Groups such as the National Rifle Association, National Right to Life Association and many corporations engage in this practice just as unions do. They should have the same prohibitions or, as we prefer, the same rights. The House rejected this provision when it passed the McCain-Feingold bill in 1998. Conclusion ADA believes that even if S. 27 is improved and adopted, additional reform still will be needed if we are to have the election system that Americans need. Even with S. 27, large private money still will control the outcome of elections and Senators and Representatives still will be forced to spend much of their time raising money, winding up still obligated to special interests.
Full reform requires movement toward public financing.
America needs and deserves public financing of its elections. Legislation that takes steps toward the goal of public financing was introduced in the past two Congresses. ADA will continue to support such legislation. Passage of S. 27 will be an important first step toward reform. It would be tragic for the nation if we fail to achieve passage and we will never win more public financing if first we don't pass S. 27.