The main page for Let America Speak! information. [ NEWS | REPORTS & RESOURCES| BILL ANALYSIS | ARCHIVES] Let America Speak is a coalition of community and national organizations working to defend the HREF="/las/advl.html">advocacy rights of America's nonprofit community. This web site contains information and background about nonprofit advocacy and provides updates about legislative attacks and other threats to the advocacy rights of the nation's nonprofits. The Let America Speak Coalition is co-chaired by the Alliance for Justice, Independent Sector, and OMB Watch. Let America Speak also operates a moderated HREF="/las/lasmail.html">e-mail list which provides bill analyses, action alerts and other related information. NAME="news">News

Update: Most Anti-Advocacy Language Removed from VA-HUD Appropriations bill (10/25/99): Both the Administrative Provision and Section 428 (formerly Section 430) are no longer problems. In addition, the five year penalty and separate bank account requirements have been dropped in Section 425. Click Here for Analysis, Letters, and Bill Language at the VA-HUD Appropriations Resources Page Let America Speak! Analysis of Lobbying and Litigation Restrictions on Senate VA-HUD Appropriations Bill (9/22/99): The Senate VA-HUD appropriations bill (S. 1596), which covers spending through HUD,EPA, Veterans Administration, NASA and several other agencies, contains three provisions proposed by Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO) that would add new restrictions on lobbying and litigation. Click Here to See the LAS Letter to Senator Bond LAS Archives

NAME="RandR"> Reports and Resources

• The Unconstitutionality of Anti-Advocacy Legislation:Testimony of David Cole, professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, before the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs concerning the "Stop Taxpayer Funded Political Advocacy" Bill.
• Lobbying and Political Activity Restrictions for Federal Grantees and Contractors: A comparison of federal law and regulation.
• Permissible Activities of 501(c)(3) Organizations During a Political Campaign
• Handcuffing America's Charities: Case examples of organizations affected by the Istook amendment, published by the Let America Speak Coalition.
• Regulation of Advocacy Activities of Nonprofits That Receive Federal Grants (Alliance for Justice Publication): This document summarizes the applicable federal regulations and Internal Revenue Code provisions. It is designed to encourage and enhance nonprofit participation in matters of public policy.
• Guide to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Alliance for Justice Publication): This memorandum describes the two tests that are used to determine whether an organization is required to register and report. It also summarizes the types of activities that are covered and outlines the enforcement of the Act.
• What the "Intermediate Santions" Law Means for Nonprofit Organizations (Alliance for Justice Publication): The Alliance for Justice is providing a short document on the new Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2, which is referred to as the "intermediate sanctions" legislation. The new law will change the way many nonprofits -- 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations -- do business.

NAME="bill">Bill Text and Analysis

• Analysis and Bill Text of Anti-Advocacy Proposals