Lobbyist

Anyone who seeks to influence Congress. The 1st Amendment to the Constitution protects the rights of people to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and many people do so through correspondence and personal visits. The term lobbyist, however, usually refers to an individual who performs this task on a full-time basis on behalf of an organized group (such as a labor union, a trade association, a professional organization, or a State or local government) with specified interests. A good lobbyist provides accurate information to the Congress about his organization's area of concern and often is invited to appear as a witness at committee or subcommittee hearings. Often, an organization's lobbyist serves on the governing body of its political action committee (PAC), helping determine the level of political contributions that will go to various congressional Members.