This Roll Call ($$) opinion piece explains why some lobbyists are pleased that grassroots lobbying disclosure is absent from the Senate bill. Grassroots lobbying actually weakens the link between lobbyist and lawmakers. "Requiring grass-roots organizations to register or compelling lobbyists to disclose when they assist groups in contacting fellow citizens would strip consultants of constitutionally guaranteed anonymity and would deprive organizations championing unpopular causes of skilled representation."

As previously noted, the Supreme Court will most likely not hear oral arguments in the Wisconsin Right To Life (WRTL) case until April. However, the current commotion over the case is strong, foreshadowing the commentary to follow the court's decision. Two blogs with differing opinion have been going back forth on the other's commentary. As these arguments bounce off of one another, so does the issue of the case, intent and influence of the WRTL advertisements. See Bob Bauer's latest blog at More Soft Money Hard Law and Rick Hasen's blog at electionlawblog.org.

H.R.301, the Voter Bounty Registration Act of 2007, was introduced in the House by Rep. Pierce (R-NM) to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and has seemingly gone under the radar. It seems passage of such a measure would greatly inhibit the ability of nonpartisan organizations from carrying out voter registration drives, placing strict standards on the distribution of application forms.

The House has passed a bill today that would strip pensions from any member of Congress "who is convicted of any of certain offenses committed by that individual while serving as a member of Congress, and for other purposes." No one voted against HR 476, especially after the scandals of the previous Congress. A similar measure is included in the Senate ethics and lobbying reform bill that passed late last week.