EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Ten, Number Three March/April 2001 Call to Action: Take Back Our Government The passage of the McCain-Feingold bill is a first step toward recovering government of, for, and by the People, rather than of, for and by money. At the end of March, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2001 to Amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA), known as the McCain-Feingold campaign reform bill, is scheduled to move to the floor of the Senate for debate and amendment. The bill, S.27, is now in the Committee on Rules and Administration, Mitch McConnell (R-KY), chair. The bill had 34 co-sponsors when introduced in January. The more controversial sections of the bill are designed to reduce the influence of special interests. The bill prohibits a national committee of a political party from soliciting or receiving contributions, or making expenditures not subject to the limitations, prohibitions and reporting requirements of the Act, so-called soft money. It also prohibits a candidate for federal office , or an incumbent, from soliciting or receiving funds not subject to the limitations, prohibitions and reporting requirements of FECA. At the same time, it increases the amount individuals can contribute to a campaign. The bill establishes an individual annual limit of $10,000 for state committee contributions, and increases the aggregate individual contribution limit to $30,000. It prohibits a national, state, district or local committee of a political party from soliciting or donating funds to a tax-exempt organization. The bill requires national and state committees to report all receipts and disbursements, and requires the filing of additional statements on "electioneering communications" with the Federal Elections Commission. They include rules prohibiting labor and corporate disbursements for such communications. Half a dozen attempts in the past to reform our election laws have failed. Here is another chance to speak out on behalf of all citizens, especially those who see no point in voting "because it's all controlled by money." Write your own senators and also Senator Mitch McConnell, chair of the Rules and Administration Committee, and Senators McCain and Feingold, expressing your support for reform. Home     Table of Contents