In an unusual case, 31 religious leaders in Ohio have written to the IRS objecting to inaction on a complaint against two Ohio mega-churches and their affiliates. The complaint filed in January alleges violation of the tax law's prohibition on partisan electoral activity by 501(c)(3) groups, which include religious organizations. Fairfield Christian Church, World Harvest Church and their respective affiliates, according to the group of pastors, carried out activities intended to help Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell in his bid for Ohio's governorship.

The House of Representatives passed legislation that would subject independent political committees, exempt under Section 527 of the tax code, that work on federal elections to essentially the same contribution limits and reporting requirements as federal candidate campaigns and political parties. H.R. 513, the 527 Reform Act of 2005, passed the House on April 5 by a vote of 218-209.

Please join us in urging the FEC to exempt legitimate grassroots lobbying from campaign finance restrictions! The Federal Election Commission has invited public comment on whether the agency should move to exempt grassroots lobbying communications from election-law restrictions on broadcast advertising.

Voting just hours after former lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced, the Senate overwhelmingly passed what critics are calling a tepid effort at lobby and ethics reform. Now the pressure is on the House, where leaders have struggled to balance the need to pass reforms with a rebellious rank-and-file that wants business as usual.