Date of Alert: February 7, 2002

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Shays-Meehan "campaign finance reform" bill on Wednesday, February 13.

The Shays-Meehan bill contains multiple provisions that would seriously restrict the ability of NRLC, NRLC affiliates, and other citizen groups to educate the public about what members of Congress are doing on pro-life issues, including alerting citizens to upcoming votes in Congress.

In addition, the bill would place both groups and members of Congress at legal risk for working together towards shared public policy goals.

NRLC today sent a letter to House members summarizing our objections to the bill. As the letter explains, a vote in favor of the Shays-Meehan bill will be scored negatively in NRLC's annual congressional scorecard.

The most recent House vote on the Shays-Meehan bill (a somewhat different version) was on September 14, 1999. Virginia representatives who voted against Shays-Meehan (and thus supported the NRLC/VSHL position) were Reps. Scott (D-3), Goode (I-5), Goodlatte (R-6) and Tom Davis (R-11). Representatives who voted for Shays-Meehan (and thus opposed the NRLC/VSHL position) were Reps. Moran (D-8), Boucher (D-9) and Wolf (R-10). Representatives Jo Ann Davis (R-1), Ed Schrock (R-2), Randy Forbes (R-4) and Eric Cantor (R-7) were not in office at that time.

The bill is opposed by the Republican leadership of the House. But supporters of the measure were able to force floor action by obtaining the signatures of a majority of House members (218) on a "discharge petition." Virginia lawmakers who signed the discharge petition are Reps. Scott (D-3), Moran (D-8) and Wolf (R-10).

House members will have a chance to vote for an alternative bill, sponsored by Reps. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and Albert Wynn (D-Md.). The Ney-Wynn substitute does not restrict the rights of citizens' groups to communicate with the public. House members should be encouraged to vote for the "Ney-Wynn substitute" (pronounced "nay-win") as an alternative to the Shays-Meehan bill.

It is particularly important for Republican House members -- especially freshman members - to hear from key activists, local party officials, and other constituents in opposition to the Shays-Meehan bill. Pro-life Democrats are another key target group. In any case where a Republican or a pro-life Democrat might be considering a vote in favor of the Shays-Meehan bill, telephone trees and e-mail alert lists should be activated immediately.

On this issue and other issues, contacts with House members must be by fax or e-mail (available at www.house.gov) or by telephone (through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121) - not U.S. mail, which is being greatly delayed by security measures currently in effect on Capitol Hill.

VSHL is the Virginia affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.