Every bill introduced in Congress is invariably supported and opposed by a few DC lobbying firms on either side of the argument. Every special interest, foreign power, industry association and large corporation has its own army of lobbyists ready to fight for their rights. Lobbyists are legally allowed to entertain and meet with politicians, subject to rules that limit quid pro quo arrangements, gifts and campaign contributions.
As of 2011, there were 12,220 registered lobbyists. A majority have offices in Washington's legendary K Street. These lobbyists currently collect around $3.5 billion per year from their clients. Between 1998 and 2010, around $28.92 billion has been spent on lobbyists, and this does not include campaign contributions.
There's potential for both good and bad when it comes to lobbyists. It is a legal way for industry sectors, associations and activist organizations to lobby the federal government and exercise the right to petition enshrined in the Constitution's First Amendment. On the other hand, there have been waves of scandals over the years involving politicians, Congressional aides and lobbyists.
But an established legal system like this provides a lot of transparency since the rules require lobbyists to register 6-monthly reports of their activities. The report requires listing of major expenses along with the legislation for which it was spent. Client names have to be disclosed, and so do meetings with federal agencies.
Despite these stronger ethics rules, lobbyists still manage to find loopholes in the law. There is at least one scandal every decade that ends badly, with politicians, their aides and the lobbyists involved convicted and sent to prison. There is a revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street, with Congressional aides becoming lobbyists and then coming back in to become aides again.
Congressional aides become lobbyists to lobby their former bosses and then come back to work on Capitol Hill. There are also a whole lot of former Senators and Representatives who are now lobbyists. With personal relations and first-hand knowledge of how legislation is crafted on Capitol Hill, these DC lobbying firms are capable of directing billions of dollars and inserting language favorable to clients into bills.
As of 2011, there were 12,220 registered lobbyists. A majority have offices in Washington's legendary K Street. These lobbyists currently collect around $3.5 billion per year from their clients. Between 1998 and 2010, around $28.92 billion has been spent on lobbyists, and this does not include campaign contributions.
There's potential for both good and bad when it comes to lobbyists. It is a legal way for industry sectors, associations and activist organizations to lobby the federal government and exercise the right to petition enshrined in the Constitution's First Amendment. On the other hand, there have been waves of scandals over the years involving politicians, Congressional aides and lobbyists.
But an established legal system like this provides a lot of transparency since the rules require lobbyists to register 6-monthly reports of their activities. The report requires listing of major expenses along with the legislation for which it was spent. Client names have to be disclosed, and so do meetings with federal agencies.
Despite these stronger ethics rules, lobbyists still manage to find loopholes in the law. There is at least one scandal every decade that ends badly, with politicians, their aides and the lobbyists involved convicted and sent to prison. There is a revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street, with Congressional aides becoming lobbyists and then coming back in to become aides again.
Congressional aides become lobbyists to lobby their former bosses and then come back to work on Capitol Hill. There are also a whole lot of former Senators and Representatives who are now lobbyists. With personal relations and first-hand knowledge of how legislation is crafted on Capitol Hill, these DC lobbying firms are capable of directing billions of dollars and inserting language favorable to clients into bills.
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