LOBBY REFORM BILL PASSED, BUT SINISTER SEC. 220 REMOVED!
By Rev. Ted Pike
19 Jan 07
Yesterday, I announced that the lobby reform bill, S.1, had been
defeated in the Senate. The Portland Oregonian had stated that because
there were not 60 votes in favor the bill had foundered, with angry
Republicans and Democrats accusing each other. We called Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid's office to confirm defeat of the bill. They said
with dismay that The Legislative Transparency
and Accountability Act of 2007 was dead.
However, this morning Sen. Bennett's office told me that negotiation
resumed yesterday, seeking possible concessions. The Senate then
upheld Bennett's amendment by a vote of 54 to 43 to strip off Sec.
220. This was our main concern: Levin and Liebermann's onerous reporting
requirements laid upon grassroots lobbyist organizations. The lobby
reform bill then passed 96 to 2.
I had not argued against the lobby reform bill -- only oppressive
Sec. 220. Evidently, the massive calling by supporters of the National
Prayer Network and other Christian/conservative organizations stiffened
liberal Democrats so that when the pressure became great enough they
responded to the wishes of their constituents.
Thank God for another great defeat of those who would have laid
burdens of even greater repression upon our rights of free speech
and petition!
Rev. Ted Pike is director of the National Prayer Network,
a Christian/conservative watchdog group.
With God’s help America has defeated the federal “anti-hate” bill
three times in the last two years. We can do it again, but only if
you protest loudly. Come to www.truthtellers.org for powerful tools
to defeat this freedom-stealing legislation.
TALK SHOW HOSTS: Interview Rev. Ted Pike on the
hate law threat. Call 503-631-3808.
National Prayer Network, P.O. Box 828, Clackamas,
OR 97015
503-631-3808
