Robert Torricelli: “no matter what other issues are discussed in this Senate, what other concerns are brought before the body, the Nation's…”

“no matter what other issues are discussed in this Senate, what other concerns are brought before the body, the Nation's attention is turned again to the issue of campaign finance reform, the seemingly never-ending effort to restore integrity to this process and change the Nation's campaign finance laws. In March, the Senate passed a comprehensive and workable piece of legislation; it required 2 weeks and 22 amendments. One of those amendments I offered together with my colleagues, Senator Corzine, Senator Durbin, and Senator Ensign. It was the other part of the equation: As we reduce the amount of money that is raised, to reduce the amount that must by necessity be spent. Campaign spending in America is easily defined. It is used for television overwhelmingly: 80 or 85 percent of the cost of the Senate campaign goes to a television network. This amendment was passed overwhelmingly by the Senate. I take the floor today because it is now in jeopardy. It is unconscionable, while the American people have demanded a control on the amount of political money being spent in America, unconscionable while this Congress has fought for campaign finance reform, the broadcast industry is fighting to the death to reverse this amendment in the House of Representatives and allow the television networks to charge whatever they want to charge for political advertising.”