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Modified campaign finance bill being readied for Senate
September 16, 1999 WASHINGTON -- Fresh from a House victory, sponsors of campaign finance legislation intend to submit a slimmed-down bill for Senate debate in hopes they can build support and avoid a filibuster that killed similar legislation last year. The measure will include a ban on so-called soft money in federal elections, and include a provision to curb unions' ability to take compulsory dues paid by non-union members and funnel them into political activities. 
It will not include restrictions on advertisements that attack candidates but escape regulation because they are presented as "issue ads" not covered by existing election law. Nor will it include a requirement for disclosure of campaign finance reports on the Internet. "While I support a more comprehensive bill and hope a more extensive package will eventually past the Senate, I also am a realist and know that we must not let the perfect bill be the enemy of real reform," Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) said in announcing a change in strategy. Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wisconsin) McCain's partner in the struggle for campaign finance legislation, said a ban on soft money was "the bare minimum of reform that we can accept this year." He added that he and McCain want to introduce legislation "which changes the dynamic of the situation," a reference to their failure to overcome past filibusters. The Senate debate is expected in early October. Republicans have filibustered legislation in the past, and have threatened to do so again. The House approved legislation Tuesday night that contains the two restrictions that McCain and Feingold will offer, as well as others. That bill was passed on a bipartisan vote of 252-177, after a daylong debate during which supporters said it was essential to reduce the role of money in political campaigns, and critics said the bill was a violation of free speech. Hard money refers to contributions that are limited in size, regulated by the federal government, and which corporations, unions and certain other groups are banned from making. Soft money is unregulated by the federal government, and donations are frequently made in six-figure amounts. Campaign finance legislation has been stymied in the Senate in recent years by Republican filibusters. Last year, supporters of curbs on campaign money garnered 51 votes, slightly more than a majority but well short of the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster. Several congressional sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that sponsors of the measure expect an amendment to be offered in the debate to raise the permissible hard money contribution limits for individuals. These have been pegged at $1,000 per candidate since campaign finance legislation was passed in the post-Watergate era of the mid-1970s. One official added that the amendment might be offered by Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican who has been a supporter of the filibuster in the past, but is viewed by McCain and Feingold as a potential convert. At the same time, it was unclear what the impact of the changes would have on Senate Democrats, who have been united in supporting the measure in the past. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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MORE STORIES:Thursday, September 16, 1999
• Senate Judiciary Committee postpones vote on clemency documents • Republicans send tax bill to Clinton • Gore, Mrs. Clinton share stage at Hispanic gala • Modified campaign finance bill being readied for Senate • Congress approves bill raising pay for lawmakers, next president • One poll has Giuliani leading Mrs. Clinton, second has race a tie • Environmental group backing Bradley opposed ethanol subsidy • Quayle says GOP drift from core values is a 'recipe for defeat' • New book gives inside scoop on Justice O'Connor • Former Treasury Secretary named chairman of community development group • Clinton won't turn over Puerto Rican clemency papers • Energy secretary takes polygraph test to reassure other workers • Judge throws out multimillion-dollar verdict against NRA • Nation's capital copes with Floyd's lashing • Matured and settled down but still 'The Bombastic Bushkin' • Much to gain for Buchanan in Reform Party run • Internet tax panel to examine detailed sales tax reforms • Former congressmen's grandchildren killed in fire • Report commissioned by Gore urges tougher online stalking laws • Starr wishes someone else had probed Lewinsky scandal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
