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In the simplest terms a lobbyist is an advocate. This advocate works on behalf of a particular
cause, group or organization, and this work may be for the benefit of individuals or corporations
and everything in between.
Lobbyists aim to shape policy by influencing policymakers to vote a certain way. A lobbyist asks:
How will this affect my client? Based on the answer to this question – and whether the policy is
beneficial to their cause – the lobbyist sets out to convince legislators why a certain bill should
or should not be passed.
Lobbying is a constitutionally protected right under the First Amendment, which states a right of
the people “to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Every person has the right
to advocacy but not every person has the resources to warrant persuasion.
Many special interest groups, organizations, and corporations have the resources and money to
keep lobbyist on staff to make sure their interests are addressed in DC.
Campaign Finance
Campaign Finance refers to the fundraising and spending that political campaigns do in order to
win an election, such as travel and advertising
Although many contributors support candidates they already agree with, there is wide public
perception that donors may expect illegitimate government favors in return.
Campaign finance reform is the political effort to control the influence of money in politics,
primarily in electoral campaigns.
McCain‐Feingold bill : US Senators John McCain and Russell Feingold fought to reduce the
influence of special interest money in national elections via the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act
(BCRA), more popularly known as the McCain‐Feingold bill. This campaign finance law
prohibited parties from accepting “soft money” (unregulated money with no limits on amounts)
and made parties raise their own funds in “hard money” (regulated money). Though a step in
the right direction, the bill had loopholes . The recent Superme Court case of Citizens United v.
Federal Election Commission has effectively quashed whatever progress the McCain‐Feingold
Act made.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
Citizens United, a coalition of lobby groups that represented making campaign financing more
inclusive for individuals, took the issue of corporate finance in elections to the US Supreme
Court. They believe that corporate money plays too large a role in our elections. On January 21,
2010, the US Supreme Court ruled 5‐4 against Citizens United and thus allowing for corporations
and unions to play an even greater role in the funding of campaigns.
It was a split decision, with a conservative majority citing the First Amendment as precedent in
granting protection to corporations’ free speech and prohibiting congress from infringing on
that right. The dissenters, all liberal leaning Justices, countered with the claim that such a
decision would allow corporations and special interests to highly influence elections with their
money thereby leading to corruption. This decision has essentially nullified the McCain‐Feingold
Act .