527 Reform Act of 2005

527 REFORM ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - April 05, 2006)

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, today I voted against H.R. 513, the "527 Reform Act of 2005" introduced by Congressmen SHAYS and MEEHAN. As a strong and long-term supporter of the Shays-Meehan/McCain-Feingold campaign reform legislation, I want to take this opportunity to explain my decision to vote against H.R. 513 today.

On the surface, H.R. 513 appears to be simple. It would require "527 groups," which represent individuals or groups that are not directly affiliated with political party organizations, to register and report with the Federal Election Commission in the same manner as political committees. I support that part of this bill.

However, the Republican Leadership inserted a poison pill into the bill. In the dark of night, the Republican-controlled House Rules Committee added an amendment to roll back current limits on Congressional campaign committee spending in supporting a candidate in a House general election. In 2006, Congressional committees are limited to spending a maximum of $79,200 in a Congressional race. This amount is set by law and adjusted for inflation. Under current law, Congressional campaign committees possess the authority to spend unlimited amounts on a campaign. Congressional committees must currently borrow and use the limits assigned by law to each party's national committee and each state party committee. The amended bill will lift current caps and upset the balance of spending.

A second killer amendment eliminates Congressional campaign committee limits on party spending for Congressional candidates. This bill allows each party to accept transfers from other committees within the party structure when spending for a candidate. This change will enable the National Republican Congressional Committee to accept unlimited transfers from the Republican National Committee for use in spending on any Congressional campaign. It is not a coincidence that Republicans outspend Democrats 5:1.

We have just seen the former Republican Majority Leader resign from Congress in disgrace. Another prominent member of the majority party sits in jail for accepting tawdry bribes while selling his office. Prominent administration officials have been arrested or are under indictment. This is not a time to be playing parliamentary games with the ethical process.

And that is why I voted against this shamefully amended version of H.R. 513 today.

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