A 2005 Washington Post article has reported that the number of registered lobbyists in Washington, DC is about 34750.
Staffers do have dealings with lobbyists, but they are not allowed to vote on bills.
According to www.opensecrets.org (from the Center for Responsive Politics), there were 13,694 active lobbyists working in Washington, D.C. in 2009.
Representatives.. I think. That or Senators.
The main role of lobbyists is to try and influence lawmakers to change laws. Lobbyists exist for many different industries.
Washington D.C. is the most unclean city in the US. From the politicians to the wannabes to the lobbyists, the corruption and hypocrisy are as dirty as it gets.
Lobbyists are individuals and organizations whose sole purpose is to advocate for an industry, group of people, a specific political policy, or a foreign government or entity. Lobbyists are very common in Washington and have a quasi-corrupt relationship with politicians, often providing funds for a politician's campaign or fundraising events in exchange for the politician supporting the policy that the lobbyist is advocating for.
All three branches of government can be influenced by lobbyists
lobbyists
Lobbyists frequently invite lawmakers to restaurants or other forms of entertainment.
All three branches of government can be influenced by lobbyists
All three branches of government can be influenced by lobbyists.