Question

Should we seek to impose tighter regulations on lobbyists? Why do you think this? Explain your answer with information from the readings. You can also use outside sources to support your answer.

Answer 1

answer-

Yes, i think we should impose tighter regulations on Lobbyists because they act as Influence peddler attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of officials, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is attempting to influence decisions made by a public official — usually to pass or defeat legislation. Lobbyists are professionals hired by a special interest group to represent their interests to Congress.

They think that they are representing their interest in front of government but most of lobbyists have bad reputation that they take money from organization like private organization so that government can pass law or remove law in their favor. Critics charge that the unceasing quest for campaign cash has distorted the political system. The only way to prevent lobbyists and the special interests they represent from dominating the legislative process is to establish the public financing of congressional campaigns. Once campaign contributions are no longer an issue, critics conclude, lobbyists will lose their last effective means of improperly influencing legislation .

Despite the reforms legislated in the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 109 Stat. 691, 2 U.S.C.A. § 1601 et seq., critics of lobbying argue that additional reform is needed. The act addresses disclosure, registration, and a ban on gifts and meals, but it leaves large loopholes, the largest being the ability of lobbyists to make large contributions to the campaign committees of members of Congress. The critics point out the irony of banning small gifts yet permitting senators and representatives to accept $5,000 donations for their campaign committees from POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES controlled by lobbyists. Even more distressing, note critics, is the change this situation has produced in the dynamics between lobbyist and legislator: it is now the legislator who calls the lobbyist, asking for a political contribution.

Lobbyists believe that their activities are protected by the First Amendment. Though the U.S. Supreme Court has never stated that there is a constitutional right to petition the government, supporters of lobbying note that several state supreme courts have acknowledged a fundamental right to do so. Therefore, any regulations on lobbying must be the least restrictive means to further a compelling state interest.