ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 138
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 27, 1997
By Assemblyman GUSCIORA, Assemblywoman WEINBERG, Assemblymen Zisa, Suliga, Greenwald, Lance, Assemblywoman Friscia, Assemblyman Dalton and Assemblywoman Turner
An Assembly Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to act quickly to pass S.25, which provides for the comprehensive reform of current federal campaign finance laws.
Whereas, The 1996 Presidential and Congressional elections witnessed the collection and spending of record amounts of money, much of it from so-called "special interest" groups seeking influence; and
Whereas, Both major political parties used questionable fund-raising methods to accumulate millions of dollars in "soft-money" that is supposed to be for party-building activities, but was actually funneled to state parties to help candidates; and
Whereas, The perceived inability of the current federal law to stop certain kinds of donations and donations from certain sources has sparked calls for Congressional investigations of the practices of both major political parties; and
Whereas, This perception has also added to the cynicism of the electorate, many of whom believe that Congress is for sale to the richest special interest groups and largest contributors, thus undermining the faith of the American people in their electoral system; and
Whereas, Senators John McCain, a Republican, and Russell Feingold, a Democrat, have introduced S.25 because they believe that the time has come for a comprehensive and bipartisan review of current federal campaign finance laws; and
Whereas, Among other things, the bill bans contributions of "soft money" and prohibits contributions from political action committees or "PACS" and from noncitizens living in the United States; and
Whereas, S.25 establishes a system of voluntary spending limits and benefits for Senate candidates, whereby they must agree to limit overall campaign spending and personal spending on a campaign in exchange for a discount on postal rates, plus up to 30 minutes of free television time and a 50% discount on all other purchased advertising time; and
Whereas, President Clinton has indicated his willingness to work with Congress to arrive at a solution to this issue; and
Whereas, Senators McCain and Feingold believe that given the support of the President, the current spirit of bipartisan cooperation in Congress and the dismay of the electorate with the current system of campaign finance, there is a unique opportunity to provide meaningful campaign finance reform; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper that this House states that it supports the passage by Congress of S.25 and welcomes comprehensive federal campaign finance reform; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges Congress to act quickly to pass S.25, which provides for the comprehensive reform of current federal campaign finance laws.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges Congress to act quickly to pass S.25, which provides for the comprehensive reform of current federal campaign finance laws.
Urges Congress to pass S.25, which provides for reform of current federal campaign finance laws.