Interest Groups AP Government Unit 5

Interest Groups AP Government Unit 5

What is an Interest Group??
“An interest group is an organization made up of people who share common objectives and who actively attempt to influence government policymakers through direct and indirect methods.”

What do Interest Groups do?
Try to influence public policy Lobbyists try and persuade public officials to believe a specific view Every branch and every level of government is affected by interest groups

How Society Benefits from Interest Groups
Positives How Society Benefits from Interest Groups Promote interest in public affairs Provide useful information Serve as watchdogs Represent the interest of Citizens

Criticism of Interest Groups
Negatives Criticism of Interest Groups Ignore the wider interest of society Produces confusion and deadlock in Congress Generate so much emotion that they make reasoned discussion difficult Have too much influence

Political Parties vs. Interest Groups
Nominate candidates Want to win elections Concerned with many issues Interest Groups Don’t nominate Want to influence policies Concerned with one issue

Lobbyists A Lobbyist is someone whose task it is to influence legislation or policymaking Lobbyists may work for an interest group for free (pro bono) but generally are hired for a fee

Lobbyists Lobbyists are also hired by: Businesses Trade associations
Colleges or universities Foreign countries Anyone else wanting their voice heard on policy matters (Health issues, parent issues…)

What Lobbyists SHOULD Do
A lobbyist must be honest and truthful if he or she wants to remain effective. Access to lawmakers is critical and if a lobbyist gets a reputation of being untruthful or disingenuous legislators doors will close. Good lobbyists will also make lawmakers aware of the downsides of a bill and the arguments on the other side as well.

Acts Regulating Lobbyists
1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act Lobbyists must register and file reports 1978 Ethics in Government Act Officials must disclose finances and employment after leaving government service 1995 The Lobbying Disclosure Act Must Register and Report clients Estimate how much they are paid and report the % to the government FYI- Approximately 4 Million Dollars were spent lobbying EACH member of Congress in 2005!

The Development of American Interest Groups
Interest groups have been part of the American political landscape since the country’s founding. The open nature of the American government invites organized political participation. James Madison in Federalist #10 argued that no one group should get control over other groups.

The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups
National Groups Emerge ( ) The beginnings of lobbying and interest groups Anti-Slavery groups Temperance Groups The Grange

The Progressive Era ( ) Organized Labor The American Federation of Labor (AFL) (1886) Business and Trade Associations The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) (1895)

The Interest Group State Today Civil rights groups ACLU, Common Cause, NAACP Religious and Ideological Groups Christian Coalition, Moral Majority Business Groups, Trade and Professional Associations Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable Organized Labor AFL-CIO and the Teamsters

Why People Join Interest Groups
Solidary Incentives For the social contacts League of Women Voters, NAACP, PTSA, American Legion Material Incentives For economic reasons AARP, Farmers Groups, Labor Unions Purposive Incentives For moral causes / crusades Right to-Life, Pro-Choice, Greenpeace

Who Joins Interest Groups?
Patrons/leaders Wealthy individuals who can fund projects and put pressure on politicians Workers Pay dues, join committees, attend meetings, and work to advance the cause Rank-and-file members Pay dues

Who DOESN’T Join Interest Groups?
The “free rider” problem Those who can/will benefit from the work of the interest group without joining or paying dues

Who are They? Who Do They Support??
Interest Group Area of Concern/Cause Who are They? Who Do They Support?? AARP -American Association of Retired Persons Benefits for retired people- Important voting block! Both; Middle-aged Republicans; Very old people Democrats AFL-CIO Workplace issues and benefits for workers Labor Union/Blue collar workers; Usually votes for Democrats American Bar Association Concerned with legal issues such as caps on awards to victims; malpractice Lawyers; Usually Republicans but not always ACLU-American Civil Liberties Union Concerned with Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties Can be both but more associated with Democrats/Libertarians AMA- American Med. Association Medical issues; Stem cell research; malpractice Doctors; Usually Republicans Amnesty International Concerned about the treatment of prisoners worldwide; political prisoners Usually Democrats AIPAC Also B'nai B'rith ) Civil rights; Interested in Israel issues Jewish Americans; Mostly Democrats Children's Defense Fund Issues involving children- insurance, Mostly Democrats Christian Coalition Religious issues; pro-life An important voting block! Republicans Common Cause Reform in government; watchdogs Both

Who are They? Who Do They Support??
Interest Group Area of Concern/Cause Who are They? Who Do They Support?? EMILY’s List Abortion rights; women in office Democratic women Focus on the Family Family- oriented issues; pro-life Republicans League of Women Voters Voting issues; Debates Both but many are Democrats MADD-Mothers Against Drunk Driving Concerned about teenage driving safety; age laws Parents/moms; Both NAACP –Nat’l Assoc. for the Advancement of Colored People Concerned with issues voting, and other civil rights issues; An important voting block! African Americans; Democrats NEA- National Education Association Education issues; protect teacher jobs; generally against NCLB or want to reform NCLB Teachers- High % usually vote for Democrats NOW- Nat’l Org. for Women Women’s issues; Pro-Choice Women; Democrats NRA- National Rifle Association Pro Guns/2nd Amendment Issues; Less restrictive gun laws and gun control Republicans/Libertarians National Right to Life Organization Pro- Life/ Anti Abortion National Wilderness Society Environmental Issues Mostly Democrats- Some Republicans Sierra Club Mostly Democrats Veterans of Foreign Wars/American Legion Veterans; Concerned with issues about benefits Both but generally Republicans

Facts About the AARP Among those over 50, AARP members are more likely to vote than nonmembers. % of Americans Registered to vote: 85% % of AARP Members Registered to Vote- 90% % of American who always vote in local elections: 50% % of AARP Members who always vote in Local Elections- 57% % of Americans who always vote in presidential elections 77% % of AARP Members who always vote in presidential elections- 84%

Other SIG’s NOT on Test 60 Plus Association
Academy of General Dentistry ACT! for America AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Advocacy Association Alliance For Headache Disorders Advocacy AIDS United Alliance for Retired Americans Alliance to Stop the War on the Poor Alzheimer's Impact Movement American Academy of Family Physicians American Academy of Emergency Medicine American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of University Women American Association of University Professors American Bar Association American Benefits Council American Civil Liberties Union American College of Emergency Physicians American Coalition for Ethanol American College of Surgeons American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists American Council of Engineering Companies American Family Association American Family Voices American Farm Bureau Federation American Federation of Government Employees American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) American Federation of Teachers American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Foreign Service Association American Forest and Paper Association American Hospital Association American Immigration Lawyers Association American Humane Association American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics American Israel Education Foundation American Israel Public Affairs Committee American Lands Alliance American Land Rights Association (formerly League of Private Property Voters) American Library Association American Medical Association American Muslims for Jerusalem American Nurses Association American Postal Workers Union American Public Health Association American Road and Transportation Builders Association American Security Council Foundation American Society for Radiation Oncology American Shareholders Association American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals American Society of Anesthesiologists American Veterans American Wilderness Coalition American Veterinary Medical Association American Wind Energy Association Americans for Better Immigration Americans for Democratic Action Americans for Immigration Control Americans for Fair Taxation Americans for Legal Immigration Americans for Prosperity Americans for Tax Reform Americans for the Protection of Children Americans for the Arts Action Fund Americans United for the Separation of Church and State America's Voice Animal Welfare Institute Armenian National Committee of America Arab American Institute Asian American Action Fund Associated Builders & Contractors Associated Equipment Distributors Association For Supervision and Curriculum Development Associated General Contractors of America Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) Association of University Centers on Disabilities Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Blue Dog Coalition Big Cat Rescue Born Free USA Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Bread for the World Business-Industry Political Action Committee Business and Professional Women USA California Park & Recreation Society Californians for Population Stabilization Campaign for a Color Blind America Campaign for Working Families Campaign for America's Future Can Do Conservatives Catholic Advocate Catholic Families USA Center for International Policy 60 Plus Association Academy of General Dentistry ACT! for America AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Advocacy Association Alliance For Headache Disorders Advocacy AIDS United Alliance for Retired Americans Alliance to Stop the War on the Poor Alzheimer's Impact Movement American Academy of Family Physicians American Academy of Emergency Medicine American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of University Women American Association of University Professors American Bar Association American Benefits Council American Civil Liberties Union American College of Emergency Physicians American Coalition for Ethanol American College of Surgeons American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists American Council of Engineering Companies American Family Association American Family Voices American Farm Bureau Federation American Federation of Government Employees American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) American Federation of Teachers American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Foreign Service Association American Forest and Paper Association American Hospital Association American Immigration Lawyers Association American Humane Association American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics American Israel Education Foundation American Israel Public Affairs Committee American Lands Alliance American Land Rights Association (formerly League of Private Property Voters) American Library Association American Medical Association American Muslims for Jerusalem American Nurses Association American Postal Workers Union American Public Health Association American Road and Transportation Builders Association American Security Council Foundation American Society for Radiation Oncology American Shareholders Association American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals American Society of Anesthesiologists American Veterans American Wilderness Coalition American Veterinary Medical Association American Wind Energy Association Americans for Better Immigration Americans for Democratic Action Americans for Immigration Control Americans for Fair Taxation Americans for Legal Immigration Americans for Prosperity Americans for Tax Reform Americans for the Protection of Children Americans for the Arts Action Fund Americans United for the Separation of Church and State America's Voice Animal Welfare Institute Armenian National Committee of America Arab American Institute Asian American Action Fund Associated Builders & Contractors Associated Equipment Distributors Association For Supervision and Curriculum Development Associated General Contractors of America Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) Association of University Centers on Disabilities Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Blue Dog Coalition Big Cat Rescue Born Free USA Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Bread for the World Business-Industry Political Action Committee Business and Professional Women USA California Park & Recreation Society Californians for Population Stabilization Campaign for a Color Blind America Campaign for Working Families Campaign for America's Future Can Do Conservatives Catholic Advocate Catholic Families USA Center for International Policy 60 Plus Association Academy of General Dentistry ACT! for America AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Advocacy Association AIDS United Alliance For Headache Disorders Advocacy Alliance for Retired Americans Alliance to Stop the War on the Poor Alzheimer's Impact Movement American Academy of Emergency Medicine American Academy of Family Physicians American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of University Professors American Association of University Women American Bar Association American Benefits Council American Civil Liberties Union American Coalition for Ethanol American College of Emergency Physicians American College of Surgeons American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists American Council of Engineering Companies American Family Association American Family Voices American Farm Bureau Federation American Federation of Government Employees American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Federation of Teachers American Foreign Service Association American Forest and Paper Association American Hospital Association American Humane Association American Immigration Lawyers Association American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics American Israel Education Foundation American Israel Public Affairs Committee American Land Rights Association (formerly League of Private Property Voters) American Lands Alliance American Library Association American Medical Association American Muslims for Jerusalem American Nurses Association American Postal Workers Union American Public Health Association American Road and Transportation Builders Association American Security Council Foundation American Shareholders Association American Society for Radiation Oncology American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals American Society of Anesthesiologists American Veterans American Veterinary Medical Association American Wilderness Coalition American Wind Energy Association Americans for Better Immigration Americans for Democratic Action Americans for Fair Taxation Americans for Immigration Control Americans for Legal Immigration Americans for Prosperity Americans for Tax Reform Americans for the Arts Action Fund Americans for the Protection of Children Americans United for the Separation of Church and State America's Voice Animal Welfare Institute Arab American Institute Armenian National Committee of America Asian American Action Fund Associated Builders & Contractors Associated Equipment Distributors Associated General Contractors of America Association For Supervision and Curriculum Development Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) Association of University Centers on Disabilities Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Big Cat Rescue Blue Dog Coalition Born Free USA Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Bread for the World Business and Professional Women USA Business-Industry Political Action Committee California Park & Recreation Society Californians for Population Stabilization Campaign for a Color Blind America Campaign for America's Future Campaign for Working Families Can Do Conservatives Catholic Advocate Catholic Families USA Center for International Policy Center for Security Policy Center for Worker Freedom Children's Defense Fund Christian Action Network Christian and Jews United for Israel Christian Coalition of America Christian Voice Church World Service CitizenLink Citizens Against Government Waste Citizens for Global Solutions Citizens for Health Citizens for Health - Whole Person Health Rating Citizens for Tax Justice Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants Citizens United Political Victory Fund Clean Water Action CNET News Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Combat Veterans for Congress Common Cause Communications Workers of America Competitive Enterprise Institute Computer & Communications Industry Association Concerned Women for America Concerned Women PAC Concord Coalition ConservAmerica Conservative Congress Conservative Review Consumer Action Consumer Alliance for Energy Security Consumer Federation of America Council for a Livable World Council on American-Islamic Relations DAPAC DC Works For US Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Democracy For America Democrats for Life of America Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Disabled American Veterans Doris Day Animal League Drug Policy Alliance Network Drum Major Institute for Public Policy/TheMiddleClass.org Eagle Forum Emergency Committee for American Trade Emily's List English First Environment America Faith and Freedom Coalition Family Research Council Federally Employed Women Federation for American Immigration Reform Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Feminist Majority Political Action Committee Financial Executives International Fleet Reserve Association Food Policy Action FRC Action Freedom Democrats FreedomWorks Friends Committee on National Legislation Gay & Lesbian Political Victory Fund Global AIDS Alliance Global Exchange GOPAC GOProud GOPUSA Government is Not God Political Action Committee (GING-PAC) Grassroots Netroots Alliance Gun Owners of America Gun Sense Heritage Action for America Hispanic Federation, LCLAA, LULAC, Mi Familia Vota, NCLR, and Voto Latino Home School Legal Defense Association Hope for Peace and Justice House Conservatives Fund (Republican Study Committee) Huck PAC Human Rights Campaign Humane USA PAC Independence Caucus Independence Hall Tea Party PAC Independent Electrical Contractors Information Technology Industry Council International Association of Fire Fighters International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers International Brotherhood of Boilermakers International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International Brotherhood of Teamsters International Foodservice Distributors Association International Sleep Products Association International Warehouse Logistics Association Iranian American Political Action Committee Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Iraq Veterans for Congress Irregular Times/Progressive Patriots/That's My Congress J Street J Street PAC Jewish Women International Keep America Safe Latin America Working Group Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Leading Age League of Conservation Voters League of Southeastern Credit Unions League of United Latin American Citizens League of Women Voters Legion for the Survival of Freedom, Inc. (formerly Liberty Lobby) Liberty Central Liberty for All Liberty Guard LibertySlate Log Cabin Republicans Maggie's List PAC Marriage Equality USA Maryland Business for Responsive Government Mennonite Central Committee Metals Service Center Institute Military Officers Association of America Move to Amend MoveOn.org Political Action Muslim Public Affairs Council NARAL Pro-Choice America National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association National Animal Interest Alliance Trust National Association for Addiction Professionals National Association for College Admission Counseling National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Association for the Self-Employed National Association of Counties National Association of Elementary School Principals National Association of Government Contractors National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors National Association of Manufacturers National Association of Police Organizations National Association of Realtors National Association of Social Workers National Association of Wheat Growers National Breast Cancer Coalition National Committee for an Effective Congress National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare National Council of Agricultural Employers National Council of La Raza National Council of Senior Citizens National Criminal Justice Association National Defense PAC National Education Association National Electrical Contractors Association National Employment Lawyers Association National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association National Farmers Organization National Farmers Union National Federation of Federal Employees National Federation of Independent Business National Foreign Trade Council National Gay & Lesbian Task Force National Hispanic Leadership Agenda National Housing Institute National Iranian American Council National Journal National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute National Network for Youth National Nurses United National Organization for Marriage National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws National Organization for Women National Parent Teacher Association National Parks Conservation Association National Ready Mixed Concrete Association National Restaurant Association National Retail Federation National Rifle Association National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action National Right to Life Committee National Rural Health Association National School Boards Association National Small Business Association National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association National Tax Limitation Committee National Taxpayers Union National Women's Political Caucus National Youth Advocacy Coalition NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby New Democrat Coalition NewPolicy.org Non Commissioned Officers Association Nuclear Age Peace Foundation NumbersUSA [Americans for Better Immigration] Ocean Champions One Nation PAC Open Doors USA Parkinsons Action Network Partnership for America Peace Action Peace Action West PeacePAC People for the American Way PFLAG, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Planned Parenthood Action Fund Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association Population Action International Population Connection ProEnglish Progressive Action PAC (Congressional Progressive Caucus) Progressive Change Campaign Committee Progressive Democrats of America Progressive Punch Protect Patients Now! Public Citizen's Congress Watch Race Forward Radical Middle Republican Liberty Caucus Republican Main Street Partnership Republican Majority Campaign PAC Republican National Coalition for Life PAC Resolve Uganda RESULTS Retire Safe Right March Right Now Women PAC Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law School Nutrition Association Secular Coalition for America Senate Conservatives Fund Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Sierra Club Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council Smokefree Action Social Media Today Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance St. Joseph Health System Stand Against Spying State PIRGs Working Together Students for a New American Politics (SNAP) Susan B. Anthony List Taxpayers for Common Sense Tea Party Express Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Team America TechAmerica TechCrunch/CrunchGov Term Limits America Political Action Committee The American College of Physicians The American Geriatrics Society The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association The American Legion The Arc The Cato Institute The Center for Education Reform The Children's Health Fund The Club for Growth The Humane Society Legislative Fund The Humane Society of the United States The John Birch Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Libertarian Party The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association The National Mining Association The Network for Public Education The New American The Poker Players Alliance The Population Institute The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans The Retired Enlisted Association The Tea Party Leadership Fund The Woman Activist Traditional Values Coalition Transportation Communications Union United Auto Workers United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers United Farm Workers of America United Food & Commercial Workers United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 United Fresh Produce Association United Mine Workers of America United Seniors Association United States Border Control United States Business and Industry Council United States Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation United States Chamber of Commerce United States English United States Public Interest Research Group United States Student Association United States Women's Chamber of Commerce United Steelworkers United To End Genocide USA Engage Utility Workers Union of America Venn Institute Veterans and Military Families for Progress Vets for Freedom PAC Vietnam Veterans of America Voices for Creative Nonviolence Voices of Conservative Women Vote Hemp Vote Kids Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (WRMEA) Western Organization of Resource Councils Women Employed Women Under Forty Political Action Committee Women's Action for New Directions (WAND) and-WILL Women's Campaign Fund Workplace Choice Workplace Fairness Other SIG’s NOT on Test

Three Ways Interest Groups Attempt to Achieve their goals.
Litigation Filing law suits Collecting campaign contributions for candidates Sometimes through mandatory dues taken from paychecks Grassroots lobbying Mobilizing a large mass of voters

Interest Group Techniques
Direct Techniques: Lobby at Capitol Hill Have private meetings Meet at social occasions Testify at hearings Drafting legislation Providing political info Supply nomination suggestions Indirect Techniques: Generating Public Pressure Use public pressure on “hot button” issues Use constituents to call lawmakers Build alliances with other groups

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?
Leaders – having a prominent leader aids in the reputation of the group and enhances a group's ability to attain its goals. Patrons and Funding – funding is critical. Without money, it is hard to get your message out. Members – a group must have members to be successful. Organizing members allows for strength in numbers and pooling of financial support.

Where does ALL the Interest Group $$ Come??
Member dues Federal grants Direct mail appeals for cash Internet sites +Dinners and fundraisers Where do they spend it? Candidates, Issues & PAC’s!

Political Action Committees
A popular term for a political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. Most PACS represent business, labor or ideological interests.

Political Action Committees
PACS are the so-called “political arms” of interest groups PACS are used to elect or defeat government officials and promote legislation The “revolving door” PACS hire former members of Congress to lobby their old friends, committees, etc… This is legal but …Is this Ethical???

The Birth of PACS In 1944, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, (CIO) wanted to help President Franklin Roosevelt get re-elected. Standing in their way was the Smith Connally Act of 1943, which made it illegal for labor unions to contribute funds to federal candidates. The CIO then urged individual union members to voluntarily contribute money directly to the Roosevelt campaign. PACs (political action committees) were born.

Political Action Committees (PAC’s)
A PAC must register six months in advance, have at least fifty contributors, and give to at least five candidates. Corporations, unions, or other associations may establish PAC’s.

Political Action Committees (PAC’s)
There are over 4,000 PACs registered with the Federal Election Commission. PAC’s gave over $217 million to congressional candidates in 1996 $373 million in 2010!!!

Money TO PAC’s Individuals can give up to $2600 to an individual candidate BUT PACs may receive up to $5,000 from any one individual, other PAC or party committee per calendar year.

Money from PACS PACS can give $5,000 to a candidate if they have more than 50 members and contribute to at least 5 candidates PER election (primary, general or special). They can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC.

PACS support candidates with campaign money
Money from PACS PACS support candidates with campaign money Incumbents get the most PAC money!!

Important PAC’s The Laborers International Union of North America
The National Association of Realtors The National Rifle Association (NRA) Microsoft Corp Exxon Mobil EMILY’s List- Early money is like yeast – makes the Dough rise (Democratic women)

Super PACs Super PACs are a new kind of political action committee created in July 2010 following the outcome of the Citizens United case). They can spend unlimited sums for OR against political candidates Technically they are known as “independent expenditure-only committees”

Super PACs Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from
Corporations Unions Associations and individuals. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates.

2016 Super PACs- lots of $$$ 2,398 Super PACs
$1,574,809,229 total raised by Super PACs $1,117,746,826 total spent by Super PACs

Top 10 Groups in 2016 Amount Spent Viewpoint Total Raised
Priorities USA Action $132,284,461 Liberal $175,968,141 Right to Rise USA $86,817,138 Conservative $121,678,714 Senate Leadership Fund $85,964,625 $75,592,335 Senate Majority PAC $80,380,021 $74,569,617 Conservative Solutions PAC $55,443,483 $60,564,219 House Majority PAC $52,662,803 $48,446,433 Get Our Jobs Back $50,010,166 $50,326,027 Congressional Leadership Fund $40,078,298 $43,511,890 Women Vote! $33,172,829 $29,441,246 Freedom Partners Action Fund $29,728,852 $27,690,57

Other Fundraising Groups
In addition to Super PACs and regular PAC’s there are several other vehicles donors can use to attempt to influence elections. 527 organizations which are entirely political and must disclose their donors. 501(c)(4) groups can shield their donors' identities -- but can't have politics as their primary purpose.

Jack Abramoff interviewed on
Jack Abramoff Scandal “Super-Lobbyist” Abramoff plead guilty to corruption charges in 2006 He illegally gave gifts and made campaign donations to legislators in return for votes or support of legislation Several federal officials were also accused and found guilty in the scandal Jack Abramoff interviewed on 60 Minutes in 2012

Study and Read Ch. 11!!

Interest Groups AP Government Unit 5

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