Legal Definitions - lobby

To lobby (verb) means to actively seek to influence a decision-maker, typically a government official such as a legislator, on a particular issue, policy, or vote. This often involves direct communication, providing information, or advocating for a specific outcome.

• Example 1: A coalition of small business owners schedules meetings with state senators and representatives to discuss the potential negative impact of a proposed increase in the minimum wage. They present economic data and personal stories, urging the lawmakers to vote against the bill.

  Explanation: This illustrates lobbying because the business owners are directly engaging with legislators to influence their vote on a specific piece of legislation, advocating for an outcome favorable to their interests.

• Example 2: A pharmaceutical company dispatches its public affairs team to meet with officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide additional research data and argue for the expedited approval of a new drug, emphasizing its potential benefits for patients.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the pharmaceutical company is lobbying by attempting to influence a government regulatory agency's decision-making process regarding the approval timeline for their product.

• Example 3: Residents living near a proposed industrial development attend local planning commission meetings, write letters to their city council members, and organize a petition drive to express their concerns about increased traffic and noise, hoping to persuade the council to reject the development permit.

  Explanation: This demonstrates lobbying at a local government level, as the residents are actively trying to influence the city council's decision on a specific development project and permit approval.