Ehrlich on Washington column, December 29, 1996

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of December 29, 1 996 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. WE NEED BIPARTISAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM When the 105th Congress reconvenes in January, my colleagues and I will take up a lot of important issues. Campaign finance reform will be one of the first items on our agenda. Nationally the cost of running for Congress has risen dramatically in recent years. In 1976 the average cost of winning a House seat was $87,200; by 1994 that figure had climbed to $529,000. Some members would like to control campaign costs through radical, broad reforms of the current electoral system. I want to repair the deficiencies in the current system rather than replace it entirely. Some of my colleagues support establishing voluntary limits on federal campaign spending in exchange for federal subsidies paid for by the taxpayer. I oppose public funding of congressional elections for several reasons. First, campaigns are won and lost in the marketplace of ideas. Replacing a system of voluntary contributions with taxpayer giveways is undemocratic. Second, it would be difficult to create a system by which public money can be fairly apportioned to all candidates. Third, such a system would favor incumbents. The best way to limit and reduce campaign spending is to broaden candidates’ access to broadcast media — the single most costly and important component of a campaign. Free television time should be made available to major congressional candidates. Additionally, I