1. Influence of Lobbyist & Money
LG: I will describe lobbyists and the activities through which they seek to influence policy.

2. I. Lobbyists
Try to influence policy decisions on behalf of interest groups
Revolving door: between gov’t & businesses raise conflict of interests
Tools: knowledge, networks, money

3. II. Job of Lobbyists Take the message to the people
Provide specialists information for politicians
Best strategy is convincing members of Congress to make small changes in existing policy

4. III. Political Action Committees (PACs)
Political arm of interest group
Provide money to politicians/campaigns
Persuade politicians to act/vote in a certain way
Incumbents who support PAC’s benefit from the $
Business PACs have been growing rapidly

5. 5.5
FIGURE 5.3: Total PAC contributions to candidates for U.S. Congress,
These contributions are listed in millions of dollars. What is the overall trend for PAC contributions during this time period?

6. 5.5
TABLE 5.2: PACs that gave the most to federal candidates, cumulatively, (millions of dollars)
Which PACs have contributed less in the last decade? Which have contributed more? What types of groups are represented by these PACs? Do any of them surprise you? Are there any PACs you expected to be in the top ten that are not listed?
Republicans benefit from NRA, AMA, NAR, & ATR whereas
Democrats benefit from UAW,NADA, Laborer’s Union

7. IV. Super PACs
Can spend unlimited amounts of money in support or opposition to federal candidates
Citizens United v. FEC, 2010
i. Declared limits on groups spending from their general funds on campaign communication unconstitutional

8. 5.5
TABLE 5.3: Candidate supportive Super PACs and money they spent in
Super PACs can spend huge amounts of money.

9. V. PACs Investing
A. PACs invest 42% of campaign funding for incumbents

10. 5.5
FIGURE 5.4: PAC contributions to Congressional candidates,
Over time, how has the distribution of PAC money changed? Why do PACs contribute so disproportionately to incumbents?

11. 5
Discussion Question
How does money exert influence over public policy? Does the interest group with the most money always get its preferred public policies? What are some arguments for and against restricting the amount of money that groups can contribute to political campaigns?