Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946

The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 is a statute enacted by the United States Congress to
reduce the influence of lobbyists. The primary purpose of the Act was to provide information to members
of Congress about those that lobby them.[1] The 1946 Act was replaced by the Lobbying Disclosure Act of
1995.[2]

Selected provisions
§ 308: Registration of Lobbyists With Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House "(a) Any person who
shall engage himself for pay or for any consideration for the purpose of attempting to influence the passage
or defeat of any legislation by the Congress of the United States shall, before doing anything in furtherance
of such object, register with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate and
shall give to those officers in writing and under oath, his name and business address, the name and address
of the person by whom he is employed, and in whose interest he appears or works, the duration of such
employment, how much he is paid and is to receive, by whom he is paid or is to be paid, how much he is to
be paid for expenses, and what expenses are to be included . . . "[3]

§ 307: Persons to Whom Applicable "The Provisions of this act apply to any person (except a political
committee as defined in the Federal Corrupt Practices Act, and duly organized State or local committees of
a political party), who by himself, or through any agent or employee or other persons in any manner
whatsoever, directly or indirectly, solicits, collects, or receives money or any other thing of value to be used
principally to aid, or which the principal purpose of which person is to aid, in the accomplishment of any of
the following purposes:

(a) The passage or defeat of any legislation by the Congress of the United States.
(b) To influence, directly or indirectly, the passage or defeat of any legislation by the
Congress of the United States."[4]

United States v. Harriss

In 1954, The Supreme Court Upheld the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, but narrowed its scope
significantly. The Court determined that it applied only to paid lobbyists who directly communicated with
members of Congress on pending legislation. This created a number of loopholes including:

It does not regulate people who give money to influence legislation, only those who solicit or
collect money
It does not define "principally." A lobbyist can argue that his principal goal is not influencing
legislation
It does not include those who communicate with Congressional Staffers

See also
Lobbying in the United States
 Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946

References
1. "United States v. Harriss, 347 US 612 - Supreme Court 1954 - Google Scholar" (https://schol
ar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8392716798123439627&q=US+v.+Harriss&hl=en&as_s
dt=2,50&as_vis=1). Retrieved 1 October 2013.
2. "2066. Federal Regulation Of Lobbying Act -- 2 U.S.C. 261 Et Seq. | USAM | Department of
Justice" (https://www.justice.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm02066.htm).
www.justice.gov. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
3. LobbyingInfo.org | Influence Peddling Laws | History of the Lobbying Disclosure Act (http://w
ww.lobbyinginfo.org/laws/page.cfm?pageid=15#_ednref11)
4. Wright, John. Interest Groups and Congress

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