Saying he wanted to “restore Americans' faith in the integrity of the political process,” U.S. Rep. Mac Collins last week voted in favor of legislation to provide reform of the system of campaign finance.

The House of Representatives passed the bill.

“Many Americans have lost faith in a system which relies so heavily on the raising of funds,” Collins said. “I believe we must protect the ability of our citizens to participate freely and openly in electing government officials to represent their views; but we must ensure confidence in the integrity of the process.”

The key element in the House-passed legislation is a ban on what is called “soft money,” which is currently unregulated and thus most subject to abuse, Collins said. “Hard money” is money raised by candidates or party organizations for the direct use of the candidate. “Soft money” is provided for indirect expenses such as advertising or staffing for activities which are not candidate-specific.

“The most important element in campaign reform is the ban on giving or receiving soft money,” Collins added. “It is the abuse of soft money that has eroded public confidence in political officials. And of great concern to me, it intensifies the struggles between employer and employee, and the stigma that the Republicans are bought by big business, while the Democrats are bought by big labor. Neither party needs that stigma.”

Fayette is among the counties Collins represents.