Campaign funding measure approved

DAVID ESPO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Congress approved the most far-reaching changes to the nation's campaign finance system since the Watergate scandals Wednesday, sweeping aside years of gridlock to clear legislation for President Bush's signature.

Critics attacked the measure as unconstitutional and vowed a swift court challenge.

"With the stroke of the president's pen, we will eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars of unregulated soft money that has caused Americans to question the integrity of their elected representatives," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the bill's leading advocate, said shortly before a 60-40 Senate vote that cleared the measure.

The House passed the bill last month 240-189, and White House aides prepared a statement saying Bush would sign it, with misgivings.

Spectators in the Senate visitors' gallery broke into applause as the vote was announced, and Sen. Russell Feingold, of Wisconsin, the chief Democratic supporter, smiled broadly as he watched from the rear of the chamber. Reps. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and Martin Meehan, D-Mass., the leading House sponsors, crossed the Capitol to witness their triumph.

The 60-40 roll call belied years of political combat on the issue, a struggle that launched McCain's rise to national prominence.

"The status quo is not acceptable and today it will end," said Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.

GOP foes offered congratulations to the bill's supporters -- and said they would see them in court.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to main Home Page Stories index