Lobbying is an attempt to influence the decisions of government officials. People who try to persuade legislators to vote in a particular way are known as lobbyists. The words refer to the lobby or anteroom outside the room where legislators vote on public bills. Lobbyists also frequently try to influence the decisions of officials in the executive branch. The lobbyist may belong to a group interested in a particular law or be a paid agent of a group that wants certain bills passed or defeated.
Properly used, lobbying can serve a useful purpose. It may be the best organized way in which groups can make their wishes known to legislators. Much government policymaking involves a two-way flow of information between private groups and public officials. But not all lobbying is conducted along these lines. Sometimes the lobbyist may try to persuade a legislator or other government official by offering favors or money. At this point, lobbying becomes bribery (see Bribery ).
Federal and state laws seek to prevent corruption in lobbying. The basic idea of these laws is to make lobbying practices public so that corrupt influences will be uncovered. Federal laws require individuals and groups trying to influence legislation to register. They must report the bills in which they are interested, the groups for which they lobby, the house of Congress or federal agency that they lobby, and their own receipts and expenditures.
Some constitutional questions may arise whenever laws limit or otherwise regulate lobbying. Such questions arise because the Constitution guarantees citizens the right of free speech and the right to petition legislators.
