Bell ringer

# 34 Lobbyists

Interest GroupsPart 2

Today we will …

Objectives• Describe the ways

interest groups are funded.

• Discuss the impact of PACs, super Pacs and lobbying on policy making.

• Explain the difference between an iron triangle and issue network.

Agenda• Interest Groups &

Funding slide/notes• 60 minutes - Jack

Abramoff• Interest Groups share -

activity

• HW – Study Guide

5. Interest Group Funding• Foundation Grants• Rockefeller Family Fund• Ford Foundation

• Federal Grants & Contracts• Not for specific lobbying but for projects an IG has taken

up

• Direct Mail• Asking for donations in the mail or online• Techniques: teaser on the envelope, emotion, famous-

name endorsement, personalization

Money and PACs Money is least effective way to influence

politicians Little empirical evidence $ forces hand of politicians.

Campaign Finance Reform Law of 1973 Restricted amount interest groups could give to

candidates Creation of PAC’s

Rapid growth in PACs has NOT led to vote buying More money available to both sides

True or False? Candidates establish their own PACs

Challengers get more PAC $

Businesses split $ between two parties

PACs are mainly created by liberals mainly

9. Regulating Interest Groups• 1946 – Federal Regulation of Lobbying act• Lobbying groups must register with the government and

report contributions

• But …• Defined Lobby as actors in direct contact with members of

Congress• Grassroots activity was not restricted• No staff or department to review registration or enforce

restrictions

Lobbyist Disclosure Act of 1995

Congress unanimously passed lobbying bill

Tightened registration & disclosure requirementsBroadened the definition of a lobbyistDid not cover grass roots organizations (small

donors)

What is a lobby?• People who spend 20%

of their time lobbying• People who are paid at

least $5,000 in 6 months

• Corporations and other groups that spend more than $20,000 in any six-month period on their own lobbying staffs

What do they do?• Report 2x year• Names of clients• Income and

expenditures• Issues on which they

worked

2007 – New Regulations Take Effect• No gifts of any value from registered lobbyists or

firms that employ lobbyists• No reimbursements for travel costs from registered

lobbyists or firms that employ lobbyists• No reimbursement for travel costs, no matter the

source, if the trip is in an part organized or requested by a registered from registered lobbyists or firms that employ lobbyists

Super Pacs• As a result of Citizen’s United v FEC (2010)• Supreme Court ruled that gov. cannot restrict

independent expenditures by corporations or unions.

• Opened the door to super PACs• Theoretically, super PACs cannot coordinate or

make contributions directly to candidates• Money = free speech• “Uncoordinated” efforts with candidates, issue

oriented• Unregulated funds & undisclosed donors

Jack Abramoff Former lobbyist and businessman

Republican National Committee National Chairman from 1981 to 1985

Top lobbyist for legal firms of Preston Gates & Ellis and Greenberg Traurig

Director of the National Center for Public Policy Research and Toward Tradition

Convicted in ’06 for mail fraud and conspiracy

Served 3 yrs & 6 months of 6 year prison term

• Jack Abramoff: The lobbyist's playbook - 60 Minutes - CBS News

• What kind of contact should lobbyists be allowed to have with members of Congress?

Iron Triangle• Alliances among bureaucrats, interest groups and

congressional committees that form to promote a common cause. • Particular area of governmental policy• Strong & mutually supportive network• “Insiders” and behind-the-scenes work

• http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/barbbeyke/506/506%20Final%20Project/Iron_Triangle.html

Money Bring Favorable Access

Check for understanding• How can you tell the difference between an iron

triangle and an issue network?

Interest Group Share• Turn to your partner and share your interest group

analysis.• Each person should make notes on the back of the

sheet.• Find 2 other people to share with & take notes.

• What observations can make?• What is surprising to you?

Closure a. What is the fundamental goal of interest

groups in the political process?b. What is the fundamental goal of political

parties?c. How do interest groups support the goal of

parties?

d. For one of the forms you discuss in c. , explain 2 different ways in which it helps interest groups achieve their fundamental goal in the political process.