Exerpt from an Associated Press Article Controversial Bill Scales Second Reading in Senate
...Senators have crossed party lines to give overwhelming support to what has been dubbed the NGO bill in it's second reading in the senate. This has now set the stage for the passage of the controversial bill which seeks to revoke the diplomatic status of a number of non-governmental organizations.
Through various loopholes, a number of institutions, generally representing religious, charitable, or financial interests, have been granted status by the U.S. government that is equal to that of other nations. This is despite those institutions not having any sovereign power, official land, populations, or elections. The accountability of these groups is highly questionable.
This bill, introduced by Senator Peter Cho (R-Washington), was suddenly thrust into the spotlight this week, following the official pardon of a high profile fugitive at the request of the NGO known informally as "The Agency". Official sources still have no comment on the pardon and have come out as opposing the Senate bill...