There is a useful distinction to be made among three things: - The activity of lobbying, which is explicitly protected by the 1st amendment as petitioning the

There is a useful distinction to be made among three things: - The activity of lobbying, which is explicitly protected by the 1st amendment as petitioning the government for a redress of grievances. - Contracts to pay someone else to engage in lobbying, which apparently used to be illegal[1]. - Giving gifts to legislators, which is illegal if quid-pro-quo. [1] My source is https://priceonomics.com/when-lobbying-was-illegal/ https://priceonomics.com/when-lobbying-was-illegal/ though that does not itself cite any sources. I'd love if someone more familiar with legal history could comment on its accuracy.