Word: reforms
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Dates: during 2000-2000
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Almost all participants agreed that no matter how small the reform, it wouldn't have happened without McCain. "He is the Michael Jordan of campaign-finance reform," gushed Delaware's Republican Congressman Mike Castle. Not only did McCain work both branches of Congress, but his effort demonstrated that the millions of primary votes he won during his failed presidential bid have turned up the political heat for reform...
...should have been a surprise to nobody--though it was to the Senate leadership--three weeks ago when McCain forced a vote to attach the disclosure provision to a defense bill. It passed 57-42, with the help of a handful G.O.P. Senators who had voted against previous reform attempts. "You know what those Senators had in common?" asks McCain. "They're all up for re-election...
...House, G.O.P. leaders hoped to split the bipartisan coalition backing reform by embracing the measure to death. Let's make labor unions and other non- profits disclose, they suggested, knowing that this would peel away Democratic support. Reform proponents countered that corporations should be added as well. The outside lobbying started. Not just unions but also groups like National Right to Life hated the expanded bill. At an impasse on Tuesday, reform backers went to House Speaker Denny Hastert and forced him to scuttle a planned vote on one of the broader versions. Strip it back to just 527s, they...
...time the bill made it back to the Senate, the momentum was too much for Republican leaders. Even longtime reform opponent Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican who voted against the bill, encouraged anyone up for re-election to back it. "I do not think this is a spear worth falling on," he said, envisioning Democratic attacks. Once the bill passed, it was zipped over to the Whit House at lightning speed to be signed by Clinton. It takes effect immediately...
...Reform advocates say this could be the start of something big. They've come close before. A much broader measure to ban unlimited donations to political parties has passed the House twice and has a majority in the Senate--but not quite enough votes to overcome G.O.P. filibustering. The growing good-government gang hopes it's got the momentum. But opponents too are hopeful. This vote may have taken care of their campaign-finance obligations for a while. Even Castle agreed. "It'll make that next step a little more difficult, because members will be able to say we already...