Nelson joins McCain in fight for reform

January 23, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As his first major policy initiative, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has become a cosponsor of campaign finance reforms pushed by fellow Sens. John McCain and Russell Feingold.

In so doing, Nelson joined a drive for passage of a bill opposed by President Bush and key Senate Republicans. Nelson's decision to cosponsor the McCain-Feingold bill fulfills his campaign pledge to curb the influence of big money a top priority in his new job in the U.S. Senate.

The campaign finance legislation aims to curtail the influence of money in politics by outlawing unregulated campaign donations from corporations, unions and individuals.

"There is a need to reform politics - and to do it now," Nelson said today. "This legislation will go a long way toward restoring the public's confidence in government."

The legislation (S. 27) was unveiled by McCain, Feingold, six other senators on Monday.

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