Time to Act to Preserve Free Speech!
Senate Debates Controversial Free-Speech-Limiting Provision
Senators -- especially moderate Democrats -- need to hear from you by Thursday, when the fate of a critical amendment to a lobbying-reform bill is expected to be decided. Amendment 20 would strike dangerous Section 220 that would subject organizations such as Focus on the Family Action and Family Research Council Action to bureaucratic red tape and Senate oversight when informing constituents about crucial matters in Washington.
Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, argued passionately today on the Senate floor for the amendment, which he sponsored. He noted that organizations on the right and the left could be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for failure to report all such activities. To show the breadth of support for his amendment, he quoted letters from the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Right to Life Committee opposing Section 220 as an infringement of free speech. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., however, vigorously defended the provision.
