Daschle Warns He’ll Extend Sessions on ‘Soft Money’ Bill
Thwarted again in his attempt to bring campaign finance legislation to a final vote, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle on Tuesday threatened all-night sessions to overcome any filibuster by opponents.
Daschle (D-S.D.) said he is committed to sending the bill to the White House before Congress leaves for its two-week Easter recess at the end of this month.
Even if supporters gain the 60 votes needed to limit debate, Senate rules provide opponents with 30 hours to debate the measure. Daschle said he is prepared to keep the Senate in session all night if necessary.
The legislation would ban corporations, unions and individuals from making unregulated “soft money” donations to national political parties and would restrict, in the final days of a campaign, “issue ads” that are often thinly disguised means to attack candidates.
The Senate passed its bill last April, and the House passed a similar measure last month. Senate supporters want to pass the House bill, avoiding a House-Senate conference, and send the measure directly to President Bush. He is expected to sign it.
With no resolution on campaign reform, the Senate Tuesday moved on to work on a major energy bill.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
