Lobbying, Lobbyist

A lobbyist is a professional expert or an ordinary citizen who advocates the social, economic, and political interests of public and private groups to legislators. Lobbyists target senators, House representatives, and judges and often involve themselves in legislative and executive processes. Professional lobbyists have skillful methods of connecting with government officials. About half of politicians who leave formal political positions become lobbyists.

Lobbying is the process of influencing politics. During campaign periods and legislative terms, organizations, political unions, companies, and individuals spend millions and even billions of dollars lobbying their interests to government officials and decision makers. There are thousands of interest groups appealing to each single issue regarding the budget, health care, transportation, energy, and defense.