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Thursday, May 10, 2007

Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure Discussion Continue: Until Maybe Next Week?

An article in BNA Money and Politics ($$) reports unsurprisingly that the House Judiciary Committee has put off the tentative plan to consider lobbying and ethics reform on May 11, stressing once again the struggle to reach an agreement in constructing language for the bill. Democratic leaders are reportedly continuing to work on the details of a bill. The article also extensively quotes a letter that OMB Watch sent to House offices urging their support of grassroots lobbying disclosure.

The liberal, nonprofit group OMBWatch, which is influential among some Democrats in Congress, is battling back with support for grass-roots lobbying disclosure. A May 8 letter sent to congressional lawmakers by OMBWatch Executive Director Gary Bass said disclosure of the funding sources behind expensive grass-roots lobbying campaigns "is a critical element in rooting out corruption and establishing a system that creates public trust." Bass's letter argued that the grass-roots lobbying disclosure proposal now being discussed in the House does not impose direct reporting requirements on individual citizens and is aimed only at entities spending significant amounts of money.

Meanwhile, opponents of grassroots lobbying disclosure came out today ready to debate. An opinion piece in Roll Call ($$) staunchly argues that such a provision would greatly hinder free speech. "But when constituents contact their elected Representatives, it is not really "lobbying." It is representative democracy in action. Is this now a suspect activity, demanding scrutiny and regulation by government agencies?" I question this; isn't constituent communication to elected officials a form of lobbying? The word "lobbying" does not need to be dirty.

A CQ ($$) article reports that the House Judiciary Committee is likely to mark up the legislation May 16, with passage by the full House expected the following week. If this all goes according to plan, a Memorial Day deadline will be met.

Grassroots Lobbying In Action: We hope and encourage you take action on this very important issue! OMB Watch supports citizen communication to lawmakers and the disclosure of who is behind big money lobbying campaigns. Click here to send your representative a letter in support of grassroots lobbying disclosure. Urge your representatives to pass a meaningful lobbying and ethics reform bill. Take Action Now!