Summary: GAO testified on the Regulation of Lobbying Act which seeks public disclosure of the identity and financial interests of persons engaged in lobbying. However, the act has resulted in the disclosure of only a limited range of lobbying activities. The principal reasons for this limited scope are the vagueness of the act's principal purpose requirement and the narrow definition of lobbying limiting it to direct communications with members of Congress. From its examination of the act, GAO determined that: (1) the regulation of lobbying must come through disclosure of lobbying activity rather than through any attempt to impose constraints; and (2) a strong oversight of lobbying disclosure requirements is necessary if the essential purpose of disclosure is to be achieved. GAO also suggested that: (1) the act would be more effective if its oversight mechanisms were strengthened; (2) it not be given the task of overseeing the administration and civil enforcement of the act; and (3) the inclusion of "grassroots" lobbying activities within the act's reporting requirements would expand its coverage.
