| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Beth Day |
| March 19, 2001 | (202)224-6404 |
Washington, D.C. – Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) made the following statement in the U.S. Senate on campaign reform today:
"I commend the principal sponsors of this bill, the distinguished Senator from Arizona, Mr. McCain, and the distinguished Senator from Wisconsin, Mr. Feingold, for their leadership and for their perseverance. This day has been a long time coming, but the time has finally come for campaign finance reform. I'm pleased to be a cosponsor of this bill as it was reintroduced at the beginning of this Congress in January. I'm convinced it is time for the Senate to take action to reform the way federal election campaigns are financed, and, in effect, overwhelmingly dominated by the huge amounts of unregulated and undisclosed money being spent by organizations, unions, corporations, and wealthy individuals to influence the outcome of federal election campaigns. It is time to ensure that those who do try to influence the outcome of federal elections will have to report their expenditures so the general public will know who is trying to influence the outcome of political campaigns and how they are spending their money to do so. Mr. President, I also commend our Senate leaders, Mr. Lott and Mr. Daschle, for scheduling the debate on this bill so the Senate has an opportunity to work its will on the legislation. Amendments can be offered by any Senator with ample time for debate and consideration of any suggested alternatives for changing or improving this legislation. This bill, S. 27, in my view strikes the right balance that we are trying to accomplish. I may support some of the amendments that are offered. I will offer an amendment that I think will improve and strengthen the disclosure requirements in federal campaigns. I think the public has a right to know who is spending money to affect the outcome of federal elections and how they are spending it. We all see the ads. We are overwhelmed by the total number of television ads and mailings that are sent out during a political campaign these days in House races and Senate races and even the Presidential election this past year. Voters have to be confused about who is running the ads. The ad says the "Good Government Committee," but who is that? Or it says something else that sounds really good, like they are on the side of right and justice and right thinking. These groups run ads that suggest or insinuate that one or the other of the candidates in the race isn't on the right track, either on one subject or just generally speaking, isn't good for the state or the district or the country. The ads suggest that there may be something in the background of the candidate that is suspicious that needs to be looked at very carefully. The insinuations, the misleading tone, the negative aspect of political campaigns is fueled by the huge amounts, the juggernaut, and almost inconceivable amount of influence being brought to bare on these campaigns, by who knows what source. Who knows who is behind the spending. So, I am hopeful that we will work hard to get a bill passed by the Senate. We have a wonderful opportunity to do so, and the time to act is now. Some of the raising and spending of the money looks more like money laundering operations than above board political campaigns that would reflect credit on the political system of our country, and that needs to be changed. This is the vehicle to use to change it. I'm hopeful the Senate will work its will and pass this legislation."
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