How might disclosure requirements affect lobbying?

Before 1995, when limitations and boundaries were finally set on lobbying, an activity that has been very common in the U. S, and that had previously been seldom controlled, given the protection afforded by the First Amendment, with regards to freedom of speech, and other such freedoms, lobbying almost became the best way to ensure that Congress would vote one way or the other, and that candidates would be elected and favor a certain corporation, group, or other organization.

However, in 1995, through the Lobbying Disclosure Act, the U. S government and Congress finally put a tap on how far lobbyists could go both pressuring, speaking and providing money in the name of a specific organization, so that they could be favored by policies. As such, today lobbyists have to disclose their identities and be registered with the federal government in order to carry out their activites. They cannot be related with other Congressmen, they cannot provide any type of money, or gifts, for Congressmen or members of the executive branch. Finally, through the Honest Leadership and Open Government of 2007, lobbyists were now also forced to disclose their spending activities in relation to their lobbying, who is being lobbied and for what specific purpose.

These limitations on lobbying turned the acitivity not into pressure groups, who could do whatever they wanted at will, protected by the First Amendment, but rather into interest groups who are regulated by law. They ensure that government runs smoothly and that the needs of people are met, especially of specific groups, but now they cannot just push as they wish, pay whoever they wish, and do whatever they wish. The law placed limitations by making them disclose all the information related to their activity, ensuring, at least, a bit less fraud.