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

WASHINGTON DC, January 16 (CNA) - The United States Senate will soon vote on Senate bill S1 that may prohibit advocacy groups including pro-life groups from sending e-mails informing voters about certain bills and urging them to contact their elected officials.

Senate bill S1 is intended to reform lobbying in Washington and includes a provision in the disclosure of paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying. This provision would in effect create complicated and expensive reporting requirements on advocacy groups. Organizations such as National Right to Life, Family Research Council, American Family Association, and the Population Research Institute, along with many others are concerned.

Advocacy groups could be fined up to $100,000 for urging Americans to contact their elected officials if they do not meet quarterly reporting requirements, if passed in its current form. Advocacy groups would be required to register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives. [More]

My Comments:

This is a blatant violation of our right to free speech and this bill MUST be defeated. It sounds like someone doesn't want the truth to be known about the legislation that Congress passes, so they can just pass anything they want without our knowledge. I agree with Tony Perkins - "Congress has no business monitoring the motives of citizens who contact Washington to express their views."

Please contact your senators and urge them to oppose any measure that will muzzle grassroots organizations, specifically Section 220 of Senate Bill 1 (S.1).Encourage them to, instead, support Senator Robert Bennett's amendment, Amendment 20, which would strike Section 220 from the bill.U.S. Capitol Switchboard(202) 224-3121
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