Interest Groups & Lobbying

Private organizations that seek to influence public policy Interest Groups Private organizations that seek to influence public policy A group of people that share similar ideas and try to persuade public officials to respond to their ideas. Make their ideas/beliefs law Support a party/candidate Win elections and control the government

Types of Interest Groups Business Groups– throughout history, business have relied on gov’t to assist them in their endeavors. They need gov’t to support them. (AIG) Labor Groups– they look to get legislation passed that will benefit their members. (UAW, MEA) Agricultural Groups– “The Grange” an organization that focuses on assisting farming community Professional Groups– doctors, lawyers, teachers Other– they are used to promote a cause Welfare of certain groups, NRA, Right to Life, Religious Groups

Influence Public Policy Supply the public with info that they think that they should have. Coalition to Stop Gun Violence runs a full page ad telling ppl the deaths associated with handguns Build a positive image for the group. NRA’s gun safety programs, “good guy with a gun kills bad guy” Promote Public Policy– The main purpose. To get their views and agenda into legislation.

Lobbying Lobbying are activities that interest groups do to pressure legislators and those involved in the legislative process to support their cause. Lobbyists do the work—they have direct contact with legislators. What they do: To work or influence people in order to benefit their clients and/or against those that may harm them. Who they are: People that are familiar with gov’t procedure Former Congress members, lawyers, journalists

Direct Lobbying--Lobbying Congress Maintaining relationships with congressional members is important Sometimes they target individual lawmakers, but not always. Lobbying Congressional Committees Lobbyists testify before committees, submit statements that discuss their organization’s views on proposed legislation. How it works: The House Committee on the Judiciary is considering a bill to regulate the sale of firearms. Who is going to show up to speak their mind at the committee hearings? Gun makers, gun sellers, producers and sellers of ammo, law enforcement agencies, hunters, wildlife conservationists, NRA… Lobbyists do provide useful information to Congress that can be helpful in making decisions.

Direct Lobbying –The Executive Branch The laws that Congress enacts are written in very vague terms, it is the job of the executive branch to work out the specific details. They approve a budget for military spending, but the executive branch must decide on specific military aircrafts. Almost impossible to get a meeting with the President so they meet with senior White House aides to influence. Interest groups try to influence Presidential appointments in various agencies.

Direct Lobbying –The judicial Branch Interest groups can try to influence and bring cases to court Brown v. Topeka Board of Education US Supreme Court decision that segregation by race in public schools is unconstitutional. Brought to the court from the interest group NAACP. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Brings difficult cases of free speech through the court system.

Criticisms of Interest Groups Too much power: the influence of the group exceeds the size of the group. They do not represent all people, yet their ideas are representing all Hard to tell who are how many ppl a group represents. How many people REALLY care about this? Many do not represent the views of all ppl they claim to speak for. Many minorities are left out. Some use tactics that are shady/illegal. Bribery, revenge…

Regulation of Lobbyists A major criticism of lobbyists is that they have too much influence in Congress. New Congress members– at times they can rely too much on lobbyists. Often a lobbyists will “volunteer” to help write a law. They will write it in a way that suites their group best. Regulation: Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act– lobbyists must register with the clerk of the House and Secretary of Senate. Former senators and top-level executive branch officials must now wait two years before they can become lobbyists. Ex-House members 1 year. No member of Congress can receive ANY gift from lobbyists or their clients.