Activities of the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year

Gao ID: HRD-77-26 January 13, 1977

The activities of the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year were examined from the point of view of the legality of lobbying for the Equal Rights Amendment and funding and staffing by executive agencies. Legislation prohibits the use of appropriated funds for lobbying, but does not clearly define activities subject to this prohibition. This question is before federal courts, and the Commission enjoined from all representations to state or federal representatives pending appeal.

For fiscal years 1975 and 1976, six federal agencies provided the Commission with $245,000, contrary to legislation which prohibits such transfer of funds. Only the Department of State had the authority to transfer funds as a means of carrying out international programs. The use of personnel detailed to the Commission from nine federal agencies was within legal requirements except for one staff assignment totalling $21,234.



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