WASHINGTON -- CUNA is keeping a watchful eye over the lobbyingreform bill weaving its way through Congress to ensure it does nothinder their political efforts.

"Originally the concern was over the grassroots provision, whichwas thankfully stripped out of the Senate bill by amendment...andthen it wasn't even printed in the House bill," CUNA Senior VicePresident of Political Affairs Richard Gose said. He explained thatthe provision initially would have expanded the definition ofbundling--currently the aggregating of contributor checks collectedby political action committees to one check--to include the merecollection of checks by PACs like CULAC. This would have triggeredadditional reporting requirements for CULAC to the House and Senatein addition to the Federal Election Commission, which CULAC alreadyreports to. Under the current law, PACs can send contributor checksdirectly on to candidate campaigns without reporting toCongress.

"It's redundant filings and we just don't think it's necessary.We believe there's some unintended consequences there and we'regoing to be working with folks on the conference committee todemonstrate why we think this...not necessary," Gose advocated.

Different versions of the bill have passed the House and Senateand conferees are expected to be named before the month-long Augustrecess.