Sean Patrick Maloney: “Reform week is here. The most important reform--campaign finance, will not get reformed. Everyone knows that money plays…”

“Reform week is here. The most important reform--campaign finance, will not get reformed. Everyone knows that money plays too much of a role in politics, everyone except the Republican Congress. Under their extreme bill, a wealthy contributor can give three times what current law allows to Federal candidates. Three times the current limit to each national party committee. And, this bill allows over 10 times more money to State party committees. The Republican bill would allow $12.4 million in contributions from one family in a single election cycle. This isn't election reform, it's an auction. I support the Democrat bill, the Farr bill, which voluntarily limits contributions and expenditures. The contrast between the two bills is staggering. But, as much as we need campaign finance reform, I predict that partisanship will live and campaign finance reform will die. We don't need a Democratic bill or a Republican one--we need a workable one. The only way to do that is to create an independent commission to agree on general principles and develop a plan for a vote. Over a year ago, the Speaker and the President shook hands on it. Mr. Speaker, let's turn the promise of your handshake into the reality of a law.”