Meehan Ammendment (HR 2093

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Owens

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I am not sure if this belongs in this forum, and it doesn't directly mention firearms, but it could have effects that could get over into our realm. I received this today (5-14-07) from the American Family Association (afa.net). I'll let the text of the message speak for itself.

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Liberal Democrats are out to silence you!

Urgent Telephone Alert on the Meehan Amendment (H.R. 2093)!

Dear XXXX,


I wrote to you in January about legislation in the U.S. Senate that could have silenced grassroots communication from groups like American Family Association. Thankfully, that part of the legislation was defeated after you and other concerned citizens let your voices be heard.

Unfortunately, the House Judiciary Committee is expected to reconsider the “grassroots gag order” when the Meehan Amendment (H.R. 2093) will be offered on Tuesday, May 15, during debate on a broader "lobbying reform" bill. This amendment, sponsored by Rep. Martin Meehan (D-Mass.), would establish, for the first time, federal regulatory authority over efforts aimed at motivating citizens to communicate with their representatives about bills moving in Congress.

This threat is so serious that American Family Association has joined with other pro-family groups, as well as organizations from the left of the political spectrum, including the ACLU, to oppose the bill. Last week, we signed a joint letter calling on members of Congress to reject this dangerous effort to exclude men and women like you from the democratic process. To read the letter, click here. (afa.net/fullcoalition_hr_2093.pdf)

The full House of Representatives is expected to act on the "lobbying reform" legislation on May 22. Depending on what happens in the Judiciary Committee on May 15, the full House may also vote on whether to include the Meehan provision in the broader bill.

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The letter makes it sound scary, but a brief glance at the bill and the Code it amends seems to refer only to paid lobbyists.

To amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to provide for additional reporting by lobbying firms.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. DISCLOSURE OF PAID COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNS TO INFLUENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO LOBBY CONGRESS.

(a) Applicability- The amendments made by this section shall not apply to any person or entity other than a lobbying firm that is retained on behalf of a client other than that person or entity. No person or entity other than a lobbying firm is required to register or file a report under the amendments made by this section.

(b) Definitions- Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602) is amended--

Unless it affects real grassroots organizations that accept dues, donations or membership fees directly, instead of just the lobbyists they may hire, I don't think the panic in the letter is justified.

The question is does it affect the NRA, GOA, SAF or the many small incorporated grassroots organizations directly?

It warrants a closer look for that reason, but if it only amends definitions that apply to paid lobbyists or lobbying firms I can't get real upset over it.
 
Any legislation that attempts to deny free speech is bad, especially when it contains the truth a politican doesn't want to hear.
 
This legislation would also impact talk radio that discusses political matters.

Rush, Hannity, Medved, Savage, Ingram, Smirconish, Bennet, Miller, Beck, etc....

Those unaffected will be CNN, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, FOX News, CBS, NPR, etc...

This is censorship of viewpoints Kuccinich disagrees with.
 
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