Church of Scientology US Lobbying

Lobbying in the United States describes paid and pro bono activity in which special interests hire well-connected professional advocates, typically lawyers and former bureaucrats, to argue for or against specific legislation and regulations in decision-making bodies of government. It is a highly controversial phenomenon, often seen in a negative light by journalists and the American public when corporations use lobbying as a means of gaining influence for the benefit of their own profitable. While the bulk of lobbying happens by business and professional interests who hire paid professionals, some lobbyists represent non-profits pro bono for social issues. Pro bono lobbyists typically coordinate advocacy activities to sway public opinion, form like-minded coalitions for promoting a common cause and socialize with local legislators at events like fundraisers and awards ceremonies. Public disclosure documentation shows that the Church of Scientology lobbying activities primarily focuses on two areas: corporate interests related to swaying legislation and regulatory actions that financially benefits one or more of their organizations; and foreign policy leverage for enlisting help when other countries deny them the same non-profit tax breaks or religious freedoms they enjoy in the United States.

Annual spending summary

The Church of Scientology has a long history of using lobbyists to gain influence and special interest protections. Their efforts significantly increased after gaining tax exempt status from the IRS in 1993 with annual spending ranging in the high six-digit figures and cumulative totals topping $1 million dollars for a period of 5-6 years. Public records currently available online from the Center for Responsive Politics, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate reflect a downward trend in recent years for money spent by Scientology entities where it took a dozen years for cumulative annual spending to top $1 million dollars.

Religious Technology Center

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=F22357

Church of Scientology International

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000048670

Church of Spiritual Technology

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=F3734

Citizens Commission of Human Rights

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=F51254

Cumulative totals

Agents and emissaries

(add lobbyists by corp + meta info, quick reference table)

Focus of lobbyist activity

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Common issues

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Targeted legislation

• National Criminal Justice Commission Act
• International Religious Freedom Act of 1998
• Religious Freedom Restoration Act
• Second Chance Act
• Religious Worker Visa Extension Act
• Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program Act
• Prison Litigation Reform Act
• Trans-Atlantic Religious Protection Act
• Freedom to Trade Act
• Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

See also

• Direct Lobbying in the United States article from Wikipedia
• Lobbying in the United States article from Wikipedia

External links

• US House of Representatives Public Disclosure Search
• US Senate Lobbying Database Search