June 17, 2010

The U.S. House of Representatives may vote within days on the so-called "DISCLOSE Act," legislation that would place sweeping new restrictions on the ability of incorporated groups, including NRLC and NRLC affiliates, to communicate with the public about the actions of federal lawmakers.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), prime sponsor of "DISCLOSE Act" in the Senate

According to press reports, the House Democratic leadership has agreed to add a narrow "carve out" that will effectively exempt the National Rifle Association (NRA) from some of the key restrictions in the bill, in return for which the NRA has agreed that it "will not be involved in final consideration of the House bill."

In a June 15 letter to House members, posted at http://www.nrlc.org/FreeSpeech/NRLCLetterDISCLOSEActJune152010.html, NRLC reiterated its strong opposition to the bill, which it called "pernicious, unprincipled, and unconstitutional legislation." Regarding the proposed carve out, "With respect to the National Right to Life Committee, this amendment is not only worthless, but adds insult to injury," the letter said, adding that NRLC's congressional scorecard will describe a vote for the bill as a vote for "a blatant political attack on the First Amendment rights of NRLC, our state affiliates, and our members and donors."

For more details on the danger posed by the "DISCLOSE Act," see the alert published on page 1 of the June edition of National Right to Life News, posted at http://www.nrlc.org/freespeech/NRLNewsDISCLOSEAct.pdf

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), prime sponsor of "DISCLOSE Act" in the House.

Press reports indicate that the House Democratic leadership now plans to force a House floor vote on the bill as early as Thursday, June 17. Please act immediately.

Go to www.capwiz.com/nrlc/callalert/index.tt?alertid=15147096 and enter your zip code into the "Call Now" box. Then telephone the office of the lawmaker who represents you in the House, using the number you will be shown. Use the suggested talking points to deliver the message that you are strongly opposed to this bill. (You don't have to use all of the suggestions -- the important thing is to get the main point across.) Ask how your representative intends to vote on the bill. Then, take a moment to employ the easy-to-use "Your Feedback" form to send NRLC a short e-mail message regarding what you learned.

Part Two
Part Three
Part Four