Congressional Republicans are preparing to add to the federal debt by pushing through more tax cuts for the super-rich after just pushing through a $70 billion tax cut that mostly benefits the wealthy. When the Senate resumes work after Memorial Day, Senate Republicans will once again take up their assault on the estate tax, a tax levied solely on the wealthiest Americans.

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has released a report to members of Congress that explains restrictions on advocacy and election activity by different types of nonprofits, along with reporting and disclosure requirements that apply to each type. The report should help reduce confusion on the Hill about nonprofit advocacy. OMB Watch has summarized the report as a resource for nonprofit organizations in this election year. In addition, NPAction.org, hosted by OMB Watch, has launched Nonprofits Can Help America Vote!, an online resource dedicated to guiding and increasing nonprofits' activities around elections.

Hill sources indicate that sunset commission proposals could move through the House by riding onto a package of budget process reforms. Ever since the revelation that House leadership conceded to the Republican Study Committee's demands for a guaranteed floor vote on sunset commission proposals, the key question for many has been what legislative vehicle will be used to fulfill that promise.

Two reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with vastly different conclusions raise questions both about the connection between Navy sonar and whale beachings and about consistency within, and the scientific integrity of, the agency.