Thomas Foley: “let me thank, first of all, the author of the bill and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) for their…”

“let me thank, first of all, the author of the bill and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) for their leadership on this issue. We dealt with this in the Florida legislature back in 1992. We reduced the amount of money that PACs and individuals could give. And everybody said at that time Armageddon. It will not work. My colleagues, let me just tell all those listening: the Republican party actually won. They are in control of the House, the Senate, and the Governor's mansion. So our party should not fear this issue. Because I think the voters recognize there is a significant problem in politics today, and it is called money. Money influences politics. This is not unreasonable. This does not limit free speech. This is not Armageddon, political suicide, unilateral disarmament. I think we are fighting a war rather than a sensible discussion on campaign finance reform. So I urge all of my colleagues as they are listening today to think about the average individual. Yes, I have heard from my side of the aisle that people at town hall meetings do not bring up campaign finance reform. Of course they would not. Why would they? They want to know what is happening on crime, education, health care, things that matter to their lives. But if we ask them one stand-alone question, Do you think campaign finance influence politics? they would give us a resounding ``yes.'' Let us fix the system. Shays-Meehan does it. I am proud to support it.”