A widespread perception that members of the U.S. Congress respond increasingly to special interests has received additional support from a person who knows something about it.
In a cynical interview with Lesley Stahl of the television news magazine "60 minutes," Jack Abramoff, one of the more notorious lobbyists in recent times, explains the tactics he used in dealing with people in Congress. In addition, he gives a chilling assessment of recent reforms intended to change the situation.
In 2011, it was estimated that there were more than 13,000 registered federal lobbyists based in Washington, D.C. They spend huge amounts of money on their work, up to $3.5 billion in 2010 according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Their competence as individuals, groups or corporations to lobby the government is protected by the right-to-petition clause in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.