A Song about Nonprofit Speech Rights in 2009

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Speech Rights are the thought of the day
Oh what fun it is to work
When nonprofits have a say, hey!

Dashing through the year
In a less hostile terrain
With amended lobbyist guidance
Lobbyist influence waned
The administration tried [1]
Not to be influenced by [2] corporate fears
But restrictions have barred some nonprofit leaders [3]
From the administration for two years [4]

Oh!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Speech Rights are the thought of the day
Oh what fun it is to work
When nonprofits have a say, hey!

Federally registered lobbyists
Terminated throughout [5] 2009
But this does not necessarily [6] mean
That outside influences have declined
Recovery Act [7] and TARP lobbying guidance
Have provisions for restricted [8] communications
We think all meetings [9] should be disclosed [10]
In a database searchable throughout the nation

Oh!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Speech Rights [11] are the thought of the day
Oh what fun it is to work
When nonprofits have a say, hey!

New restrictions may cause
Qualified experts [12] to be excluded
But the misguided focus [13] on federal lobbyists
Won’t cause influence to be diluted
The forged letter scandal [14] highlights
The need for “paid grassroots lobbying” disclosure
Which would have resulted in highlighting this conduct
And giving it unwanted exposure

Oh!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Speech Rights are the thought of the day
Oh what fun it is to work
When nonprofits [15] have a say, hey!

Due to EMILY’s List being struck down [16]
Nonprofits that receive PAC donations
Will no longer have those contributions
Limited by FEC [17] regulations
Citizens United [18] won’t be decided
Until early in the next year [19]
Allowing corporate political spending
Is something that we fear

Oh!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Speech Rights [20] are the thought of the day
Oh what fun it is to work
When nonprofits have a say, hey!

The Supreme Court said states aren’t required [21]
Under Section 2 [22] of the Voting Rights Act [23]
To create a crossover district
When racial minorities are less than half
The Military/Overseas Voter Empowerment Act [24]
Would usher in reform
It received bipartisan support [25] from legislators
Decrying uncounted ballots as the norm

Oh!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Speech Rights are the thought of the day
Oh what fun it is to work
When nonprofits have a say, hey!

Appropriations are complete
Advocacy restrictions [24] are still in place
LSC-funded [26] groups can’t advocate
Even when it’s not funded by the state
The Serve America Act [27] without Foxx
Was a major victory
The amendment [24] sought to restrict recipients'
Lobbying and advocacy

Oh!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Speech Rights are the thought of the day
Oh what fun it is to work
When nonprofits have a say, hey!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Speech Rights ‘til the end
We’re continuing to follow these issues
And much more in 2010!

* * *

Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in our democracy. OMB Watch seeks to encourage and cultivate greater rights for nonprofit engagement, which in turn lead to more and richer citizen participation throughout the country.