Government Matters Articles

Senate Calls for Investigation of TRI Changes

A bipartisan group of senators has called for an investigation into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposals to relax chemical reporting requirements for large industrial facilities. On March 27, Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Jim Jeffords (I-VT), and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting the office investigate whether EPA had adequately considered how reducing Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) information would impact communities and data users, including federal and state programs that rely on TRI data.

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Congress Pulls Chair Up to NSA Spying Table

The Senate has continued its efforts to establish some level of oversight of the National Security Administration (NSA) warrantless spying program. The Senate Judiciary Committee held another hearing on the program, while three Senate bills have been introduced to establish congressional control over the program.

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There's a New Chemical Security Bill in Town

On March 30, Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) introduced a new bill on chemical plant security, The Chemical Security and Safety Act, with a major improvement over current chemical security proposals: it includes a requirement that chemical plants consider inherently safer technologies. The bill also establishes a more active role for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the implementation of chemical security requirements.

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2006 Tax Reconciliation Conference Remains Stalled

More than four months after it was initially approved, the FY 2006 tax reconciliation bill remains in seemingly deadlocked negotiations. With conferees continuing to postpone a compromise package due to uncertainty over its final approval in both chambers, the pending approval of the FY 2007 budget resolution - and an end to the tax bill's filibuster-proof status - looms large.

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Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Lobby Reform; House To Take Up 527s

Voting just hours after former lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced, the Senate overwhelmingly passed what critics are calling a tepid effort at lobby and ethics reform. Now the pressure is on the House, where leaders have struggled to balance the need to pass reforms with a rebellious rank-and-file that wants business as usual.

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House Budget Committee Approves Budget Resolution

Last Wednesday, the House Budget Committee approved a stark budget resolution that would increase deficits by $254 billion over the next five years, setting the stage for contentious debate this week on the House floor. The resolution sets discretionary spending at meager levels, includes a large increase in defense spending, and assumes continuation of some tax cuts. Its final approval will be the first major test of the new House GOP leadership team, especially of new House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH).

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IRS Political Audit Program Heats Up

The fall campaigns may seem far away, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) program to enforce the ban on partisan activity by charities and religious organizations has already kicked into overdrive, with big cases left over from 2004 and new complaints being filed. On March 22, a complaint filed against the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN) alleged a recent get-out-the-vote training improperly featured Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), without inviting his opponent for re-election.

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FEC Opens Door To Rulemaking on Grassroots Lobbying

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has announced it will take comments until April 17 on whether it should start a rulemaking to consider whether or not to provide an exemption to existing law for nonprofits. The exemption would allow nonprofits to conduct issue advocacy through broadcast ads within 30 days of a primary and 60 days of a general election. Advocates for the action encourage the FEC to act quickly so that nonprofits understand what they can do prior to the November elections.

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Conservatives Use Budget Process Reform as Opportunity to Push Program Sunsets

Press reports indicate that House conservatives are pushing for budget process reform changes as a condition of securing their votes on the upcoming House budget resolution, and their demands include a controversial proposal for a program sunset commission. The House GOP leadership may give serious consideration to such a proposal in order to pass a budget resolution this year.

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FBI Used Anti-Terrorism Powers to Target Peace Group

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released documents on March 14, 2006 that document FBI surveillance and investigation of the Thomas Merton Center for Peace & Justice in Pittsburgh, PA, carried out because the group "has been determined to be an organization which is opposed to the United States' war with Iraq." This appears to be the first evidence that the FBI is using the viewpoint and activism of a U.S. nonprofit as a basis for investigation by the local Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

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