Terms of Service

Last Updated: October 29, 2025

Welcome to The Lobby! These Terms of Service ("Terms," "Agreement") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("you," "your," or "user") and The Lobby Media LLC ("The Lobby," "we," "us," or "our") governing your access to and use of thelobbynews.com (the "Website"), The Lobby newsletter, and any related digital communications, content, and services (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing our Website, subscribing to our newsletter, or using our Services in any manner, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use our Services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, as well as our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.

If you are accessing or using the Services on behalf of a company, organization, or other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind such entity to these Terms.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 16 years of age to access or use our Services. By using our Services, you represent and warrant that you are at least 16 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement.

If we discover that a user is under 16 years of age, we will terminate their access immediately and delete any personal information collected from them.

3. Description of Services

The Lobby provides:

  • A website (thelobbynews.com) that publishes summaries and analysis of U.S. legislative activity
  • A weekly email newsletter that delivers legislative summaries directly to subscribers
  • Related digital communications and educational content about Congressional proceedings

Important Disclaimers:

Not Affiliated with Government

The Lobby is an independent media company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the United States Government, Congress, any federal agency, or any political party. Our content is independently produced based on publicly available government documents.

Not Legal or Professional Advice

The content provided through our Services is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute:

  • Legal advice
  • Political advice
  • Professional consultation
  • An endorsement of any legislation, policy, or political position

You should not rely on our content as a substitute for professional legal, political, or other expert advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for specific guidance related to your circumstances.

Source Material

Our content is derived from publicly available documents published by the United States Congress and related government sources. We summarize and explain this material in plain English for educational purposes.

4. Acceptable Use

Permitted Uses

You may use our Services to:

  • Read and access content on our Website
  • Subscribe to and receive our newsletter
  • Share individual articles or newsletter content on social media with proper attribution
  • Use our content for personal, non-commercial purposes
  • Use our content for educational purposes in schools, universities, or other educational settings with proper attribution

Prohibited Uses

You agree not to:

Content Misuse:

  • Reproduce, republish, distribute, or display our content for commercial purposes without prior written permission
  • Create derivative works based on our content, including competing newsletters or summaries
  • Remove, obscure, or modify any copyright notices, trademarks, or attribution
  • Misrepresent our content as your own or as endorsed by us
  • Use our content in a manner that suggests affiliation with or endorsement by The Lobby without permission

Technical Violations:

  • Use automated systems, bots, spiders, scrapers, or similar data mining tools to extract or collect content from our Services
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, servers, networks, or data
  • Interfere with or disrupt the operation of our Services or servers
  • Introduce viruses, malware, or other harmful code
  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any aspect of our Services

Legal Violations:

  • Use our Services in any manner that violates applicable federal, state, local, or international laws or regulations
  • Infringe upon the intellectual property rights of The Lobby or any third party
  • Impersonate any person or entity or falsely state or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity
  • Engage in any conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone's use or enjoyment of the Services

Misrepresentation:

  • Present our content as official government communications
  • Mischaracterize our summaries or present them as complete legislative text
  • Use our content to mislead others about government actions or policies

Enforcement

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to:

  • Suspend or terminate your access to the Services for violations of these Terms
  • Remove or disable content that violates these Terms
  • Take any other action we deem necessary to protect our rights or the rights of others
  • Report suspected illegal activity to law enforcement

5. Intellectual Property Rights

Ownership

All content on the Website and in our newsletter, including but not limited to:

  • Text, articles, summaries, and analysis
  • Graphics, images, logos, and design elements
  • Software, code, and technical infrastructure
  • Layout, arrangement, and "look and feel"
  • Trademarks, service marks, and trade names

...is the exclusive property of The Lobby Media LLC or its licensors and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Limited License

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to:

  • Access and view content on our Website for personal, non-commercial use
  • Receive and read our newsletter
  • Share links to our content on social media platforms
  • Quote brief excerpts from our content with proper attribution (fair use)

This license does not include any right to:

  • Use our content for commercial purposes
  • Modify, create derivative works, or build upon our content
  • Use automated tools to scrape or download our content
  • Reproduce substantial portions of our content without permission

Trademark

"The Lobby" and associated logos are trademarks of The Lobby Media LLC. You may not use our trademarks without our prior written consent. Any unauthorized use may violate trademark, copyright, and other laws.

Attribution Requirements

When sharing or quoting our content, you must:

  • Provide clear attribution to The Lobby
  • Include a link back to the original source (when digital)
  • Not alter the meaning or context of our content
  • Clearly indicate that you are quoting or referencing our work

Permissions and Licensing

For permission to use our content beyond the scope of this license, including:

  • Media republication or syndication
  • Commercial use or redistribution
  • Bulk licensing for organizations
  • Other uses not covered above

Please contact us at press@thelobbynews.com with specific details about your intended use.

Government Works and Public Domain Content

Use of Government Sources: Our content is derived from publicly available U.S. government documents, which are generally in the public domain under 17 U.S.C. § 105. This includes:

  • Legislative text (bills, resolutions, amendments)
  • Congressional Record proceedings
  • Committee reports and hearing transcripts
  • Voting records and legislator information
  • Other official Congressional documents from Congress.gov and related sources

Our Rights in Derivative Works: While the underlying government documents are in the public domain, The Lobby's original content is protected by copyright, including:

  • Our summaries, analysis, and explanations of legislation
  • Our selection, arrangement, and presentation of information
  • Our editorial commentary and interpretation
  • Our unique formatting, layout, and design
  • Any original graphics, charts, or visualizations we create

Attribution and Accuracy:

  • We provide attribution to government sources where appropriate as a matter of good practice
  • We make reasonable efforts to accurately represent government documents, but our summaries are not official versions
  • For official, legally binding versions of legislation, users should consult Congress.gov or other official government sources
  • We are not responsible for changes to legislation or government documents after we publish our summaries

Third-Party Content: Occasionally, our Services may include content from third-party sources (news articles, expert commentary, etc.). Such content remains the property of its respective copyright holders and is used with permission or under fair use principles. We respect all third-party intellectual property rights.

DMCA Compliance

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect our users to do the same. If you believe that content on our Services infringes your copyright, please contact us at legal@thelobbynews.com with the following information:

  • Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed
  • Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing and where it is located
  • Your contact information (address, telephone number, email)
  • A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material is not authorized
  • A statement that the information in the notification is accurate
  • Your physical or electronic signature

6. Email Newsletter Subscriptions

Subscription Process

By subscribing to The Lobby newsletter, you:

  • Consent to receive regular email communications from us, including our weekly newsletter
  • May receive occasional promotional emails, announcements, or updates about our Services
  • Acknowledge that your subscription data will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy

Email Service Provider

We use SendGrid (Twilio Inc.) to manage email delivery, analytics, and list management. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your data will be processed by SendGrid in accordance with their privacy and security standards.

Unsubscribe Rights

You may unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time by:

Even after unsubscribing, we may retain your email address for legal compliance purposes, including maintaining records of your prior consent and honoring your unsubscribe request permanently.

Deliverability

We make reasonable efforts to ensure email delivery, but we cannot guarantee that emails will reach your inbox due to factors outside our control, including spam filters, email provider settings, and technical issues. We are not liable for non-delivery of emails.

7. Future Paid Services and Subscriptions

While our Services are currently free, we may introduce paid features, premium subscriptions, or other monetization options in the future, including but not limited to:

  • Premium newsletter tiers with additional content or features
  • Exclusive content or early access for paying subscribers
  • Educational resources, courses, or materials
  • Sponsored content or advertisements

Terms for Paid Services

If we introduce paid services:

  • We will provide clear pricing and terms before you are charged
  • You will have the opportunity to review and accept additional terms specific to paid services
  • Payments will be processed through secure third-party payment processors
  • Refund policies will be clearly stated at the time of purchase
  • All paid subscriptions will be subject to these Terms plus any additional paid service terms

Sponsored Content and Advertising

We may display sponsored content or advertisements in our newsletter or on our Website. Such content will be clearly labeled as sponsored or advertising. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of advertisers or sponsors.

8. Accuracy of Information and Content Disclaimers

Reasonable Efforts

We strive to provide accurate, timely, and clear summaries of U.S. legislative activity based on official government documents. However, given the complexity of legislative processes and the volume of information:

  • Information may become outdated between the time of publication and when you access it
  • Summaries may not include every detail of legislation or proceedings
  • Legislative information is subject to change as bills are amended or updated
  • We may make errors or omissions despite our best efforts

No Guarantees

We do not guarantee or warrant:

  • The accuracy, completeness, reliability, or currentness of any content
  • That our content is free from errors, omissions, or technical inaccuracies
  • That our Services will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
  • That any particular outcome will result from using our content

User Responsibility

You are responsible for:

  • Verifying information independently before relying on it for important decisions
  • Consulting primary sources (official government documents) when accuracy is critical
  • Seeking professional advice for legal, political, or other significant matters
  • Understanding that our content is educational and simplified for general audiences

Limitation on Reliance

You acknowledge and agree that:

  • Our content is provided for general informational purposes only
  • You use our content at your own discretion and risk
  • We are not liable for decisions you make based on our content
  • You should not make important decisions based solely on our summaries without independent verification

9. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Website and newsletter may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources that are not owned, operated, or controlled by The Lobby, including:

  • Government websites (Congress.gov, Senate.gov, etc.)
  • News sources and media outlets
  • Social media platforms
  • Service providers and partners

No Endorsement

The inclusion of any link does not imply:

  • Endorsement, approval, or recommendation by The Lobby
  • Any association or affiliation with the linked site
  • That we have reviewed or agree with the content of the linked site

Your Responsibility

You acknowledge and agree that:

  • We are not responsible for the availability, accuracy, content, or practices of third-party sites
  • We do not control, endorse, or assume any liability for third-party sites or services
  • Your use of third-party sites is at your own risk and subject to their terms and policies
  • You should review the terms of service and privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit

Government Sources

While we base our content on official government sources, we are not responsible for:

  • Changes to government websites or documents
  • Availability or accessibility of government information
  • Accuracy or completeness of government-published materials

10. Disclaimers of Warranties

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, OUR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

We Disclaim All Warranties Including:

  • Merchantability: That the Services are suitable for any particular purpose
  • Fitness for a Particular Purpose: That the Services meet your specific needs
  • Non-Infringement: That use of the Services will not infringe third-party rights
  • Accuracy: That all information provided is complete, accurate, or current
  • Uninterrupted Access: That the Services will be available at all times without interruption
  • Error-Free Operation: That the Services will be free from bugs, errors, or technical issues
  • Security: That the Services are completely secure or free from viruses or harmful components

No Professional Advice

We are not providing professional services. Our content does not constitute:

  • Legal advice or legal services
  • Political consulting or campaign advice
  • Investment, financial, or tax advice
  • Any form of professional consultation

Third-Party Content

We disclaim any responsibility for:

  • Accuracy of third-party information we reference
  • Actions taken by government officials or legislators
  • Changes to legislation after we publish summaries
  • Interpretation or implementation of laws

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS THAT VARY BY JURISDICTION.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE LOBBY MEDIA LLC, ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CONTRACTORS, LICENSORS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS (COLLECTIVELY, "THE LOBBY PARTIES") SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO:

  • Your use of or inability to use the Services
  • Any content obtained from the Services
  • Unauthorized access to or alteration of your data or communications
  • Statements or conduct of any third party on the Services
  • Reliance on information provided through the Services
  • Errors, mistakes, or inaccuracies in content
  • Personal injury or property damage resulting from your access to or use of the Services
  • Any interruption or cessation of the Services
  • Any bugs, viruses, or similar harmful components transmitted through the Services
  • Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities

THIS LIMITATION APPLIES WHETHER THE ALLEGED LIABILITY IS BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER BASIS, EVEN IF THE LOBBY PARTIES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

Maximum Liability Cap

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF THE LOBBY PARTIES FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF:

  • $100 (One Hundred U.S. Dollars), or
  • The amount you paid to The Lobby in the 12 months preceding the claim (if applicable)

Sole Remedy

You agree that your sole and exclusive remedy for dissatisfaction with the Services is to stop using the Services.

Jurisdictional Limitations

Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. In such cases, our liability shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

12. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Lobby Media LLC, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, licensors, and service providers (collectively, "Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, debts, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

Your Actions:

  • Your access to or use of the Services
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights
  • Any content you submit, post, or transmit through the Services (if applicable)
  • Your misuse of the Services or any content obtained through the Services

Your Misrepresentations:

  • Any false, misleading, or inaccurate information you provide
  • Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations
  • Any claim that your use of the Services caused damage to a third party

Defense and Settlement

We reserve the right, at our own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you. You agree to cooperate with our defense of such claims. You may not settle any claim without our prior written consent.

This indemnification obligation will survive the termination of these Terms and your use of the Services.

13. Arbitration Agreement and Class Action Waiver

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT.

Agreement to Arbitrate

You and The Lobby agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Services, or our relationship with you (collectively, "Disputes") will be resolved through binding individual arbitration rather than in court, except as provided below.

Arbitration Procedure

  • Arbitration will be conducted by JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services) under its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures
  • The arbitration will be held in Denver, Colorado, or another mutually agreed location, or by telephone/video conference
  • The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding, and judgment may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction
  • Each party will bear their own costs and attorneys' fees unless the arbitrator awards them

Exceptions to Arbitration

The following Disputes are not subject to arbitration:

  • Claims brought in small claims court (if they qualify and remain in small claims court)
  • Claims for injunctive or equitable relief to protect intellectual property rights
  • Claims that can be brought in a representative action under applicable state consumer protection laws (where state law prohibits waiver)

CLASS ACTION WAIVER

YOU AND THE LOBBY AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING DISPUTES AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.

This means:

  • No class arbitrations or class actions are permitted
  • No consolidation of individual arbitrations without the consent of all parties
  • No representative actions on behalf of others
  • The arbitrator may award relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party's individual claim

Opt-Out Right

You have the right to opt out of this arbitration agreement. To opt out, you must send written notice to The Lobby within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your opt-out notice must include:

  • Your full name
  • Email address associated with your subscription
  • Clear statement that you wish to opt out of the arbitration agreement

Send opt-out notices to: The Lobby Media LLC
Attn: Arbitration Opt-Out
1500 N Grant St. STE R
Denver, CO 80203
Email: legal@thelobbynews.com

If you opt out, you and The Lobby agree to resolve Disputes in accordance with Section 14 (Governing Law and Venue).

Severability

If any portion of this arbitration agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect. If the class action waiver is found to be unenforceable, the entire arbitration agreement (but not the rest of these Terms) shall be null and void.

14. Governing Law and Venue

Governing Law

These Terms and any Disputes (except those subject to arbitration) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Exclusive Venue

If you opt out of arbitration or if a Dispute falls within an exception to the arbitration agreement, you agree that any legal action or proceeding shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Denver, Colorado. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objection to venue in these courts.

Federal Law

Notwithstanding the choice of Colorado law, you agree that the Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of the arbitration agreement in Section 13.

15. Modifications to the Services

We reserve the right to:

  • Modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Services at any time without notice
  • Change the content, features, or functionality of the Website or newsletter
  • Impose limits on certain features or restrict access to parts or all of the Services
  • Remove or alter content without prior notice

We are not liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Services.

16. Changes to These Terms

Right to Modify

We may revise and update these Terms from time to time in our sole discretion. Changes may include:

  • Updates to reflect new features or Services
  • Changes required by law or regulation
  • Modifications to improve clarity or address issues

Notice of Changes

When we make changes:

  • For material changes that significantly affect your rights, we will provide notice by:
    • Email to active subscribers
    • Prominent notice on our Website
    • Notice in our newsletter

Acceptance of Changes

  • Your continued use of the Services after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms
  • If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the Services
  • Material changes will not apply retroactively

We encourage you to review these Terms periodically to stay informed of any updates.

17. Termination

Termination by You

You may stop using our Services at any time by:

  • Unsubscribing from our newsletter
  • Ceasing to access our Website

Termination by The Lobby

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to:

  • Suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice
  • Terminate your subscription for violation of these Terms
  • Refuse service to anyone for any reason

Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  • Your right to access and use the Services immediately ceases
  • All provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including: intellectual property rights, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, arbitration agreement, and governing law
  • We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes

No Liability

We shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your access to the Services.

18. General Provisions

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and The Lobby regarding the Services and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, whether electronic, oral, or written.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. No waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of The Lobby.

Assignment

You may not assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms or your rights and obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction. Any attempted assignment in violation of this section shall be void.

Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under these Terms due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including:

  • Acts of God (natural disasters, severe weather)
  • War, terrorism, or civil unrest
  • Government actions or regulations
  • Internet or telecommunications failures
  • Cyberattacks or security breaches
  • Labor disputes or strikes
  • Pandemics or public health emergencies

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

These Terms do not create any third-party beneficiary rights. Only you and The Lobby may enforce these Terms.

Headings

The section headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.

Interpretation

The words "include," "includes," and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation." The word "or" is not exclusive.

Electronic Communications

You consent to receive communications from us electronically, including via email or by posting notices on our Website. You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications that we provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

Export Controls

You may not use, export, or re-export the Services (or any copy or adaptation thereof) in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, including U.S. export laws and regulations.

Government Use

If you are a U.S. government entity, our Services are a "commercial item" as defined in 48 C.F.R. §2.101.

19. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us:

The Lobby Media LLC
1500 N Grant St. STE R
Denver, CO 80203

General inquiries: hello@thelobbynews.com
Legal matters: legal@thelobbynews.com
Press/Media: press@thelobbynews.com
Privacy concerns: privacy@thelobbynews.com

Website: thelobbynews.com

20. Acknowledgment

BY ACCESSING OR USING OUR SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF SERVICE.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must immediately cease all use of our Services.

End of Terms of Service