Each year, the 535 members of the U.S. Congress offer hundreds of proposals called bills that they hope will become law. The legislators get much of their information on how to shape legislation from a group of people called lobbyists. Some experts believe they provide help and assistance; others think they unduly influence the legislative process.
VOA's Christine Elliott paints a picture of what lobbyists do, and how they do it, on this edition of Dateline.