UPDATE -
Now - The House of Representatives is Attempting to Silence Us
Proposed Law Affects Everyone and is Very Dangerous

The House of Representatives began consideration of grassroots lobby reform legislation with a hearing last week on the Senate-passed bill (S. 1). - says Traditional Values Coalition Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, in an email to TVC's supporters. I have written about this issue at http://opinioncommentary.blogspot.com/2007/02/congress-attempts-to-silence-us.html

The email reads:

Under the guise of reform, the legislation is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment rights of citizens to freely petition their government.

Because the House focuses on the Senate’s approach to lobby reform, it is imperative that they focus on the infamous Section 220. While Section 220 was stripped on the Senate floor, it appears that the Democrat House leadership will include similar language in the House lobby reform package.

Section 220 would have imposed strict and complicated reporting requirements on non-profits and provide both civil and criminal penalties for failures to report on time or making mistakes in reporting!

The effect of Section 220 would have created a fearful situation that would have discouraged many smaller grassroots lobbying groups from communicating with Members of Congress and other leaders in the federal government. Free speech would be stifled because of the chilling effect on grassroots activism!

There is strong opposition from both liberals and conservatives to legislation that regulates grassroots lobbying, and specifically to Section 220-type language. We are opposed to any efforts to regulate paid attempts to stimulate grassroots lobbying.

This grassroots lobbying provision is an assault on the First Amendment’s right of free speech and of the right of Americans to petition their government for a redress of grievances. It will stifle the ability of grassroots groups to communicate with their members and create a climate of fear over the draconian and unneeded reporting requirements.