This lobbying legislation was flying in under the radar that would have restricted freedom of speech in the political arena, but Madam of the House Pelosi and Carl Levin can suck an egg, Bloggers win:

“The U.S. Senate has rejected a proposal that may have required some political bloggers to register as lobbyists or face prison time.

By a 55-43 vote on Thursday evening, the senators approved an amendment that dropped a controversial section dictating such regulations from a massive piece of federal lobbying legislation.

Seven Democrats joined 48 Republicans voting in favor of the amendment, which was proposed by Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah). No Republicans voted against the measure.

The Senate went on to vote 96-2 to approve the entire lobbying package, as amended, on Thursday night. The provision removed from that bill, Section 220, would have required certain people engaged in “grassroots lobbying” to register with the government or face civil and criminal penalties, including up to 10 years in prison.”

Those “certain people” would be us bloggers, both of the conservative and liberal persuasion.

Of the aforementioned bi-speckled moron:

“Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) made a last plea on Thursday to save Section 220, which he helped to craft. “This provision is intended to shed light on the dollars being spent by lobbyists,” he said just before the vote on the amendment striking the language. “It in no way affects individuals who want to call or write their member of Congress.”

Ass clown, keep your freaking hands off my freedom to speak from a blog that I maintain and which I pay for.