Lobbying: From First Amendment to the Obama Era
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The right to lobby has been a hallmark of American democracy since 1791, when the First Amendment, guaranteeing the right to petition the government, was enshrined in the Consitution. In the years since, lobbying has taken on many forms to advance a variety of causes from tariff legislation during the republic's early days to the special interests of political action committees.
By the 20th century, the growing presence of lobbyists in the District led President Woodrow Wilson to say, "This town is swarming with lobbyists, so you can't throw bricks in any direction without hitting one."
Wilson was one of many presidents who attempted to curb lobbyists' influence on legislation and their ability to apply pressure on behalf of private interests.
To learn more about the modern history of lobbying click on the timeline above.
