The National Association of Manufacturers on Monday angled for borrowed time in its effort to resist complying with a new lobbying disclosure requirement it says would violate its constitutional rights.

[IMGCAP(1)]After a federal appeals court denied the group’s request for an emergency injunction against enforcement of the disclosure rule, NAM filed its quarterly lobbying report with that section missing. In its place, the group placed a statement noting its ongoing litigation. “We thought that was the appropriate response to put in on the form today,” NAM General Counsel Jan Amundson said.

Meanwhile, the group asked the U. S. Supreme Court to step in while it pursues an appeal of its suit, which was tossed out earlier this month by a federal judge in D.C.

At issue is a section of the lobbying reform bill aimed at forcing so-called stealth coalitions to name their financial backers. NAM says the provision will force it to disclose its members, possibly subjecting them to harassment as a result.

Amundson said the law provides the group 60 days to amend its report. Pam Gavin, who runs the Senate Office of Public Records, which oversees compliance with the lobbying disclosure laws, declined to comment. NAM named the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in its suit.

– Tory Newmyer