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. 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) Other outside spending organizations and interest groups Many interest groups have also created 527s, Super PACs, and in some cases 501c4s * 501c4s can’t spend more than 50% of budget on political activity , no more than 20% on lobbying activities

19. 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

21. Gun rights/control and lobbying • http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/280013-debate-over-guns-shifts-to-capitol-hill • What groups are testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee? • NRA vs. National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence • What policy positions will these groups be pushing? • http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/full-text-nra-remarks-gun-control-debate-newtown-article-1.1225043 • http://lepartnership.org/?page_id=36 National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence What is your position on the issue?

23. Regulations on lobbyists • Any ideas???????

24. Lobbying and the Executive Branch • Meet with White House Staff to help them formulate policy • Biden and the gun control / gun rights debate http://www.npr.org/2013/01/12/169209917/biden-seeks-to-rally-all-sides-of-gun-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

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. The Iron Triangle

27. 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… • 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

28. 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 • Pro-Life

29. What makes an interest group successful? • $$$ • Need money to hire lobbyists, support PACs, hire lawyers to write amicus curiae briefs…

30. 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

31. Are interest groups GOOD or EVIL?!? • Pluralist Theory • Many interest groups compete – • Policies reflect bargaining, compromises • Health care law – professional groups, people, insurance companies, bureaucrats, • Beauty of American system – no one can dominate the system • Madison Fed 10

32. Are interest groups GOOD or EVIL?!? • “Hyperpluralist” Theory • Too many interest groups attempting to influence • Confusing policies • Tax incentives to drill for oil (Big Biz) • Tax breaks to buy hybrid vehicles (Environmental groups