Robert Torricelli: “I, quite the contrary, rise in recognition of something significant that has not been added to the supplemental…”

“I, quite the contrary, rise in recognition of something significant that has not been added to the supplemental appropriations bill. It is one of those few instances where there is a genuine achievement by the Senate in failing to act. It had earlier been suggested that an amendment might be offered to prohibit the FCC from using its powers to order a reduction in the cost of television advertising in political campaigns. This legislation does not contain that provision. In my judgment, it affords the FCC an extraordinary opportunity to take the lead in campaign finance reform. Mr. President, on 117 occasions in this decade, the U.S. Senate has considered, voted, and failed to implement fundamental campaign finance reform. This Senate has continued that unfortunate tradition. But now the Senate has an opportunity to help the process of political reform in the United States and to renew confidence in the institutions of Government and the political process itself by doing something for which it should be fully capable. They need do nothing.”