Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
Posted on 03/16/2006 9:47:39 AM PST by Stellar Dendrite
The Federal Election Commission has postponed a long-anticipated decision on whether to apply the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law to political speech on the Internet.
It appeared that FEC Commissioner Michael Toner wanted to give Congress a chance to pass the Online Freedom of Speech Act proposed by Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling.
But late Wednesday afternoon, the House Rules Committee passed on the opportunity by failing to report Hensarling’s bill out of committee for debate on the House floor.
Key House aides told NewsMax that the House would likely resume discussion after March 27. If so, legislators might have to enact Hensarling’s bill to counteract the FEC if it decides to apply McCain-Feingold. That decision is now slated for March 23.
Supporters say Hensarling’s bill merely codifies the status quo, allowing politically opinionated bloggers - known in the blogosphere as "polibloggers" - to opine on political topics without being subjected to government regulation.
Bloggers from all sides of the political spectrum have thrown their cyber-weight behind the proposal. They are concerned that the FEC will rule that they are subject to campaign-finance laws. And experts say they have reason to be concerned.
McCain-Feingold makes it a felony for corporations, nonprofit advocacy groups and labor unions to run ads that criticize – or even name – members of Congress within 60 days of a federal election if such speech might have an influence on voters.
The FEC initially excluded the Internet from McCain-Feingold restrictions. But campaign-reform boosters sued, claiming the Internet was a "loophole” that allowed big money to continue influencing the election process.
Toner has openly supported the Online Freedom of Speech Act (HR 1606). His announcement of the postponement led to an outcry from some bloggers.
"It couldn’t be more clear: pass HR 1606 or face regulations on the Internet. Period,” wrote Mike Krempasky, a founder of Red State, a conservative blog.
Traditional media organizations have taken a different view. An editorial in the New York Times on Wednesday called for closing the "Internet campaign loophole.”
ping
What does the FEC paln to do if your blog blasts both parties and their candidates?
unstated: because they are making us irrelevant!!!
No need to worry. I'm sure Algore has a plan since he invented the internet in the first place.......
If this clears, I hope I'm the first one charged.
More insanity from our GOP controlled Congress.
I'll be right there with you...I will assert the first amendment by asserting the second amendment.
It is somewhat ironic. If this horrid bill passes Free Republic and the Democratic Underground would probably be the first case before the Supreme Court and we would be on the same side. We live in interesting times.
Fine you twice?
[McCain-Feingold makes it a felony for corporations, nonprofit advocacy groups and labor unions to run ads that criticize – or even name – members of Congress within 60 days of a federal election if such speech might have an influence on voters.]
YOU VILL NOT! CRITICIZE US! UND, VERE ARE YOUR PAPERS!
Every time I see this my blood boils. Evertyone involved in passing this blatantly unconstitutional monstrousity should be horse whipped and tarred&feathered.
Right on!
Need to see who is on the House Rules Committee, and who voted against our unalienable, God-given right to free speech...
David Dreier is the chairman.
Why am I not surprised...
DAVID DREIER, CA - CHAIRMAN
LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART, FL
LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER, NY - Ranking Minority Member
DOC HASTINGS, WA
JAMES P. McGOVERN, MA
PETE SESSIONS, TX
ALCEE HASTINGS, FL
ADAM PUTNAM, FL
DORIS O. MATSUI, CA
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, WV
TOM COLE, OK
ROB BISHOP, UT
PHIL GINGREY, GA
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
This bill failed on the floor last year....seemingly because of the dumb way it was shepherded through the process:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-1606
????
Can't figure out who voted which way on the Committee quickly. Have to go for now...if someone finds it ping me...
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