While Lobbyists can provide many services to the government, what they can and cannot do is strictly governed by the Anti-Lobbying Act. This act was meant to stop agencies from using their money to lobby for certain policies. This means the lobbyists are restricted from engaging in "grassroots" lobbying campaigns, provide administrative support to private lobbyists, or do things like providing information to the media without clear knowledge of it's accuracy. However, despite these restrictions, lobbyists can do many things to try and influence policy. Some of these actions include communicating with members of Congress to influence them to vote one way or another, use speeches in the public to influence the public and gain support, lobby for nominations, and communicate privately with the public to inform them on issues. Lobbyists can also supply information to lawmakers, offer their advice, testify in hearings, and draft bills. These all are services to government officials.
I agree with everything Sydney said but would also like to add some restrictions place on government employees from the Anti-Lobbying Act such as a donation limit of 50,000, also not allowing government officals to participate in grass root lobbying.
While Lobbyists can provide many services to the government, what they can and cannot do is strictly governed by the Anti-Lobbying Act. This act was meant to stop agencies from using their money to lobby for certain policies. This means the lobbyists are restricted from engaging in "grassroots" lobbying campaigns, provide administrative support to private lobbyists, or do things like providing information to the media without clear knowledge of it's accuracy. However, despite these restrictions, lobbyists can do many things to try and influence policy. Some of these actions include communicating with members of Congress to influence them to vote one way or another, use speeches in the public to influence the public and gain support, lobby for nominations, and communicate privately with the public to inform them on issues. Lobbyists can also supply information to lawmakers, offer their advice, testify in hearings, and draft bills. These all are services to government officials.
ReplyDelete^^^My sources include:
DeleteEdwards book and https://ethics.od.nih.gov/topics/lobbying.htm
I agree with everything Sydney said but would also like to add some restrictions place on government employees from the Anti-Lobbying Act such as a donation limit of 50,000, also not allowing government officals to participate in grass root lobbying.
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