The Federal Election Commission moved Oct. 1 in the U.S. District Court for a stay of the court's ruling holding unlawful various FEC implementing regulations for the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA). The FEC's motion is the latest development in the ongoing legal battle over campaign finance reform, aspects of which could have profound implications for nonprofits.

Opponents of church electioneering are breathing a tentative sigh of relief. On Sept. 29, Rep. Bill Thomas told the first meeting of conferees that he would not consider amendments to a discussion draft of his proposed version of the corporate tax bill. The chair of the conference committee on is opposing any amendments to that bill that were not provisions or modifications to the previous already-passed Senate or House versions. However, there is still concern that the conferees could include language similar to H.R.

The "527 Reform Act of 2004", introduced on September 22, would limit soft money for independent political groups, but does not clearly exempt advocacy groups exempt under Section 501(c) of the tax code.

Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations have come under scrutiny lately as the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the Supreme Court have ruled on lawsuits regarding electioneering communications. These actions have implications for nonprofits. On Sept. 18, District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly struck down more than a dozen of the FEC's current rules on political fundraising, including rules regulating electioneering communications of 501(c)(3) groups.