Lobbying Guides
In-depth, data-driven guides on how lobbying works, where the money flows, and how to track corporate influence on federal policy.
All Guides
How Lobbying Works in Washington: A Complete Guide
From registration to quarterly filings, understand the mechanics of federal lobbying -- who lobbies, how they do it, and what gets disclosed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
Money in Politics: Where It Comes From and Where It Goes
Trace the flow of money from corporate treasuries and wealthy donors through PACs, Super PACs, dark money groups, and lobbying firms to the halls of Congress.
How to Track Corporate Influence on Policy
A practical guide to using public data sources -- LDA filings, FEC records, FARA registrations, and financial disclosures -- to follow the money and measure corporate lobbying power.
Looking for definitions?
Our glossary covers 30+ lobbying, campaign finance, and government influence terms with detailed explanations.
Browse the glossary →Frequently Asked Questions
How does lobbying work in the United States?
Federal lobbying involves paid professionals contacting members of Congress and executive branch officials on behalf of clients to influence legislation and policy. Organizations must register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act and file quarterly spending reports with the Senate.
How can I track corporate lobbying?
Federal lobbying disclosures are publicly available through the Senate LDA database at lda.senate.gov. LobbySpend aggregates this data and calculates Influence Scores for 500+ organizations, making it searchable by company, industry, and policy issue.