In a culmination of seven years of legislative and political wrangling, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a piece of legislation Thursday morning that, if ultimately enacted, would drastically change the way campaigns are financed in this country.
To the chagrin of the Republican leadership in the House, the Shays-Meehan campaign finance legislation passed after a marathon debate session with a vote of 240 to 189.
The bill, if enacted, would ban soft money contributions to political parties from corporations and other interest groups, a move that may ultimately work to the Republican Party's advantage, experts say.
UW-Madison political science Professor Kenneth Goldstein said he was unsure how the bill might affect the political scene if it is signed into law.
\I think it's always hard to figure out how these things are going to play out down the line, who they affect,"" he said.
In the short term, however, Goldstein said campaign finance reform would be advantageous to the Republican Party because the GOP raises more hard money than Democrats do.
In addition, National Republican Congressional Committee member Lea Anne McBride said the committee tends to raise more money for Republican House candidates than their Democratic counterparts.
""We had a record-breaking year as far as fund raising goes and will continue on that track,"" McBride said. ""Last night's vote has no bearing on the fact that we will be able to fund our competitive races at much greater level than [Democrats] can.""
Despite predictions that the bill will hurt her party, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, is pleased with Thursday's outcome, according to Baldwin's chief of staff, Bill Murat.
""The supporters of this legislation including the congresswoman believe strongly that everyone in this country ought to have equal access and ought to be participating in this democracy,"" he said.
Murat said by getting rid of the millions of dollars of soft money for political advertising campaigns, individual citizens will have more faith in the government as well as a stronger voice in it.
The next step is for the Senate to receive the bill from the House, a move strongly supported by U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.
In a floor statement Thursday, Feingold said he is pleased that President Bush has signaled support for the legislation as well.
""The majority of this body is eager to take up and pass Shays-Meehan ... but we can't pass the bill until we have it in hand,"" he said.
According to Murat, the two branches of Congress have worked together to resolve any conflicts so the bill will not have to go to a conference committee.
""It is expected now the Senate will adopt this bill as passed by the House and they could send it to the president without it going to a conference committee,"" he said.
If the bill is signed into law, it would take effect immediately following the November 2002 midterm Congressional elections.
