Providing for Consideration of H.R. 513, 527 Reform Act of 2005

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 513, 527 REFORM ACT OF 2005 -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 27, 2006)

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the so-called 527 Reform Act of 2005 (H.R. 513). This legislation singles out 527 organizations in an effort to undermine their fundraising and is a direct assault on free speech.

* This legislation would change the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to add 527 organizations in the definition of political committee. If enacted, this bill would suppress free speech and obstruct the efforts of grassroots organizations to encourage voter participation while doing nothing to address the culture of corruption in Congress.

* I support the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002, which established balanced and effective strategies to achieve fairer elections. H.R. 513 is an unbalanced measure that favors corporate trade associations over independent advocates. For example, the bill would provide an unfair advantage to corporate interests by allowing them to continue spending unlimited and undisclosed dollars for political purposes while subjecting independent organizations, like citizens joining together to promote voter registration, to contribution limits and source restrictions.

* H.R. 513 also removes all limits on national and state party spending for Congressional candidates in primary or general elections. This section of the bill is an unmasked attack on BCRA and clear evidence of the majority party's true intentions in advancing H.R. 513. The goal is not reform, but partisan advantage in political fundraising.

* If we are serious about reform, there are several Democratic proposals that have been put forward to address the real problems facing this Congress. We should be reforming the Rules of the House in order to provide Members adequate time to review legislation before a vote. We should also be addressing the practice of travel on corporate jets and disclosure of fundraising by lobbyists. Unfortunately, the Republicans will not allow a real, comprehensive debate on this critical issue.

* H.R. 513 is the majority party's cynical and underwhelming response and is clearly meant to distract attention from the real problems of corruption. I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and vote for a real package of reforms--changes that Congress needs and that Americans expect.

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