Interest Groups and Lobbying Unit 5 U.S. Government Honors Stater

Interest Groups Section 1

Interest Groups Purpose Types To influence government policy to support a particular group’s goal Example: The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) works for the well-being of older Americans Economic Social Political action committees

The 1st Amendment The Constitution give you the right to influence your representatives’ decisions The right “to petition the government for a redress of grievances”

Economic Interest Groups Represent particular professions or industries Most common type of interest group They petition the government to promote business interests Examples: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) American Medical Association (AMA)

Social Interest Groups Promote social causes and values Many are religious or charity-based in nature Others focus on international issues Examples: League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Rifle Association (NRA) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Question: Which best describes what social interest groups generally promote? state-sponsored religion financial support for charities development of international economic relationships causes and values important to a community

Answer: Which best describes what social interest groups generally promote? state-sponsored religion financial support for charities development of international economic relationships causes and values important to a community

Political Action Committees (PACs) Section 2

Political Action Committees (PACs) Groups that help finance campaigns Formed by economic interest groups or cause groups Goal: to get politicians who support their cause elected They are regulated by Federal Election Commission (FEC) guidelines

Super PACs Committees with fewer restrictions that: Allow corporations, industries, and unions to make unlimited donations Serve as a major source of financing for political campaigns They cannot donate directly to campaigns Instead, they run independent campaigns to support candidates Mostly through advertising

Question: Which best describes how political action committees (PACs) enhance the power of individuals? PACs enable individuals to donate unlimited amounts of money to campaigns. PACs ensure that the voice of the individual is heard by powerful sitting politicians. PACs facilitate access for individuals to speak to politicians one-on-one. PACs combine individuals’ donations into significant contributions.

Answer: Which best describes how political action committees (PACs) enhance the power of individuals? PACs enable individuals to donate unlimited amounts of money to campaigns. PACs ensure that the voice of the individual is heard by powerful sitting politicians. PACs facilitate access for individuals to speak to politicians one-on-one. PACs combine individuals’ donations into significant contributions.

Lobbyists Section 3

Lobbyists Represent the wishes of business and interest groups Paid professionals Pressure the government to adopt laws and policies favorable to their clients’ causes

Lobbyists pressure legislators to take action by: Gathering information about proposed laws and policies Providing information to government officials and the public Proposing and writing legislation Speaking directly with policy makers

Lobbyists influence all three branches of government Executive Drafting regulations and rules Legislative Drafting legislation Meeting with representatives Judicial Filing briefs in cases

Regulating Lobbyists Professional lobbying firms must: Register with the government Report their lobbying activities throughout the year Follow strict legal and ethical standards

Pros & Cons of Lobbying Positive impacts Negative impacts Provide a way for citizens and businesses to communicate with government Help educate and inform policy makers Negative impacts May create an unfair advantage for wealthier citizens and corporations May create opportunities for corruption in government

Question: Why must lobbyists register with the government and report their activities annually? to provide transparency on how lobbyists and government officials interact to ensure that corrupt practices can be tracked and taxed appropriately to make sure that government employees are in the right buildings during working hours to track which lobbyists are the most successful at influencing changes in policy

Answer: Why must lobbyists register with the government and report their activities annually? to provide transparency on how lobbyists and government officials interact to ensure that corrupt practices can be tracked and taxed appropriately to make sure that government employees are in the right buildings during working hours to track which lobbyists are the most successful at influencing changes in policy