Trent Lott: “I hope no one will characterize this amendment as a ``poison pill'' for campaign finance reform. It is so fundamental to…”

“I hope no one will characterize this amendment as a ``poison pill'' for campaign finance reform. It is so fundamental to fairness in the campaign process. Shouldn't workers in America be able to have some say about how their fees, assessments, or dues are used in political campaigns? I think the answer truly should be yes. Most Americans would be shocked to learn that some workers in our Nation are forced to contribute to a candidate or campaign they don't support or do not know anything about. They have no way of directing where those funds go. Because of that abuse, this amendment, the Paycheck Protection Act, is an essential element to genuine campaign reform. It requires that all political contributions be voluntary. But it contains a giant loophole: It allows corporations and unions to confiscate money, for political purposes, from their employees' and members' paychecks without getting their permission. This loophole must be closed.”