The Federal Election Commission, Free Speech, and Internet Blogs

Republicans Scramle to Protect Lucrative Turf
Elliot Rosewater Reporting
The House of Representatives is considering a bill that would exclude Internet blogs that deal with political issues subject to Federal Election Commission regulation. The backers, largely Republican, say the bill would prevent creation of court-mandated rulemaking to govern political speech and campaign-related spending on the Internet.
The Republican's, led by Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R, TX), cited first amendment issues in their support in excluding the Internet from undue regulation, "I fear that bloggers one day could be fined for improperly linking to a campaign Web site, or merely forwarding a candidate's press release to an e-mail list."
Opposition to the exclusion bill was led by Rep. Marty Meehan (D,Mass) and Rep. Christopher Shays (R,CONN). They were the chief architects of the recent campaign finance law that banned unlimited "soft money" contributions, funneled through issue support groups to corporations, unions and individuals to promote special campaign interest of candidates.
Other members of the house have offered little support or opposition to the bill. Senator Lugar (R,IN)., when asked his opinion on excluding e-mail, the Internet and blogging, he replied, "I think the e-mill and the Internet should be excluded. The prison population in Guantanamo doesn't need those things at all. I do, however, think the blogging should continue."