[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 8682] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov][[Page 8682]] WHY WE NEED CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ______ HON. JAY INSLEE of washington in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 5, 1999 Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, the faith of the American people in their elected government is slowly slipping away. The cause of this malaise is our defective, broken campaign finance system. The astronomical costs of Federal campaigns are having extremely detrimental effects on our democracy; qualified candidates are discouraged from running, and special interest dollars continues to drown out the voice of the average citizen. This outrage is evident to everyone, except, members of the leadership. The shortest route between our campaign finance system and reform is the opportunity to vote on the bi-partisan Campaign Finance Reform Act, otherwise known as the Shays-Meehan bill. We have garnered over 188 signatures on our campaign finance discharge petition. We mean it when we say we want reform and we want it soon. If we can't get a scheduled vote from the Republican Leadership, we reform-minded Members will force a vote through this petition. Mr. Speaker, this is a truly modest proposal, but its impact could be nothing short of extraordinary. First, this legislation will finally ban ``soft money.'' With this past election cycle, we saw ``soft money'' contributions more than double since the last off-year election, totaling over $220 million. Second, this legislation also includes the Campaign Ad Fairness Provision, reigning in the unregulated ``issue campaigns'' to require them to play by the same finance laws as federal campaigns. Third, this legislation gives teeth to the FEC and provides greater, timelier public disclosure of individuals contributing to campaigns. Mr. Speaker, this bill is not an infringement of free speech, but a restoration of the public trust. American people are tired of watching Congress sit back and do nothing as the amount spent in elections grows higher and higher, and trust in the system sinks lower and lower. We need to get big money out of the electoral process, and give power back to the people. I know that the people of the 1st congressional district of Washington want real, meaningful reform, and I urge you to support the Bi-partisan Campaign Finance Reform Act. ____________________