The League of Women Voters has long supported fundamental campaign finance reform. However, in the wake of the scandal-plagued 1996 election cycle, we believe it is imperative that Congress enact moderate, common-sense legislation. This would close the biggest loopholes in the current system, in particular, the soft money and sham issue advocacy loopholes that threaten to destroy the integrity of our electoral system.

The so-called “soft money” contributions are unlimited donations to the political parties from corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals.

Over the last three presidential cycles, total soft money receipts have grown exponentially. In the 1988 election cycle, the parties raised a combined $45 million in soft money; in the 1992 cycle, that figure nearly doubled to $82 million; and in the 1995-96 cycle, combined soft money contributions tripled to an astounding $262 million. During the 1997-98 election, the parties raised $172.5 million in soft money contributions, which was a 112 percent increase over the 1993-94 cycle.

Sham issue advocacy ads are political ads that target individual candidates and are designed to influence the outcome of elections, but are not subject to the same rules as campaign ads thanks to a loophole in the law. By running a barrage of ads immediately before an election that savage a candidate’s opponent, special interests can contribute something of great value to a candidate while avoiding legal contribution limits and disclosure requirements. Special interests know it is developing into one of the best ways to purchase policy results on Capitol Hill.

By closing these two loopholes, Congress can take an effective first step towards getting big special interest money out of politics and restoring the voice of average citizens.

House passage of the Shays-Meehan Bill (H.R. 417) on Sept. 14, 1999, was a step in the right direction. This bill titled, “Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act” closes both of the soft money and issue-advocacy loopholes. Our Ames area representative Leonard Boswell voted in favor (Fortunately, Iowa Representatives Leach and Ganske also voted in favor, but Representatives Nussle and Latham voted nay.)

Now the Senate must follow the lead of the House and pass the McCain-Feingold Bill (S. 26). Please consider writing, calling or e-mailing our senators to encourage their positive vote on this issue so vital to our democracy.

They may be reached at:

Senator Tom Harkin

(202) 224-3254

(515) 284-4574

731 Hart Senate Building

Washington, DC 20510

[email protected]

Senator Charles Grassley

(202) 224-3744

(515) 284-4890

135 Hart Senate Building

Washington, DC 20510

[email protected]

Martha Grimes Isaacson

President

The League of Women Voters of Ames