| TRAFICANT, James A., Jr., |
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1998
Washington, D.C. – Last night the House unanimously approved an amendment
authored by U. S. Rep. James A. Traficant, Jr. (D–OH) to campaign finance
reform legislation that would require an expedited review by the House
of whether or not to expel a Member convicted of knowingly accepting a
foreign campaign contribution.
Last night the House continued its consideration of campaign
finance reform legislation. The campaign finance reform legislation
being considered by the House changes federal campaign finance law with
regard to four major issues: 1) the ability of national political parties
to raise and distribute money for party building efforts (so-called "soft
money"), 2) contribution limits, 3) advertisements by independent groups
that advocate certain issue positions, and 4) political spending by labor
unions and corporations.
The Traficant amendment amends House rules to require an expedited review by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (commonly known as the "Ethics Committee") of any Member convicted of accepting a foreign campaign contribution. The amendment also requires the committee to submit an expedited report to the House with recommendations on possible sanctions against the Member, including expulsion. The amendment was approved on a voice vote.