Focus on the Family Action Chairman James C. Dobson, Ph.D., today called on Americans to contact their senators about a measure he said constitutes "a grave threat" to freedom of speech.
"Democrats and a few Republicans are trying very, very quickly to insulate themselves from the public -- and to do it by muzzling people like us," Dobson said on his Focus on the Family radio broadcast.
S. 1, a lobbying-reform bill, is the first to come to a vote in the new Democrat-controlled Congress. One of its many provisions would require grassroots groups to report directly to the secretary of the Senate and clerk of the House any time they spend money to communicate to their constituents on public-policy issues that are before Congress.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said Section 220 would subject such groups to miles of red tape and greatly increase their costs -- difficulties that could critically hamper their ability to rally constituents to contact their elected officials.
"This should be called the 'Silence the Citizens Act of 2007,' " Perkins said.
The bill is so complex that, even though it appears to exempt churches from its provisions, it might not actually do so.
"Even pastors who would encourage the members of their congregation to call their senators, their congressmen, about marriage, about life issues," Perkins said, "could theoretically fall under the provisions of this measure."
Amanda Banks, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the provision would apply if a group called on people to take action or not.
"Any time that we send out a CitizenLink e-mail, or we write an article for Citizen magazine or Dr. Dobson goes on his broadcast and talks about legislation -- like he did today -- we would have to record and report to the government four times a year," Banks said. "If we did not meet those guidelines, we would be subject to fines of $100,000."
Dr. Dobson said the bill was prompted by senators and congressmen who didn't like the impact grassroots groups have had in leading millions of Americans to contact their elected officials.
"Clearly, the objective here is to hide what goes on from the public -- and to punish and silence those of us who would talk about what the Congress is doing," Dr. Dobson said.
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of issue analysis for Focus on the Family Action, said not every group would come under the provision.
"It does not affect labor unions, corporations, 527 groups, Hollywood-elite types or the George Soroses of the world," she said. "It affects folks who, on a regular basis, communicate with the grassroots and pass along information."
Soros, by the way, is a leftist billionaire financier who has spent millions trying to influence elections and legislation.
Gary Bauer, president of American Values, said on the broadcast that 'money talks' in the nation's capital. Some kind of lobbying reform really is needed, he said, just not one that's aimed at ordinary people.
"There's a place right outside the chambers of the Congress on Capitol Hill called 'Gucci Gulf,' " Bauer said. "It's called that because along that hallway there are lobbyists who make millions of dollars a year lining the walls in their Gucci shoes that cost $1,000 a pair.
"They are able to slip into legislation -- literally in the dark of night -- all kinds of amendments that help the special interests. It might be Big Unions, or Big Business or some foreign government that’s hired a lobbyist. That's what the American people want an end to -- that's the scandalous stuff!"
Dr. Dobson said people need to speak out while they still can.
"Protect your right to know," he said. "Protect our right to tell you what we know."
TAKE ACTION:
We created an urgent petition for you to sign that is addressed to your senators asking them to ensure the unfair grassroots provisions are removed from S.1.
You may read the text of S. 1, including Section 220, on the Library of Congress Web site. Under "Search Bill text" enter "S. 1" and click "Search."
You may also click here to listen to today's Focus on the Family broadcast online.
(Paid for by Focus on the Family Action)
