Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Voter Groups Plead for Campaign Spending Reform

Two campaign reform bills are being held up by Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., and House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., according to Ellen Nelson of Nevada's Common Cause chapter.

"Opponents know that, in this election year, delay is an easy way to kill reform," she said. "They know that the longer you wait in a congressional session and the closer the elections get, the easier it becomes to forget about reform and just sweep it under the rug for another year."

Nelson said Sens. Harry Reid and Dick Bryan, both D-Nev., have committed to support campaign reform bills. But she said she hasn't received responses from Reps. Barbara Vucanovich and John Ensign, both R-Nev.

"These bills will help move the special interests out and bring the American people back into the political system," said Nancy Wall of the League of Women Voters of Nevada.

Under the bills, the amount of money a candidate could spend in a House race would be limited to $600,000. Amounts would vary on Senate campaigns, from $950,000 in small states to $5.5 million in heavily populated states.

Political action committees would be limited to contributing $1,000 to a candidate per election. Now they can spend $5,000.

And candidates who abide by the voluntary limits would get 30 minutes of free television time and be allowed to buy additional television time at half price.

"Should only the rich people be able to run for office?" Nelson asked. She added the controversial proposal for free and discounted television rates could be amended out during floor debates - but paying for television time is an increasing burden for candidates.

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