Kelly writes “The world must be really, truly and without-a-doubt FINALLY falling apart now. Because this is the second time in two months or so where I have to agree with conservatives, and I hate doing that! But here it goes: it’s not only Republicans who hate blogs (See article I posted last month on this: John McCain’s War On Blogs @LISNews), but now the Democrats have decided to radically one-up the Republicans on this issue. According to right-winger Richard A. Viguerie, Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill currently before the Senate, would require grassroots causes, even bloggers, who communicate to 500 or more members of the public on policy matters, to register and report quarterly to Congress the same as the big K Street lobbyists. Section 220 would amend existing lobbying reporting law by creating the most expansive intrusion on First Amendment rights ever. For the first time in history, critics of Congress will need to register and report with Congress itself.
The bill would require reporting of ‘paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying,’ but defines `paid’ merely as communications to 500 or more members of the public, with no other qualifiers.
On January 9, the Senate passed Amendment 7 to S. 1, to create criminal penalties, including up to one year in jail, if someone `knowingly and willingly fails to file or report.’ More: @ grassrootsfreedom.com“
but alas, we rise victorious in the end…
they removed section 220 from the bill!!
Re:but alas, we rise victorious in the end…
That and all of the BS bills they passed in the 100 hours have failed to become law as yet. So nice work wasting our time.