Nonprofit Speech Rights | Center for Effective Government

Lobby Reform Passes Senate Without Inhofe Amendments

On March 29, the Senate passed S. 2349, the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act, by a roll call vote of 90-8--which did not include amendments introduced by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) to add a provision to the Lobby Disclosure Act stating that if a 501 (c) organization engages in lobbying activities with federal funds, an officer of the organization can be imprisoned for not more than 5 years and fined.

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Support Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure!

Tell the Senate to keep the grassroots lobbying provision in S.1 for the strongest reform bill possible. This measure contains a provision that would require disclosure of federal grassroots lobbying, but only for groups already registered under the Lobby Disclosure Act because of their direct federal lobbying expenses or firms that spend over $25,000 in a quarter conducting such campaigns on behalf of clients. There has been some incorrect information spreading regarding the provision, such as the claim that it will silence many small groups. We must correct this myth.

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FBI Used Anti-Terrorism Powers to Target Peace Group

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released documents on March 14, 2006 that document FBI surveillance and investigation of the Thomas Merton Center for Peace & Justice in Pittsburgh, PA, carried out because the group "has been determined to be an organization which is opposed to the United States' war with Iraq." This appears to be the first evidence that the FBI is using the viewpoint and activism of a U.S. nonprofit as a basis for investigation by the local Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

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Questions Raised About IRS Enforcement Program

Complaints filed by two nonprofits illustrate the potential for abuse inherent in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) reliance on referrals from the public for leads in its enforcement programs.

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Lobby Reform: A Bill in the House, While the Senate Moves Toward Vote

Heading into the week long St. Patrick's Day recess, the House Republican leadership has formally introduced a lobbying and ethics reform bill, while the Senate has scheduled a vote for March 27. While both chambers are finally moving legislation, it is increasingly unclear what new rules will eventually be enacted, and whether they will change business as usual in Washington.

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Background on IRS Political Activities Compliance Program

Since the 2004 election the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has stepped up its enforcement of the ban on partisan electoral activity by charities and religious organizations. The result has been controversial audits, questions about the standards used to decide when to investigate and the procedures used and new guidance from the IRS. This article provides summaries and links to more infomration. Background: Update: Aug. 31, 2006: IRS Drops Case Against NAACP. See our press statement

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Summary of IRS Final Report on Political Activities Compliance Initiative 2004

On Feb. 24, 2006 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released its much-anticipated assessment of its 2004 program created to enforce the ban on partisan election activity by charities and religious organizations. This summary outlines the procedures used in the programs and the results of the examinations competed to date. Background Update: Aug. 31, 2006: IRS Drops Case Against NAACP. See our press statement

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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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Report, Announcement on IRS Program to Curb Partisan Activity by Charities, Religious Groups

On Feb. 24 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released its much-anticipated assessment of its program created in 2004 to enforce the ban on partisan election activity by charities and religious organizations. The report found that nearly 75 percent of organizations investigated had violated the ban. At the same time, the agency released guidance that includes detailed examples based on the types of situations that led to investigations in 2004.

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Lobby Reform: Two Bills Move to Senate Floor, Still No Bill from House

Just days after Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) was sent to jail on bribery charges, the Senate is debating new ethics and lobbying rules, while the House ponders its next move. The Senate will likely vote on legislation this week or next week.

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