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Overview:

National Right to Work Committee (NRWC) Stated Purpose: A coalition of 2.2 million American citizens united by one belief: No one should be forced to pay tribute to a union to get or keep a job. Tax Status: 501(c)(4) Political Orientation: Republican Profile: September 2004 — The National Right to Work Committee (NRWC), which works toward laws that prohibit "compulsory unionism," has used advertisements both to help candidates it supported and to urge incumbents to pursue the organization's objectives. In 2002, the NRWC ran ads attacking six Republican incumbents for refusing to introduce right-to-work legislation.1 Among the targeted lawmakers was Rep. John Cooksey (R-La.), who the group said had pledged to co-author right-to-work legislation. Cooksey was campaigning in the state's U.S. Senate primary at the time. "I believe that before John Cooksey asks the people of Louisiana to choose him as their next Senator, he ought to honor the promises he made as a Congressman," John Tate, an NRWC vice president, said in a news release announcing the ad.2 The group also ran attack ads near Election Day against incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Mark Pryor, a Democratic challenger to a U.S. Senate incumbent in Arkansas.3 The NRWC has reported to the IRS in 2000, 2001 and 2002 that it had zero expenditures for political activities.4 In effect, the group claimed that none of its communications mentioning the names of candidates were intended to influence the outcomes of elections.5 Given that NRWC's ads were typically broadcast close to Election Day, that claim can be questioned. In some cases, the group attacked candidates who held no public office when the ads ran, including ads criticizing U.S. Senate candidates Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in 2000.6 Those ads were part of a $1 million ad campaign by the NRWC.7 The NRWC says it is a coalition of 2.2 million Americans. In each year from 2000 to 2002, the group has received 25 percent to 40 percent of its money from fewer than 175 people or organizations, each of whom gave more than $5,000, according to its reports to the IRS.8 1   Public Citizen's analysis of data contained in the New Stealth PACs database. Data collected from groups' Web sites and annual tax forms, press reports, academic papers on activities of independent political groups and interviews by Public Citizen research staff. 2   "Right To Work Officer: TV Ad Will Urge John Cooksey To Follow Through On Campaign Promises," National Right To Work press release, Aug. 1, 2002. 3   Public Citizen's analysis of data contained in the New Stealth PACs database. Data collected from groups' Web sites and annual tax forms, press reports, academic papers on activities of independent political groups and interviews by Public Citizen research staff. 4   National Right To Work Committee 990 forms, 2000-2002. 5   IRS Form 990 Instructions, Line 81, 2003. (Available at www.irs.gov.) 6   Public Citizen's analysis of data contained in the New Stealth PACs database. Data collected from groups' Web sites and annual tax forms, press reports, academic papers on activities of independent political groups and interviews by Public Citizen research staff. 7   Julie Samuels, "Anti-Union Group Hits Dem Senate Hopefuls," National Journal, Oct. 17, 2000. 8   National Right To Work Committee 990 forms, 2000-2002.