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April 13, 2005
Congress to rescue political blogging
You may or may not be aware that the FEC is in the process of writing regulations on political blogging all the name of campaign finance reform. Fortunately, it looks like Congress may cut this one off at the pass.
Congressman Hensarling (Republican-Texas) and Senator Reid (Democrat-Nevada) have introduced a bill to except volunteer internet communications (i.e. blogging) from the disasterous (IMO) McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002. In a letter to fellow Congressman, he writes:
When Congress passed campaign finance reform in 2002, the legislation did not identify the Internet as a target of regulation, and rightly so. The explosion of new technology has done much to democratize our politics, encourage grassroots political involvement, and act as a tremendous catalyst for civic engagement across our country. With the emergence of blogs, the Internet truly puts the power in the hands of the people.
Unfortunately, a federal judge has ruled that the FEC's previous broad exemption of the Internet was impermissible absent clear direction from Congress. Within the next sixty days, the FEC is expected to finalize rules and regulations that could squash not only free speech and citizen activism, but could well impede innovation and technology – unless Congress acts now.
Today, I introduced the Online Freedom of Speech Act to offer that direction, amending federal election law to specifically exclude communications over the Internet from the definition of "public communication" for purposes of regulation. It will allow the growth and expansion of new voices in our political process without interference. An identical bill (S.678) has been introduced in the Senate by the distinguished Minority Leader signifying that this effort is not a partisan one.
We ought to embrace these newcomers to our political process instead of applying complex and chilling regulatory burdens. Please cosponsor this important legislation and help me protect bloggers and online activists from the heavy hand of federal regulation. For more information, please call Gerry O’Shea on my staff at 5-3484.
This reminds me a little of when the FCC launced its nationwide "no call" list, and a judge tried to stop them. Congress looked at the fifty million households that had already signed up and decided that a little legislative activism wasn't such a bad thing.
On the other hand, I wouldn't mind seeing this entire law overturned on First Amendment grounds, but I'll take what I can get.
Anyway, hat tip to Redstate.
Politics by Dan at April 13, 2005 04:42 PM