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Lobbyists like Jack Abramoff represent a very small percentage of the profession. Generally, lobbyists are charged with protecting the interest of their clients-whether these are nonprofits, corporations, or individuals-by influencing legislation that may help or harm them. Some are professional lobbyists hired for their knowledge of the legislative process. Others are regular constituents.
If you have ever called, written a letter, or sent an e-mail to ask your local, state, or federal legislator to vote for or against a particular issue, you have lobbied. You have exercised your First Amendment constitutional right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances."
While the act of lobbying has been around since before the early days of Congress, the term lobbyist was said to be coined during the Ulysses S. Grant presidency. The term was used to describe businessmen who asked President Grant for political favors in the lobby of the Willard Hotel near the White House.
ASHA's Lobbyists
ASHA employs professional lobbyists to advocate for their issues not only on Capitol Hill, but in states and regulatory agencies. In addition, many of our state associations employ lobbyists to direct advocacy efforts.
Like other organizations, ASHA takes a multi-pronged approach in its advocacy efforts. Its professional lobbyists are responsible for introducing and educating congressional and regulatory staff about ASHA's issues. However, the Association also depends on its political action committee, ASHA-PAC, and on grassroots lobbying from the membership.
Grassroots lobbying or advocacy involves asking specific constituencies to contact their representatives about a particular issue. Over the last few years, ASHA members have sent thousands of messages by phone, fax, or e-mail in support of ASHA's issues. ASHA members also have made thousands of visits to their state and federal legislators to educate them about how our issues affect them, their colleagues, and the clients they serve.
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