Interest Groups and Lobbyists: Sources of Information: RS20725.

Interest groups, including those who actively lobby, continue to play a role in the American legislative process. After years of congressional efforts to improve disclosure of interest groups, the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) of 1995 (P.L. 104-65) and the Lobbying Disclosure Technical Amendments Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-166) were signed into law on December 19, 1995, and April 6, 1998, respectively. Both laws seek greater disclosure of interest groups' activities and more accuracy in reporting their spending. Information on lobbyist registrations and on interest groups in general is available from a variety of online and printed sources, including files available for public inspection. This report provides a list of directories and online services that offer background on the interest groups and lobbyists who focus on legislation in Washington. Many of the works listed are available to congressional staff in the CRS reading room and research centers and to constituents in large public and research libraries. Also included is a list of governmental and nongovernmental offices that maintain files on lobby groups, their registrations and finances, and other similar details. Web addresses are given where available. This report will be updated yearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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