Recent Post editorials [Feb. 1, 6 and 15] hammering me for my mayoral exploratory committee have failed to highlight one basic fact: I am following the letter and spirit of the law. D.C. and federal laws define the differences between "testing the waters" committees, which allow an individual to decide on becoming a candidate, and campaign committees, which support an announced candidate.
Before I launched my exploratory committee, I called the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance and received specifics about the law to ensure that I would be in compliance. In December I stood before more than 500 individuals and distributed and read the document I received from the Office of Campaign Finance, which states that "each committee shall not be required to register and file reports; provided, that its activities are limited to determining whether the individual should become a candidate." Contributions were given under the current law, and I have no right to circumvent those rules now. I gave my word to the contributors that I would follow the law, and my word is my bond.
On Dec. 6 The Post ran a front-page story titled "Opening Bell in Battle for Top D.C. Job." In other words, the horses have left the gate with the rules of engagement determined. I know of no race, contest or competition in which the rules are changed in the middle of the race.
Separate from the law is the question of changing legislation. After the D.C. Committee on Government Operations examined the Exploratory Committee Amendment Act of 2005, deficiencies were noted in many areas, including comparisons with the federal law.
Because the District's law is modeled after the federal law, I have directed Government Operations Committee staff members to develop a bill that will, among other things, address contribution limits, contribution prohibitions, acceptable and unacceptable exploratory activities, and a maximum cap on the exploratory treasury. I intend to introduce this more comprehensive bill Tuesday and to set a hearing date for this legislation in April.
Both the committee and the D.C. Council will follow their regular order in deliberating and acting on this matter. Under my chairmanship, the Government Operations Committee will continue to exercise due diligence, provide competent research and encourage public debate in protecting the best interest of the residents of the nation's capital.
-- Vincent B. Orange Sr.
Washington
The writer is Ward 5 representative on the D.C. Council and chairman of the council's Committee on Government Operations.
