roundtable: RE: Telecom Post #15

roundtable: RE: Telecom Post #15

RE: Telecom Post #15

Patrice McDermott (patricem@rtk.net)
Thu, 28 Sep 95 09:27:24 EDT 

Date: Thu, 28 Sep 95 09:27:24 EDT
From: Patrice McDermott <patricem@rtk.net>
Subject: RE: Telecom Post #15 
To: roundtable@cni.org
Message-Id: <Chameleon.950928093315.patrice@patrice.rtknet.org>


On Tue, 26 Sep 1995 19:56:43 -0400 (EDT)  CWHITCOM@bentley.edu wrote:
> 
> Gagging nonprofits
>
> Using the argument that entities receiving federal grants are
> inclined to use that money for lobbying activities, Congress is
> attempting to tighten the reigns on nonprofit advocacy work to
> the point that many groups will no longer be able to serve their
> constituents.  The drive goes beyond examining the use of
> federal money to 1) constraining the use of private funds,  2)
> limiting the association with others that do advocacy work, and
> 3) bounty hunting by offering a reward for the discovery
> noncompliance.  By using the term "advocacy"  instead of
> "lobbying"  this net covers a much broader range of activities
> than are restricted by current legislation.  Those receiving
> federal loans, contracts, or tax subsidies (the vast majority
> being for-profits) will not be required to adhere to these
> restrictions - confirming the suspicion that this legislation is
> meant to silence the nonprofit community which receives >90% of
> federal grants.
>
> A bill sponsored by Reps. Istook (R-OK), McIntosh (R-IN), and
> Ehrlich (R-MD) passed the House committee on August 4.  This legislation
> is housed in Title VI of the Labor and Health and Human Service
> Appropriations Bill (HR 2127). Istook is also trying to attach
> the proposal to the appropriations bill that covers Treasury,
> Postal Service and General Government.  Since that bill is now
> in the House-Senate conference committee, it is no longer
> subject to public debate.  Should it fail there, the Labor and
> HHS Appropriations Bill awaits around the corner.
>
> The report "Back Door Extremism:  Misusing the Appropriations
> Process to Gut Public Protections" by the Citizens for Sensible
> Safeguards is available at regs@rtk.net or 202-234-8494 and
> costs $10.


This report is not related to the Nonprofit Gag Bill--just so no one 
is misled.  It is about the use of the appropriations process to get 
"regulatory reforms" that the radical Republicans cannot get passed 
in full view of the world.

For those interested in the nonprofit issue, a closed list exists.  
You should send a message to netteshe@rtk.net asking to be subscribed 
to the nonprofit list.  You should include your name, address, 
phone #, organization name & what it does.  It is not possible to 
subscribe yourself automatically.

-------------------------------------
Patrice McDermott
patricem@rtk.net
OMB Watch
1742 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
202-234-8494; Fax: 202-234-8584
Date: 09/28/95   Time: 09:27:24 EDT

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