by TVC: The House began hearing debate on S. 1, the “Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007 including consideration of grassroots lobby reform legislation. While Section 220 was stripped on the Senate floor, it appears that the Democrat House leadership will include similar language in the House lobby reform package. Section 220 would have imposed strict and complicated reporting requirements on non-profits and provide both civil and criminal penalties for failures to report on time or making mistakes in reporting! Section 220 would have created a fearful situation that would have discouraged many smaller grassroots lobbying groups from communicating with Members of Congress and other leaders in the federal government. Free speech would be stifled because of the chilling effect on grassroots activism! There is strong opposition from both liberals and conservatives to legislation that regulates grassroots lobbying, and specifically to Section 220-type language.This grassroots lobbying provision is an assault on the First Amendment’s right of free speech and of the right of Americans to petition their government for a redress of grievances. It will stifle the ability of grassroots groups to communicate with their members and create a climate of fear over the draconian and unneeded reporting requirements. TAKE ACTION: Contact your U.S. Representative at 202-224-3121 and urge them to oppose any attempts to regulate grassroots lobbying through unconstitutional provisions which subvert free speech and the right of all Americans to freely petition their government. [Read More]
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