House Pension Legislation Makes Some Cuts Permanent

Mar 10, 2006 by Guest Blogger

The pension legislation passed by the House would make some of the 2001 tax cuts permanent without offsetting their costs. These tax cuts include increases in IRA and 401(k) contribution limits and the creation of the “saver’s credit. According to this report, this move would cost about $30 billion between 2006-2015. Most of the costs would occur from 2011 on. Not offsetting these costs, as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities puts it,

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Senate Lobbying Reform Legislation: Specific Provisions Relating to Nonprofits

This paper provides a summary of action to date on legislation being considered on the Senate floor and a review of provisions relating to nonprofits. Although the entire legislation affects the nonprofit community by helping to offset the role money has in influencing public policy, there are provisions specifically applying to nonprofits that we describe.

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Senate Not In Session Today; Lobby Reform on Hiatus

Mar 10, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Neither the Senate nor the House is in session today. The Senate put lobby reform on hiatus after yesterday’s motion to invoke cloture failed. When the Senate will take up lobby reform again is unclear. On Monday, the Senate will move to the fiscal 2007 budget resolution and a bill to raise the nation’s statutory debt limit. For more on that subject, visit the OMB Watch Budget Blog. But make sure to come back for lobby reform updates!

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What Does the Dubai Ports Deal Have To Do With Lobby Reform?

Mar 10, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Despite an announcement Thursday that Dubai Ports World would transfer control over U.S. port operations to a U.S. entity, the lobby reform debate in the Senate has completely stopped after getting entangled in the ports deal. Schumer, who offered the amendment, reportedly wants a "complete break" with Dubai Ports World. He says that the announcement did not indicate that. The Dems are asking for an up or down vote on the Dubai deal next week.

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FEC Will Open OMB Watch Petition Up For Public Comment

Mar 9, 2006 by Guest Blogger

The FEC Commissioners announced that they would not act this week, but instead take up proposed rules this coming Monday, March 13. The Commissioners voted 4:2 to publish the Notice in the Federal Register and open the Petition up for public comment.

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H.R. 1606 Will See Action Next Week

Mar 9, 2006 by Guest Blogger

This morning, House Administration Committee unanimously approved H.R. 1606, a bill to exempt blogs, e-mail and other Internet speech from campaign finance regulations. The bill is expected to go to the House floor next week. Reportedly, refomers such as Shays and Meehan are backing an alternate proposal. The House already voted on the bill in early Nov, but it was defeated 225-182 under suspension rules. Members were upset it had been brought up under suspension rules, a process that requires a two-thirds vote for passage and limits debate. It is usually used for noncontroversial measures.

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Frist Pulls Bill After Failed Cloture Vote

Mar 9, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Frist pulled S 2349, the lobby reform bill, from the floor after the Senate failed 51-47 to invoke cloture on the measure.

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OMB Watch to Senate: Support Grassroots and Coalition Transparency

On March 7, OMB Watch Executive Director Gary Bass sent a letter to Senators, urging them to oppose efforts to scrap new grassroots and coalition reporting requirements in the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act, being debated on the Senate floor. OMB Watch believes these provisions will help level the playing field in Washington and stop wealthy interests who misrepresent their "grassroots" lobbying and coalition activities to the public and to lawmakers.

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Bush Urges More Donations to Faith-Based Organizations

Mar 9, 2006 by Guest Blogger

From the Washington Post: President Bush today urged large American corporations and foundations to step up contributions to religious charities, noting his administration has been doing exactly that. Federal grants to religious charities totaled $2.1 billion in the budget year that ended Sept. 30, an increase of 7 percent over the previous year, Bush said at the second White House National Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

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Cloture Fails

Mar 9, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Frist couldn't round up enough votes for cloture. He is now changing his vote in the hopes that he can round up enough of an agreement later on from both sides to invoke cloture.

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