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To '''lobby''' in [[American]] [[politics]] means to talk to [[legislator]]s in private to convince them to vote a certain way on specific [[legislation]]. As a noun, a "lobby" is an organization that lobbies legislatures, either for pay from a sponsor or as a public service.  A lobbyist works for an '''interest group'''.  A record nearly $4 billion, not million, was spent in 2021 “to lobby [[Congress]] and federal agencies. Some special interests retain lobbying firms, many of them located along Washington's legendary K Street; others have lobbyists working in-house.”<ref>https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying</ref>

To '''lobby''' in [[American]] [[politics]] means to talk to [[legislator]]s in private to convince them to vote a certain way on specific [[legislation]]. "Lobby" is a verb, and the corresponding noun is "lobbyist" that is a person or firm that lobbies legislatures, either for pay from a sponsor or as a public service.  A lobbyist works for an '''interest group'''.  A record nearly $4 billion, not million, was spent in 2021 “to lobby [[Congress]] and federal agencies. Some special interests retain lobbying firms, many of them located along Washington's legendary K Street; others have lobbyists working in-house.”<ref name="Lobby">https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying</ref>

In recent decades thousands of lobbyists are at work in [[Washington D.C.]] for every possible interest.  Lobbyists are also active in all the state capitols.  Many lobbyists are former members of [[Congress]] or former staffers.

In recent decades thousands of lobbyists are at work in [[Washington D.C.]] for every possible interest, totaling more than 12,000 as of 2021.<ref name="Lobby"/> Lobbyists are also active in all the state capitols.  Many lobbyists are former members of [[Congress]] or former staffers.

Since 1900 lobbying has became a [[legal]], regulated institution in America. In 1946 for example, Congress required the registration of lobbyists. Key to the process leading up to lobbying's institutionalization and regulation were the congressional investigations of lobbyists in 1913, 1927–28, 1935–38, and the 1950s, which revealed the methods lobbyists used.  This information has helped shape legislation aimed at reducing [[corruption]] and lending transparency to the legislative process. Since 1990, American states have adopted a variety of reforms to regulate lobbying in an attempt to address a host of [[ethical]] issues.  

Since 1900 lobbying has became a [[legal]], regulated institution in America. In 1946 for example, Congress required the registration of lobbyists. Key to the process leading up to lobbying's institutionalization and regulation were the congressional investigations of lobbyists in 1913, 1927–28, 1935–38, and the 1950s, which revealed the methods lobbyists used.  This information has helped shape legislation aimed at reducing [[corruption]] and lending transparency to the legislative process. Since 1990, American states have adopted a variety of reforms to regulate lobbying in an attempt to address a host of [[ethical]] issues.