H.R. 2093 would amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to provide for additional reporting by lobbying firms.
Detailed Summary
Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to revise the definition of "lobbying activities" (for purposes of a lobbying firm only) to include paid communications campaigns to influence the general public to lobby Congress.
Redefines "lobbying firm" to include a person or entity retained by one or more clients (other than that person or entity) to engage in paid communications campaigns to influence the general public to lobby Congress, and receives income of, or spends or agrees to spend, an aggregate of $100,000 or more for such efforts in any quarterly period.
Defines "paid communications campaigns to influence the general public to lobby Congress" as efforts by a lobbying firm, on behalf of a client, to influence the general public or its segments to contact one or more covered legislative or executive branch officials (or Congress generally) to urge them to take specific action regarding a specific matter. Excludes from the meaning of such communications: (1) any made to the members of the client; or (2) direct mail communications to the general public or its segments made primarily to recruit members to join an organization.
Sets forth LDA registration and reporting requirements of such lobbying firms.<br>
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 5/1/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Points in Favor
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)
Points Against
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)
Visitor Comments
Vern B. - Oregon
May 14, 2007, 11:55am (report abuse)THis bill deserves a quick death. It appears to be a very ominous "grassroots gag" threat to individual freedoms in the USA. Individual citizens need to have ways and means to be informed about critical concerns without undue sandbagging (or big-daddy filtering) by government red tape. Without a timely and accurate understanding of critical issues, we have no way to effectively commnicate our concerns to COngress.
Alice, NJ
May 16, 2007, 6:29am (report abuse)Why are bills being proposed that address the abuse of the freedom of speech - but will affect the majority? Would they curtail the equivalent funding behind political campaigns?
Prohibit lobbying by firms that personally gain financially, directly from decisions.. not by groups that seek to inform the general public of bills proposed.
Wayne, GA
May 19, 2007, 8:21am (report abuse)Mr Meehan and Mr Shays
I consider this treason.
Brad Davis
June 11, 2007, 4:59pm (report abuse)This bill requires anyone who retains an agent to be reported.
Jay Howard
June 12, 2007, 12:46am (report abuse)Contrary to what some may say, this bill ONLY applies to lobbying firms, and ONLY to those instances when a third party hires a lobbyist ON BEHALF of a client.
This is exactly the kind of situation that requires transparency. The other commenters are either fools or lobbyists--(or they work for the lobbyists' lobby).
There was a coordinated effort to shut this bill down via the evangelical movements like Don Wildmon's American Family Association. That's normal, right?