Stephen Horn: “Republicans, like the public and Congress, do not support taxpayer dollars being used to fund political campaigns. Even…”

“Republicans, like the public and Congress, do not support taxpayer dollars being used to fund political campaigns. Even the Democratic majority does not support such funding. That is why their bill contains none. S. 3, as amended by the House of Representatives, is not reform. So-called $600,000 spending limits actually approach $1 million once all the loopholes are added up. I cannot call a bill campaign reform when less than one out of every four campaigns approaches the so-called limit on spending. American voters want an end to excessive campaign spending. American voters also want an end to political action committees. Instead of limiting the influence of special interests, the $5,000 limit from a PAC can contribute to a candidate in each election, primary and general, is a sacred cow for House Democrats, many of whom are in safe seats and can collect $10,000 from a PAC in a few months. Even Senate Democrats, however, agreed to a ban on political action committees. S. 3 is now public financing without enforcement. Democrats want to fill the bank with money, and then fire all the guards. Outside experts say enforcing these proposed regulations will require a 50 percent to 200 percent increase in funding for the Federal Election Commission, the FEC. Instead of funding these new responsibilities, what has the Clinton administration done? It has cut the FEC funding.”