With just three weeks remaining before the August recess, nonprofits are warily monitoring an anti-free-speech bill, authored by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and championed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
The DISCLOSE Act – an acronym for "Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act" – dictates that burdensome reporting requirements and penalties would be levied against lobbying groups who want to communicate on election issues. The law would go into effect 30 days after being signed by President Obama. This only fuels claims that the true intent is to minimize Democrat losses come November and restrict free speech.
George Will summed up the DISCLOSE Act in his Sunday Washington Post editorial as this: "In Congress, measures ostensibly aimed at eliminating corruption – or the 'appearance' thereof – illustrate the corruption inherent in incumbents writing laws that regulate political competition by rationing political speech."
Sean Parnell, with the Center for Competitive Politics – whose mission is to promote and defend the First Amendment political rights of speech, assembly, and petition – is certain that the Senate will move on the bill before recess; however, just how this will be done remains to be seen.
"(This bill) overwhelmingly favors organized labor over business interests," said Parnell, "because it exempts organized labor from significant portions of the bill.
"Furthermore, it would require private organizations to reveal their membership and donor lists."
As to the chances of stopping the bill, Parnell said, "Sen. Mitch McConnell has always been a staunch advocate of the First Amendment and I do believe that he will make an effort to filibuster the bill. I think he's got a pretty good chance of blocking this on the floor."
Click here to contact your Senator.
Ask them to vote "NO" on the Disclose Act S 3295.
Source: CitizenLink
