Policy Update

OMB Watcher's Nonprofit Issues

5/16/2005

1. House Members to Offer Bill to Expand Lobbying Disclosure

In the wake of allegations of violations of House rules, particularly about lobbyists paying for congressional travel by Major Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), two Democrats plan to introduce a bill to increase disclosure of federal lobbying and tighten other rules affecting the influence of lobbyists.

At the same time, Republicans announced their own plans to address tightening and enforcing House ethics rules. However, the Democrats' bill appears to have picked up steam when House Administration Committee Chairman Robert Ney (R-OH) expressed interest in crafting a bipartisan approach to reform.

2. North Carolina Preacher Accused of Church Politicking Resigns

On May 5, nine members of the East Waynesville Baptist Church in North Carolina were excommunicated by their pastor for voting for former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. The pastor, Rev. Chan Chandler, allegedly told his congregants that voting for Kerry was against the tenets of the church. The pastor has since resigned from his position.

There has been no information whether the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is looking into the allegations of wrong-doing, although Americans United for Separation of Church and State has requested an investigation.

3. Conservative Coalition Opposes Further Nonprofit Regulation

On April 28, a coalition of conservative groups sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) objecting to the Senate Finance Committee's effort to tighten rules governing charities.

Shortly after that, the Independent Sector Panel on the Nonprofit Sector released its second set of draft regulations for review and comment by the sector.