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Actually, Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) organizations, which ASTRA is according to its own description, may spend any amount of money on lobbying, but there could be adverse tax consequences for membership dues, etc.

For that reason, most of them are organized as 501(c)(6) entities, or many other such things. Unions are (c)(4)'s. They are tax exempt. They lobby. Trade groups are normally (c)(6)'s. They are tax exempt. They lobby. The list could go on and on.

Further, please don't confuse lobbying with “advocacy.” ASTRA has asked its “Friends” to weigh in on this one, has suggested why it support the package — because of the so-called extension of the much needed R&E tax credit and the alternative energy tax credit — but even if that is construed as 'Lobbying” which I don't believe it is, its activities are well within the so-called safe harbor rule which the prior comment states is 5%.

Readers should know that when a membership organization urges its own adherents to say something to elected officials, that is called “grassroots” lobbying, and nothing, except repeal of the U.S. Constitution, or some Supreme Court case to void this cherished First Amendment “RIGHT TO PETITION.” Nothing precludes the right of ASTRA's own members to voice their positions to elected officials, except perhaps erroneous information about what they can and cannot do.

Find out more about ASTRA at http://www.usinnovation.org or its other Site http://www.aboutastra.org