Skip to content

Lobbying is the work of trying to influence lawmakers and other officials on behalf of a person, company, or cause. It is a recognized part of how policy gets made, and it also raises concerns about money and access. Lobbyists, the people and companies that hire them, Congress, agencies, and ethics offices all take part, and rules govern how the activity is reported and limited.

6articles
September 16last updated

An independent team explaining how government works

GovFacts is a nonpartisan site that makes government concepts, policies and programs easier to understand and use.

Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.

The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »

Topics in Lobbying

All Articles on Lobbying

Big Tech’s Push to Stop States From Regulating AI

As generative AI affects every sector of the economy, from healthcare diagnostics to creative industries, the legal frameworks governing these technologies are in a…

31 Min Read

How Lobbying Became a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

From hotel lobbies where early petitioners sought lawmakers to today's sophisticated K Street operations, the American influence industry has undergone a dramatic transformation. What…

27 Min Read

How Washington Lobbying Works

Lobbying is the professionalization of a basic American right: petitioning the government. Most people associate the word with backroom deals and special interests buying…

50 Min Read

How Nonprofits Shape Policy: The Power of Advocacy vs. Lobbying

Every year, thousands of nonprofit organizations work to influence government decisions—from local school board meetings to Capitol Hill. Yet many people, including those working…

50 Min Read

Who Really Makes Policy: Iron Triangles vs. Policy Networks

U.S. policymaking can often seem like a complicated maze, a process shrouded in mystery where decisions affecting millions are made. Many different individuals, groups,…

41 Min Read

Lobbying vs. Grassroots Advocacy: How Citizens Can Influence Government

When Americans want to influence government policy, they have two main paths: professional lobbying or grassroots advocacy. While both aim to shape decisions in…

23 Min Read