Russ Feingold: “very simply, this is a vote on campaign finance reform. The question is whether this body will take the opportunity…”

“very simply, this is a vote on campaign finance reform. The question is whether this body will take the opportunity, offered by this amendment, to shine some sunlight on the secret money that these 527 organizations are pouring into our elections. Here it is on this chart, in black and white, from the web site of one of these groups. The contributions can be given in unlimited amounts. They can be from any source. And they are not political contributions and are not a matter of public record. All this amendment does is make it a matter of public record. The American people have a right to demand this information from any organization that is given tax exemption. The blue-slip argument is a figleaf. It is an excuse made up for those who oppose reform but have said they support disclosure. I urge my colleagues to vote against the point of order and for the amendment.”