The Free Speech Gag Bill Stalls on the Floor of the Senate!

[Dan W]

The Free Speech Gag Bill Stalls on the Floor of the Senate!

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    "This DISCLOSE Act is not about reform, it's nothing more than Democrats sitting behind closed doors [choosing] which favored groups they want to speak in the 2010 elections -- all in an attempt to protect themselves from criticism of their government takeovers, record deficits and massive unpaid-for expansions of the federal government into the lives of the American people." -- Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), on the Senate floor shortly before today's vote



Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Your voices have been heard!  The so-called DISCLOSE Act stalled on the Senate floor today as Democrats failed to overcome a Republican filibuster of the bill.  Needing 60 votes to kill the filibuster, Democrats fell three votes short (57-41).

As noted by Senator McConnell above, the DISCLOSE Act puts severe and unconstitutional limits on our ability to hold individual congressmen accountable in the weeks leading up to an election.

This was a message that was repeatedly hammered home on the Senate floor today.

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) lambasted the Democrats for trying to change election laws right before the November elections.  "Some of my colleagues fear the righteous judgment of the American people this November," he said. "So they are trying to change the rules in the middle of the game."

Cornyn also tweaked his opponents, noting that the DISCLOSE Act should stand for:  "Democratic Incumbents Seeking to Contain Losses by Outlawing Speech in Elections."

Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas accused Democrats of rushing this bill to the floor to protect the Majority before the fall elections.  Likewise, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said the legislation was "primarily about saving the jobs of the Democratic Congress."

Several Senators also indicated their disgust with the exemptions in the bill.  "The bill creates carve-outs for the largest, wealthiest, and most powerful Washington-based special interest groups -- such as the NRA and the AARP," said Cornyn.

Unions would receive special protection, he added, as the DISCLOSE Act "would silence companies that receive bailout funds, but protect unions who represent those same companies' employees."

Gun Owners of America has been fighting the DISCLOSE Act for several weeks.  Our Second Amendment rights rely on the First Amendment's right to freely and openly communicate with government officials, who at one time were called "public servants."

Pat yourselves on the back, but don't think the battle is over.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has promised he will bring back this bill.

So keep the heat on your Senators.  You can call both of your Senators toll-free at 1-877-762-8762.

You can go to http://tinyurl.com/33xo4gw to see how your Senators voted.  Let those who voted against our liberties know that you will remember this vote during their re-election.

Of course, Ben Nelson once again voted against us by supporting the cloture vote