Constitutional Law – Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act – Vague and Indefinite Language as Violation of First and Fifth Amendment

Defendants were charged with violation of the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act because of failure to register as lobbyists under provisions of section 308 and to report expenditures as directed by section 305. The lower court found these sections of the statute unconstitutional and dismissed the information. On appeal, held, the act is not so vague and indefinite as to violate the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment; nor does it violate the First Amendment. The penalty provision of section 310(b) is not objectionable as a deprivation of First Amendment rights since it is separable. United States v. Harriss, 347 U.S. 612, 74 S.Ct. 808 (1954).