Question

. As the newly hired lobbyist for an international corporation in Washington, write a brief report on your job explaining at least the following aspects: the nature of lobbying; the importance of access to congress members; the significance of timing; and the controls on lobbying. Give specific examples.

Answer 1

Lobbyist for an international corporation in Washington

Lobbyists are paid individuals, most frequently professionals like lawyers or former members of Congress, who work on behalf of a personal interest or corporation, to influence decisions that are made by our elected officials. They are found on all levels of government - federal, state, and local.

The criteria for state level recognition of a lobbyist varies by state. Once this criteria is met, and an individual can be acknowledged as a lobbyist, he is bound by law to register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives within 45 days of his initial contact with a government official. He is also bound by law to fully disclose all lobbying activity. Initially, the LDA of 1995 worked. However, as time passed, loopholes allowed lobbyists to skirt the registering and reporting requirements of the LDA. In September of 2007, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act was enacted to amend portions of the LDA of 1995. Specifically, this act was used to make reporting and disclosure requirements for lobbyist more stringent in regards to their activities and funding sources. It also restricted the 'gifts' that lobbyists could bestow on members of Congress and employees of their office.

The nature of lobbying; the importance of access to congress members; the significance of timing; and the controls on lobbying

Prior to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, it seemed as though lobbying was the next, immediate step in the career of a congressman. Who knows better how to get around in Congress, and has better connections with the 'powers that be' than former congressional leaders? They were seen as the ideal lobbyist, and easily transitioned from an elected official working for the will of the people, to a well-paid lobbyist working for the will of whoever hired them. There was no time limit on this transition. One could begin lobbying as soon as his congressional duties were complete. The enactment of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act set a time frame for that transition. Now, a congressman must wait two years before they can lobby any person or office in Congress.