FIDELIS: URGENT ACTION ALERT - LOBBY REFORM SMACKS OF BIOGTRY

‘Legislative Overkill Aimed at Punishing People of Faith’

CHELSEA, MI - Fidelis attacked Section 220 of the Senate lobby reform bill calling the provision legislative overkill designed to muzzle people of faith. The pending legislation, if approved as is, would require faith based groups such as Fidelis and even churches who engage in grassroots advocacy to register as “lobbying firms” subjecting them to burdensome government regulation.

Fidelis President Joseph Cella stated: “Meaningful and effective lobbying reform is needed, but this is legislative overkill aimed at punishing people of faith. The inclusion of Section 220 into Senate Bill 1 smacks of bigotry because it targets faith-based groups and would violate multiple rights found in the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. The only plausible explanation for this provision is a concerted effort to suppress grassroots religious organizations and churches. These groups have been very effective in mobilizing Americans on issues such as judges, marriage, and religious freedom.

”Section 220 of Senate Bill 1 would impose severe restrictions on groups classified as “grassroots lobby firms. The bill describes ‘grassroots lobbying’ as “the voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal officials or to encourage other members of the general public to do the same.” Section 220 would also require anyone who is paid by an organization to encourage more than 500 members of the general public to communicate with legislators, to register with Congress, and file detailed quarterly reports, including in some circumstances information regarding donors.

Cella noted Fidelis is mobilizing tens of thousands of Americans to urge Congress to pass the Bennett Amendment which would strike Section 220 from the bill.

“The provision will disproportionately impact conservative organizations that do not have the deep pockets of their liberal counterparts. If this provision remains in the bill, pro-life groups, religious organizations, and faith based charities will be discouraged from communicating with the public about key judicial nominations and important public policy matters,” Cella said.

The legislation now pending in the Senate would require faith based groups and churches to register with the government and could result in fines up to $100,000, and even prison time, if they do not adequately comply with burdensome reporting requirements. Cella added: “Lawmakers who support this provision are treating law abiding churches and faith-based groups like Jack Abramoff. Communicating with the public on political matters, once regarded as one of our most sacrosanct rights, could now be in jeopardy if we do not strike section 220 from this bill.”

CONTACT your Senator today at (202) 224-3121 and urge him/her to support Bennett Amendment 20, which would strike this section from the bill.

Related Post:

Pro-life organizations urge citizens to block anti-speech bill

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