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Senate rejects resolution endorsing McCain‑Feingold campaign‑finance bill
Summary
SR2, a resolution urging Congress to pass the McCain‑Feingold campaign‑finance reforms, failed on a roll‑call vote (7–18); supporters called it bipartisan progress, while some senators opposed endorsing a specific federal bill they consider flawed.
The Senate debated SR2, a resolution urging Congress to pass the McCain‑Feingold campaign‑finance bill, but voted to defeat the measure on Feb. 24.
Sponsor Senator Howell described the resolution as a bipartisan statement supporting campaign‑finance reform and quoted local and national groups backing action. Senator Peterson and others warned that endorsing a specific bill risked adopting a proposal their own congressional delegation had criticized, saying the measure might lack enforcement and be imperfect. After floor debate the Senate held a roll‑call vote; SR2 failed 7 aye, 18 nay, with 4 absent.
Supporters said the resolution was a symbolic step toward reform; opponents said the Senate should not formally endorse a specific federal bill with disputed enforcement language. The resolution's failure leaves open other avenues for state leaders to call for federal action.
