Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, this is the Ney-Wynn amendment, and this will be the last chance tonight, and this is not a poison pill. This amendment embodies campaign finance reform principles that respect our Constitution. It does not seek to punish or discourage those citizens who exercise their constitutional rights to participate in the political process. This amendment bans the national parties from raising or using soft money for Federal election activities, including broadcast issue advertising. However, it would permit the national parties to continue to raise and use soft money for generic voter registration, which I believe we all know is important, and get-out-the-vote activities. The parties would also preserve the right to use such funds for fund-raising and overhead expenses. The principal complaint leveled against so-called soft money is that it is unlimited and unregulated. This amendment addresses that complaint by limiting it and regulating it. With the passage of this amendment, no donor could contribute an amount over $20,000 to any political committee. As I previously indicated, the use of the funds would be restricted to certain activities. Shays-Meehan does absolutely nothing to restrict how unions and corporations spend soft money.”