Political Quotes

“I rise to introduce a bill along with my friend and colleague from Vermont, Senator Jeffords, to ensure that we will have balanced, comprehensive campaign finance reform that doesn't close one loophole while leaving another open. It is a bipartisan approach to a burgeoning segment of undisclosed and unregulated campaign activity that will only get worse if left unchecked. Mr. President, the bill I am offering is based on a provision this body added to the McCain-Feingold bill three years ago, and a bill we introduced in the 106th Congress. With that amendment, the Senate finally went on record as having a majority in support of campaign finance reform. In fact, 53 senators cast a vote supporting the combined approach of a soft money ban and a sound, constitutional approach to addressing a veritable explosion in unregulated, so-called 'issue ads'. Senator Jeffords and I crafted this measure because we wanted campaign finance reform; we wanted a bill that represented the best possible policy; and we wanted a package that could bridge the political gap that had opened between supporters and opponents.”