NeighborWorks Public Policy Congressional and Regulatory Documents

Comparison of Various Anti-Foreclosure Bills and Proposals, April 29, 2008, [PDF]
Congressional Testimony
Budget Justification
Congressional Calendars

Acceptable Political and Lobbying Activity for Non-profit Organizations

Status of Appropriation

Tips for Getting a Member of Congress to an Event
Comment Letters

Congressional Testimony

Statement of Kenneth D. Wade, Chief Executive Officer NeighborWorks America, Before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on Financial Literacy [PDF]
May 1, 2008

Budget Justification

Neighborhood Reinvestment FY 2009 Budget Justification (February 2008)

Congressional Calendars

Acceptable Political and Lobbying Activity for Non-profit Organizations

About Nonprofit Advocacy and Lobbying, information from the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest
IRS Reports on Political Activity Compliance Initiative
Internal Revenue Service officials have released a report, with executive summary, on the agency's examination of political activity by tax-exempt organizations during the 2004 election campaign. The report found some level of prohibited political activity by section 501(c)(3) organizations in nearly three-quarters of the cases reviewed.
In connection with the report, the IRS is also unveiling new procedures for the 2006 election season, which provide additional guidance to charities regarding political activities. As part of its approach to combating this activity, the IRS has begun its educational and enforcement efforts to help ensure that charities have enough advance notice of the statutory rules against engaging in political activities.

http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=154622,00.html

Status of Appropriation

The FY2008 appropriation bill, signed into law by President Bush, December 27, 2007, includes $119,800,000 for Neighborhood Reinvestment, DBA NeighborWorks America, of which $5 million is for a multi-family rental housing program. An additional amount of $180,000,000 was made available to NeighborWorks America for mortgage foreclosure mitigation activities.

Tips for Getting a Member of Congress to an Event

Members of Congress and their staff are often eager to meet with the people they represent and often attend important events in their districts. Sitting down and talking with your elected representative or inviting them to an important event are the most effective means of getting your message heard.

Here are five things to remember when planning a visit or event:

Plan early! The sooner you plan your trip or event the better - public officials' schedules fill up rapidly. Submit your request to them at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance.
Provide as many event details as possible. For events, you’ll need to include a detailed schedule.
Ensure a sizeable audience. To attract a member of Congress to the event, it should have a high level of importance and have a sizeable audience with an opportunity for press to attend.
Be Flexible. You’ll also need to be open to adjusting the date or time of your event to accommodate their schedules.
Know their public schedule. Members of Congress generally reserve Fridays through Mondays to visit with people back home. They also have congressional recesses when they are in their districts for longer periods of time. See Congressional Calendars.

Comment Letters

NeighborWorks America comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Board [PDF, 60 KB] on the proposed Affordable Housing Program Amendments at 12 CFR Part 951
NAAHL’s CRA Comment Letter, [PDF, 161 KB] (January 10, 2006)
NAAHL’s Comments on the Joint, Interagency Proposed CRA Rule Changes
[PDF, 130 KB] (May 10, 2005)

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