Rick Allen: “I have been the democratic chair of a bipartisan freshman effort on campaign reform for the last year and a half. I…”

“I have been the democratic chair of a bipartisan freshman effort on campaign reform for the last year and a half. I point that out because the only way to do campaign reform is on a bipartisan basis. This amendment, however well-intentioned, is a poison pill. This amendment, if added to the Shays-Meehan bill, will kill campaign reform, will kill the Shays-Meehan bill. That is one reason why it needs to be defeated. I will talk in a moment about some of my problems with the merits; but just for a moment, let us begin with just how different different districts are around this country. I think it is fair to say that, if you look at the Senate races around the country, some cost more, and some cost less. For example, it may cost tens of millions of dollars to run a Senate campaign in California. But in my home State of Maine, it may be a $1 million or $2 million proposition. But the basic campaigns are more or less the same: A certain amount of television, a certain amount of get out the vote drive. They look more or less alike, even though they are on the same scale. The same is not true in the House of Representatives.”