Publications

2 FEC Commissioners Propose Revised Rule on Political Committees

Two of the six Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) six Commissioners have proposed a scaled-down version of the controversial proposed rule extending federal campaign finance rules to independent organizations. The proposal, drafted by Commissioners Michael Toner (R) and Scott Thomas (D), excludes organizations exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and some Section 527 groups from regulation. However, it incorporates thresholds that are vague and leave exempted organizations open to similar regulatory restrictions in the future.

read in full

IRS Warns Charities Against Engaging in Political Campaign Activities

Last week the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a news release reminding charity groups to stay out of partisan political activities during this election year. This year’s notice was very early in the political season, providing another indication that the presidential sweepstakes are already underway. Organizations tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Tax Code are prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

read in full

EPA Delays but Refuses to Withdraw Mercury Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency delayed the final adoption of new rules governing emission of the powerful neurotoxin mercury, but EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt vowed that the administration would not be withdrawing the controversial regulations despite widespread opposition. In the new timetable, the EPA will continue to accept comments on its proposed rules on emissions of mercury by power plants until March 15, 2005, and the rules will not be finally adopted until May 2005.

read in full

Seat Belts Fail in Rollover Crashes, New Report Shows

Seat belts are not the last word on personal safety when vehicles roll over, according to a new Public Citizen report that reveals the inadequacy of current seat belt technology in preventing death and serious injury from rollover crashes.

read in full

Administration Removes Web Information on Women's Issues

The current administration is removing information pertaining to women’s issues from government websites, according to a new report by the National Council for Research on Women (NCRW). The report, “Missing: Information About Women’s Lives” cites a number of examples from the Department of Labor (DOL), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and other agencies as it catalogs how the Bush administration is removing or distorting information.

read in full

DHS Receives Few CII Submissions

Only two companies and two associations have submitted information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that will be kept secret under the Critical Infrastructure Information (CII) program, according to an April 21 testimony. At the time of the testimony, DHS had been operating the program for two months.

read in full

HHS Bows to Political Pressure, Pulls Funding from Conference

On April 26, after an intensive campaign by conservative groups, Health and Human Services (HHS) pulled partial funding for the Global Health Council’s 31st annual conference. Conservatives objected to some of the topics and speakers in the June conference and claimed that federal dollars given to fund the event was being used to lobby. To ensure the government and others that federal dollars were not being used for lobbying, the conference sponsors segregated its lobbying component in a separate “pre-conference” day.

read in full

Treasury Dept. Hosts Dialog on Terrorist Financing and Charities

Related Developments Senate Finance Committee leadership has written Treasury Secretary John Snow asking for details on their efforts to shut down sources of terrorist financing. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Max Baucus (D-MT) asked for a response by May 17.

read in full

Economy and Jobs Watch: GDP Up, But Risks Remain

Gross domestic product (GDP) rose by a 4.2 percent annual rate in the first quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is about the same as the 4.1 percent rate from the last quarter of 2003, and shows the economy growing at a steady, if not exceptionally strong, rate. However, forecasters had expected growth to come in at a stronger 5 percent rate.

read in full

Senate Votes to Continue Internet Tax Ban

On April 29, under heavy pressure by the telecommunications industry, the Senate voted 93-3 on S. 150 a bill that extends the moratorium on Internet access taxes for four years from its expiration date of November 1, 2003.

read in full

Pages

  • ©2025 Project On Government Oversight
  • All Rights Reserved.
  • This an archive site of the materials produced by the Center for Effective Government (formerly OMB Watch) and is maintained by the Project On Government Oversight.