    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [February 27, 1998]
    [Page 302]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Members of the Federal Election Commission on Campaign Finance
    Reform
    February 27, 1998

    To the Members of the Federal Election Commission:
        Yesterday's defeat of comprehensive campaign finance reform
    legislation in the Senate makes it even more imperative that the Federal
    Election Commission (FEC) act to end the soft money system.
        On June 4, 1997, I petitioned the FEC to act within its current
    statutory authority to end the soft money system. Your General Counsel,
    Lawrence Noble, has concluded that the FEC
    does, in fact, have the legal authority to act. This would be a major
    breakthrough for reform. I understand you have asked the General Counsel
    to explore other options--but the inability of the Congress to act on
    this vital public matter underscores how urgent it is that the FEC
    proceed without delay.
        The rules governing soft money are principally the legacy of decades
    of decisions by the FEC. You have it in your power to act now to end
    this system. If no action is taken, then in coming years the fundraising
    arms race that has consumed both parties will only worsen.
        The Senate's failure to pass campaign finance reform legislation
    means the most realistic next steps for reform will come from the
    actions of regulatory agencies, acting within their legal authority, to
    renew our democracy. I thank the FEC for the steps it has taken thus far
    and urge you to press forward to end the soft money system.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton