Final answer:
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws for job applicants, including those under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Government entities, such as municipalities, often lobby for their interests but this is separate from the EEOC's enforcement role.
Step-by-step explanation:
The entity responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant in the United States is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This includes compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is designed to protect against discrimination on the basis of disability. Entities like professional associations, educational institutions, and human resources departments may have their own roles in managing aspects of employment and adherence to laws, but when it comes to the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws, the EEOC is the key authority.
Governments, including municipalities, and executive departments such as the Department of Education are known to register to lobby for their interests, like budget allocation or autonomy. These government institutions are typically represented by legislative liaisons or lobbyists who work to influence lawmakers and state-level officials. Although these activities may be related to employment and administration within these entities, they are distinct from the role of the EEOC.