Lobbying

Lobbying Definition

Lobbying may be defined as the practice of attempting to influence legislation.

Characteristics

Lobbying is performed by agents, called lobbyists, of a particular interested group, known as the lobby. The lobbyist may request votes either for or against pending legislation. The term derives from the way in which these agents formerly confronted legislators in the lobby or hallways directly outside a legislative chamber.

In the United States

Guaranteed by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Article I of which specifies the right of the people to petition their government, lobbying has become an accepted fact of American political life. It operates on the local and state, as well as on the national, level. Lobbyists may represent such varied interests as agriculture, transportation, professions such as medicine and the law, or such groups as women voters or conservationists. Many lobbies maintain offices in state capitals as well as in Washington, D.C., and hire full-time lobbyists. The U.S. Congress passed a Regulation of Lobbying Act in 1946 that requires registration of professional lobbyists, their employers, and their expenses. The measure is one of many state and federal laws that regulate lobbying.

Source: “Lobbing”Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia

See Also

Initiative
Electoral Reform
United States Lawyers Associations
Bicameral System
Bipartisanship
Political Machines
Bureaucracy
Corruption

Introduction to Lobbying

Lobbying, practice of attempting to influence legislation. Lobbying is performed by agents, called lobbyists, of a particular interested group, known as the lobby. The lobbyist may request votes either for or against pending legislation. The term derives from the way in which these agents formerly confronted legislators in the lobby or hallways directly outside a legislative chamber.

Guaranteed by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Article I of which specifies the right of the people to petition their government, lobbying has become an accepted fact of American political life. It operates on the local and state, as well as on the national, level. Lobbyists may represent such varied interests as agriculture, transportation, professions such as medicine and the law, or such groups as women voters or conservationists. Many lobbies maintain offices in state capitals as well as in Washington, D.C., and hire full-time lobbyists. The U.S. Congress passed a Regulation of Lobbying Act in 1946 that requires registration of professional lobbyists, their employers, and their expenses. In 1995 Congress passed the Lobbying Disclosure Act, which expanded the definition of lobbyist and tightened disclosure requirements. Under the act, lobbyists must file semiannual reports disclosing the specific issues they work on, any interests by foreign agencies or businesses in their lobbying activities, and estimates of their lobbying expenses. The measure is one of many state and federal laws that regulate lobbying.” (1)

Concept of Lobbying

Note: explore also the meaning of this legal term in the American Ecyclopedia of Law.

Resources

See Also

• Political Participation
• Interest Groups
• Lobbying

Resources

See Also

• Political Movement
• Social Movement
• Grassroots
• Socialism

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Lobbying in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Lobbying