This is a little outside normal CJ discussions, but relevant as an example
of the consolidation of the corporate propaganda monopoly over public
debate, ushered in by our alleged representatives.
-rkm
BTW> Sorry about the mixup in reusing the posting numbers 283,284.
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Date: Mon, 23 Oct 1995 11:51:09 EDT
Reply-To: •••@••.•••
Sender: •••@••.•••
Precedence: bulk
From: Patrice McDermott <•••@••.•••>
To: Multiple recipients of list <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Istook compromise reached: ACTION NEEDED
PLEASE REPOST LET AMERICA SPEAK COALITION
CRISIS CRISIS CRISIS CRISIS
CRISIS CRISIS CRISIS
It appears that Sen. Simpson (R-WY) and Rep. Ernest Istook
(R-OK) have reached a compromise on the Istook amendment.
The fact that Rep. David McIntosh (R-IN) has been talking
about an agreement for 24 hours and that the conferees to
the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government
Appropriations bill have scheduled a meeting for next
Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 10:00 a.m. add to the rumors that an
agreement is in process.
WE HAVE UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY TO MAKE AN IMPACT (SEE BELOW
FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO).
Unfortunately, there are only broad outlines of the Istook-
Simpson agreement available. If you find out information
about the agreement, please send information to
<•••@••.•••> ASAP. We will post information as soon
as it's available.
We have been told that there is nothing in writing yet, but
the key points are as follows. The Istook-Simpson agreement
would cover organizations with budgets of $1 million or more
that have at least 1/3 of their budget coming from federal
grants (this would include grants passing through state and
local governments to nonprofits). There would be a $100,000
limit on the amount of private funds that could be spent on
advocacy. (We don't know if this is a sliding scale or if
it is 10% of your budget.) Other Istook amendment rules
apply, but we don't what this includes. We know it includes
the definition of advocacy, but we don't know if it includes
the annual reporting requirements (divulging your advocacy
activities and how much of your private money you spend on
these activities), posting the annual reports on the
Internet, or the bounty hunter provisions.
Even knowing only the broad outlines of the Simpson-Istook
agreement, there are severe problems with the plan. First,
there is no need for the amendment. Using federal funds to
lobby is prohibited; penalties for violations are severe.
Ironically, after four hearings on this issue, there still is
no evidence of nonprofit organizations using federal funds to
lobby. So why the amendment?
Second, the principle of imposing a threshold on the free
speech of an organization because they take a certain amount
of federal grants raises serious constitutional concerns.
This remains an attempt to silence the voice of a
significant portion of the nonprofit sector.
Third, the definition of prohibited activities is too broad.
They are not just trying to prohibit lobbying (i.e.,
attempts to influence legislation), they are limiting
virtually all public policy debate (e.g., communicating with
agencies).
This is no different than the Istook amendment. The thresholds f or
coverage, fit the description of the average federal grantee. The only
real difference is the $100,000 threshold; instead of a 5% limit on the
use of your private funds for advocacy, it would be 10%. Nonetheless, the
principle is still wrong-headed.
WE MUST STOP THIS AGREEMENT FROM MOVING FORWARD.
We now have in place this e-mail system that is reaching
thousands of people as well as many other mechanisms for
reaching people. Now is the time to put it all together.
We need your help to alert people and to act quickly.
What you can do
---------------
1. Contact Sen. Alan Simpson to let him know you oppose the
Simpson-Istook agreement -- even in its broadest outline.
Phone Number: (202) 224-3424; FAX: (202) 224-1315
E-Mail: •••@••.•••
2. Contact Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-OR) (Phone: (202) 224-
5244; FAX: (202) 224-0276) and Sen. James Jeffords (R-VT)
(Phone: (202) 224-5141; FAX: (202) 228-0338;
E-Mail: •••@••.•••) to encourage them to
continue opposing the Istook amendment, including the
Simpson-Istook agreement. Thank them for their continuing
leadership on this issue.
3. Get others to make the above two calls. These calls
must be done by close of business Tuesday, October 24. Feel
free to give people the toll-free number to reach Congress:
(800) 336-0047.
4. Any updates you get, send e-mail to <•••@••.•••>
or call your "Boiler Room" contact (see previous e-mail from
Patrick Lester).
We hope to stop the Simpson-Istook agreement in the
conference. But if it gets out of conference, we will have
a Senate floor strategy to share with you to stop the
amendment.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!
-------------------------------------
Name: Gary D. Bass
Organization: OMB Watch, 1742 Connecticut Ave., N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20009-1171
E-mail: •••@••.••• (Gary Bass)
Voice: (202) 234-8494 FAX: (202) 234-8584
Date: 10/19/95 Time: 21:48:12
------------------
Printed: Mon Oct 23 11:48:18 1995
End of Forwarded Message
Patrice McDermott
<•••@••.•••>
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