On Wednesday, Russia's lower house of parliament (Duma) passed the first reading of a controversial bill that would impose new restrictions on foreign-backed non-governmental organizations. The Duma approved the bill 370-18. The legislation has been widely criticized by NGOs as having a potentially damaging effect on their work. It requires the branches of foreign-based NGOs to register with the justice ministry, subjecting them to financial control. Registration officials would oversee the groups' financial flow and tax obligations and whether their activities correspond to Russian legislation and to the aims stated in the groups' documents. For more information on what the NGOs are doing to fight this bill.