U.S. House of Representatives
to Vote on Shays-Meehan Bill
to Restrict Free Speech
About Politicians

WASHINGTON (February 5, 2002) - - At NRL News deadline on February 5, it had just been announced that the U.S. House of Representatives will debate the Shays-Meehan "campaign reform" bill (H.R. 2356) on February 12.

NRLC and many other organizations oppose the Shays-Meehan bill because it would restrict the right of citizens groups to communicate with the public regarding the actions of those who hold or seek congressional office, and regarding upcoming votes in Congress.

For further information on NRLC's objections to the Shays-Meehan bill, see the NRLC website at nrlc.org/Federal/Free_ Speech/index.html.

The bill is also opposed by the Republican leadership of the House. But supporters of the measure were able to force floor action by obtaining the signatures of a majority of House members (218) on a "discharge petition," a legislative feat that is seldom achieved. [For a list of the lawmakers who signed the discharge petition, see http://nrlc.org/Federal/Free_Speech/index.html.]

The House will also vote on an alternative measure, the Ney-Wynn bill, that NRLC does not oppose because it does not restrict the free speech rights of citizen groups.

The Shays-Meehan bill is similar to the McCain-Feingold bill (S. 27), which was approved by the U.S. Senate last year. However, technically the House is taking up a separate bill, so if the House passes the bill, further action by the Senate is still necessary.