Publications

Continuing Resolution Passes, Omnibus Bill Expected

After much speculation, and on the final day of the fiscal year, the House and Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) (H.J. Res. 107) to fund non-defense government programs and agencies, and other expiring programs, at current levels through Nov. 20. The CR was needed because Congress failed to perform one of its key duties on time -- the appropriation of funds for government programs. Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) observed, "The Republicans' failure to pass appropriation bills on time has real-world consequences to real people, to states, localities, municipalities, and every individual."

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Congressional Report on Data Quality Act Supports OMB Watch Findings

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) recently updated a report on the Data Quality Act (DQA) entitled The Information Quality Act: OMB's Guidance and Initial Implementation." The report summarizes the history of the DQA from its passage as an appropriations rider, through development of information quality guidelines, to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) annual report to Congress. Several of the report's conclusions coincide with observations and recommendations made by OMB Watch in an analysis of OMB's annual DQA report to Congress.

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Court Strikes Down Part of the Patriot Act

Federal District Judge Victor Marrero ruled Sept. 29 that surveillance powers under the USA PATRIOT Act were unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for civil liberties groups.

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Kyl Proposes Expanding the Patriot Act

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) introduced an amendment to the Senate intelligence reform bill that would heighten government secrecy and threaten civil liberties. The amendment seeks to build upon the secret surveillance powers granted to the government under the Patriot Act. Kyl Amendment

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Wyden Targets Over-Classification

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has successfully attached an amendment aimed at curbing excessive government secrecy to the Senate's intelligence reform legislation. Wyden proposes creating an independent review to provide periodic oversight to the system and limit excessive classification of documents.

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Senate Declines to Act on Corzine's Chemical Security Amendment

In an effort to break the congressional logjam on chemical security, Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) has offered a piece of compromise legislation as an amendment to the intelligence reform bill. Unfortunately, the amendment was ruled non-germane to the bill and rejected from consideration.

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USAID Withholds Whistleblower Information, Legislation Moves Forward

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is accused of firing a whistleblower and withholding from Congress his information on environmental noncompliance in multi-national development bank projects.

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FEC Appeals Decision Overturning Reform Rules

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.

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Senate Finance Committee Considers Nonprofit Accountability

The Senate Finance Committee has sent a letter to Independent Sector (IS), a coalition of 600 member organizations and foundations, asking IS to convene a national panel of nonprofit representatives to recommend legislative options to increase nonprofit accountability. The Sept. 22 letter follows Finance Committee hearings on nonprofit practices held in July that examined allegations of excessive compensation, tax shelters, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) noncompliance.

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Conferees Consider Rights, Restrictions on Electioneering

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.

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