Interest Groups

1. Interest Groups Chapter 11

2. Interest Groups • An organized group of individuals or organizations that makes policy related appeals to gov’t • competing for attention of elected reps • competing to influence policy • have been a part of American politics since the beginning, but their numbers have grown tremendously since the 1960s • About 22,000!!!!!

3. Interest Groups v. Political Parties Interest groups Political Parties Nominate candidates, contest elections, seek to gain control over gov’t Hold positions on a wide range of issues Public organizations that are accountable to voters • Support elected officials • try to influence policy • Focus on specific issues that directly affect their members • Private groups that are accountable to their members

4. Why are there so many interest groups in the US? • So many chances to influence policy

5. Birth of interest groups in US • Old as the nation • Go through “bursts” of growth corresponding with economic and social changes • 1830s & 40s: Anti-Slavery • 1860s and 70s: women’s suffrage, farmers • 1880s: business interests • 1900 & 19teens: unions, conservationist groups • 1960s & 70s: feminism, environmental issues, consumer advocacy As the size and reach of gov’t grows # of groups grow as well

6. Types of groups 1.) economic interests 2.) public interests 3.) equality and justice

7. Economic : 4 types • Labor Unions – The focus on better working conditions and higher wages. Ex: AFL-CIO and UTD (teachers union). • Agriculture Groups – Ex: National Farmers’ Organization and the American Farm Bureau Federation. These groups are not as strong as they once were. • Business Groups – Ex: Large corporations like General Motors and AT&T and trade associations like the Chamber of Commerce. • Professional Groups – Some of the most powerful interest groups are the ones that represent occupations like the American Bar Association, the National Education Association, and the American Medical Association.

8. Public InterestEquality / Justice Public Interest Groups • Today over 2,000 groups champion causes “in the public interest.” • They are less narrow in their interest and they seek the collective good for many people, not just their members. • Two types: • Public Interest Group – Ex: AARP , Common Cause • http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=5399259 • Environmental Interest – Ex: The Sierra Club Equity and Justice • Interest groups have championed equal rights and justice, particularly for women and minorities. • The oldest of these groups is the NAACP. However, others have developed over time like NOW.

9. Interest Groups • Who belongs? • Individuals / organizations • Why join? • 4 incentives to join • Informational • American Bar Association: conferences, training, publications • Purposive: • Allows people who are passionate about an issue to have an outlet • Solidarity: • Networking, sense of belonging to a community • Material • AARP: low cost life insurance, tax advice, group travel plans • Sierra Club: discounts on Patagonia… • https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp?campaignid=bonusgiftwy&EK=Y3ARPPBD&pubID=148.30&hid=21357328

10. Interest Groups: Goals • Influence public opinion • Influence the electoral process • Influence policy • Congress • The Executive Branch • The Courts

11. Influencing Public Opinion Influence public opinion (outsider strategy – not directly working on policy ) • Supply information/ data to the public that raises awareness and hopefully concern for their issue • Press releases, studies, etc. • Create propaganda campaigns and use media to influence public attitudes or beliefs about the issue(s) of importance to them • Rally membership – Hold public demonstrations and public relations events to raise awareness

12. Influencing the electoral process Electoral Process (outsider strategy) • Endorsements – publicly declare support for a candidate, encourage like-minded individuals and members of their group to vote for the candidate • Run negative campaign ads against a candidate who disagrees with your views • Publicize voting records of candidates – “report cards” • $$$$$$$$$$$$$- Make campaign contributions (through their political action committees or PACs)

13. Influencing policy: Congress Lobbying Congress: (Insider Strategy- directly attempting to influence policy) • Lobbying: the process by which interest groups attempt to influence the decisions of policymakers • When a bill is being considered in Congress – lobbyists for an interest group attempt to influence laws – goal is to make it more favorable to their cause/ interest • “Insider strategy” • Supply info to legislators – data which supports their cause/interest • Detailed information gathered by people who are passionate about an issue, often biased (not false ) • Testify at committee hearings in support or against a particular law – EXPERTS • Publicity – they will generate positive publicity for candidates who support their cause, or threaten negative publicity for candidates who are against their cause (news articles, mailings, e-mailings, phone calls)

14. How do they influence: Lobbying • Lobbyists 1995 federal lobbying disclosure act: any person who makes at least 1 lobbying contact with either the legislative or executive branch in a year, any individual who spends 20% of his/her time in support of such activities, or any firm that devotes 10% of its budget to such activities must register as a lobbyist • Career: over 15,000 in D.C. • Many lobbying firms located on K Street in D.C. • are masters at the “art” of persuasion • Origin: Lobbying – hang out in the “lobby” and wait for members of Congress • Billions spent each year • An everlasting Campaign promise – get the lobbyists or special interests out of Washington • http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57527490/behind-the-closed-doors-of-washington-lobbyists/

15. How much can a lobbyist contribute? • $2,500 per Election to a Federal candidate -- Each primary, runoff, and general election counts as a separate election. • $30,800 per calendar year to a national party committee -- applies separately to a party's national committee, and House and Senate campaign committee. • $10,000 per calendar year to state, district & local party committees • $5,000 per calendar year to a PAC • Aggregate Total -- $117,000 per two-year election cycle as follows: $46,200 per two-year cycle to candidates in total $70,800 per two-year cycle to all national party committees and PACs • NOTE: Married couples are considered to be separate individuals with separate contribution limits.

16. Lobbying Congress Congressional aid on Lobbying: “ My boss demands a speech and a statement for the Congressional Record for every bill we introduce or co-sponsor – and we have a lot of bills. I just can’t do it all myself. The better lobbyists, when they have a proposal they are pushing, bring it to me along with a couple of speeches, a Record insert, and a fact sheet.”

17. Lobbying in Congress • The revolving door • Many lobbying firms hire ex-staffers, ex-members of Congress, or even relatives of Congress members

18. Gun Rights / Control Debate: Lobbying Case Study • http://blogs.lawyers.com/2013/01/senate-judiciary-committee-gun-violence/ • http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/pdf/1-30-13LaPierreTestimony.pdf • http://lepartnership.org/?page_id=36

19. PACs and Interest Groups • Many interest groups form PACs to allow them to donate directly to candidates election funds • Supporting a candidate that shares their position on issues important to the group • Can succeed in getting them in the door to have direct access to members of Congress • Restrictions on funds • $5,000 limit on individual contributions to a PAC • $5,000 per election per candidate (from Pac to candidate)

20. Other outside spending organizations and interest groups Many interest groups have also created 527s, Super PACs, and in some cases 501c4s -Why 527s: tax exempt, can spend as much as they want on issue advocacy and lobbying Super PACs: can spend as much as they want on issue advocacy and lobbying, can directly endorse a candidate Fewer interest groups can create 501c4s because - can’t spend more than 50% of budget on political activity , no more than 20% on lobbying activities • How can they create all of these?!? • Many interest groups will actually divide their organizations into several sub-groups (issue advocacy vs. lobbying branch vs. grassroots organizations) • These different subgroups may qualify as 527s or 501c4s

22. Regulations placed on Interest groups and lobbyists • Interest Groups • Limits on gifts: • 1 gift can’t cost more than $50, total of $100 worth of gifts in a year • Interest groups CAN pay for congressional trips as long as it is related to legislative business and is disclosed on a congressional report within 30 days • Lobbyists can’t pay for trips, parties, or meals • Can hold fundraisers for lawmakers (loophole)

24. Lobbying and the Executive Branch • Meet with White House Staff to help them formulate policy • Biden and the gun control / gun rights debate • Meet with executive branch agencies • 1946 law provides notice of and allows for comments on rules and regulations these agencies create , lobbyists often influence this process • FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Company) • 2009 commercial banks lobby to have influence over new insurance regulations placed on banks • How much to protect? How much do banks have to pay FDIC

25. Lobbying and the Courts • 3 ways interest groups can use the courts to affect policy • 1. bring suit on behalf of the group itself • Webster v. Reproductive Health Services • Restored the right of a state to place restrictions on abortion (Missouri – no public finds could be used, viability of fetus tests) • 2. Financing suits brought by individuals • Brown v. Board of Education • 3. Filing amicus curiae briefs • Writ of Certiorari: deciding to take a case • Making decision http://www.law.berkeley.edu/clinics/dpclinic/LethalInjection/LI/documents/kit/summaries.pdf

26. Grassroots lobbying Grassroots lobbying (also indirect lobbying) • is a form of lobbying that focuses on raising awareness of a particular cause at the local level, with the intention of reaching the legislature • Op ed in newspaper, press release, ads, rallies, e-mailing members… • Grassroots lobbying is an approach that separates itself from direct lobbying through the act of asking the general public to contact legislators and government officials concerning the issue at hand, as opposed to conveying the message to the legislators directly. • Interest groups are using increasing their use of this tactic • Easier due to social networking and the internet

27. The Iron Triangle

28. What makes an interest group successful? • Size? : • The more members an IG has the more $ they will have and the more people who can work on “grassroots” lobbying • E-mailing legislators… • AARP: 38 million members • BUT Bigger doesn’t always mean better • Free-rider problem: people will benefit even if they aren’t a member so why join • Smaller groups • may have members how are much more active in the IG • NRA : 4 million • Can benefit from Coalition building: interest groups may work together to push Congress to pass legislation • Common Sense for Drug Policy, NORML, and Drug Policy Alliance working on decriminalization efforts

29. What makes an interest group successful? • Issue Intensity: • Members who are passionate are willing to work harder and contribute more • Single Issue groups are able to play on this • NRA • NORML

30. What makes an interest group successful? • $$$ • Need money to hire lobbyists, support PACs, hire lawyers to write amicus curiae briefs… • Money can also help to create a relationship with lawmakers • Fundraisers: interest groups can bundle contributions • Lobbyists can also bundle contributions • PACs can donate directly to candidates • 527s, Super PACs, 501c4s: directly or indirectly support a candidates re-election

31. Are interest groups GOOD or EVIL?!? • Power Elite Theory – super rich: corporate interest groups, large financial institutions dominate • POWER is concentrated – wealth • Wall Street Bailout in 2009, average Americans get small stimulus check… • PACs, Super PACs , 527s, 501c4s… the more $ you have the more influence you have http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6LB30iPqIM just funny 

32. Are interest groups GOOD or EVIL?!? • Pluralist Theory • Many interest groups compete – • Policies reflect bargaining, compromises • Health care law – professional groups (Doctors / Nurses), insurance companies, unions, citizen/public interest groups (American Heart Association…) • Beauty of American system – no one can dominate the system • Separation of powers: allows for varies avenues to influence policy • Checks and balances: ensures no one group can become too powerful • Madison Fed 10: the way to protect against factions really is more factions (extended republic)

33. Are interest groups GOOD or EVIL?!? • “Hyperpluralist” Theory • Too many interest groups attempting to influence • Lawmakers are trying to please too many interests • Confusing policies • Tax incentives to drill for oil (Big Biz) • Tax breaks to buy hybrid vehicles (Environmental groups) • Strict regulations on tobacco industry ( 2012: $54,000,000 antismoking ad campaign) • Subsidies for tobacco farmers (2011: $191,000,000)

34. Lobbyists Pros Cons $ may not buy legislation, but it does buy access Fundraising loopholes Wealthier, better connected interest groups may have more influence on policy because of this access Lobbyists are not always working for the good of the public, just the good of their interest group(s) • Allows interest groups to gain access to policy-makers • May be experts in the policy field or experts in the legislative process • Right guaranteed by the 1st amendment- petition gov’t http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1q3Yz0grLQ

35. Interest groups: role in legislation • Regulations? Reforms? • Should there be limits on who can lobby? • Should there be any further restrictions related to lobbyists / interest groups and fundraising?