I recently posted on the Senate plugging their ears with Senate Bill 1 (Section 220) silencing grass roots activist organizations. I wrote to both of my senators and here is the response from Senator DeMint (who has never plugged his ears and is always swift and thorough in responding):

Dear Mr. Byars ,

Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to Section 220 of S.1, the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007 . I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

As you may know, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada introduced S.1 at the start of the 110 th Congress. This bill would amend the Senate rules to enhance the disclosure of legislative earmarks, as well as travel and meals provided to Senators and staff by lobbyists. This bill would also modify statutes governing the disclosure of lobbying activities, limitations imposed on travel and meals provided by lobbyists, and post-employment restrictions for Senators and staff.

In part icular, Section 220 of S.1 would require grassroots lobbying firms to report to Congress paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying if they recei ve payment in excess of $25,000 per quarter for the effort and the lobbying is directed to at leas t 500 members of the public. This requirement would not apply to communications by an organization directed only to its own members, employees, officers, or shareholders.

As you mentioned, several valid concerns have been raised with regard to Section 220 of S.1. Grassroots organizations are concerned that they would be forced to restrict access to information on what Congress is working on and also that they would be limited in their ability to petition Congress on important issues. As a result of these concerns and with my full support , Senator Bennett of Utah introduced an d passed an am endment to S.1 that removed Sec tion 220 from the bill prior to final passage .

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and concerns with me. Please feel free to contact me in the future about anything else important to you or your family. It is an honor to serve you and the people of South Carolina .

Sincerely,

Jim DeMint
United States Senator