Senate Approves a `Bill Killer' on McCain-Feingold

Hudson, Audrey, Boyer, Dave, The Washington Times (Washington, DC)

The Senate last night passed an amendment to the campaign finance reform bill that one of its chief sponsors, Sen. Russell D. Feingold, called a "bill killer."

The amendment, which was approved in a surprise vote, also was criticized by the other main sponsor, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, as unconstitutional.

Senators passed on a 51-46 vote an obscure amendment by Sen. Paul Wellstone, Minnesota Democrat, that would forbid advocacy groups like the National Rifle Association and the Sierra Club from paying for so-called "issue ads" during the last 60 days of federal campaigns.

Mr. Feingold conceded passage of the amendment makes his legislation "more vulnerable" and could be the "bill killer" for the campaign finance limitations that he and Mr. McCain have pushed.

"This raised the stakes for everyone. It's unfortunate a number of Democrats couldn't see what they were doing," the Wisconsin Democrat said.

Before the vote, Democratic aides had said it was unlikely the Wellstone amendment would get 35 votes. But 24 Republicans and 27 Democrats voted in favor of the measure. Voting against the amendment were 25 Republicans, including Mr. McCain, and 21 Democrats, including Mr. Feingold.

Senators voting for the amendment to the bill included …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: Senate Approves a `Bill Killer' on McCain-Feingold. Contributors: Hudson, Audrey - Author, Boyer, Dave - Author. Newspaper title: The Washington Times (Washington, DC). Publication date: March 27, 2001. Page number: 1. © 2009 The Washington Times LLC. COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group.

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