John W. Olver: “this week has been trumpeted as the great Republican reform week. But now, as we begin debate on these so-called…”

“this week has been trumpeted as the great Republican reform week. But now, as we begin debate on these so-called reforms, what is the Republican leadership really thrusting on us this week? The only bill the Republican leadership is offering is a so-called campaign finance bill--a measure designed to make out-of-control campaign spending even worse. The Republican bill nearly triples the limits on both individual contributions and PAC contributions. And under the Republican plan, a wealthy family of four would now be able to contribute millions and millions of dollars during a 2-year election cycle. Mr. Speaker, this is not reform. Instead of putting the brakes on this campaign spending train, the Republicans are finding new ways to add fuel to the fire. The Republican leadership once again has ignored the pleas of the people and is focused on helping the fat cats and the special interests that own them. The Republican leadership has once again gone too far. Extremism, not accomplishment, is the name of their game.”