THE AMERICAN LEAGUE OF LOBBYISTS HAS CHANGED NAME

The Washington D.C.-based American League of Lobbyists has changed its name. The organization will be known as the Association for Government Relations Professionals to better reflect the range of its members' professions, including government relations, lobbying and public affairs. The goal of  AGRP is apparently to be the voice of an inter-related professional community that is united in working toward open and transparent debates in the formulation of public policy.

This year, about $2.4 billion has been spent to lobby Congress and federal agencies, according to data kept by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. There are more than 11,900 registered lobbyists, but only a fraction are represented by the Association of Government Relations Professionals.

The leaders of the American League of Lobbyists insist that the group is making the move because its business has evolved and its members do lots more than walk the halls of Congress and try to shape legislation. They’re into grass-roots organizing and public affairs and other sorts of politics and advocacy. In short, they’re not just lobbyists anymore. The board also approved a new tag line: “Voice of the Lobbying, Public Policy and Advocacy Professions.”