To: Archaeology & Historic Preservation Community From: Loretta Neumann URGENT - HOUSE TO VOTE ON LOBBY RESTRICTIONS IN "CONTINUING RESOLUTION" BILL I just received a message Representative Skagg's office about the Senate Version of the Istook Amendment. Very disturbing. If you read this TODAY (Nov. 10) and are near a phone, you should call your representative and urge him or her to vote against the Continuing Resolution unless this provision is stricken from the bill. All Members of Congress can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard, (202) 224-3121. The "Continuing Resolution" provides for the continuation of funding for the government, pending the passage of individual appropriations bills. The Senate passed its version yesterday, and it contains a number of restrictions on lobbying that are even worse than the House-passed version with its infamous "Istook amendment." Unlike the House version, the Senate bill would restrict not just nonprofit organizations but also state and local governments, universities and colleges and private businesses. The Senate provisions apply to "any organization" that receives at least $125,000 in any year of "any Federal funds" (with the same exceptions as in the House, such as entitlement payments, student loans, etc.) Regulated organizations, including state and local governments, are restricted in what they can spend on "lobbying activities." The phrase does NOT include communications by elected officials, appointed officials and employees of state and local governments, but DOES INCLUDE communications by "independent contractors" working for state and local governments. This presumably would include, for example, state historic preservation offices that are part of a historical commission that works for the state under a contract. The lobbying activities that would be restricted include applications for government licenses and permits, and the research needed to support them. For a start-up company needing initial licensing or approval by the government to commence operations, this could be an insurmountable obstacle to its startup. The definition of "lobbying" covers executive branch as well as legislative, and includes research and other background work as well as actual contacts and coordination with the lobbying activities of others The bill also requires a national political data base, and information about grant applications would be made public. The provisions would take effect Jan. 1, 1996. The House is voting on the bill this afternoon; the continuing resolution runs out on Monday, November 13. The President has indicated he will veto the bill if it contains the Istook amendment; presumably he will veto this new version of it. I will update this message as soon as we know more. In the meantime, you may want to exercise what's left of your first amendment right to petition your government and call your Representative right away. Also call the White House and urge the President to veto the Continuing Resolution if the anti-lobbying provisions are in it. Phone: (202) 456-1111. # # # #