John Kerry: “I ask my colleague and others on the other side what it is of which they are afraid. I ask my colleague if my Republican…”

“I ask my colleague and others on the other side what it is of which they are afraid. I ask my colleague if my Republican friends are really in favor of reform. There is no strict formula by which we determine what legislation will be brought before the U.S. Senate, in what order it will be brought, or when it will be brought. Everyone serving in this body knows that. Where is it ordained that there is a better moment 5 months from now than right now to say to the American people we are not going to spend campaign money for personal use? Of what are those Members who oppose this amendment afraid? If they support it, why not attach it to this vehicle and make the statement of reform to the American people now? Why wait 5 months? My colleague just stood up and said that the purpose of this legislation is to show Americans that we are prepared to live like they do. Why would you not want to attach to that bill a statement that we are not going to allow people to raise campaign funds to spend money in a way that no other Americans can spend money? I thought the Republicans who are the new majority party were the folks who are saying to the people back home, we are not going to do business as usual anymore in Washington; no more business as usual.”