| In This Issue |
Will There Be a Budget Resolution?
Senate Votes to Continue Internet Tax Ban
Economy and Jobs Watch: GDP Up, But Risks Remain
Information & Access
DHS Receives Few CII Submissions
Administration Removes Web Information on Women's Issues
Nonprofit Issues
2 FEC Commissioners Propose Revised Rule on Political Committees
IRS Warns Charities Against Engaging in Political Campaign Activities
HHS Bows to Political Pressure, Pulls Funding from Conference
Treasury Dept. Hosts Dialog on Terrorist Financing and Charities
In the Name of Charity or Political Gain?
Regulatory Matters
Seat Belts Fail in Rollover Crashes, New Report Shows
EPA Delays but Refuses to Withdraw Mercury Rule
Will There Be a Budget Resolution? (05/03/2004)
"Paygo" rules, once a little-known budget technicality, are now proving to be the main impediment in reaching a budget resolution for FY 2005, which begins on October 1, 2004.
Senate Votes to Continue Internet Tax Ban (05/03/2004)
On April 29, under heavy pressure by the telecommunications industry, the Senate voted 93-3 on S. 150 a bill that extends the moratorium on Internet access taxes for four years from its expiration date of November 1, 2003.
Economy and Jobs Watch: GDP Up, But Risks Remain (05/03/2004)
Gross domestic product (GDP) rose by a 4.2 percent annual rate in the first quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is about the same as the 4.1 percent rate from the last quarter of 2003, and shows the economy growing at a steady, if not exceptionally strong, rate. However, forecasters had expected growth to come in at a stronger 5 percent rate.
DHS Receives Few CII Submissions (05/03/2004)
Only two companies and two associations have submitted information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that will be kept secret under the Critical Infrastructure Information (CII) program, according to an April 21 testimony. At the time of the testimony, DHS had been operating the program for two months.
Administration Removes Web Information on Women's Issues (05/03/2004)
The current administration is removing information pertaining to women’s issues from government websites, according to a new report by the National Council for Research on Women (NCRW). The report, “Missing: Information About Women’s Lives” cites a number of examples from the Department of Labor (DOL), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and other agencies as it catalogs how the Bush administration is removing or distorting information.
2 FEC Commissioners Propose Revised Rule on Political Committees (05/03/2004)
Two of the six Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) six Commissioners have proposed a scaled-down version of the controversial proposed rule extending federal campaign finance rules to independent organizations. The proposal, drafted by Commissioners Michael Toner (R) and Scott Thomas (D), excludes organizations exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and some Section 527 groups from regulation. However, it incorporates thresholds that are vague and leave exempted organizations open to similar regulatory restrictions in the future. There is no proposed effective date, but Toner has been an advocate of quick action. The FEC will consider the proposed rule at its May 13 meeting.
IRS Warns Charities Against Engaging in Political Campaign Activities (05/03/2004)
Last week the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a news release reminding charity groups to stay out of partisan political activities during this election year. This year’s notice was very early in the political season, providing another indication that the presidential sweepstakes are already underway. Organizations tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Tax Code are prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.
HHS Bows to Political Pressure, Pulls Funding from Conference (05/03/2004)
On April 26, after an intensive campaign by conservative groups, Health and Human Services (HHS) pulled partial funding for the Global Health Council’s 31st annual conference. Conservatives objected to some of the topics and speakers in the June conference and claimed that federal dollars given to fund the event was being used to lobby. To ensure the government and others that federal dollars were not being used for lobbying, the conference sponsors segregated its lobbying component in a separate “pre-conference” day. The fact that HHS would give in to political pressure is disturbing, especially since the accusations made were based on inaccurate and incomplete facts.
Treasury Dept. Hosts Dialog on Terrorist Financing and Charities (05/03/2004)
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Related Developments Senate Finance Committee leadership has written Treasury Secretary John Snow asking for details on their efforts to shut down sources of terrorist financing. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Max Baucus (D-MT) asked for a response by May 17. A federal court in California has ruled that the portion of the PATRIOT Act defining “expert advice or assistance” as a form of material support for terrorism is unconstitutionally overbroad. In Humanitarian Law Project v. Ashcroft, C.D. CA, No. 03-6107 (ABC), 3/17/04, the court granted an injunction against enforcement of the provision. The Humanitarian Law Project (HLP) works for peaceful resolution of conflicts, and wished to provide assistance to the Kurdistan Workers Party in Turkey and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, but both groups are on the government’s list of terrorist organizations. HLP can now provide advice on international law, the art of peacekeeping and negotiation and United Nations procedures. |
On April 28, representatives of nonprofits and foundations met with Department of Treasury (Treasury) officials to voice their concern over the anti-terrorist funding guidelines. The representatives questioned the guidelines usefulness and spoke on its potential negative impact on legitimate charitable activities. Treasury Secretary John Snow told the group his department would listen carefully and try to incorporate nonprofit comments into the final guidelines.
In the Name of Charity or Political Gain? (05/03/2004)
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AK) cordially invites you to meet with your Senators, provided you can pay $2,500 to $100,000.
Seat Belts Fail in Rollover Crashes, New Report Shows (05/03/2004)
Seat belts are not the last word on personal safety when vehicles roll over, according to a new Public Citizen report that reveals the inadequacy of current seat belt technology in preventing death and serious injury from rollover crashes.
EPA Delays but Refuses to Withdraw Mercury Rule (05/03/2004)
The Environmental Protection Agency delayed the final adoption of new rules governing emission of the powerful neurotoxin mercury, but EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt vowed that the administration would not be withdrawing the controversial regulations despite widespread opposition.