Friday, June 20, 2008

September Argument Set In NAM Appeal

The National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM) challenge to a new member disclosure law was dismissed on April 11, followed by both the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court refusing to grant a stay pending appeal. Now, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has scheduled an oral argument for Sept. 12 with a decision expected weeks or months after the argument date.

NAM is appealing the lower court's decision that upheld disclosure provisions in the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA) that require coalitions and associations to reveal organizations that contribute at least $5,000 per quarter and actively participates in the lobbying campaigns. NAM charges that the member and affiliate provision is too vague, violating First Amendment rights of free association. The judge in April found that the provision was in fact narrowly defined.