Why so many Interest Groups?• Diversity – “The latent causes of faction are

thus sown in the nature of man.”

• Numerous points of access to government.

• Weakening political parties.

• Changes in economic activities create new interests and define old ones.

• Government policies create interests.

Economic and Occupational Groups• National Association of Manufacturers –

14,000

• Airline Pilots Association – 40,000

• AFL-CIO – 13.2 million

• American Farm Bureau – 2.5 million

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce – 200,000

• National Small Business Association – 600,000

Energy and Environmental

• American Petroleum Institute – 52,000

• Sierra Club – 550,000

Religious, racial, gender and ethnic

• National Organization for Women – 266,000

• NAACP – 500,000

• National Urban League – 50,000

Political, professional and ideological

• Common Cause – 225,000

• American Medical Association – 270,000

• Veterans of Foreign Wars – 2.1 million

• National Rifle Association – 2.8 million

Tactics used by Interest Groups

• Provide Information

• Provide Money

• Cause Trouble

• Litigation

• Lobbying

Providing Information• Most important activity of interest groups.

• Credible, detailed information is essential for members of Congress to do their jobs.

• Testifying at Congressional hearings.

• Provide political cues and ratings.

• Suggesting legislation; sometimes even writing the legislation.

• Providing feedback from constituents.

Providing Money

• Creating PAC’s and donating money to campaigns.

Causing Trouble

• Organizing grassroots movements in home states or districts to force action on a topic.

• Staging protests/rallies in home district.

• Publishing editorials in local newspapers.

Litigation

• Filing lawsuits against government agencies that fail to follow through on policy.

• Challenging unfair laws/practices through civil suits. (Brown v. Bd. of Education)

• Challenging laws that go against their position (NRA challenges to waiting period outlined in Brady Bill)

• amicus curiae briefs presented in Supreme Court.

Lobbying

• Virtually all major interest groups hire lobbyists.

• Lobbyists make individual contributions to campaigns, help fundraise, take people to dinner, trips (junkets), ballgames etc.

• Serve as communication link between interest group and Congress.

Who makes a good lobbyist?• “Revolving Door” – former members of

Congress and officials in government agencies often work for lobbying firms on K Street in Washington.

• Well informed on topic.

• Honest.

• Knowledge of how the legislative process works.

Rules governing lobbying activities.

http://www.bryceharlow.org/resources/Lobbying_Rule_Changes_2007.pdf

Interest Group/Lobbyist influence on public policy.

• Often draft legislation that is sponsored by Congress members.

• Provide expert testimony to Congressional committees debating bills.

• Secure support/opposition to legislation among Congress members.

• Technical issues in bills are often submitted by interest groups via lobbyists. Guarantees that interest group (corporation) will benefit from legislation.