1. Interest Groups AP Government Unit 3 Chap 16

2. The Development of American Interest Group?
Interest groups have existed 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.

3. What is an Interest Group?
An association of people who hold common views and who work together to influence what the government does

4. 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
Promote interest in public affairs
Provide useful information
Serve as watchdogs
Represent the interest of Citizens

5. Interest Group have been Criticized for
Ignoring the wider interest of society
Producing confusion and deadlock in Congress
Generating so much emotion that they make reasoned discussion difficult
Having too much influence

6. Interest Groups: Good, Bad, or Ugly?
Lately, interest groups have become synonymous with
the “evil” special interest. What is “special interests”?
Over 20,000 associations hoping to promote, persuade or prevent something
Aliases:
Interest Groups
PACS
Lobbyists
In a typical day, a senator can meet with 15 lobbyists in their office, plus those that approach him/her in the halls of Congress.

7. What do Interest Groups need?
Social capital
The large number of relationships that individuals enjoy that facilitate the resolution of community problems through collective action
Civic virtue
The tendency to form small-scale associations for the public good

8. Interest Groups in America
America is considered pluralistic
many different groups seeking to secure its members interests
Work outside of the political system, (separate and independent from the actual government structure)

9. 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 ( )
Important groups created
Organized Labor
The American Federation of Labor (AFL) (1886)
Business and Trade Associations
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) (1895)

10. The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups
The Rise of the Interest Group State ( )
A new sense of progressivism
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
Teamsters

11. Interest Groups in Politics
The closer the ties to political issues, personalities and organizations, the more effective the group
Contributions of Interest Groups
provide link to gov't
provide info
encourage participation
stabilize other groups

12. Goal: Influence Politics
Assist in election campaigns
Influence judicial appointments
Form PACs
File amicus curiae briefs and lawsuits
Grassroots work (advertise opinion, letter writing, social protests)
A form of pressure-group activity that attempts to involve individuals who contact their representatives directly in an effort to influence policy
Persuading ordinary voters to act as the group’s advocates

13. Lobbyists
A Lobbyist is someone whose task it is to influence legislation or policymaking
Generally works for an interest group
Lobbyists are hired by:
Businesses
Trade associations
Colleges or universities
Foreign countries
Anyone else wanting their voice heard on policy matters (Health issues, parent issues…)

15. 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.

16. Goal: Lobbying
An attempt to influence the shape of legislation coming out of Congress and other rule making bodies
The activities of a group or organization that seeks to influence legislation and persuade political leaders to support the group’s position

17. Goal: Lobbying Employs more than 80,000 in Washington DC alone
Named from days when Congress didn't live in Washington and stayed in boarding homes or hotels where lobbies were only place to catch and attempt to sway to your side
23 ways for lobbyists and organizations to lobby on the state and national level
Most often they: testify at legislative hearings, contact government officials directly, help draft legislation

18. Lobbying Congress Members of Congress are targets of lobbyists
Many lobbyists are former members
Lobbyists work closely with those members who share their interests
The effectiveness of a lobbyist depends on their reputation for fair play and accurate information

20. Reform Attempts Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1946
Lobbying Disclosure Act, 1995
Employs a strict definition of lobbyist
Requires lobbyists to:
Register with the clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate
Report their clients and issues and the agency or house they lobbied
Estimate the amount they are paid by each client
Makes it easier for watchdog groups to track the lobbying activity

21. Lobbying the Executive Branch
Has expanded As the scope of federal government has expanded
Many potential access points
Lobbyists seek influence at policy formation and implementation stages.
An especially strong link exists between interest groups and regulatory agencies
Groups often monitor the implementation of the laws or policies they advocated.

22. Types of Interest Groups
NAM (National Association of Manufacturers)
American Bankers Association
AFL-CIO
General Motors
AMA (American Medical Association)
ABA (American Bar Association)
National Grange
NEA (National Education Association)
Economic
establish standards, better working conditions
Determined by the way people earn a living
Business & professional, labor, agricultural

23. Types of Interest Groups
Social Action
Membership is determined by birth
Gender, Race, Ethnicity
NOW
National Organization of Women
NAACP
National Association for Advancement of Colored Persons
National Council of Senior Citizens

24. Types of Interest Groups
Religious
support or oppose laws morally
U.S. Catholic Conference
700 Club
Christian Coalition
Ideological
Have a specific political agenda
Have become the center of PAC activities
Heritage Foundation
Brookings Institute
People for the American Way

25. Types of Interest Groups
Single Issue
Focus on one policy area
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
NRA (National Rifle Association)
Public Interest
Environment, Voter Registration, Consumer Protection, Historic preservation
League of Women Voters
Sierra Club
Common Cause

27. Problems with Interest Groups
Overrepresentation of views of privileged class

28. Utilization of free-rider concept of representation
Benefits go to all in an industry, not just group members
Benefits that go to members only (better health care, etc.)
Reliability of funding sources and sponsorship
Could be double influence (corporations, foundations, etc.)

29. Business Role in Interest Groups
Most large corporations
Have their own governmental affairs department
Employ D.C.-based lobbyists to keep them apprised of legislation
Have given substantial soft money in the past
Still use PACS & 527s which means they still contribute a great deal of money

30. Legislators tend to vote:
FOR:
legislation that confers significant benefits on relatively small (but organized and active) groups and imposes small costs on the public at large
Ex. Farm Subsidies
AGAINST:
legislation that imposes costs on small (but organized and active) groups and deprives the public at large of relatively small benefits
Ex. Benefits cuts for military

32. Why People Join Interest Groups
Solidarity 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

33. Who Joins Interest Groups?
Upper class interest groups- Big Business
More affluent join and are active
White collar workers
Professional groups
Working class interest groups- Big Labor
Labor unions have been very powerful in past
The AFL-CIO broke up in 2004, cutting big labor’s power

34. 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

35. Who are They? Who Do They Support??
Interest Group
Area of Concern/Cause
Who are They? Who Do They Support??
Common Cause
Reform in government; watchdogs
Both
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

36. 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%

37. Economic Interest Groups
Most interest groups are based on economics
Businesses (create favorable environment for business to prosper)
Agriculture (work for price supports from gov’t, but also limit gov’t influence)
Labor (Call public attention to the legitimate needs of working people. Accomplishments …eight-hour work day …child labor laws …minimum wage laws ...workplace health & safety laws)
Professional (protect and advance their professional field -- to do this, they...publish journals…give awards for excellence ...communicate their opinions to gov’t officials)

38. Other Types of Interest Group?
Cause-based
(National Wildlife Federation, League of Women Voters, National Rifle Association, MADD, Emily’s List)
Concerned with the welfare of people
(AARP – senior citizens, NAACP – African Americans)
Religious Organizations
(Christian Coalition, American Jewish Congress)

39. 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

40. 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.

41. Where Does the $$$ Come From?
Member dues
Federal grants
Direct mail appeals for cash
Internet sites
Dinners and fundraisers
PAC’s !!!!

42. Goal: Form Political Action Committees (PACs)
Organizations, formally independent of candidates themselves
channel money from interest groups to political candidates sympathetic to their groups' policy preferences
Electioneering experts who aid candidates financially with member support
Blossomed as a result of FECA of 1974
Buckley v. Valeo created the “PAC man”
Most money goes to incumbents

43. 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.
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???

44. 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.
It worked very well and PACs, or political action committees were born.

45. 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.
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!!!

46. Money from PACS
PACs may receive up to $5,000 from any one individual, PAC or party committee per calendar year.
PACs can give $5,000 to a candidate committee 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
½ sponsored by corporations; 1/10 by unions
1/3 liberal and 2/3 conservative (2001)
Incumbents get the most PAC money!!

47. Money Limits
Individuals can give up to $2600 to a candidate but PACS can give $5,000 to a candidate
Federal money will match presidential campaign money but….
Parties need at least 5% of vote in previous year for presidential candidate to receive funds
If that doesn’t happen you need PAC’s!!!

48. 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)
Human Rights Campaign

49. http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/index.asp Big Spenders in 2007-08
PAC Name
Total Amount
Dem Pct
Repub Pct
Operating Engineers Union
$2,612,560
86%
14%
National Assn of Realtors
$2,289,750
59%
41%
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
$2,286,550
98% 2%
AT&T Inc
$2,065,200
36%
64%
American Assn for Justice
$1,904,000
95% 5%
National Beer Wholesalers Assn
$1,856,500
52%
48%
Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union
$1,840,300
97% 3%
American Bankers Assn
$1,818,520
39%
61%
International Assn of Fire Fighters
$1,787,600
75%
25%
National Auto Dealers Assn
$1,696,000
35%
65%
National Air Traffic Controllers Assn
$1,638,825
77%
23%
Air Line Pilots Assn
$1,634,000
85%
15%
Service Employees International Union
$1,631,000
94% 6%
Laborers Union
$1,548,500
92% 8%
Credit Union National Assn
$1,530,699
55%
45%
American Dental Assn
$1,530,412
Sheet Metal Workers Union
$1,509,010
United Parcel Service
$1,502,001
Plumbers/Pipefitters Union
$1,467,150
American Crystal Sugar
$1,336,500

50. 2014 Top PAC Contributions PAC Name Total Amount Dem Pct Repub Pct
Operating Engineers Union
$1,571,208
80%
20%
Honeywell
$1,557,029
42%
58%
Northrop Grumman
$1,539,250
40%
60%
Lockheed Martin
$1,503,000
39%
61%
Every Republican is Crucial PAC
$1,500,000 0%
100%
AT&T Inc.
$1,490,350
National Beer Wholesalers Assoc.
$1,479,500
41%
59%
Intern. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
$1,436,024
97% 3%

51. If you give you shall receive!!
Where does all the $$ Go?
AKA
If you give you shall receive!!

52. Super PACs
Super PACs are a new kind of political action committee created in July 2010 following the outcome of a federal court case known as SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission (after the Citizens United case).
Technically they are known as “independent expenditure-only committees”

53. Super PACs Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from
Corporations
Unions
Associations and individuals
They spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates.
Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates.
Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis -- the Super PAC's choice -- as a traditional PAC would

54. Super PAC Group  
Independent Expenditures  
Viewpoint  
Total Raised  
American Crossroads
$1,135,853
Conservative
$6,643,257
House Majority PAC
$919,562
Liberal
$985,000
Communications Workers of America
$107,000
$295,000
Cooperative of American Physicians
$102,184
n/a
$1,258,351
Priorities USA Action
$96,555
$3,161,535
Majority PAC
$86,550
$1,082,407
Club for Growth Action
$51,917
$1,144,022
Conservative Action Fund
$25,287
$35,000
Lantern Project
$20,435
$25,310
Freedomworks for America
$12,295 $0
Turn Right USA
$5,792
$285
United Mine Workers of America Power PAC
$4,782
Raising Red
$2,125
$200,000
Matthew 25 Network
$1,100

55. 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!

56. Jack Abramoff Scandal
“Super-Lobbyist” Abramoff plead guilty to corruption charges in 2006
Abramoff pleaded guilty to defrauding the Native American tribes that were his clients, to tax evasion and to conspiring to bribe public officials
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