Christopher Shays: “In 1974, the Federal Elections Campaign Act of 1974 provided an exemption to allow political parties to raise soft money…”

“In 1974, the Federal Elections Campaign Act of 1974 provided an exemption to allow political parties to raise soft money to purchase or construct a building. It has existed since 1974. In fact, that was the way soft money kind of entered its way in. It was to build buildings; it was not really for campaigns, it was ultimately to get out the vote. It was not for races. What this provision does in our bill is say that if a party has any soft money left on November 6, they can only use it to build or purchase a building. Our bill makes it very clear that they cannot raise any more soft money for this or any purpose after November 6. Now, my logic was, if Terry McAuliffe and the Democratic side of the aisle wants to use soft money to build a building and not use it to run against candidates, I am happy to have them do it. I am curious as to why our side of the aisle wants him to use this money only to run against us. So that is the way my simple mind is working, I guess, at 1 o'clock in the morning. I am hoping this amendment is defeated. I hope Terry McAuliffe and anybody else he can convince will build buildings instead of running races.”