Promoting and protecting nonprofit advocacy for a stronger democracy

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

"Look closely at the grassroots"

In case anyone is perplexed about the details surrounding the complex debate on grassroots lobbying disclosure, be sure to read this op-ed in The Hill written by OMB Watch Executive Director Gary Bass. The piece points out one fact often missed by opponents, that unions and charities have both disclosed their grassroots activity for years without any chilling effect. "A better way to approach grassroots lobbying disclosure is to require all actors who meet defined thresholds to disclose their grassroots lobbying activity. This can be done without burdening small groups."

Increasing public access to lobbying information won't trample the First Amendment. Indeed, a constitutional scholar at the Congressional Research Service recently determined that grassroots lobbying disclosure is constitutional. History shows that disclosure does not become a foot in the door for regulating speech. At the same time, a number of liberal and good-government organizations only want hired firms to be on the hook for disclosure of grassroots lobbying activity. However, disclosure requirements should not and cannot single out particular groups of people, even if a specific segment of people has been the most heavily involved in phony grassroots lobbying campaigns.