Greg Ganske: “I rise in opposition to these amendments, to the two Whitfield amendments, and in support of Shays-Meehan. With due…”

“I rise in opposition to these amendments, to the two Whitfield amendments, and in support of Shays-Meehan. With due respect to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield), I do not think we need to add more money to the system. In 1996, I was the target of over $2 million in independent expenditures, sham issue ads. In my campaign, I was able to raise with the $1,000 per election limits for individuals and the $5,000 per election limits for PACs about $1.8 million. Under these amendments, one would be able then to raise $6,000 essentially from an individual for one's primary and for one's general election, $12,000 per couple in addition to thousands of dollars extra from members, adult members of their family. I do not think we need to do that. I think that just increases the money in the system. Let me give my colleagues one example. Governor George Bush is doing a marvelous job as a Republican presidential candidate raising funds. He has raised over $50 million, $1,000 at a time per individual, $5,000 per PAC. Those are under current limits. We do not need more of that.”