Now, here is a cut from the bill presented to the Senate.
Take special note of and ponder: Sec 201, b, 20, b.
" `(B) VOTING RECORD AND VOTING GUIDE EXCEPTION- The term `express advocacy' does not include a communication which is in printed form or posted on the Internet that--
`(i) presents information solely about the voting record or position on a campaign issue of one or more candidates (including any statement by the sponsor of the voting record or voting guide of its agreement or disagreement with the record or position of a candidate), so long as the voting record or voting guide when taken as a whole does not express unmistakable and unambiguous support for or opposition to one or more clearly identified candidates;
`(ii) is not coordinated activity or is not made in coordination with a candidate, political party, or agent of the candidate or party, or a candidate's agent or a person who is coordinating with a candidate or a candidate's agent, except that nothing in this clause may be construed to prevent the sponsor of the voting guide from directing questions in writing to a candidate about the candidate's position on issues for purposes of preparing a voter guide or to prevent the candidate from responding in writing to such questions; and
`(iii) does not contain a phrase such as `vote for', `re-elect', `support', `cast your ballot for', `(name of candidate) for Congress', `(name of candidate) in (year)', `vote against', `defeat', or `reject', or a campaign slogan or words that in context can have no reasonable meaning other than to urge the election or defeat of one or more clearly identified candidates.'"
Notice that if it can be construed the message advocates something, anything in particular, it is illegal. For instance if the message occurs in the Journal of the NRA, then it advocates a particular position and the message is forbidden! That's what Sec 201, b, 20, b, iii means. That's why Meehan said this and Brady said, this.
Here is an analysis by an org that does this sort of thing. It clearly identifies the gottchas. This whole thing trashes the 1st Amentment in the Bill of Rights. What part of, "Congress shall make NO LAW INHIBITING FREE SPEECH", don't these tyrants get?
Now, don't get me wrong-- S-M clearly violates the first amendment, and I'm totally against it. But even if it becomes law, FR will not be banned.