Forcing issue to House floor is "more maneuvering"

ATLANTA/WASHINGTON, DC: The Southeastern Legal Foundation, the constitutional public interest law firm poised to legally challenge provisions of McCain-Shays, today warns that threats of a discharge petition by McCain-Shays allies and liberal groups headed by Common Cause are "the very tactics of intimidation and backroom dealing decried by the so-called reformers."

"It is disturbing yet shamefully predictable that McCain, Shays and their band of bullie are playing legislative games without the votes required to pass their legislation," said Phil Kent, SLF President. "They just can't take 'no' for an answer."

"Clandestine lobbying pressure and bully tactics used by Senator McCain on House Republicans is especially appalling," said Kent. "We've seen lawmakers introduce ludicrous constitutional amendments, forbid open and public hearings in the Senate, and scuttle any effort to address the issue in either Shays-Meehan or the competing Ney bill. Speaker Hastert has been more than fair based on the actions of those supporting McCain-Shays."

"Rather than strengthening public disclosure laws, McCain-Shays are playing a cynical game with the American people. They are saying 'you are too stupid to hold elected officials accountable, so we'll add more laws, squelch free speech, and then you'll be protected,'" said Kent. "Most tyrants ride into power under the banner of 'reform,' which is why we have a Constitution."

The Southeastern Legal Foundation litigation team, working with former Independent Counsel Ken Starr and former U.S. Attorney General Ed Meese, is "ready, willing, and able to file suit at any point when McCain-Shays are once again thrust onto the legislative stage," said Kent.

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