A United States Judge issued an injunction this month blocking enforcement of a Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule on financial reporting by labor unions. The court found unions would suffer “irreparable harm if forced to start complying with new reporting requirements by Jan. 1.”

The General Accounting Office (GAO) has published a report by two Senators that reviews use of alternative financing mechanisms for terrorism and recommends changes to address challenges. The report, Terrorist Financing: U.S. Agencies Should More Systematically Assess the Use of Alternative Financing Mechanisms (GAO-04-163), has implications for nonprofits.

On Dec. 10 the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA), upholding most of its provisions, including the ban on soft money contributions to political parties and “electioneering communications” restrictions. It is not clear what impact the ruling will have on charitable organizations. Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules implementing BCRA exempt charities from the ban on electioneering communications. However, Rep.

(1) December 8, 2003 Statement of Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) regarding restrictions on use of private money in legal services programs. (2) Letter from nonprofits seeking end to legal services restrictions. (3) Letter from 16 members of Congress seeking end of restrictions. 1. Floor statement of Rep. Serrano (Portion relevant to legal services in bold.) 149 Cong.Rec. H12766-02 2003 WL 22889076 (Cong.Rec.) Congressional Record --- House of Representatives Proceedings and Debates of the 108th Congress, First Session Monday, December 8, 2003