Posted on 02/14/2002 1:52:44 AM PST by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - They did it: Following a 16-hour debate, the U.S. House of Representatives early Thursday morning passed a bill that would change the nation's campaign finance laws - for the better, said supporters; and for worse, said critics.
The vote was 240-189, with 41 Republicans and one independent voting for the Shays-Meehan bill, 12 Democrats voting with 176 Republicans and one independent against it.
The measure that passed around 2:30 a.m. is close enough to the Senate version that it could go straight to the Senate floor for a vote, in which case Republicans are promising a filibuster; or if the Senate doesn't accept it outright, it could move into a conference committee first.
President Bush, much to the dismay of some Republicans, is expected to sign the measure once it reaches his desk.
Here's some of what the House-passed bill does: It bans unregulated "soft-money" given to national political parties by corporations, unions, interest groups, and individuals; but it would allow soft-money contributions to state and local parties, up to a $10,000 limit.
It allows individuals to donate up to $2,000 (from the current $1,000 limit) to political candidates. And it also restricts broadcast advertising in the sixty days before an election.
The latter provision may provide the "meat" for a legal challenge. Opponents - who already are threatening to sue -- say restricting broadcast advertising before an election is tantamount to restricting free speech.
As for the soft-money ban, opponents say it is nothing more than a move to protect political incumbents against challengers who are less well known.
On the other hand, campaign finance "reformers" say the bill will help restore public confidence in the political system where money buys influence. Nonsense, say critics, who insist that money talks - always has and always will. They say politicians will find ways around the law, or simply walk through its loopholes.
If somebody would go over to her office right now I am sure you would find a party going on.
When you find the perfect party, please let the rest of us know. As for me, my Congressman voted against this, as well as 175 others. I'm not about to give up on those good Republicans. Most third parties are a joke, especially the Reform Party!
Big surprise.
He voted lockstep with the Dems all the way.
Believe me. I watched it on CSPAN live at midnight. Barny F-..rank was crying that this legislation couldn't be imlemented this year because the California primaries were so close - another RAT actually cited US Constitution Article 1, Section 9, Clause 3 "Ex Post Facto" law (which I have to admit is a good point).
Conservatives wanted CFR to take effect retroactive to today, the Shays-Mehan POS has it take effect the day after November's election.
go to http://thomas.loc.gov and type in H.R. 2356 to get all 78 pages or so including amendments
The vote on final passage had 41 Republicans voting yes, and five not voting (Roll Call 34). The Yes votes break down like this:
CA: Bono, Horn, Ose
CT: Johnson, Shays, Simmons
DE: Castle
FL: Foley, Ros-Lehtinen
IL: Johnson, Kirk
IA: Ganske, Leach
MD: Gilchrest, Morella
MI: Smith, Upton
MN: Ramstad
NE: Bereuter, Osborne
NH: Bass
NJ: Ferguson, Frelinghuysen, LoBiondo
NY: Boehlert, Gilman, Quinn, Walsh, Grucci, Houghton, McHugh
OH: LaTourette
PA: Greenwood, Weldon, Platts
SC: Graham
SD: Thune
TN: Wamp
VA: Wolf
WV: Capito
WI: Petri
And I'm a realist who believes in the 2 party system (or at least realistically sees the folly of smaller fringe parties - they are really interest groups)But this is a fundamental issue for me and many others. It appears the gop thinks it can slip it in why the country is preoccupied.
I'm still a proud conservative Republican. There were a few who fell that were not conservative, but it was the overwhelming democrat support that passed the bill.
I'm proud to be a conservative Republican.
Do you think snakes ever get the upper hand with Bush?? Stand back and watch and stop the hand wringing. (See #125 and 103)
Sidewinders like McCain & company should know by now that "Don't Mess With Texas" is not an idle threat.
yep. Republicans helped the military vote. Had the democrats not voted overwhelmingly for the rest , we wouldn't have this problem today. A few Republicans fell, but 40 does not make up the majority. The real enemy is still the DNC.
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