Return to a "Citizen Congress" Focus of Brady Campaign Finance Reform

Washington, D.C. - -Convinced that multi-million dollar campaigns are pushing Congress farther away from its original role as a citizen-legislature, U.S. representatives Kevin Brady of Texas and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas today introduced the Campaign Integrity Act of 1999. 

The balanced measure -- which gives neither major political party a new campaign advantage --  closes the growing soft money loophole, lets the public know sooner about who is financing a candidate, and preserves free speech. It also increases the power of grassroots campaigning by driving members of Congress back into their home states for support rather than seeking funds from Washington interests.

"New campaign laws won't help if we don't first enforce the ones we have. Any serious campaign finance reform must also preserve the free expression of speech by individuals and organizations," states Brady. 

Informed citizens who take their voting responsibility seriously -- and who recognize campaign costs are quickly spinning out of control -- will support this approach, predicts the second-term congressman.

"We avoid the extreme of bigger government, give communities a bigger say in who represents them and lessen the influence of Washington," says Brady. "That's important for a nation like ours founded on the principle of government of the people."

Adds Hutchinson, "Because of it's realistic and practical approach, this legislation stands the greatest chance of passing into law and surviving a Supreme Court challenge." Last session the Democratic version of campaign finance reform, Shays-Meehan, died in the Senate amid serious constitution questions.  It is expected to die again this year for the same reason. 

The Campaign Integrity Act of 1999: 
     - closes the national soft money loophole
     - reserves to states the decision to allow, limit or ban state soft money
     - requires Congressional candidates to report contributions monthly and 
       electronically
     - indexes campaign contributions limits to inflation (set last in 1974)
     - Increases public awareness of groups who spend large sums on political "issue ads" while preserving their first amendment right of free speech. Each year organizations who spend more than $25,000 in congressional races must report the group's identity and amount of expenditures. 

House Speaker Dennis Hastert has indicated a September timetable for debate on campaign finance reform, once the 13 bills funding the federal government are completed.

That's fair, says Brady.

"First things first. The appropriations bills are essential. And since many of the candidates for next years elections are already playing by the existing set of campaign finance rules, it is far  more important that we do this right than we do it hastily."