Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2013

URGED SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT ITS MARKUP OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BILLS IN CONGRESS, IN PUBLIC LIKE ITS COUNTERPART IN THE HOUSE.ASKED SOLICITOR GENERAL TO NOT SUBMIT AN AMICUS BRIEF TO COURT CASE WALDBURGER V. CTS CORPORATION IN SUPPORT OF A KNOWN POLLUTER, A CASE THAT WOULD AFFECT CAMP LEJEUNE WATER CONTAMINATION VICTIMS, AND URGED THE PRESIDENT TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF CAMP LEJEUNE AS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SEEKS TO UNDERMINE THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF VICTIMS. SUPPORTED FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT ACT, A LAW THAT PROTECTS FEDERAL WHISTLEBLOWERS FROM RETALIATION [PUBLIC LAW NO: 112-199]. H.R. 3381/S.1681, INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FY2014, SUPPORTED WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BILL [H.R. 3381 PLACED ON THE HOUSE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR ON NOVEMBER 25, 2013; S. 1681 PLACED ON THE SENATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR ON NOVEMBER 13, 2013]. URGED FDA TO DO MORE TO ENSURE ALL AGENCY PERSONNEL AND FEDERAL FUND RECIPIENTS ARE BETTER TRAINED IN WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS. URGED CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO MANDATE A GOVERNMENT-WIDE POLICY TO PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWER AND OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND PREVENT FUTURE EMPLOYEE SURVEILLANCE ABUSES. URGED SENATE TO IMPROVE CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE AND INTEGRITY SYSTEM. URGED HOUSE TO IMPROVE COMMERCIAL ITEM DEFINITION TO PREVENT NONCOMMERCIAL BUYING WITHOUT COST OR PRICING DATA. URGED NARA TO FINALIZE THE CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION RULES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED. URGED CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO ADOPT MEASURES TO REVEAL THE TRUE COSTS OF SERVICE CONTRACTING. U.S. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE OPEN GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP: MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMITMENTS TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY THOUGH IMPROVING FOIA, REDUCING OVERCLASSIFICATION, PROTECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH, ENDING SECRET LAW, ENCOURAGING PROACTIVE DISCLOSURE OF ETHICS AND OTHER GOV INFO, PROVIDING EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY TRANSPARENCY, INCREASING TRANSPARENCY IN FEDERAL SPENDING. S. 2127, INSPECTOR GENERAL EMPOWERMENT ACT OF 2014, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO AMEND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ACT OF 1978 TO ELIMINATE A PROBLEM IN THE LAW THAT REQUIRES ALLEGATIONS OF ATTORNEY MISCONDUCT AT DOJ TO BE INVESTIGATED BY AN AGENCY THAT REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RATHER THAN THE AUTONOMOUS OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL [REFERRED TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY ON MARCH 13, 2014]. URGED DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO REFORM OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUIRE REPORTING OF MISCONDUCT TO RELEVANT STATE BAR AUTHORITIES, INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, AND EMPOWER THE DOJ OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE MISCONDUCT THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY LIKE OTHER INSPECTORS GENERAL. URGED THE PRESIDENT TO FILL INSPECTORS GENERAL VACANCIES AND CONGRESS TO CONDUCT OVERSIGHT OF VACANCIES TO ROOT OUT WASTE AND INCREASE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO INSPECTORS GENERAL AUTHORITY AND OPERATIONS TO MAKE THESE WATCHDOGS MORE EFFECTIVE. H.R.3361/S.1599, USA FREEDOM ACT: SUPPORTED MORE TRANSPARENCY, OVERSIGHT, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN DOMESTIC SURVEILLANCE AND OTHER INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES AND THE END OF SECRET LAW AND SPYING ON ORDINARY AMERICANS [REFERRED TO COMMITTEES]. S.1551, INTELLIGENCE OVERSIGHT AND SURVEILLANCE REFORM ACT, SUPPORTED REQUIRE PUBLIC RELEASE OF DECLASSIFIED VERSIONS OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT SUBSTANTIVELY INTERPRET THE PATRIOT ACT AND THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT (FISA), INCLUDING FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE COURT (FISC OR FISA COURT) DECISIONS [REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2013]. S. 1631, THE FISA IMPROVEMENTS ACT: OPPOSED THIS CODIFICATION AND EXPANSION OF NSA SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS [S. 1631 REPORTED BY SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE ON OCTOBER 31, 2013]. H.R. 4291, FISA TRANSPARENCY AND MODERNIZATION ACT, OPPOSED PROPOSED FISA REFORMS BECAUSE CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD DO MUCH MORE THAN MERELY END ONE TYPE OF BULK COLLECTION [REFERRED TO THE HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE ON MARCH 25, 2014] CALLED FOR DISCLOSURE OF ANY SURVEILLANCE OF U.S. ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS ADVOCATING ON U.S. TRADE POLICY. H.R.3278/S.1809: SUPPORTED THIS NATIONAL SECURITY WORFORCE ACCOUNTABILITY LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT CLARIFYING CIVIL SERVICE AND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS IN NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS [REFERRED TO COMMITTEE]. SUPPORTED IMPLEMENTATION OF AND PROPER FUNDING FOR NEWLY EXPANDED WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS, INCLUDING INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY WORKERS, AND PROTRECTIONS FOR CONTRACTORS AND GRANTEES. H.R.4197, ALL CIRCUIT REVIEW EXTENSION ACT, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO EXTEND THE PERIOD OF CERTAIN AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD DECISIONS RELATING TO WHISTLEBLOWERS [REPORTED OUT OF HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON MARCH 12, 2014] H.R. 2061/S. 994, DIGITAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY (DATA) ACT: SUPPORTED LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATION EFFORTS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO MORE RELIABLY FOLLOW HOW TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE SPENT; URGED PRESIDENT TO SUPPORT DATA ACT AS PROPOSED BY CONGRESS, REJECTING THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET'S PROPOSED REVISIONS THAT WEAKEN PROVISIONS IN THE BILL [H.R. 2061 PASSED HOUSE ON NOVEMBER 18, 2013; S. 994 REPORTED BY THE SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON MARCH 27, 2014]. H.R. 1211, FOIA OVERSIGHT AND IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2013, SUPPORTED REFORMS IN THIS BILL TO INCREASE PUBLIC ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION THROUGH PROACTIVE DISCLOSURE AND FOIA REFORMS SUCH AS AN ONLINE PORTAL, INCREASED INDEPENDENCE AND AUTHORITY OF OGIS, AND REDUCING THE OVERUSE AND ABUSE OF EXEMPTIONS [PASSED HOUSE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2014]. MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO SENATE ON KEY REFORMS TO INCLUDE IN FOIA LEGISLATION.S. 954/H.R. 1947/H.R. 2642, FEDERAL AGRICULTURE REFORM AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013: OPPOSED PROVISIONS IN THE FARM BILL THAT WOULD CREATE UNNECESSARY PRIVACY MEASURES AND UNDERMINE FOIA [H.R. 2642, Pub.L. 11379, WAS SIGNED INTO LAW ON FEBRUARY 7, 2014 WITHOUT THE HARMFUL PROVISIONS]. H.R. 4157, FARMER IDENTITY PROTECTION ACT, OPPOSED UNNECESSARY PRIVACY MEASURES THAT UNDERMINE FOIA AND PUBLIC HEALTH [REFERRE D TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT ON MARCH 11, 2014]. URGED RESPONSE SYSTEMS TO ADULT SEXUAL ASSAULT CRIMES PANEL (RSP) TO OPEN ITS HEARINGS TO THE PUBLIC TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY WITH HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS DEALING WITH THE EPIDEMIC OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY. H.R. 3345, STOP UNWORTHY SPENDING ACT (SUSPEND ACT): SUPPORTED IMPROVING CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY, STRENGTHENING SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT LAWS [H.R. 3345 ORDERED TO BE REPORTED BY VOICE VOTE ON OCTOBER 28, 2013]. H.R. 3316, GRANT ACT, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS FOR INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN GRANTMAKING AND URGED CONGRESS TO SCHEDULE A VOTE [REPORTED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON OCTOBER 29, 2013] H.R. 3317, HOLDING INDIVIDUALS ACCOUNTABLE AND DETERRING MONEY LAUNDERING ACT: SUPPORTED STRENGTHENING OF FEDERAL STATUTES TO DETER MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORISM FINANCING [H.R. 3317 REFERRED TO SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME, TERRORISM, HOMELAND SECURITY, AND INVESTIGATIONS ON JANUARY 9, 2014]. H.R. 2638/S. 1271, FOREIGN AID TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013: SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FUNDS IN THE INTEREST OF GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY [H.R. 2638 REFERRED TO HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON JULY 10, 2013; S. 1271 REPORTED BY SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE ON NOVEMBER 14, 2013]. URGED THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) TO RECLASSIFY BROADBAND ACCESS SERVICES AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION AND BLOCKING ONLINE FOLLOWING A RELATED COURT DECISION. URGED PRESIDENT TO EXPEDITE THE DECLASSIFICATION OF THE REPORT BY THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE (SSCI) ON THE INTERROGATION AND DETENTION PRACTICES OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (CIA) [SSCI WILL VOTE ON RELEASING THE REPORT]. URGED CONGRESS TO RESTORE FUNDING TO THE OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (OTA), AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE FOR CONGRESS. URGED CONGRESS TO MAKE CONGRESSIONAL DATA MORE ACCESSIBLE BY ENSURING THAT TIMELY BILL STATUS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN XML FORMAT AND THAT CONGRESS CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH BULK DATA TASK FORCE. URGED THE REPLACEMENT OF STEVE ASHER AS ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR DEFENSE NUCLEAR SECURITY/CHIEF OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR SECURITY AT THE NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA) OVER CONCERNS ABOUT HIS LACKING LEADERSHIP SKILLS [ASHER IS CURRENTLY ACTING CHIEF OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR SECURITY AT THE NNSA].URGED OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL REGISTER TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY BY ISSUING A FINAL RULE THAT REQUIRES THAT STANDARDS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN PROPOSED RULES AND IN FINAL RULES BE AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON THE INTERNET. H.R. 1133, THE PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DONATION REFORM ACT, SUPPORTED INCREASED TRANSPARENCY FOR FUNDRAISING FOR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES AND URGED CONGRESS TO SCHEDULE A VOTE [H.R. 1133 WAS REPORTED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON JUNE 20, 2013]. H.R. 4245, TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT ACT, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS TO FOIA, POSTING OF CRS REPORTS ONLINE, REQUIRING GREATER ETHICS DISCLOSURES, REQUIRING REPORTS ON FOREIGN LOBBYISTS, IMPROVING USASPENDING.GOV, REQUIRING MORE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE TRANSPARENCY, AND OTHER GOOD GOVERNMENT REFORMS [REFERRED TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON MARCH 13, 2014]. H.R. 1380, ACCESS TO CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED REPORTS ACT, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS THAT STATE THAT ANY REPORT REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS THAT IS RELEASABLE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT MUST BE POSTED ON A WEBSITE MANAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [H.R. 1380 REPORTED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON MARCH 22, 2013]. URGED CONGRESS TO INCREASE OVERSIGHT OF NNSA PROGRAMS. H.R. 4164, SMALL COMPANY DISCLOSURE SIMPLIFICATION ACT, OPPOSED PROVISIONS THAT WOULD NEEDLESSLY EXEMPT 60% OF PUBLIC COMPANIES FROM THE OBLIGATION TO FILE OPEN DATA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), Energy, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Archives & Records Administration (NARA), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

Supported amending the Senate filibuster rules so that a supermajority would no longer be requred to end debate (specifically, Rule XXII and Rule V). Supported the Government By the People Act (H.R. 20), providing for a voluntary system of financing Congressional elections using a mix of small private donations and federal funds and establishing a refundable tax credit to encourage grassroots campaign donations.Supported the Empowering Citizens Act (H.R. 270), providing for a repair of the presidential public financing system, creating a similar public financing system for Congressional races, strengthening rules prohibiting coordinated spending by outside groups and ending individual candidate-specific independent-expenditure only committees (individual candidate-specific "Super PACs"). Supported the Voting Rights Amendment Act (H.R. 3899, S. 1945) to amend the Voting Rights Act in the wake of the Supreme Court's opinion in Shelby County v. Holder. Supported the Supreme Court Ethics Act of 2013 (H.R. 2902, S. 1424) to require the Supreme Court to promulgate a Code of Ethics for the Justices of the Supreme Court that should include the 5 canons of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States, with any amendments or modications that the Supreme Court determines appropriate. Supported the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act (H.R. 1133), to require fundraising organizations to submit quarterly reports on entities that have contributed above a certain threshold towards a presidential library. Opposed the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014 (H.R. 3865) that would mandate a one-year delay in rulemaking by the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service to modify regulations governing standards for "social welfare" organizations under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and candidate-related political activity. Filed comments supporting and opposing different elements of the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service proposed rules to define activities that should constitute candidate-related political activity as distinct from social weflare activities of 501(c)(4) organizations, with an interest in promoting disclosure of political spending. Urged the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department to move forward expenditiously with its rulemaking proceeding and issue necessary new regulations governing electoral activities by tax-exempt 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations in the wake of hundreds of millions of dollars in undisclosed spending through these organizations after the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC. Opposed the Kids First Research Act (H.R. 2019), a bill to repeal public fudning for party presidential nominating conventions. Urged Senators to consider professional diversity in recommending nominees to fill judicial vacancies, including public interest attorneys. Supported the Safeguarding Elections for our Nation's Troops through Reforms and Improvements (SENTRI) Act (S. 1728) to improve voter registration and ballot access opportunities for military and overseas voters.

Client expense: $30,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of

Support campaign finance reform legislation in the House and Senate, including H.R. 148 DISCLOSE 2013 Act and the Empowering Citizens Act, H.R. 270. Support for Senate filibuster reform.Support for repairing the presidential public financing system, establishing a public financing system for congressional races, curbing candidate-specific Super PACs, strengthening disclosure requirements and strengthening rules prohibiting coordination between outside spending groups and candidates. Oppose efforts to repeal or increase the Federal contribution limits. Oppose legislation to repeal the presidential public financing system, including H.R. 2019. Support for legislation to limit role of Leadership PACs by limiting ability of members to convert campaign funds for personal use, including H.R. 3466. Oppose legislation to delay the current rulemaking by the Treasury Department/Internal Revenue Service to modify regulations governing standards for "social welfare" organizations under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, including H.R. 3865. Support for legislation requiring fundraising organizations to submit quarterly reports on entities that have contributed above a certain threshold towards a presidential library, including H.R. 1133, the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act. Support the restoration of the Election Assistance Commission by the President nominating four commissioners.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE