Senator Byron Dorgen (D-ND) and Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) have introduced companion legislation, the Public Good IRA Rollover Act (S.819 and HR1419). This would permanently extend a tax break passed as a part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 that allows older Americans to donate money directly from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). The provision passed last year would expire January 1, 2008. A recent article in Forbes discusses how there is seemingly large support for the measure from the charitable sector.

OMB Watch organized a nonprofit coalition that filed a multi-party amicus brief on behalf of 17 charities (exempt under 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code). The brief argued that the electioneering communications restrictions deny charities the right to petition the government for redress of grievances, which is protected by the First Amendment.

In case anyone is perplexed about the details surrounding the complex debate on grassroots lobbying disclosure, be sure to read this op-ed in The Hill written by OMB Watch Executive Director Gary Bass. The piece points out one fact often missed by opponents, that unions and charities have both disclosed their grassroots activity for years without any chilling effect. "A better way to approach grassroots lobbying disclosure is to require all actors who meet defined thresholds to disclose their grassroots lobbying activity. This can be done without burdening small groups."