Campaign Finance Reform Back on House Agenda
Jan. 24, 2002
Campaign Finance Reform Back on House Agenda
Statement by Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook
The success today of the House of Representatives? discharge petition for campaign finance reform is a magnificent protest against the Enronization of American politics. On a bipartisan basis, the members of the House have reflected public disgust with an undemocratic campaign finance system that privileges the few at the expense of the majority.
With its 218th signature, the discharge petition has now been approved by the majority of the House. This should ensure expeditious consideration of this important legislation.
The bill has passed the House twice and is very likely to prevail again. Then it will go to the Senate (which has already decisively passed the companion McCain-Feingold measure) for final passage and then to President Bush.
A special note of thanks to Reps. Charles Bass (R.-N.H.) And Tom Petri (R-Wis.), who today joined 18 other Republicans in signing, to Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) and Corrine Brown (D-Fla.), who provided the 217th and 218th signatures, and to House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) for his persuasive efforts with fellow Democrats.
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