Bruce F. Vento: “For months we have had floating around here a bill called H.R. 10 that deals with modernization of financial services…”

“For months we have had floating around here a bill called H.R. 10 that deals with modernization of financial services and, lo and behold, next week, in that week when we do not have time to deal with campaign finance reform, we have this 400- or 500-page bill, and we have the time, thanks to the House leadership. A full-page ad in the paper today to deal with the problems of American insurance, the Council of Insurance Agents, the investment bankers, J.P. Morgan, we have time for that next week; but what about trying to reform the process around here in which we can get a people's bill on the agenda like campaign reform? That is what is important. But this bill has a priority over that, Mr. Speaker, and I think it ought not to have that priority. I think we ought to get our act together and do it right. This can wait. This does not have to be jammed down our throats next week. What we need to do is deal with the campaign reform problem. It is 15 months past due. It is time to face up to this and meet the promises and commitments that were made around here last week.”