The statement notes that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) recently deadlocked on a proposal to exempt grassroots lobbying broadcasts from this overly broad campaign finance rule. The issue has been contentious because some reform groups have opposed any exemption to the rule.

The statement challenges opponents of protection for grassroots lobbying broadcasts to debate the issue on the merits, saying:

These "reform" groups make no effort to offer a constructive proposal to distinguish grassroots lobbying from campaign ads. Instead, they make dire predictions about "huge loopholes" and impugn the integrity of organizations that collectively represent tens of millions of ordinary citizens. Nor do they offer any argument about how a reasonable grassroots lobbying exemption could be abused. In fact, during 2004, charities and religious organizations were entirely exempt from the "electioneering communications" rule, and the record is clear that no "abuse" occurred.

The official end of the Internal Revenue Service's investigation of the NAACP was as inexplicable as its beginning. Even though the organization was cleared of allegations that it had violated federal law on partisan campaigning, the way the group was treated raises important issues about how the government handles matters involving tax-exempt groups, especially the right of charities to influence public policy.

To see all 1,715 pages in the second batch of documents click here.

Posted by Kay Guinane, 02:42:38 PM