1. Special Interest Groups Lobbying and PACs

2. Lobbying Lobbying Our government is a supportive environment for interest groups Our government is a supportive environment for interest groups Interests can benefit in having influence over federal policies & programs Interests can benefit in having influence over federal policies & programs Lobbying: efforts of groups to influence public policy through contact with public officials Lobbying: efforts of groups to influence public policy through contact with public officials

3. What is a lobbyist? They are the primary instruments for fostering a special interest groups goals to the policymakers They are the primary instruments for fostering a special interest groups goals to the policymakers Negative publicity: govt. officials becoming and vice- versa Negative publicity: govt. officials becoming and vice- versa Positives: specialists to Congress, create coalitions, take legal action for group, provide official ratings, use the media to exercise viewpoint Positives: specialists to Congress, create coalitions, take legal action for group, provide official ratings, use the media to exercise viewpoint

4. Inside Lobbying Direct communication between organized interests and policy makers- value of close contacts Direct communication between organized interests and policy makers- value of close contacts Bribes do survive, but tend to be more subtle Bribes do survive, but tend to be more subtle Many are former members of Congress Many are former members of Congress The targets are all branches of government The targets are all branches of government IG lobbying is generally most effective on narrow, technical issues that are not well- publicized IG lobbying is generally most effective on narrow, technical issues that are not well- publicized

5. Inside Lobbying: the 3 branches Legislative branch: both groups and members of Congress can gain, fair play and aboveboard approach are best: “ 3 rd house of Congress ” Legislative branch: both groups and members of Congress can gain, fair play and aboveboard approach are best: “ 3 rd house of Congress ” Executive agencies: Bureaucrats are key targets- administrative and policy decisions. Ex. Regulatory Agencies! Executive agencies: Bureaucrats are key targets- administrative and policy decisions. Ex. Regulatory Agencies! The Courts: trying to influence selection of federal judges, lawsuits, amicus curiae The Courts: trying to influence selection of federal judges, lawsuits, amicus curiae

6. Should their be regulations on lobbying? 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (too many loopholes!) 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (too many loopholes!) Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 Tightened up registration and disclosure requirements and restrictions Tightened up registration and disclosure requirements and restrictions On gifts and expenses Congress receives On gifts and expenses Congress receives

7. Lobbying. Good or Bad? Provides info to govt. Provides info to govt. Representation by interest Representation by interest Linkage mechanism Linkage mechanism 1 st amendment right! 1 st amendment right! Rich and powerful overrepresented Rich and powerful overrepresented National interests sacrificed! National interests sacrificed! + -

8. What is an Iron Triangle? Small and informal, yet STABLE set of bureaucrats, legislators, and lobbyists who seek to develop policies Small and informal, yet STABLE set of bureaucrats, legislators, and lobbyists who seek to develop policies Inside track to legislators and bureaucrats (ironclad) Inside track to legislators and bureaucrats (ironclad)

9. Issue Networks More common pattern of influence today More common pattern of influence today Informal grouping of officials, lobbyists, and policy specialists who are brought together temporarily by an issue Informal grouping of officials, lobbyists, and policy specialists who are brought together temporarily by an issue Ex: participants coming together over the issue of forest being opened to logging Ex: participants coming together over the issue of forest being opened to logging

10. Outside Lobbying A form of lobbying in which an interest group seeks to use public pressure as a means of influencing public officials A form of lobbying in which an interest group seeks to use public pressure as a means of influencing public officials Making use of constituency connections Making use of constituency connections Forms: grassroots lobbying (AARP), votes and PAC money Forms: grassroots lobbying (AARP), votes and PAC money

11. Political Action Committees The organization through which an interest group raises and distributes funds for elections (candidates) The organization through which an interest group raises and distributes funds for elections (candidates) Must be voluntary contributions Must be voluntary contributions The amount of contributions has skyrocketed, but downward trend The amount of contributions has skyrocketed, but downward trend Calls for reform (Common Cause): dominated by rich, business, Calls for reform (Common Cause): dominated by rich, business, The FECA passed + Mc-Cain-Feingold The FECA passed + Mc-Cain-Feingold

12. The biggest contenders: The Assoc. of Trial Lawyers of America PAC The Assoc. of Trial Lawyers of America PAC International Brotherhood of Elec. Workers International Brotherhood of Elec. Workers The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

13. What has happened to the number of PACs? There has been explosive growth There has been explosive growth In 1974 = 600, today = 4100+ In 1974 = 600, today = 4100+ Why? Why? Legislation intending to prevent a few wealthy from buying elections Legislation intending to prevent a few wealthy from buying elections This opened up contributions to the masses (represented by PACs) This opened up contributions to the masses (represented by PACs)

14. Discussion: Why might business PACs be so numerous? What is the effect?

15. Legislation effects… FECA of 1974 and ex. Of this type of legislation FECA of 1974 and ex. Of this type of legislation Currently, $5000 limit per candidate w/NO overall cap! Currently, $5000 limit per candidate w/NO overall cap! PACs can contribute much more than indiv, but… PACs can contribute much more than indiv, but… The Citizens United v. FEC case has made possible Super PACs and unlimited fundraising The Citizens United v. FEC case has made possible Super PACs and unlimited fundraising

16. PAC funds between the two: What obstacles to challengers face?