Frank Pallone: “the Republican leadership had planned to bring up its sham campaign finance reform legislation today, but we learned…”

“the Republican leadership had planned to bring up its sham campaign finance reform legislation today, but we learned this morning that they had pulled the bill. Today's New York Times editorial describes the reasons for Speaker Gingrich's retreat. It says, ``In a brazen repudiation of his own promises, Newt Gingrich has yanked campaign finance reform from the House agenda. The Speaker's action yesterday came after a frantic but fruitless effort by his aides to round up the votes to block genuine reform legislation on the House floor. Mr. Gingrich's allies are now reportedly plotting to reschedule consideration of reform bills next month, but only under rules requiring a two-thirds vote for approval. These desperation tactics are an abuse of power reminiscent of conduct Mr. Gingrich himself deplored for years.'' Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrich) tried to foist a sham bill on the Members of this House with an antiunion provision, unacceptable to the Democrats, tied to a procedural rule designed to prevent a vote on genuine reform. The Speaker's tactics clearly backfired, and I am glad that they did.”