Lynn N. Rivers: “I have not been convinced that we need an amendment to the Constitution in order to enact real campaign finance reform…”

“I have not been convinced that we need an amendment to the Constitution in order to enact real campaign finance reform in this Congress. In fact, throughout the time that I have served in this particular body, I have avoided all attempts to change the Constitution, many of which came, of course, from that side of the aisle. Mr. Chairman, I heard someone say earlier tonight that the reason they were here was to preserve the Bill of Rights. I know that just a week ago, 217 Members of this body voted to change the Bill of Rights and the first 16 words of the First Amendment. I also know that many of the same people who are arguing about free speech interests tonight were also cosponsors and voters in support of the flag-burning amendment, which, indeed, restricted the ability of individuals to make their views known through burning the flag. I also know that the majority whip and many Members who are participating in this debate tonight voted for the Internet Decency Act, and to restrict people's ability to express themselves on the Internet. So I have to assume that in fact this is not about the first amendment and people's rights to express themselves. It is about stopping campaign finance reform.”