US Government Wants US Bloggers to Register

Legislation has been proposed in US Congress to enact a law requiring US bloggers with 500+ readers to register with Congress. Via GrassRootsFreedom.com:

Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill currently before the Senate, would require grassroots causes, even bloggers, who communicate to 500 or more members of the public on policy matters, to register and report quarterly to Congress the same as the big K Street lobbyists. Section 220 would amend existing lobbying reporting law by creating the most expansive intrusion on First Amendment rights ever. For the first time in history, critics of Congress will need to register and report with Congress itself.

The bill would require reporting of ‘paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying,’ but defines ‘paid’ merely as communications to 500 or more members of the public, with no other qualifiers.

News.com says the legislation can be viewed here.

Also reported on theInquirer.net, 911 Blogger, and InformationWeek.com .