Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Grassroots Lobbying and Public Citizen's List of "Astroturf Groups"

Today the Senate began the debate on lobbying legislation. As noted previously, S.1 will be based off S.2349 passed last March which includes a grassroots lobbying disclosure provision already causing controversy. The press has picked up on the likelihood of opposition and efforts to have the measure stripped from the bill. As reported in today's Roll Call; "As Senators take up the bill this week, public interest groups are preparing for fights over grass-roots lobbying disclosure and reimbursement rates for lawmakers taking rides on corporate jets."

Public Citizen has released this press release and list of phony organizations that would have to disclose under the grassroots lobbying provision currently set to be in S.1, the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007. OMB Watch has put out an analysis of the debate, Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure: A Requirement that Makes Sense, detailing our support. Because of the far reaching components and controversial topics of S.1, there will most likely be lengthy debate in its consideration.