Nick Lampson: “I returned from the retreat in Hershey optimistic that the rhetoric of bipartisanship would become a reality. Well, this…”

“I returned from the retreat in Hershey optimistic that the rhetoric of bipartisanship would become a reality. Well, this afternoon I ascribe that optimism to my naivete as a freshman Member of the House. The majority is determined to spend an exorbitant amount of money through the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight to investigate alleged fund-raising improprieties by the White House last year. My question, Mr. Speaker, is, Why do we not investigate alleged improprieties that occurred in campaigns in this body? In late October 1996, vicious television advertisements attacking me personally were purchased by a group calling itself Citizens for the Republican Education Fund. Similar ads appeared in the final days of my December runoff election as well. This group, along with Citizens for Reform and Coalition for Our Children's Future, purchased advertisements attacking Democratic congressional candidates across this land. These front groups were used to dump anonymous, unregulated money into these races on behalf of Republican candidates.”