A second federal judge has ruled that a sweeping restriction on the privately funded speech of groups participating in the federal government's international HIV/AIDS program violates the First Amendment.

A lobbying and ethics reform bill that barely passed the House last week is headed to what will likely be a contentious conference between the House and Senate, with lawmakers far from agreement on what to do about legislative earmarks, congressional travel paid by non-governmental entities, and 527 organizations, among other issues.

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has released a report to members of Congress that explains restrictions on advocacy and election activity by different types of nonprofits, along with reporting and disclosure requirements that apply to each type. The report should help reduce confusion on the Hill about nonprofit advocacy. OMB Watch has summarized the report as a resource for nonprofit organizations in this election year. In addition, NPAction.org, hosted by OMB Watch, has launched Nonprofits Can Help America Vote!, an online resource dedicated to guiding and increasing nonprofits' activities around elections.

On April 20, 2006 CRS released Tax-Exempt Organizations: Political Activity Restrictions and Disclosure Requirements, which explains the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) limitations on lobbying and campaign intervention by groups exempt under IRC 501(c)(3) (charities, religious organizations and private foundations), 501(c)(4) (social welfare organizations), 501(c)(5) (labor unions), 501(c)(6) (trade associations) and 527 political committees. 501(c)(3) Organizations