Bruce F. Vento: “this is a bad rule and a bad deal, but it is the only option we will get in this Republican controlled House. The effort…”

“this is a bad rule and a bad deal, but it is the only option we will get in this Republican controlled House. The effort here is to try and defeat, and if not to defeat to undercut, any positive step to make a downpayment upon true campaign finance reform. The Republican leadership does not want to enact campaign reform. Their transparent behavior and actions speak louder than words, the Republican postponement of the Shays-Meehan bill so it will not likely reform the 2000 election cycle late in this session, and even then to float so many amendments, such wood decoys, as to distract and shoot down true campaign finance reform. Today, hopefully, the House and the American public, will let them know it's not duck season, will avoid falling into this public relations trap and demand reform which will ensure the empowerment of voters. Pass Shays-Meehan. Restore credibility. Empower voters, not just the special interests in this cycle. Restore confidence to the American public. Elections are at the core of our democracy. We need to take this step and pay an installment in terms of campaign reform. Mr. Speaker, today the Majority leadership is trying to turn the old saying, ``If it quacks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, it must be a duck'' on its head. Under that strategy, they hope to put out enough wooden decoys to distract our attention and the attention of the American people.”