Our old foe*, former state Sen. David Fowler, now president of the Family Action Council of Tennessee (FACT) and Family Action of Tennessee (FAT) -- which are Focus on the Family affiliates -- has been doing some illegal lobbying.
The law forbids former lawmakers from lobbying during their first year of retirement.
Fowler says he is not lobbying.
Among other actions, Fowler sent out an email alert asking his supporters "to fill out an electronic form letter" urging legislators on the Senate Judiciary Committee to support a bill which would place restrictions on RU-486.
According to the ethics law, "to lobby means 'to communicate, directly or indirectly, with any official in the legislative branch or executive branch for the purpose of influencing any legislative action or administrative action.'"
Fowler might want to come up with a new defense.
Here's the form letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee which Fowler claims is 'not lobbying' or not a communication with the purpose of influencing any legislative action:
"RU-486 is not only an abortifacient, but it is dangerous for women. Making sure women receive the information required by the FDA allows them to better judge whether to take the drug and whether the abortionist is following the FDA protocol. Further, requiring an ultrasound is essential to dating the pregnancy and saving the lives of women who may have an ectopic pregnancy. Please vote for the bill and do not support any amendment that would remove the ultrasound requirement."
Notice that the form letter is found on a web page from FACT's "sister organization, Family Action of Tennessee, Inc", and that the page features David Fowler's photo. The form letter is accompanied by a full page of anti RU-486 text, headlined with: "Your immediate action is urgently requested. . . David Fowler, President" (captured above).
Lest the page vanish, I have saved it. I also have the email.
FACT is a 501(c)(3), while FAT, Inc. is a501(c) (4).
Here's my previous post about Fowler's campaign against RU-486; it includes an excerpt from Fowler's email and the link to the form letter.
Fowler is also in charge of the heterosexist Real Marriage Org, which he used in his position as leader of last year's successful anti gay marriage crusade here in Tennessee.
*Scroll down at the linked page for some of TGW's previous posts about Fowler.
Hat tip to Volunteer Voters
David Fowler Lobbyist Illegal Lobbyist Abortion RU-486 Tennessee Politics News Reproductive Rights Feminism Gay Radical Right
