U.S. House of Representatives

Committee on the Judiciary

Henry J. Hyde, Chairman

For immediate release May 3, 1999

Contact: Sam Stratman/Michael Connolly

(202) 225-2492

Judiciary Subcommittee to Review Free Speech Implications of Campaign Finance Reform Efforts

What: Oversight Hearing on "The First Amendment and Restrictions on Political Speech."

WHO: Subcommittee on the Constitution

When: Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at 2:00 p.m.

Where: 2237 Rayburn House Office Building

Reports of questionable fund-raising activities during recent elections have intensified efforts among interest groups and legislators to revamp campaign finance laws by strictly regulating political speech. Though the First Amendment prohibits laws that abridge "the freedom of speech" and the Supreme Court has held that campaign contributions and expenditures are both protected forms of speech under the Constitution, many lawmakers still seek to enact "reforms" that would curb citizens' rights to express their feelings on issues and candidates.

Current Proposals to Alter Campaign Finance Law Would...

• Deny political parties the right to spend legally-raised funds for their candidates' campaign efforts.

• Deny the right - upheld by the Supreme Court - of groups to conduct issue advocacy efforts.

• Further limit the rights of third parties (citizens not running for office but supporting one candidate or another) to make independent expenditures on behalf of the candidate of their choice, thus directly denying some citizens the right to free political speech.

These hearings will...