Considering its free speech week, this Washington Post opinion piece (Oct. 17) should be commended. The presidents of NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Christian Coalition of America wrote in support of the fundamental, nonpartisan issue of free speech and the right of citizens to participate in the political process. They reference the events that occurred last month between Verizon wireless and NARAL Pro-Choice America's application for a text-messaging program that enables people to voluntarily sign up to receive updates by texting a five-digit code.

Today the Federal Election Commission (FEC) began its two day public hearing on the proposed electioneering communications rulemaking. Commissioner Ellen Weintraub's opening statement notes the questions that will challenge the FEC, looking for answers from the witnesses. The FEC hopes to have a complete rule by the end of November.

For 90 minutes this morning (Oct.17) the House will debate the RESTORE Act, HR 3773, the surveillance bill meant to fix some of the problems with the Protect America Act (PAA), amending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Yesterday the Rules committee decided to go ahead with floor consideration of the bill without allowing lawmakers the chance to try to alter it. The only changes allowed have already occurred, with combining the two slightly different versions approved by the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees last week.