Institute For Free Speech

Disclosure: A Threat to Associational Privacy
January 1, 2018  •  By IFS staff  •    •  

Disclosure, in the campaign finance context, refers to laws and regulations requiring candidates and political groups to report information about their activities to the government, which then makes that information available publicly. The required information varies greatly, depending on the affected organization and the local, state, or federal government mandating the disclosure. Disclosure rules fall into two broad categories: disclosure…

You Can’t Protect First Amendment Rights Without Protecting Privacy
August 3, 2020   •  By Alec Greven   •  , , ,

If we want more speech and association in our society (and we should), then we need to focus on bringing down the costs for ...

Analysis of the “Judicial Ads Act” (S. 4183)
July 29, 2020   •  By Eric Wang   •  , ,

The Judicial Ads Act furthers no apparent legitimate disclosure interest – whether as the campaign finance bill it purports to be or as a ...

Hysteria Over PPP Loans to Trump Donors Makes Great Case for Private Giving
July 21, 2020   •  By Nathan Maxwell   •  , ,

While some may have faith in disclosure laws’ ability to pinpoint instances of favoritism, despite the lack of evidence that such laws improve perceptions ...

A Victory for Free Speech at the IRS
June 16, 2020   •  By Ryan Morrison   •  , , ,

The IRS recently amended its nonprofit donor reporting rules to protect the identities of contributors. From now on, nonprofits (except for 501(c)(3) charities and ...

Senators Merkley and Udall Tout Legislation that Hands Power to the Politicians
March 30, 2020   •  By Alex Baiocco   •  , , ,

Senators Jeff Merkley and Tom Udall describe H.R. 1, the so-called “For the People Act,” as “legislation to put power back in the hands ...

House Draft COVID-19 Emergency Bill Contains Hidden Threats to First Amendment Rights
March 24, 2020   •  By Zac Morgan   •  , ,

Yesterday, Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives unveiled a draft bill ostensibly intended to address the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

Comments to IRS on Notice 2017-73
February 13, 2020   •  By David Keating   •  , , ,

PDF of comments available here Via U.S. and Electronic Mail Charles P. Rettig, Commissioner Internal Revenue Service CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2017-73) Room 5203 P.O. Box ...

Foresight is 20/20: Free Speech Developments to Follow This Year

 Default Article
February 12, 2020   •  By Alex Baiocco   •  , , , , ,

A number of trends that will continue to unfold in 2020 have the potential to significantly impact Americans’ political speech rights. As policymakers, pundits, ...

The IRS Should Go Ahead with Privacy Reform
February 7, 2020   •  By Luke Wachob   •  , , ,

This piece originally appeared in National Review on February 7, 2020.    The IRS isn’t known for respecting privacy. Under the Obama administration, IRS bureaucrats ...

Testimony of Bradley A. Smith Before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
February 5, 2020   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

Hyperbole and charged rhetoric aside, what was Citizens United actually about? Quite simply, on January 21, 2010, the Supreme Court struck down a law ...

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