Thread: Senate discussing Ethics & Lobbying reform S.1 on C-SPAN

Thus far, it does not sound like they are planning on removing section 220 (designed to suppress grass roots lobbying by hampering organizations in disseminating info on bills to the public). The only amendments that will be discussed are by Durbin, DeMint and Reid, and they said the bill will be voted on by Thurs.

The rats control so they choose what go's to the floor. I hope it doe's not hurt our side to much. Its against the first Amendment.

The Bennett Amendment will strike item 220 from Reed's Amendment 3 of Bill SB 1.

You need to call and ask your Senators to support the Bennett Amerndment.

This Amendment has gained three cosponsors since last this information was collected last night.

Dixie

This will counter the Reed Amendment (3) to SB 1. I think we need to get behind this amendment.

Cosponsors
Sen McConnell, Mitch [KY] - 1/10/2007
Sen Kyl, Jon [AZ] - 1/11/2007
Sen Cornyn, John [TX] - 1/11/2007

Please call or write your Senators and ask them to vote yes for the "Bennett Amendment" to Senate Bill 1 / SB.1 The LEGISLATIVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007

Please read the email below from Cathie Adams of Texas Eagle Forum concerning legislation in D.C. that would seriously trample on our First Amendment rights as it pertains to grassroots lobbying.

The Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act (S.1) is due to be voted on this Wednesday, January 17. Eagle Forum and James Dobson's Focus on the Family are supporting an amendment offered by Senator Robert Bennett (R-Utah) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) that would strike the grassroots lobbying provisions.
Information on how to contact your Senators, through the Capitol Switchboard follows at the end of the email. Please urge them to vote "Yes" on the Bennett Amendment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January 11, 2007


Protect the First Amendment!
Urge Senators for Vote YES on the Bennett Amendment!

In the aftermath of the Jack Abramoff scandal, the Democratic Congress is racing to enact new ethics and lobbying rules. Some reforms are necessary to keep our government transparent and functioning in a fair manner. However, a provision in the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act (S.1) being voted on next week in the U.S. Senate, would unfairly target grassroots groups like Eagle Forum, who represent citizen voices a variety of issues. This type of "grassroots lobbying" has long been considered separate and distinct from the activities of hired lobbyists like Jack Abramoff.

The grassroots lobbying provisions would subject advocacy groups to tremendous government regulation. When groups like Eagle Forum expend a certain amount of money encouraging citizens to contact their elected officials on a particular issue, this provision would require arduous government reporting, including notifying Congress 45 days before such action would take place! In effect, this would give Congress a "heads up" on any constituent activity coming their way! What an attack on the First Amendment!

Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT), along with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), has offered an amendment to strike the grassroots lobbying provisions included in S.1. Eagle Forum supports the Bennett amendment. Your calls are needed right now to all Senators asking them to vote YES on the Bennett amendment.

Making our government more transparent is a necessary endeavor. However, the American people should not be punished for the wrongs of Jack Abramoff, other hired lobbyists, and corrupt politicians. Please call your Senators today!

Take Action

The Senate will vote on the Bennett amendment to protect your voice through grassroots groups anytime. Please call your Senators and tell them to vote YES on the Bennett amendment today!

Urge Your Senators to vote YES on the Bennett Amendment!
Call Your Senators Today!

Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
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BS1 S.AMDT.3 Senate Bill 1/Amendment 3

SA 20. Mr. BENNETT (for himself and Mr. McConnell) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3 proposed by Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Obama, Mr. Salazar, and Mr. Durbin) to the bill S. 1, to provide greater transparency in the legislative process; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 220 of the amendment (relating to disclosure of paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying).

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We have heard a lot about SA 3 Amendment 3

SA 3. Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Obama, Mr. Salazar, and Mr. Durbin) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1, to provide greater transparency in the legislative process; as follows:

TITLE II--LOBBYING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007

Sec..220..Disclosure of paid efforts to stimulate grassroots Lobbying.


http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=51002

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=50953

Did anyone catch Sen. Bernie Sander's (I, Vermont) speech? Great!