Political Quotes

“in closing this body will have a unique opportunity to restore a voice to our constituents tomorrow when it takes up this campaign finance reform bill. The American system of government is too precious to allow soft money to limit the power of ideas. In the 2000 election cycle, 980 companies and individuals gave over $100,000 of soft money into that process. The type of reform that we are talking about will protect the ability of individuals and grassroots organizations to build on the power of their ideas and not be overwhelmed by this big money. I believe that is the way our forefathers intended our system to work. As one of our friends in the other body often says, because of the lack of reform, the big money sits in the front row, and the average citizen sits in the back. We need campaign finance reform, and we need it now. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues here in this House will do the right thing, stand up for their constituents and pass the Shays-Meehan campaign finance bill.”