CAUTION:
An Update on the "American Right to Life" Telemarketing Campaign

Over the last several months, NRL News has been reporting on the activities of a nationwide telemarketing campaign being conducted under the name "American Right to Life." The National Right to Life Committee's (NRLC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., has been barraged with phone calls from concerned members who have received telemarketing calls made by Capitol Communications on behalf of "American Right to Life," which is now registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as a federal political action committee.

After months of monitoring the group's financial reports with the Federal Election Commission, it became apparent that the vast majority of the pro-life resources raised was being paid to a recently formed telemarketing firm, Capitol Communications of Mesa, Arizona. In order to protect our membership and the general public, NRLC filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, claiming "unfair competition, fraud and deception" on the part of "American Right to Life." NRLC has requested that the court order "American Right to Life" to stop using that name or any similar name, and to pay compensatory damages.

According to "American Right to Life's" FEC reports, as of November 23, 1998, "American Right to Life" had raised $932,818.12. A total of $876,479.36 had been paid to the telemarketing firm, Capitol Communications, which was over 93% of "American Right to Life's" income. None of that amount paid to Capitol Communications was reported as being spent on behalf of any candidates.

Other expenses brought "American Right to Life's" total "operating expenditures" to $897,588.38 as of November 23, 1998 (this included the amount paid to Capitol Communications). "Operating expenditures" are costs separate from any contributions or expenditures on behalf of candidates. Thus American Right to Life's "operating expenditures" were over 96% of its income.

Officially in existence since July 7, 1998, this "political action committee" had only distributed a total of $11,650 in direct contributions to candidates, as of November 23, 1998. Another $4,081.30 was reported as "in-kind" contributions as of November 23, 1998. "In-kind" contributions are things of value given to candidates other than cash. Therefore "American Right to Life's" total direct and in-kind contributions to candidates were less than 2% of its income.

"American Right to Life" also reported that it spent $28 on " independent expenditures." "Independent expenditures" are expenditures made independently by a political action committee without the cooperation or consultation of the candidate or the candidate's committee. The report indicates that "American Right to Life" owed an additional $8,534.20 for "independent expenditures."

One of the candidates that "American Right to Life" made expenditures on behalf of was Ron Paul, a congressman from Texas who generally votes pro-life. However, Rep. Paul had voted and spoken against the Child Custody Protection Act, a bill that would have prevented minors from being transported across state lines for secret abortions in order to circumvent their home state's parental notice or consent law. Paul was opposed by a pro- life opponent, Loy Sneary, who had pledged support for the Child Custody Protection Act.

As of November 23, 1998, "American Right to Life" had $17,905 cash on hand and reported $50,526.65 in debts, the vast majority of which was owed to Capitol Communications.

In comparison, National Right to Life Political Action Committee (NRL PAC) spent a total of $1,034,653.89 in support of candidates in 1998. Only about 20% of the money NRL PAC raised went to "operating expenditures."

In response to the lawsuit NRLC filed, "American Right to Life's" attorney stated in a formal letter dated October 14, 1998, that " ARL has ceased prospect fundraising." However, a later letter from the group's attorneys, dated October 27, 1998, stated that they "have advised [their] client that it may resume prospect telemarketing." NRLC's Washington headquarters is still receiving calls from

members who are being telemarketed aggressively by "American Right to Life." From California to Vermont to Montana to New York to Minnesota, it appears that the telemarketing operation continues. Pro-lifers who have received these telemarketing calls, and have been concerned enough to call the Washington headquarters, generally fall into one of the following three categories:

1. They felt confused by a call from American Right to Life and donated thinking they were giving to National Right to Life;

2. They felt pressured to give personal information, like a credit card or bank account number, to "American Right to Life" and later regretted it; or

3. They felt that misrepresentations regarding National Right to Life were made during the telemarketing call from "American Right to Life."

Anyone who receives a call from "American Right to Life" and has questions or concerns should call the law firm of NRLC General Counsel James Bopp, Jr., Esq., Bopp Coleson, and Bostrom, at 812- 232-2434, and speak to Raeanna Moore.

Once again, National Right to Life urges pro-lifers everywhere to be extremely cautious if a call or letter is received from this group or any other group which is unfamiliar to you. We believe that National Right to Life is the only single-issue pro- life group in Washington with the organization, credibility, and means to defend life at all stages. That is why Fortune magazine has for the second straight year listed NRLC in the top 10 most effective groups in Washington, ahead of hundreds of other non- profits and businesses with far larger budgets.

Furthermore, we believe that your pro-life donations are most efficiently and effectively used when given to the National Right to Life Committee and National Right to Life's state affiliates.