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Legal Challenge to Lobbying Disclosure
Published on February 7, 2008
by Michael Schrimpf
File Under: Disclosure, Lobbying Regulation
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging disclosure provisions in the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act" (HLOGA).
Specifically, the NAM is challenging Section 207 of the Act, which, according to BNA, "requires disclosure of organizational members of an association that contribute more than $5,000 annually to an association's lobbying efforts and 'actively participate' in lobbying."
NAM president John Engler contends that the lawsuit is necessary because HLOGA "has a very powerful chilling affect on our members' constitutional rights."
NAM spokesman Hank Cox explained to the AP that "contributors won't contribute if their names are released."
"We have 11,000 members. You can assume we have several hundred members that give us more than $5,000 a year. Just a few of them are aware of (the provision) and the ones we talked to are very concerned about it," explained Cox.
Cox stated that "naming the companies could put them in a tenuous position with unions and community groups if NAM takes unpopular positions on issues."
NAM's complaint can be found HERE and their motion for preliminary injuction can be found HERE.
