In preparation for this rulemaking, the Alliance for Justice, Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and OMB Watch developed four principles that we believe must be incorporated into any rule the FEC adopts. The principles are available at www.nonprofitadvocacy.org Click here to see the FEC's Federal Register Announcment.

In a March 2 speech to the Federation of American Hospitals, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Bill Thomas (R-CA) said he wants the committee to investigate the benefits tax exempt groups give taxpayers, and consider whether more specific requirements should be imposed in exchange for exempt status. A committee spokesman said nothing has been scheduled.

Sens. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Joseph Liberman (D-CT) have put together a charitable giving package identical to the the CARE Act . The two Senators filed the amendment to the Foreign Sales Corporation Tax Bill (S. 1637), a bill to repeal the U.S. export tax regime.

In response to the FEC rulemaking on political committees, the Alliance for Justice, Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, and OMB Watch have developed four principles that we believe must be incorporated into any new rule the FEC adopts. The statement is below. We have also created a website with more background information for nonprofits at www.nonprofitadvocacy.org. Read the full statement below. An Open Letter on Principles That Should Apply in the Upcoming FEC Rulemaking March 3, 2004