8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 1/9

Interest Groupsand Lobbying

Chapter 15?

8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 2/9

8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 3/9

Lobbying

Began during the U.S. Grant Administration and is the wayinterests try to influence policy.

Up to the mid-1980s, lawmakers rarely became lobbyists.

Now: Revolving Door  (43%)

The K Street Project changed this when the

GOP took control of Congress in 1994.

Now, lobbyists are not only influencing  legislation, but writing  it themselves.

8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 4/9

How Interests Groups Influence

• Direct Lobbying

• Testifying before Congress

• Socializing• Political Donations

• Endorsements

• Court Action• Rallying their memberships

• Propaganda

8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 5/9

Inside Lobbying

Takes place in the Capitol. It includes a mix of the following:

•Meetings with lawmakers and legislative staff.

•Providing analysis and information to committees and

legislative offices.

•Testifying in committee.

•Negotiating with policy makers and other lobby groups.

For the most part this type of lobbying is carried out by, or incoordination with advocates who work on a regular basis at theCapitol.

8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 6/9

Outside Lobbying

Outside the Capitol, aimed at shifting the politics and pressurearound the issue. Some of these activities include:

•Media activity including news conferences, editorial boardvisits, and assisting reporters with stories.

•Local lobbying visits by constituents to their legislators.

•Letter writing campaigns to legislators.

•Grassroots activity such as rallies, etc.

*Coordination of Inside and Outside lobbying.

8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 7/9

Political Action Committees

PACs: Private groups of pooled

resources organized to elect or defeatgovernment officials in order to promotelegislation. 

McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform limited in the amount ofmoney that they can contribute to other organizations:

• <$5,000 per candidate per election. Elections such as primaries,general elections and special elections are counted separately.

• <$15,000 per political party per year.

• <$5,000 per PAC per year.

8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 8/9

8/10/2019 Interest Groups and Lobbying (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/interest-groups-and-lobbying-2 9/9

Citizens United  v. FEC

Can CFR limit activitiesof corporations?

5-4 decision: Court rules that suchlimit would infringe upon 1st 

 Amendment right to free speech

Corporations are viewed as“associations of citizens,” entitled

to the rights of individuals.

Leads to the proliferation ofSuper PACs (“Independent

Expenditure Only Committees”)