Reference

Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the federal lobbying and policy terms we use throughout this site. This list grows as our coverage grows.

Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA)

The federal law requiring lobbyists and lobbying firms that meet certain activity thresholds to register and file quarterly reports disclosing their clients, issues, and compensation ranges.

Registered lobbyist

An individual who has made more than one lobbying contact and spends at least 20% of their time for a client on lobbying activities in a quarter, and is therefore named as a lobbyist on the LDA registration filed by their firm or employer — the registrant — rather than registering personally.

Notice-and-comment rulemaking

The process, required by the Administrative Procedure Act, in which a federal agency publishes a proposed rule, accepts public comments, and must consider them before finalizing the rule.

Farm Bill

The umbrella federal legislation, reauthorized on a multi-year cycle, that sets policy across farm subsidies, crop insurance, nutrition assistance (including SNAP), conservation, and rural development.

Maximum fair price

The negotiated price ceiling CMS sets for a selected drug under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.