A growing body of state laws and regulations governing voter registration and the voting process create barriers to voting that discriminate against minorities, new citizens and the elderly. Nonprofits are challenging these new voter suppression tactics, including filing several lawsuits. These voter drives build off efforts that support election reform programs mandated by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, and these developments illustrate just how important nonprofit organizations are as vehicles of civic participation.

The fate of the "trifecta" bill and middle-class tax cuts remains uncertain, as GOP leaders send mixed signals about their intentions and the GOP ranks appear restless. In late July, the House passed a so-called "trifecta" package (H.R. 5970) that would roll back estate taxes, increase the minimum wage, and extend several business and other tax credits. Solely because of the inclusion of the estate tax cut, the package failed in the Senate, falling three votes short of the 60 necessary to end debate.

Public Citizen and OMB Watch released a report today on Susan Dudley, the nominee to become the new regulatory czar within the Bush administration, concluding that she is unfit for Senate confirmation.

On Aug. 31 the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced that, after an investigation lasting nearly two years, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) found the group did not violate the ban on partisan electioneering in 2004. The group will thus retain its tax-exempt status. The case raised questions about the right of charities and religious organizations to criticize elected officials' policies, the role of partisan politics in IRS investigations, and the legality of the new IRS enforcement program.