Thomas Daschle: “Let me, first, compliment the distinguished Senator from Minnesota for his adamant endorsement of the need to move ahead…”

“Let me, first, compliment the distinguished Senator from Minnesota for his adamant endorsement of the need to move ahead on campaign finance reform. I share his utter frustration and extraordinary concern for the current method with which we finance our campaigns. I share it to the degree that I intend to offer, as the very first bill that I will introduce, in consultation, of course, with our conference tomorrow, S. 11, a campaign finance reform bill built upon the remarkable work done by a previous majority leader, Senator Byrd, years ago, as well as Senators Feingold, Kerry, and others who have played a key role in this debate in the past. I will do so with every expectation that we can succeed, at long last, to pass meaningful, comprehensive campaign finance reform this year. And I feel as strongly as the Senator from Minnesota that the legislation should be considered as early as possible. It is long overdue.”