Dear Senator:
As the Senate considers ethics and lobbying
reforms to curb the special access and undue influence of wealthy and
powerful interests, we urge you to support the Reid amendment
tightening the rules on gifts and travel and oppose weakening
amendments such as the one introduced by Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT)
to strike the astroturf lobbying disclosure provisions.
Disclosure
is a cornerstone of the lobbying and ethics reforms and received strong
bi-partisan support. Polls have also shown strong public support for
greater transparency in the process especially in relation to the
activities of lobbyists and lobbying organizations.
The Bennett
amendment not only would strike disclosure measures that would allow
the public to know who is sponsoring the ads and phone calls they
receive, the change directly addresses the abuses uncovered in last
year’s scandals involving Jack Abramoff.
Paid advertising,
phone banks and other paid efforts to stimulate grassroots activity to
influence public policy are now as widespread as direct lobbying and
there is no justification not to apply the same level of transparency
to both types of lobbying.
Numerous grassroots organizations
signed on in support of the disclosure provision (see the attached
letter from last March) as written in S1 and the Reid-McConnell
substitute.
• The provision would only cover large scale efforts in which $25,000 or more is spent in the quarterly reporting period.
•
It does not bar any group or organization from reaching out to the
public, it only requires that they be upfront and honest about who they
are and what they do.
• It is not burdensome
• Volunteer and small-scale activity is exempt.
The
Bennett amendment to strike the provision would allow a growing portion
of paid lobbying activities to operate in the dark and away from the
sunshine that is critical to public awareness and confidence in
government.
We strongly urge you to oppose the Bennett amendment.
Sincerely,
Gary Kalman
Democracy Advocate
