[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 37 (Monday, September 14, 1998)]
[Page 1755]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Senate Inaction on Campaign Finance Reform

September 10, 1998

    I am very disappointed that a minority of the Senate, led by the 
Republican leadership, has once again voted to preserve the status quo 
of campaign finance by blocking tough bipartisan campaign finance 
reform. This comprehensive legislation has been passed by the House, is 
supported by the majority of the Senate, and is demanded by the American 
people.
    If this minority of Senators continue to block this bill, they must 
take responsibility for the current campaign finance system, with its 
soft money and its inadequate disclosure requirements. And by doing so, 
they would deny the American people the best opportunity in a generation 
to pass meaningful, bipartisan campaign finance reform.
    In the days to come, I urge the Senate to consider this issue again 
and give the American people the kind of campaign finance law they 
deserve.