How Does Lobbying REALLY Work?

Summary

This video explores the lucrative world of lobbying, a $3.7 billion industry where professionals earn an average of $112k annually. Lobbyists influence politicians on behalf of diverse clients, from corporations to non-profits. Despite its legal and constitutional roots, lobbying's association with big money raises equity concerns. The video highlights the power dynamics, with examples like the pharmaceutical industry's influence, and contrasts it with a lobbyist's success story for environmental conservation. It concludes with a call for lobbying reform for a more equitable democracy.

Takeaways

• 💼 Lobbying is a 3.7 billion dollar industry with an average lobbyist earning around 112k a year.
• 🗣️ Lobbyists are individuals who influence politicians to pass or oppose laws and policies on behalf of their clients, which can range from corporations to non-profits.
• 💰 Critics argue that the involvement of money in lobbying raises equity issues, as those who can afford to hire lobbyists have a louder voice in government policy.
• 🏛️ Historically, lobbying has been part of the democratic process, allowing citizens to petition the government for grievances, protected by the First Amendment.
• 💵 The pharmaceutical industry is a significant spender on lobbying, with companies like those in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce leading the way in 2021.
• 🌳 There are lobbyists who advocate for non-business causes, such as environmental conservation, as exemplified by The Nature Conservancy.
• 🎣 Successful lobbying often involves building relationships and understanding the political landscape, as illustrated by Tom's work securing funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
• 🚫 Calls for lobbying reform include banning lobbyists from fundraising and increasing transparency to address the influence of money in politics.
• 🤝 Lobbying is seen as essential in a gridlocked Congress, with lobbyists using various methods to influence policy beyond just financial means.
• 💭 The video suggests that while lobbying has its critics, it also plays a role in facilitating policy changes and can be used for a variety of causes, not just business interests.

Q & A

What is the annual income of an average lobbyist?

The average lobbyist takes home approximately $112,000 a year.

What is the total revenue of the lobbying industry?

The lobbying industry is a 3.7 billion dollar industry.

Who are the clients that professional lobbyists represent?

Professional lobbyists represent a wide range of clients including big corporations, trade associations, unions, non-profits, and even specific interest groups like the US Association for Reptile Keepers.

What is the historical origin of the term 'lobbyist'?

The term 'lobbyist' dates back to when people would wait in the lobbies of government offices to try to catch lawmakers' ears.

How does the money involved in lobbying raise concerns?

The involvement of money in lobbying raises concerns about equity issues, as it allows those who can afford to hire lobbyists to have a greater influence on government policy, potentially overshadowing the interests of the general public.

What was the outcome of the bill that aimed to allow the federal government to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies?

Despite public support, the bill did not pass and died on the Senate floor, influenced by heavy lobbying from pharmaceutical companies.

Who were the top spenders on lobbying in 2021?

The top spenders on lobbying in 2021 included the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, land owners, the National Association of Realtors, and pharmaceutical research and manufacturers of America.

How does Tom, the lobbyist for The Nature Conservancy, approach his job?

Tom, a lobbyist for The Nature Conservancy, often takes politicians out for activities like fishing or hiking to build relationships and influence policy, leading to significant wins like the Great American Outdoors Act.

What was the Great American Outdoors Act and what did it achieve?

The Great American Outdoors Act secured 900 million dollars a year from the government's oil and gas revenue to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, supporting conservation efforts.

What are some proposed reforms to address equity issues in lobbying?

Proposed lobbying reforms include banning lobbyists from fundraising and increasing transparency in the industry to level the playing field for various interest groups.

What does the host suggest as a potential lobbying cause for the benefit of the general public?

The host humorously suggests lobbying for a four-day work week and government-provided money as potential causes for the general public's benefit.

Outlines

00:00

💼 Lobbying 101: The Business of Influence

This paragraph introduces lobbying as a lucrative industry, with an average lobbyist earning $112,000 a year. It explains that lobbyists are individuals who persuade politicians to pass or oppose laws and policies on behalf of their clients, which can range from corporations to non-profits. The paragraph also touches on the historical roots of lobbying and its connection to the First Amendment right to petition the government. The critique of lobbying centers on the influence of money in politics, with lobbyists legally able to host fundraisers and donate to political campaigns, leading to concerns about equity in who can afford to influence policy.

05:05

🌳 Lobbying for the Environment: A Success Story

The second paragraph presents a case study of Tom, a lobbyist for The Nature Conservancy, an environmental non-profit. It describes his approach to lobbying, which includes building relationships and taking politicians on outdoor activities to foster bipartisan support. A significant achievement mentioned is the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, which secured $900 million annually for land and water conservation from government oil and gas revenue. The narrative illustrates the strategic use of political currency and personal connections, such as shifting lobbying efforts to a senator with more influence due to an upcoming re-election. The paragraph also addresses the broader issue of lobbying equity, suggesting that while money plays a role, personal influence and relationship-building are equally important.

Keywords

💡Lobbyist

A lobbyist is an individual who seeks to influence decisions made by government officials in favor of a particular interest or group. In the video, the term is used to describe professionals who engage with politicians to advocate for the passage or opposition of laws and policies. The video discusses the lucrative nature of lobbying, with the average lobbyist earning a significant income, and the potential ethical concerns surrounding the influence of money in this profession.

💡Schmooze

To schmooze means to engage in casual, friendly conversation with the aim of winning someone's favor or support. In the context of the video, it humorously suggests the way lobbyists might interact with politicians to persuade them to support certain bills or policies. The video uses this term to illustrate the social aspect of lobbying.

💡Equity issues

Equity issues refer to concerns about fairness and justice, particularly in terms of who has access to resources or opportunities. The video raises equity issues in the context of lobbying, pointing out that large corporations and wealthy entities can afford to hire lobbyists, which may lead to an imbalance in the representation of interests and potentially skew government policies in their favor.

💡Fundraising

Fundraising in the political context involves collecting financial resources to support a campaign or cause. The video mentions that it is legal for lobbyists to organize fundraisers for politicians, which can lead to relationships that may influence political decisions. This practice is highlighted as a point of contention regarding the integrity of the political process.

💡Campaign spending

Campaign spending refers to the financial resources used by political candidates to run for office. The video provides an example of the high costs associated with political campaigns, noting the staggering amount of money projected to be spent during an election cycle. This financial aspect is linked to the necessity for politicians to engage with lobbyists for fundraising purposes.

💡First Amendment

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The video connects the historical roots of lobbying to this constitutional right, suggesting that lobbying is a form of petitioning the government, albeit one that has evolved into a sophisticated and often controversial industry.

💡Lobbying reform

Lobbying reform refers to proposed changes to the practices and regulations governing lobbying activities. The video touches on the calls for such reforms, such as banning lobbyists from fundraising and increasing transparency, to address the perceived imbalances and ethical concerns in the lobbying industry.

💡Political currency

In the context of the video, 'political currency' is a metaphor for the influence or leverage a politician has, often due to their position or upcoming election. The video discusses how lobbyists need to identify and engage with politicians who have significant political currency to advance their causes effectively.

💡Great American Outdoors Act

The Great American Outdoors Act is a piece of legislation mentioned in the video as a significant win for conservation efforts. The act secured funding for land and water conservation, illustrating how lobbying can be used to achieve policy victories that benefit the public interest, not just corporate interests.

💡Public interest groups

Public interest groups are organizations that advocate for the welfare of the general public rather than for private or corporate interests. The video contrasts these groups with businesses that typically have more resources to spend on lobbying. It also highlights the challenges these groups face in influencing policy due to fewer financial resources.

💡Transparency

Transparency in the context of the video refers to the openness and clarity of the lobbying process. The video suggests that increasing transparency could be part of lobbying reform, allowing the public to better understand the activities of lobbyists and the potential impact on government decisions.

Highlights

Lobbying is a $3.7 billion industry with the average lobbyist earning $112k a year.

Lobbyists are individuals who influence politicians to pass or oppose laws and policies on behalf of clients.

Lobbying clients range from large corporations to trade associations, unions, and non-profits.

The term 'lobbyist' dates back to when people would wait in government office lobbies to influence lawmakers.

Lobbying is protected by the First Amendment as a form of petitioning the government.

Critiques of lobbying often focus on the influence of money in the political process.

It's legal for lobbyists to host fundraisers for politicians and donate to campaigns.

Campaign spending for the 2022 midterm elections was projected to exceed $9.3 billion.

Equity issues arise as only those who can afford lobbyists have significant influence on policy.

Pharmaceutical companies spent heavily to lobby against a bill allowing federal drug price negotiation.

The top spenders on lobbying in 2021 were the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, land owners, and pharmaceutical companies.

Lobbying is not just about money; it involves building relationships and understanding political power dynamics.

The Nature Conservancy, an environmental non-profit, successfully lobbied for the Great American Outdoors Act.

Lobbying involves identifying key political figures with the power to influence legislation.

The Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law after bipartisan support and presidential approval.

Calls for lobbying reform include banning lobbyists from fundraising and increasing industry transparency.

Lobbying is essential to the functioning of the Republic, despite the need for reform to address equity issues.

Transcripts

hey you want to make a lot of money become a  lobbyist what up bro miles best here journalist  

host and someone who could use a little extra  cash now you've all heard about lobbyists right  

they get paid to schmooze with Congressman  congressmen I know you want to pass this bill  

man do you want a shrimpy yeah I have a shrimpy  yeah you gotta pass that bill though huh oh yeah  

totally that sounds like a great idea actually  yeah yeah that's right Congressman passed that  

bill enjoy that shrimpy cheers so maybe it's  not exactly like that but lobbying is a 3.7  

billion dollar industry and your average  lobbyist is taking home 112k a year hmm  

it's not too shabby now my gut is telling me  that all this money Changing Hands is a little  

fishy what's that good yeah yeah I hear you  and I'm gonna get to the bottom of this just  

for you so today we're asking what the heck  do lobbyists do and are they really that bad

okay so long story short lobbyists are just people  who talk to politicians to try to get them to pass  

or oppose laws and other policies professional  lobbyists do that on behalf of their clients and  

those clients can range from Big corporations  trade associations unions non-profits it's  

literally a lobbyist job to influence government  officials to get them to adopt policies that are  

favorable to their clients and there are thousands  of different groups that either have lobbyists  

working directly for them or hire lobbyists from  Big lobbying firms even reptiles have lobbyists  

that's a true story the US Association for reptile  Keepers has spent ten thousand dollars on lobbying  

so far in 2022. now the term goes way back to  when people would literally wait in the lobbies of  

government offices to try to catch lawmakers ears  at its core it's a way for citizens to petition  

the government for a redress of grievances which  is a right that's protected by the First Amendment  

okay so that's what lobbyists are but are they  bad so a lot of the critiques of lobbying come  

down to how money money money money is involved in  the process this it's totally legal for lobbyists  

to throw big fundraisers for politicians and  they themselves can actually personally donate  

to campaigns it's insanely expensive to run  for office I mean campaign spending for the  

2022 midterm election cycle is projected to exceed  9.3 billion dollars that's like buying a quarter  

of Twitter as political reports representative  Virginia Fox from North Carolina hosts a brunch  

Bunch which costs a thousand dollars to go to one  2500 to go to three and five thousand dollars to  

go to seven seems like a sweet deal politicians  raise money for their campaigns and lobbyists get  

to build relationships with lawmakers a win-win  for lobbyists and politicians and all this brings  

up some serious Equity issues when it comes to who  can afford to hire lobbyists and ultimately whose  

voice gets to influence government policy let  me tell you a quick Story Once Upon a Time polls  

showed that 80 to 90 percent of Americans favored  allowing the federal government to negotiate with  

pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices  I mean the only thing that's more popular is  

the rock so let lucky for Americans Congress was  debating a bill which would do just that easy win  

right it didn't pass it died on the senate floor  pharmaceutical companies spent big money lobbying  

Congress to fight this bill I bet y'all didn't  see that coming on so I looked up who the biggest  

Spenders on lobbying were in 2021 literally at the  top big business as in the U.S Chamber of Commerce  

a pro-business interest group Next Up land owners  coming in number two is the National Association  

of Realtors an organization who according to his  website has 114 years of advocating and protecting  

the rights of property buyers and sellers in the  U.S and around the world number three big Pharma  

the pharmaceutical research and manufacturers of  America also at the top of the list are big tech  

companies meta the company formerly known as  Facebook and Amazon both spent over 19 million  

dollars on lobbying who don't you see at the top  lobbyists advocating for the people or the planet  

rather than a business's bottom line though I  will point out that AARP spent over 13 million  

dollars lobbying in 2021. dang Boomers y'all got  all the money huh yeah I see what's happening here  

in 2015 the Atlantic reported that of the 100  organizations that spent the most on lobbying  

95 consistently represent business and a lot of  this wheeling and dealing happens behind closed  

doors with no transparency critics say lobbyists  like all good salespeople cherry pick data that  

makes their clients case look good and the public  doesn't really know what's going on so it's hard  

for anyone to set the record straight and the  critiques of the love affair between business and  

government goes way back I mean check out this  political cartoon from 1889 suggesting how big  

businesses like steel copper and oil are the real  bosses of the Senate hot take in 1937 Congressman  

Alfred n Phillips from Connecticut had a sign  hanging from his door that said come in everybody  

Welcome accept professional lobbyists so I wanted  to find out do any lobbyist score wins for you  

know non-business causes like maybe protecting the  environment and that's how I met Tom course he's a  

lobbyist for The Nature Conservancy a giant Global  Environmental non-profit dedicated to conserving  

land now this isn't just some small and Scrappy  Environmental Group y'all they're legit and to be  

honest it sounds like he's got a pretty sweet job  a lot of my most successful lobbying visits are  

not in a suit uh they're out in the field I take  politicians out fishing I take them out hiking  

I try to bring people together across political  lines and they just had a major win in 2020 with  

the Great American outdoors act they secured 900  million dollars a year of the government's oil and  

gas Revenue to permanently fund the land and water  conservation fund a pot of money for conservation  

efforts to offset some of the environmental damage  caused by the oil and gas industry and I want to  

know what it's actually like to lobby for this  bill and Tom explained that a lot of lobbying is  

building relationships and figuring out who  actually has the power and interest to help  

with your cause and I've been working with Senator  Richard Burr and his staff for many years and we'd  

had many great victories and I remember distinctly  we were talking about well let's go to the next  

step let's get that 900 million dollars fixed for  conservation he said I'm not your guy anymore I  

said what are you talking about you you've been  the guy you're the lead and he said well I don't  

have any political currency and you need somebody  that's got political currency and those people  

are members that are up for re-election and he  suggested Senator Corey Gardner a republican from  

Colorado and we shifted the Atlanta Water full  funding effort over to Senator Gardner he went  

to Senator McConnell said this is my election year  ask of you let's get this done Senator McConnell  

agreed and in a very famous meeting at the White  House in January of 2020. President Trump agreed  

to fix Land and Water Conservation fund and also  do maintenance backlog on public lands that's  

amazing and I mean it all sounds like very like  like a like the draw like the political dramas  

that you see on TV sometime after president Trump  got on board with the bill it was debated and  

passed in the house and sent it and signed into  law with the Great American outdoors act in 2020.  

dang Tom's got some serious lobbying skills but I  also wanted to get his take on the equity issues  

when it comes to Big corporations having tons  of money to spend on lobbying compared to you  

know most public interest groups he told me that  money isn't the only kind of currency for lobbying  

how many people are calling up and pestering your  front uh office phone but then you can also look  

at different ways to communicate where you send  an email and an email might be worth a little bit  

more handwritten notes worth a lot more a personal  uh meeting is worth even more than that and then  

you know with the member of congress's former  roommate from sophomore year in college saying  

you need to do this that's worth a ton more yeah  you got to figure out who these people are playing  

golf with okay so moral of the story if you want  something done hire a lobbyist wish I could hire  

one to negotiate a raise for me all right as it  stands now lobbying is pretty essential to how  

our Republic functions lobbyists have the tricks  and tools of the trade to get things done in an  

often gridlocked Congress and money helps but  Lobby isn't perfect to help balance some of the  

equity issues there have been some calls for  lobbying reform things like Banning lobbyists  

fundraising and increasing transparency in  the industry so I hope you learned something  

from this little video like my takeaway maybe  lobbyists are the real pants wears of democracy  

no but seriously if you could be a lobbyist  for any issue what would it be I'll go first  

uh I'd say we need a four day work week and we  need the government to give us money huh it's  

almost like we have a couple episodes on that  maybe you should check them out one on the four  

day work week and one on universal basic income  until next time I'm your host miles peace out

foreign [Music]