The fate of the Istook amendment, which would restrict the lobbying and advocacy activities of recipients of federal grants, is still pending. Printed below is an excerpt from a report drafted by the National Humanities Alliance (NHA) on November 9:

In a narrow vote of 216 to 210, the House declined to overturn the closed rule which prevented separate votes on amendments to the Continuing Resolution. An effect of the vote was to leave the Istook Amendment to restrict lobbying [and] advocacy by recipients of federal grants attached to the Continuing Resolution. Despite enormous pressure from the House GOP leadership, 17 moderate Republicans voted against the rule. The House vote means that the Continuing Resolution also includes the abolition of the Commerce Department, a measure the president has said he would veto should it reach his desk. If Congress sends the president a continuing resolution that he vetoes due to unacceptable attached provisions, the federal government will close down at midnight next Monday (November 13).

The Continuing Resolution now moves to the Senate where the Istook Amendment enjoys less popularity. Reports from the Let America Speak Coalition (to which the Nl1A belongs) are that the Senate is scheduled to begin discussion of the Continuing Resolution at noon today. All members of Congress can be reached through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. For additional details, contact the NHA at (202) 296-4994, or nhainfo@cni.org.