Lobbying in the United States

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Lobbying in the United States
Lyn Withey, Vice PresidentFederal and
International Public Affairs
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History of Lobbying
Origin
- English barons in 1215 were granted the right
to petition King John if they felt their rights
under the Magna Carta were violated.

• In American use in 1829 in NYC and Washington,
  DC
• State Capitol
• Willard Hotel

- As lobbying activity increased, so did interest
in regulating it.

• First disclosure requirement enacted in 1936.

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Lobbying Practicum

• Who are we?
• What is the role of lobbying in the political
  process?
• What do we do and how do we do it?
• What does it mean for you?

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Who are we, the lobbyists?
Lobbying Practicum

• Lobbying today Defined as Efforts to
  influence policy makers, whether legislative or
  executive branch, to take specific actions with
  respect to the introduction, development, or
  passage of legislation, rules, regulations, or
  programs.
• Direct and indirect contact with policy makers
• Preparation, planning, research and background
  work to make such contacts
• Lobbyists individuals who spend at least
  20 of their time engaged in lobbying activities
  over a six-month period.

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Who are we, the lobbyists?
Lobbying Practicum

• Lobbying community covers virtually every
  segment of the population
• Business
• Labor
• Environmental organizations
• Conservation groups
• Teachers
• Health care workers
• Social workers
• Religious organizations
• Foreign governments, states and municipalities

Nearly 25,000 registeredfederal lobbyists in
2003
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Types of Lobbyists
Lobbying Practicum

• In-House - Hired by businesses, labor unions,
  associations, and organizations for the purpose
  of influencing policy on behalf of the
  organization.
• Associations - Employees engaged to lobby on
  behalf of the association members (American
  Forest and Paper Association Business
  Roundtable National Association of
  Manufacturers).

• Coalitions - Formed among groups with
  like-minded interests to influence public policy
  deliberations. (Ex tax coalitions, trade
  coalitions, litigation reform coalitions)

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Types of Lobbyists (cont.)
Lobbying Practicum

• Law Firms Policy advocacy sections represent
  clients on public policy issues and provide
  lobbying services.
• Lobby Firms Boutique, but often sizable,
  groups of professional lobbyists who take on a
  variety of clients either on retention or to
  lobby on a specific issue
• PR Firms Many have recently consolidated with
  lobby firms to provide full service lobbying,
  grassroots, and PR campaigns

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What Role Does it Play in the Political Process?
Lobbying in the U.S.

• Recognized from the earliest days of our
  Republic as a right of citizens to be safeguarded
  and encouraged.
• The First Amendment to the Constitution ensures
  the peoples right to petition the Government
  for a redress of grievances and also guarantees
  the right of association and freedom of speech.
• James Madison Factions, or special
  interests, are essential to real democracy and
  constraints will be achieved by encouraging full
  competition among groups and implementing checks
  and balances through the legislative process.

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What Role Does it Play in the Political Process?
Lobbying in the U.S.
Thomas Jefferson If once the people
become inattentive to the public affairs, you and
I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and
Governors shall all become wolves. I know no
safe depository of the ultimate powers of the
society but the people themselves and if we
think them not enlightened enough to exercise
their control with a wholesome discretion, the
remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform
their discretion.
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What Role Does it Play in the Political Process?
Lobbying in the U.S.

• Serves as an extension of the representative
  process of government.
• Gives a voice to a multitude of interests which
  otherwise might not be expressed or heard.
• Provides a cross-section of views on public
  policy issues, not necessarily limited by party,
  geography, demography, (e.g. Mothers Against
  Drunk Driving) or which may reflect a particular
  societal segment (AARP, NAACP, AMA).
• Provides expertise not readily available to
  policy makers.

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What Role Does it Play in the Political Process?
Lobbying in the U.S.
Lobbyists are, in many cases, expert technicians
and capable of explaining complex and difficult
subjects in a clear, understandable fashion.
Because our congressional representation is based
on geographical boundaries, the lobbyists who
speak for the various economic, commercial and
other functional interests of this country serve
a very useful purpose and have assumed an
important role in the legislative process. -
John F. Kennedy, before becoming President
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What Role Does it Play in the Political Process?
Lobbying in the U.S.

• Participatory democracy is the foundation of our
  political system, and lobbyists are an important
  manifestation of public participation.
• They work to ensure that voices of different
  interests are heard by policy makers.
• Ensure that citizens are informed of the
  positions taken by policy makers, so that the
  citizens can make informed decisions at the polls

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What Do We Do and How?
Lobbying in the U.S.

• Lobbying More than just making direct contact
  with policy makers
• Understand the process of policy making.
• Assess how issues and actions will affect your
  interests.
• Be alert to trends and political reactions which
  can impact your interests
• Assess allied and conflicting interests.

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What Do We Do and How? -
Lobbying in the U.S.
Direct Advocacy

• Develop the most compelling case - not just from
  your perspective but also from that of your
  audience.
• Identify policy makers whom you can seek to
  influence and who can make a difference in the
  outcome.
• If you dont have direct access to key players,
  youll need to assess how to develop access.
• Retain outside help
• Align with others who have common interests and
  access
• Build cases with policy makers with whom you
  have a relationship and have them advocate on
  your behalf.

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What Do We Do and How? -
Lobbying in the U.S.
Indirect Advocacy

• Educate aligned interests (employees, suppliers,
  customers, interest groups) about an issue and
  its potential impact.
• Urge them to contact their policy makers.
• Develop coalitions to support your position
• Initiate media campaigns when necessary

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What Do We Do and How?
Lobbying in the U.S.
Inform Policy Makers of Your Interests

• Dont assume that they know.
• Dont assume that they care.
• Dont assume they will actunless you ask.

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Keys to Success
Lobbying in the U.S.

• Anticipation A continuous assessment of
  political developments pertaining to your
  interests will prevent surprises.
• Preparation Building personal relationships
  with policy makers and staff before you have a
  problem is crucial.
• Share good news about your country, people,
  business, relations with the US
• House caucuses
• Understand all sides of the issue.
• Know the Force Alignment Whos on your side?
  Where is the opposition?

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Keys to Success (cont.)
Lobbying in the U.S.

• Understand the process

• Assess the level of response you will need
• Networking and coalition building - Who shares
  your interests?
• Communication It must be two-way. Must listen
  as well as speak. Be prepared to find areas of
  common interest or compromise.
• Strategic agility Be able to develop
  alternative paths to a single objective. Be
  flexible to adapt to changing circumstances,
  winds, and political forces.

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Keys to Success (cont.)
Lobbying in the U.S.

• The most important element is integrity.
• Be sure that the information you provide is
  truthful and not misleading.
• Show your awareness of other points of view and
  contrary arguments.
• Keep your interest in perspective of other
  issues and priorities for your target audience.
• Dont personalize your positions or issues.
• Maintain positive relationseven when you
  disagree.
• Remember alliances constantly shift todays
  adversary could be tomorrows ally.