system. The American people
    deserve nothing less.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this letter.