David Thomas: “this piece of legislation passed the Committee on House Oversight on September 19, 1996, by unanimous vote, and we will…”

“this piece of legislation passed the Committee on House Oversight on September 19, 1996, by unanimous vote, and we will probably see additional legislation in the near future dealing with what all of us now are becoming more and more aware is a fundamental change in the way in which Americans, indeed many people around the world, communicate. The Federal Elections Campaign Act, as it was written, would not allow folks to provide equal access to the Internet, even though it would have been done on a universal availability basis for any candidates in a particular election. The gentleman from Washington [Mr. White], who is chair of the Internet Caucus, quite wisely introduced legislation which would allow this to occur, notwithstanding the fact that under other circumstances it might appear to be a corporate contribution which is banned under the Federal Election Act. I think all of us would agree that the ability to enhance communication and provide information that would otherwise not be available to voters through access to the Internet is indeed something that should be allowed, and H.R. 3700 does just that. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”