Al Green: “As a long-time supporter of the Shays-Meehan legislation, including signing the discharge petition, I believe we are on…”

“As a long-time supporter of the Shays-Meehan legislation, including signing the discharge petition, I believe we are on the verge of passing this historic campaign finance legislation. I am offering an amendment that would correct, I think, an oversight that was in the Senate bill that came to the House; and that is what my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), and I are doing. The amendment we are offering today is not a poison pill, and if passed would not force the underlying bill into conference with the Senate. Senators McCain and Feingold have already indicated that the passage of this amendment would not be a hindrance in the Senate. It is not a poison pill. This amendment is designed to remove a provision out of the Shays-Meehan bill that creates a new perk for candidates for Federal offices. We cannot blame the problems associated with the high costs of campaigning on television, and this is an example of Congress overreaching and helping ourselves; and that is why we offer this amendment and encourage my colleagues to support it.”