Joe Pitts: “later this week the House is going to vote on a bill that claims to reform our campaign finance laws. Is there too much…”

“later this week the House is going to vote on a bill that claims to reform our campaign finance laws. Is there too much money in politics? Yes. No one knows that better than the candidates who have to raise it. But the Shays-Meehan bill uses a chain saw where we need a scalpel. This bill goes way beyond regulating the way we contribute to candidates. The Supreme Court ruled long ago that political donations are constitutionally protected speech. But even if that were not true, surely talking about our elected officials is protected by the first amendment. But Shays-Meehan supporters are not talking about the provisions in this bill that limit free speech, but those provisions are there. This bill would make it a crime for any citizens group, other than a political action committee, to criticize, praise or even mention a political candidate 60 days before an election. Madam Speaker, this is an outrage. How dare we even suggest this? The freedom of speech is our most cherished freedom, and it is most important when it comes to choosing our leaders. Madam Speaker, the Shays-Meehan bill is flawed and unconstitutional in this regard.”