University Daily Kansan, September 18, 1980
Page 7
Watkins calls for congressional reforms
By BILL VOGRIN Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
Dan Watkins continued his verbal assault on Rep. Larry Winn, R-Kan., yesterday but he added a new feature. Watkins presented a series of proposals and outlined four major issues, as he held in the race for the 3rd District seat.
Watkins, a Lawrence Democrat, spoke at a press conference yesterday in the Satellite Union and cited the agency's refusal to issue on which he and Winn differed.
The proposed Tallgrass Prairie Park, a recently introduced sports violence act and a proposed six-term limit for congressmen also were singled out by Watkins for criticism. Winn has supported all three.
Watkins also criticized the incumbent's 1979 attendance record and his alleged inability to promote legislation.
Watkins said that there had been no safeguards imposed to prevent lobbyists and special interest groups with the aim of reducing improper influence on congressmen.
He said that special interest groups had special influence during election years, rewarding legislators with special privileges, or support of special interest legislation.
Watkins said that Winn was one such legislator.
Special interest groups form political action committees to contribute money to campaigns.
"Last year, the House of Representatives passed a bill limiting the total amount of political action committee money that a candidate can spend in campaign contributions." Watkins said. "Our congressman opposed this measure."
that would require registration of lobbyists, in addition to reporting requirements which would disclose how much money is being spent by individual lobbyists and which lobbyists have received the benefits of that lobbying.
"We must stop this endless influence-peddling and gift-giving in Congress."
Watkins supports a wholesale reform of the congressional bureaucracy, including decreasing the number of committees and subcommittees.
A COMMITTEE ON committees proposed a reorganization plan to Congress, but it was rejected. Watkins said, and Winn voted against it.
Winn's handling of the Tallgrass Prairie Park issue is a prime example of his inability to get anything done in Washington, Watkins charged.
Watkins said that Winn introduced and reintroduced the legislation, but the new law was not adopted.
After years of not being able to get his proposal before a committee or subcommittee, Watkins said, Winn gave up on the project.
Watkins said he favored preserving the tallgrass prairie.
"It is a hard commentary on how not to pass legislation, on how not to get elected," he said.
The sports violence act, which Winn is co-sponsoring, bothered Watkins. He called it an unwarranted invasion into the everyday lives of ordinary Americans. He also said it was a ridiculous piece of legislation.
THE BILL WOULD make it a federal crime for any professional athlete to engage in excessive violence at a sporting event.
The proposal that would limit a congressman to six terms in office was sued.
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